In Germany, there used to be no need for alarm systems if you had an old lady in the neighborhood. She would look out of her window all day, know about everything going on with everyone and yell at the kids to get off the lawn. Times have changed and I feel like this security system and one-person-intelligence-agency is more and more disappearing. I remember being stared and yelled at from two windows in the neighborhood fairly regularly, but I never see similar things happen in my neighborhood now.
Which is okay, because it is really creepy. Made aware of the fact that Americans experience the feeling of being stared at or judged by strangers in Germany, I started paying attention to my own behavior.
Here is the thing that I have to admit:. I look at people for all kinds of reasons and in all kinds of situations. I look at someone if I like their hair. I look when people are out running. I started running about a year ago. Looking at others motivates me. Bottom line -- you're minding your own business. You look around and there they are: a pair of eyes peering from a slightly parted, white lace curtain in the window of the first floor apartment in your building.
One of your German neighbors is expressionlessly watching your every move. Scenario two: You jump into the subway on your way to work in the morning and plop down in the nearest seat. Glancing up from the morning paper, you can't help but notice that the person across from you is staring at you for all he's worth. You break the gaze, but each time you look back, he's still staring. Is it a challenge? A come-on? More info OK. Wrong language? Change it here DW. COM has chosen English as your language setting.
COM in 30 languages. Deutsche Welle. Audiotrainer Deutschtrainer Die Bienenretter. Such as: 1. Drafts are the enemy Germans' relationships with breeze are extremely complicated, it seems. Speed limits? Hard copies. Hard copies everywhere. DW's Dana Regev. German men, why are you like this? Meet the Germans. Most of the stores are closed — the only exceptions are small shops in train and gas stations. The British have their tea time, the Germans celebrate their coffee and cake tradition — especially on weekends.
Sunday afternoons, between 2 to 3 p. If you have neither the time nor the talent to bake something yourself, just drive to the next train station or bakery that opens on Sundays for a couple of hours to serve the German demand for fresh rolls and cake. People expect you to answer and talk about your life — for example, how your family is doing or what your Sunday afternoon plans are. Germans are much more comfortable with being naked than most other Europeans and Americans.
Like, birthday-suit naked because bathing suits are not allowed. For health reasons, whatever that means. In Germany, intense eye contact is a daily occurrence — to such an extend that expats and visitors have dubbed it The Germanic Stare Down. In Germany, you can never assume that a store or restaurant will accept credit card payments: Germans prefer good old cash. Also, be prepared to pay for any plastic bags if you forgot to bring your reusable ones and to pack your groceries yourself.
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