Dyson and Malmesbury seem like a lifetime ago, even though in reality I have only been here for a month.
I had forgotten how frightening it was driving in a new place. I would never say I am one of those people who enjoys driving, I drive, but only really as a necessity to get from A - B. However back in the UK the thought of driving somewhere new never really scared me, apart from the unknown dent the petrol cost would leave in my wallet. Now I am in Germany part of me really wants to drive around and get to know the area however the thought of exploring makes my hands sweaty and my heart race, mainly because of all the bloody trams! Its always that moment on an intersection when I don't know whether I am about to turn onto the tram line or the road as it is very easy to do either. Then there are the tram traffic lights, they have a red and an amber but no green! So I was sitting on a roundabout already completely lost, not even really realising I am on roundabout, wondering if I can go or not because there was no light! You are also expected know the speed limits by heart, and be able to tell what speed you are supposed to be going just by your surroundings because speed signs are for losers.
Now that I have all that ranting out of the way, this really is a great country, the air is clean and fresh, there is still a very distinct culture full of traditions, which I think is fizzing away very quickly in England because people are either too cool, or too busy to take time to goof around and dress up in silly clothes with their children. Fathers here spend lots of quality time with their children, I have seen at least double the amount of Fathers wondering around with their strollers as I would see anywhere in the UK. People here respect the playgrounds, they are well looked after and are not vandalised. Shop keepers will give small children gifts like a slice of cheese, or a bretzle, even the bank has a rocking horse for children to play on and a stash of gummy bear bags to give out to the little ones. It's only a small gesture but I feel like it helps children feel valued rather than they are just an annoyance to society.
All the focus spent on letting children be children, making them an important and happy member of the community most likely is why Germany has so many very successful adults. If you are made to feel unimportant, if it is not appreciated that tasks like going shopping can be very boring or stressful for you as a small child because half the time you cant even see what is going on, or understand why you have to wait silently for 10 - 20 minuets whilst your parent does what needs to be done, it can be very frustrating and those frustrations can mould the way you act as an adult. This being said I know this is only a theory, and this is not saying that everyone in Britain has an unhappy childhood, I grew up in the UK and I have very fond memories of being a child and all it entailed. My only point is I wonder if I would have turned out differently if I grew up in a culture which values childhood as highly as it is valued in Germany.
I leave you with a Fastnacht witch, to scare that nasty winter away!
I had forgotten how frightening it was driving in a new place. I would never say I am one of those people who enjoys driving, I drive, but only really as a necessity to get from A - B. However back in the UK the thought of driving somewhere new never really scared me, apart from the unknown dent the petrol cost would leave in my wallet. Now I am in Germany part of me really wants to drive around and get to know the area however the thought of exploring makes my hands sweaty and my heart race, mainly because of all the bloody trams! Its always that moment on an intersection when I don't know whether I am about to turn onto the tram line or the road as it is very easy to do either. Then there are the tram traffic lights, they have a red and an amber but no green! So I was sitting on a roundabout already completely lost, not even really realising I am on roundabout, wondering if I can go or not because there was no light! You are also expected know the speed limits by heart, and be able to tell what speed you are supposed to be going just by your surroundings because speed signs are for losers.
Now that I have all that ranting out of the way, this really is a great country, the air is clean and fresh, there is still a very distinct culture full of traditions, which I think is fizzing away very quickly in England because people are either too cool, or too busy to take time to goof around and dress up in silly clothes with their children. Fathers here spend lots of quality time with their children, I have seen at least double the amount of Fathers wondering around with their strollers as I would see anywhere in the UK. People here respect the playgrounds, they are well looked after and are not vandalised. Shop keepers will give small children gifts like a slice of cheese, or a bretzle, even the bank has a rocking horse for children to play on and a stash of gummy bear bags to give out to the little ones. It's only a small gesture but I feel like it helps children feel valued rather than they are just an annoyance to society.
All the focus spent on letting children be children, making them an important and happy member of the community most likely is why Germany has so many very successful adults. If you are made to feel unimportant, if it is not appreciated that tasks like going shopping can be very boring or stressful for you as a small child because half the time you cant even see what is going on, or understand why you have to wait silently for 10 - 20 minuets whilst your parent does what needs to be done, it can be very frustrating and those frustrations can mould the way you act as an adult. This being said I know this is only a theory, and this is not saying that everyone in Britain has an unhappy childhood, I grew up in the UK and I have very fond memories of being a child and all it entailed. My only point is I wonder if I would have turned out differently if I grew up in a culture which values childhood as highly as it is valued in Germany.
I leave you with a Fastnacht witch, to scare that nasty winter away!
