Remembering how to be a German

I mentioned in my last post that I have the privilege of being both a stranger in, and a member of two different countries this year. This is true, and while it makes for a very learning filled life, it is also straight up confusing sometimes.

Coming home to the states was less eye-opening in some ways than my last reentry into the states post semester abroad in Vienna. In fact, I was looking forward to most of what surprised me in the past.

For example, instead of being appalled at the sheer wastefulness of all of our precious natural resources, I lavished in a 30 minute shower (wasting as MUCH water as possible) turned the heat on high, and had the heat kicked in early enough I would have dried myself off with paper towels just because I could...

Instead of being surprised and dismayed at how lazily we drive our gas guzzling cars around parking lots just to wait for a spot that is a mere 50 meters closer, I rejoiced in hopping in my unnecessarily large car to drive unnecessarily short distances.  I ordered fast food that was conveniently delivered right to my door, and laughed giddily as I got to wash the uneaten extras down the magical garbage disposal and throw the container--whether it was plastic, metal, paper or whatever (because it doesn't matter)--into our very large unsorted trash can.

Oh yes, my time in America was quite enjoyable, but alas, it was also very eye opening in less obvious ways. I re-learned (or learned for the first time) about the absurdity of our legal system, which is actually tied to our health care system, in addition to realizing that much of our "polite" behavior is actually quite corollary to our political system. How 'bout all that for a relaxing trip home?

You'll have to wait for my more scholarly remarks on the aforementioned topics because for now, before I forget, I would like to share with you my first impressions upon returning to German soil. It may be equally as educational. Especially if you ever intend to visit this (insert adjective of your choice) country.

The first thing I noticed is how much easier traveling from America to Europe is than the other way around. My trip back to the states included 3 rounds of pat downs and strip searches (which is putting it nicely), and included 2 trips through customs, where I was forced to remember the monetary value of every item in my bag, which thankfully was nothing but a small carryon backpack. This small carry-on was evidently quite suspicious though, because real Americans don't just travel with a backpack so clearly I'm a security threat...cue pat down # 78. By the time I was finished being felt up for the umpteenth time I missed my connection to St. Louis.

Coming this direction, however, I only had to go through an easy security twice and only had to take off my shoes once. I also didn't even get my passport stamped as I breezed through the line (which didn't actually exist) in the Hamburg airport. The customs official complimented my german, sent me on my way, I picked up my bags and took public transportation back to Flensburg. As pleasant as it was, things got a little more confusing from there.

I forgot that on weekend regional trains you are likely to run into at least one drunk person who will inevitably sit near you. I surrounded myself with bags and coats to discourage any sort of socialization (I was fighting jet lag and not in the mood to talk) but inevitably the stench of hangover hovered throughout my train car and I glared angrily at the direction of the 3 possible people responsible for this before I promptly passed out (so much for fighting jet lag).

When I got to Flensburg, I forgot that taxi drivers don't like to drive you places that can be walked to within 10 minutes. While I live actually about 15 minutes from the train station and could feasibly walk, there was no way I was going to schlep the huge bag I brought back with me through the Flensburg rain.

I had to put on my best smily american helpless face and had to convince this guy (really? who has to convince a taxi driver to drive you anywhere...) that I was new here and needed the taxi. This then  prompted the taxi driver to give advice saying "stay away from people who are nice to you from the start--they only want something from you... The good people are the people who don't say hi first and are reserved and act suspicious of you when you introduce yourself. You can trust these people"

Ahhhh welcome back to Flensburg!

THEN, although it was raining and I was exhausted from traveling for 20 hours, I needed to go to the store because, damint all--the next day was Sunday and EVERYTHING is closed on Sunday. I was too hungry to move, which is when I noticed a liter of "haltbar" (non-perishable) milk in the corner of my room. Sounds suspicious, I know, but this "haltbar mik" is the ONLY thing convenient in germany and man, is it awesome (if you don't think about it). It is ultra-heated so that it is somehow safe to keep out, unrefrigerated, for about a year before it goes bad. Don't judge, if you have to go to the store every flipping day because you are out of your half liter of milk, you'd be drinking this stuff too.


When I finally made it to the store I forgot that I needed a little chip to get a grocery cart, so I had to juggle all of my necessary items (which were subsequently  greatly reduced to what I could carry) in my exhausted arms. When I got up to the check out place the (excuse me) asshole in front of me had spread out all of his groceries so I had to continue to balance all of my items in my now shaking arms. He finally noticed me and scooted his stuff up so I could relieve my muscles and I gave him my bestest THANK YOU SIR smile. He smiled quite warmly back, which was odd,  and then I remembered again--I'M IN GERMANY. He thought I was flirting with him. He warmly smiled at me through the whole check out line. eww. eww. eww. Lesson re-learned--don't smile at strangers-- dear learning Gods, just let me be!

So it was a day full of reminders, but by the time I put myself to bed I was a german again. I even washed the stairs today and unplugged the washing machine when I was done hanging all of my clothes to dry. The joys of being a german. Again.

Stay tuned for more enlightening updates. Smile on, America. I'll see you again in 6 months.

New Year's Resolution

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

This blog is about 12 days too late for making the grand entrance into the new year with bold assumptions goals and confetti but for all of you who made resolutions on January 1st and have forgotten them by now you can thank me for reminding me that they do, in fact, still exist 12 days later. Without further ado: the resolution:

Dear 2011,

In order to add purpose and meaning to this year of learning, I promise to share the perspectives I've been privileged to gain by being both a stranger in, and a member of, 2 different countries this year. I promise to comment on these perspectives at least twice a month, even if it's only one sentence. 

Sincerely,

Meredith

To be honest, I've been harboring this resolution since October when my journal full of observations and my email was full of notes to myself about things I had learned that day and my bookmark bar was too full to keep saving cool newspaper articles that spoke to the nature of the US or Germany. I had gathered a ton of information but I still didn't feel comfortable sharing because I wasn't sure I understood Germany well enough to be credible.  

During my holiday back in the states, however, I found myself starting every other sentence with “WELL, did you know that in Germany …” (cue bored uninterested look from cousins and friends whose vague to non-existent interest in Germany exists only in WWII movies) and I realized I knew more than I thought I knew, and it’s about time I share this knowledge... even if only to get it out of my system and become a cousin worth listening to again. 

I've spent the holiday writing future posts so I can be diligent about reporting, and sorry to say--you're gonna have to wait for the good stuff. 

I'll leave you today with a taste of what is to come by sharing with you my big, bold, probably-wouldn't-fly-with-my-professors-but-hey!-this-is-my-blog-and-I-can-do-what-I-want-so-deal-with-it, thesis statement. Eh hem…

I believe the state of German and American societies today are largely (if not entirely) based on the decisions made in the 10 years following WWII. Additionally, the things that make each society great are also tragic flaws that hinder growth and improvement as we navigate a world still battling financial crisis (and other nonsense).

So there you have it. A beautifully broad blanket statement that actually somehow fits with all of the hypothetical blog posts I’ve already written.

I hope the information I get to share here is enlightening to you, and who knows, maybe I can change the world with the stuff I report. It’s worth a shot. 

Happy New Year and good luck with all of your resolutions!

Bis Bald!