National stereotypes exist, whether we like it or not. Most fulfill a comedic purpose. Some, however, hit close to home – especially when you know they're not true. As a German who has been confronted with her fair share of German stereotypes, I feel as though there are a few details that require clarification. So let's make use of this wonderful invention that is the internet and demystify some of the stereotypes surrounding German society.
1. Germans have no sense of humor.
Germans laugh when something is sincerely funny. So don't be misled: just because we don't run around with an inauthentic smile and don't laugh at every single joke, doesn't mean we don't have a sense of humor.
2. Germans still believe in pan-Germanism, the superiority of the Aryan race and the enslavement of the "Untermenschen" (a.k.a. Germans are all Nazis).
Anyone who is genuinely convinced that this statement is true deserves to have a history textbook hurled at their face – preferably a heavy one. It's been 70 years since the collapse of the Third Reich and what followed were long periods of denazification. You will have a very difficult time finding any remnants of Nazi ideology in present-day Germany. As a matter of fact, since its formation in 1964, the German national socialist party NPD has never managed to overcome the five percent threshold (a prerequisite for representation in the national parliament). Then again, none of this should be of any importance. Reducing a country of 80 million people to a snippet of its history is, frankly, immature and ignorant.
3. Germans are all boring.
Spend a day at the Munich Oktoberfest and then we'll talk. No, in all seriousness, it is astounding how well-rounded and interesting some Germans are. They do everything from off-piste skiing, to visiting the opera, to backpacking through Asia. And, contrary to popular belief, Germans know how to party.
4. The German cuisine is strictly limited to Sauerkraut, sausages and beer.
Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, Wiener Schnitzel, Apfelstrudel and Kartoffelpuffer: Enough said.
Fun fact: there are many Germans, who actually despise the taste of beer. They'll prefer a glass of Riesling (German white wine) instead.
5. Jeans? T-Shirts? Please. Germans only wear Dirndl and Lederhosen.
You'll find us wearing Dirndl and Lederhosen during Oktoberfest and practically nowhere else.
6. Germans are angry and short-tempered.
We may sound angry to you, but we aren't actually angry. Admittedly, German doesn't sound as charming as French or as romantically intriguing as Italian, but it doesn't sound as angry as the speeches Hitler delivered at the Nuremberg parades, either. Most Germans are actually quite patient and will go out of their way to avoid conflict.
7. Germans can't pronounce the word "squirrel."
This one is actually true. Ask any native German speaker to pronounce the word "squirrel" and all you'll get as a response is something along the lines of "sqwirrull." Then again, try pronouncing the word Eichhörnchen (German for "squirrel").
8. Germans are very patriotic.
Actually, most Germans are afraid to express their love for their country. We have a difficult time coming to terms with our past, which inhibits our ability to celebrate our heritage. In my opinion, a German passport is nothing to be ashamed of. Heck, we have a castle that looks like a Disney palace. We are home to some of the world's most renowned scientists and thinkers. And to top it off, we have Angela Merkel. I, for one, am proud of my country.
