CultureNotes: Germany

Today is Ascension Day in Germany, and in honor of the religious and public holiday, we'd like to share a few more bits of German culture with you. If you can't get enough of Germany or its culture, be sure to head over to the CBYX Instagram page, where NOD-picked CBYXer Sarah has taken over our account for the week! 

Want to learn more about other cultures? Head to the CultureNotes page on our website.

Germany's culture has been shaped by many influences over the years, but there are some constants throughout the country often called the "Land of Ideas."

German people tend to strive for precision in all aspects of their culture, from industry and business to food and art. Germans place a high priority on structure, privacy, and punctuality. Children in Germany are raised to be independent and are encouraged to criticize, say “no,” and have open discussions with peers and adults.

Being opinionated is considered a positive characteristic in Germany, especially given the country’s history. During World War II, Germans were not allowed to question the Nazi regime, so Germans are now taught to question and discuss issues. Your student is not trying to be stubborn or rude when they disagree with you, but is just trying to think critically and think for themselves.

Being straightforward is important to Germans as well. It is important to discuss problems with your student and let them be a part of a solution. Likewise, if your student expresses a problem, appreciate their honesty and work together to solve it.

German is the official language of the country, and 95% of the population speaks it as their first language. Christianity is the dominant religion (65-70% of population), and of those, 29% are Catholic. Sports are also a big part of life in Germany, with 27 million Germans active in sports clubs.