Living in Germany: Wunderbar! (pt. 2)
Living in Germany is wonderful, because of the people.
Everyone I've met has been very nice and accepting to me. My impression of the Germans so far is that they're polite, well-mannered, accepting and the men are such gentlemen. Wherever I go, I never feel like I'm a foreigner. They would speak German to me by default, and when they realise that I don't really speak German that well, they would be glad to speak slower to me. They also patiently wait when I try to string words together into coherent sentences. At first I thought it was just how things were at the premises of Goethe Institut, where all students are required to speak German at all times and all staff are required to support us doing so. But once I started going out without my husband, I realise that this is the basic attitude of German people in general: kind, helpful and accepting.
I also realise that here in Germany, I am considered somewhat unique and pretty. Back home in Asia, I was just one in a million: ordinary. No one would glance twice when they pass me by. But here, I attract more attention and kindness from the opposite gender. Our hairdresser complimented me about my skin and features, which would mostly be condemned in Asia. The beauty standard in Asia is sometimes too westernised: we want bigger eyes, double eyelids, thinner nose, sharper cheekbones, whiter skin. Once I am here I realise that the Europeans actually appreciate our Asian features that we may find so unappealing.
I have recently read a news story about two Koreans being berated by an American lady in a Starbucks in America for speaking Korean to each other. She then went on to say that everybody should speak English in America and call them immigrants and such. I have been very lucky that I have never encountered such treatment here in Germany. It helps that I mostly go out with my big and tall husband, of course, but even when I am out on my own, I've never felt threatened or alienated in any way.
Living in Germany is wonderful!
Everyone I've met has been very nice and accepting to me. My impression of the Germans so far is that they're polite, well-mannered, accepting and the men are such gentlemen. Wherever I go, I never feel like I'm a foreigner. They would speak German to me by default, and when they realise that I don't really speak German that well, they would be glad to speak slower to me. They also patiently wait when I try to string words together into coherent sentences. At first I thought it was just how things were at the premises of Goethe Institut, where all students are required to speak German at all times and all staff are required to support us doing so. But once I started going out without my husband, I realise that this is the basic attitude of German people in general: kind, helpful and accepting.
I also realise that here in Germany, I am considered somewhat unique and pretty. Back home in Asia, I was just one in a million: ordinary. No one would glance twice when they pass me by. But here, I attract more attention and kindness from the opposite gender. Our hairdresser complimented me about my skin and features, which would mostly be condemned in Asia. The beauty standard in Asia is sometimes too westernised: we want bigger eyes, double eyelids, thinner nose, sharper cheekbones, whiter skin. Once I am here I realise that the Europeans actually appreciate our Asian features that we may find so unappealing.
I have recently read a news story about two Koreans being berated by an American lady in a Starbucks in America for speaking Korean to each other. She then went on to say that everybody should speak English in America and call them immigrants and such. I have been very lucky that I have never encountered such treatment here in Germany. It helps that I mostly go out with my big and tall husband, of course, but even when I am out on my own, I've never felt threatened or alienated in any way.
Living in Germany is wonderful!
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