Encounter with another culture
Two years ago I traveled to Germany. As I live in Great Britain I expected to see a fully another country because it takes much time to reach Germany. I was eager to visit my aunt who left there 20 years ago and now she has her own family in Germany. By the way, her husband is German and has another mentality. It was also exciting for me to find out about their compatibility and their difficulties or lightnesses in their family which were caused by fusion of two different cultures.
When I met them at first, I was happy to see that their children have grown up. To my happiness all the family understood me when I spoke English and could communicate with me. Only the younger daughter could not understand me. My German is not so good and it was rather difficult for me to communicate. I did it in English. I tried to express myselfas clearly and straightforwardly as there are many cultural rules which are different in some countries. So I did my best in order not to result in abject failure.
When I saw their house for the first time I was really surprised because it looked gorgeous. They had different furniture, different size of walls, ceilings, floors They lived in two-stored building. My family has also such a house but planning differentiates greatly. It means that Germans have not only a different style of life, but also different way of thinking and mentality which was sometimes difficult to understand.
On the other hand, they are eager to know everything about you. He put me so many questions concerning my country, my life, family, studying It is rather interesting to observe such a phenomenon when people do not want to tell about themselves but want to know everything about you and your life. He was interested in almost all spheres of my life. I can make conclusion that Germans are accustomed to control everything and everybody. Many people here are extremely direct. They say something as they see it, but, at the same time, they keep you at the distance and try to conceal from you some personal facts concerning their lives. The fact that Mr. Agler is married my aunt he tries to maintain our conversation as we are, in some way, relatives.
If we speak about German culture we should mention here the fact that Germans are industrious nation. In this spectrum English resemble Germans, but the difference is that englishmen have another attitude to the work. I would say «easier» attitude. After work we have a rest and visit our friends and relatives. Germans relax, mostly, in their own families and do not have a great desire to spend a lot of time outside home. Just close friends and relatives sometimes are invited into the privacy. So their homes is the place where informal communication may be observed. So it is not curiously that houses are very tidy and well-furnished. We should know that must take off shoes when entering. In my country it is the same but there are some exceptions. Cleanliness are valued so much both at homes and on the streets. I should say that outside English houses it is also clean. We are European countries and there are some similarities between us.
Punctuality. Everyone knows that this word stays together with German people. If you are invited to interlocution, job or even friends, it is important to arrive on time. Germans must not miss appointments and break promises.
As we know German is the face of modern Europe and we see it looking at people living in this country. It is a liberal, modern and has high living standards. People are well-educated and stay to live and work in their own country as government is ready to support their people, their initiative and inventions.
I waited for viewing places of interest in Germany so much. I know that there are a lot of exciting buildings, cosy places. The history is full of incredible facts and secret details. It is very interesting to find out them and observe different famous places, which are known all over the world. I know many people who are eager to visit this really European country and visit its spots. As for me, I am keen on history of not only my country. When I visited Berlin with it’s the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin Cathedral, Saint Hedwig`s Cathedral, Bode Museum on Museum Island, Berlin Victory Column in the Tiergarten, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Berliner Philharmonie, Pergamon Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Neue Wache, Reichstag building, Rotes Rathaus, TV tower, Gendarmenmarkt and othes, I was astonished as these places are so beautiful and have curious details of their history.
In Great Britain we also observe charming architecture with majestic history. Many foreigners traveled into my native Land as many years ago Great Britain was the greatest and mighty country. Nowadays many English places of interest can «speak» about glorious history.
All is different here. People, customs, traditions, culture, music, architecture I love my country so much and know that I cannot live without it. I am fascinating with history and leaders who ran England many-many years ago. Our nation admires all the valiant marches and should be thankful for our independence.
Germans tend to take care of their own cultural inheritance and try to follow their traditions remembering them, renewing architecture and prominent masterpieces.
Besides, I have forgotten to mention the fact concerning table manners. It was rather new for me to stand until invited to sit down. I was shown to my seat. English hostesses are used to treat their guests with the best dishes. Germans do not have a habit to serve their quests. Each person takes what and how much he wants. If it is big table, it is normal to pass the bottle with alcohol to the person who wants it. We should also remember that in Germany people do not begin eating until the hostess stars. When Germans eat they leave their hands on the table beside their plates and finish everything on their plates.
After my journey I did not experienced cultural shock as people in my country are also very educated and there are many tourists who are eager to observe our national monuments and prominent buildings. My feelings were obscure in some way and I really did not know what to do at that moment because I was accustomed to the rules of Germany.
Germans live in such a world where everything is understandable, rigid and according to system. We are different. All the nations are different, I suppose but the difference between these countries is obvious.
