As with each new year, there come changes. I'm not referring to the bid to take up a new hobby or cut down on eating chocolate, although great if you are doing this, I probably should. I'm talking about the changes that take effect in Germany. Changes to improve...
The GW Expat Blog
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politics
What’s “Karlsruhe” and why is it in the news the whole time?
If you happen to watch German TV or read German newspapers or simply follow German news, you know that more often than not, notices either begin or end with words along the lines of "Karlsruhe will give an answer by the end of next week" or "meanwhile Karlsruhe will...
On the campaign trail
In case you missed it, there was a general election last week in Germany. Receiving most of the international media coverage was, understandably, the fact that the AfD (Alternativ für Deutschland) won just under 13% of the popular vote, making them the third strongest...
Brexit – notes from a Brit in Germany
We found out the Brexit result at the top of mountain in Italy, the alpine hotel’s shaky internet connection making it almost impossible to read more than the headlines. Our reaction was disbelief. Like me, most people, whether Remainers or Leavers, couldn’t have...
Making a small contribution – refugees in Berlin
The situation is all over the news, it's what people are earnestly discussing over dinner, it has moved the country on a national scale - I'm talking about Europe's migrant crisis and the role Germany is playing. This is not the time nor place to be political. All...
Bis Bald: 10 Things I Love About Germans
For my last official post as part of the regular writing crew here at The German Way, I'd like to be typically American and end on a positive note. Here are 10 things I love about Germans: 1. Their honesty. You will never doubt the sincerity of a compliment that comes...
Playing Monk in Switzerland
It's unusual for me to find that it's my turn to blog and not have a topic or two that I'm bursting to write about. When that happens, I virtually leaf through Spiegel online and its English section, The Local and Deutsche Welle. My Facebook feed also sometimes...
A new government for Christmas
Germany has a new government, and it's arrived just in time for Christmas. CDU, CSU and SPD will govern under Angela Merkel (CDU) in a Grosse Koalition (Grand Coalition). That Koalitionsvertrag I wrote about in my last post has been approved. The SPD party members...
On the way to a Grand Coalition (election story continued)
As I have written before, Angela Merkel and her right-leaning Christian Democrats (CDU) won the most votes in Germany's election on 22nd September. 10 weeks have now passed, and still a new government is yet to be formed. From a British perspective, it seems to be...
Without a voting card on Election Day
Yesterday - Election Day. I, as an expat, was merely a bystander. But that did not stop a familiar shiver of emotion running up my spine at the sight of people strolling to the local polling station, peacefully coming together to democratically express their hopes and...
Election year – time to swat up on German politics
Before I became an expat I was well versed in politics. I read the broadsheets daily (usually at the top of a London bus on my way to work) and, when occasion called for it, I voiced a distinct opinion at dinner parties. So I find it embarrassing that after three...
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Part 2a)
Today I'm continuing my list of expat likes (the good), dislikes (the bad) and major gripes (the ugly) – all related to living in Germany. In Part 1 I began with "the bad," but my "good" list has turned out to be even longer! So long in fact, that I need to split my...
The German Past raises its ugly head
A couple of days ago I opened my local newspaper here in Reno and turned to the "Nation & World" section. Wow! A huge headline jumped out at me: "Germany links serial killings to neo-Nazi sympathizers: Turks are outraged by slow action." The Reno Gazette-Journal...
Just When You Thought You Knew German
The first time I had ever heard of “Swiss German” was when I was preparing to move from Düsseldorf, Germany to Rapperswil, Switzerland. My German neighbors had me over for a farewell barbecue and they said to me: “Whatever you do, don’t come back and visit us speaking...
Do You go to Church?
Happy Easter! This blog post is slightly late this week, because I have been busy doing what we all should be doing this holiday: spending time with friends and family. And because I live in the religious South of Germany, it is a nice long four-day weekend, with Good...
A Seventh Child Gets Lucky
Since we've left Germany, I try to keep up to date with some of Germany's domestic news through such resources as Deutsche Welle. As my lucky number is seven, I was curious about an article entitled, "Unlucky number seven causes headache for German President." Thanks...
“Friendly Service” and Zero-Euro-Jobs
Who's left holding the (grocery) bag? One definition of culture shock: The first time an American goes through the checkout lane at a German grocery store. The first shock is seeing the cashier/checker comfortably seated rather than standing. The second comes as the...
Politicans and Universal Constants
Whenever I am stuck for a topic to write about, I can always get myself fired up by just reading the newspaper. Today was no exception. Guido Westerwelle, in particular, is a great topic whether in a blog or at the pub. Mr Westerwelle is currently the head of the...
“On Se Won Händ”
Ripped from the headlines in Germany, YouTube has shamed and ridiculed yet another public figure, this time former Baden-Württemberg's Minister President and now Germany's European Union Commissioner, Günther Oettinger. The widely circulated video is of Oettinger...
Earth to FDP!
We are about four months into the new government here in Germany. As so often seems to be the case in politics and people, the current government seems to have mis-interpreted what the voters wanted to say. It should not be so surprising, really. It is difficult to...
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