Try Not to Freak Out
In which we check in with each other after ten months in Deutschland.
This week, we’re interviewing family members so that we can learn stuff about their opinions. Enjoy!
Die Fragen Für Meine Mutti (Hadley)
What is your favourite thing in Germany that you can't get in the US?
The bread. All the different varieties of bread that are freshly baked throughout the day. I also love the bread slicing machine.
What do you miss from the US, apart from friends and family? Are there any substitutes in Germany?
I miss Target, Costco and Trader Joe’s. There aren’t really substitutions…there’s Woolworth, but it’s a million degrees in there and doesn’t have fresh food. The big REWE is pretty good.
What are some differences you’ve noticed about American and German culture?
Germans are honest when you ask them how they are, from what I can tell. They walk and bike much more. I really like how people here hang out at outdoor cafes to enjoy an ice cream, or a glass of beer, something like that. There’s a lot of socializing in public spaces.
What’s the most annoying thing you’ve had to do here that you wouldn’t in the US?
I have to go through a long process to get my driver’s license here, which is super annoying.
What’s the hardest thing about moving to Germany?
The hardest thing about moving is creating a whole new life from scratch, especially with school-aged children and a cat. Everything from furniture to schools to friends we have to figure out on our own, in a language that I don’t speak. Last time I moved to a new country, I was fifteen years younger, childless and catless. But – I've always loved a challenge!
A few questions for Hadley:
What is your favourite thing in Germany that you can't get in the US?
Probably all the pastries, specifically the marzipan kragen, the mandelhörnchen, chocolate anything, and of course the pretzels. I also like the ice cream stands.
What do you miss from the US, apart from friends and family?
I miss Trader Joe’s and peanut butter pretzels. I also miss bean and cheese burritos, and Grandma and Grandpa’s kitchen. And I really miss Irish Dancing in person with my teacher.
What are some differences you’ve noticed about American and German culture?
I’ve noticed that Germans really love to get outdoors, more than Americans it seems. Also, Germans are more concerned about getting fresh bread, and they’re much more into soccer.
How has your opinion of Germany changed after being here for almost a year?
There’s more vegan meat and tofu and vegetarian options than I thought there would be. I thought it would be all wurst – bratwurst and frankfurters and all that. I also learned that Germans can take a lot of sick days.
What’s the hardest part about moving to Germany compared to moving to California?
I already spoke English when I moved to California, so it was easier because I didn’t have to learn a new language. Culturally, there’s less babying of students here in Germany, which is good except that since I’m learning the language, sometimes it would be nice to have a little bit of extra help.
What’s your favorite German word(s)? What’s your least favorite?
Favorites: schmutzig (dirty) and Jawohl (yes indeed; yup)
Least favorite: words that make sentences complicated, like weil (because) and wenn (kind of like “when” – but only in some cases)
If you had to give a twelve-year-old who was moving from California to Germany advice, what would it be?
Try not to freak out. One of my friends in my Intensive Class told me that if other people care about what you’re doing, that’s their own problem, which I take to mean – don’t worry about what other people are thinking about you.
A few questions for Eli:
What are some differences you’ve noticed about American and German culture?
Germans walk a lot more than Americans, and they have a lot more bicycle paths. I like the way Germans prepare their meat better. They also have a lot of parks.
How has your opinion of Germany changed after being here for almost a year?
I thought Germans only had bratwurst and frankfurters and stuff like that, but actually they have a lot more types of food. I really like grüne Soße (green sauce), for example.
What’s the hardest part about moving to Germany compared to moving to California?
I have to speak another language – that makes it way harder.
What’s your favorite German word? What’s your least favorite?
Favorite: Frühstück (breakfast)
Least favorite: Eichhörnchen (squirrel – even though squirrels are some of my favourite animals, it’s a hard word to say and spell)
If you had to give a nine-year-old who was moving from California to Germany advice, what would it be?
Learn German as soon as possible and learn the colours and some verbs before you learn past tense. Germans are more relaxed than you think they are. And – you can’t change what happens to you, but you can try to change your attitude.
We hope you enjoyed a window into our current thoughts and opinions. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments! 🙂
Until next time – Tschüss!
Ten months! What an achievement! I certainly am very happy, having you here in Frankfurt and writing about it in such a delightful manner! Weiter so!!!
Love the photo of you two!