| | |
The Xenophobe's Guide to the Germans by Stefan Zeidenitz and Ben Barkow A guide to understanding the Germans that uncovers their insecurities
and gently dispels even the most ingrained prejudices.
| Teutonic torment | | In every German there is a touch of the wild-haired Beethoven
striding through forests and weeping over a mountain sunset, grappling against
impossible odds to express the inexpressible. This is the Great German Soul, prominent
display of which is essential whenever Art, Feeling and Truth are under discussion. |
| Angst breeds angst | | For a German, doubt and anxiety expand and ramify the more you ponder
them. They are astonished that things haven't gone to pot already, and are pretty
certain that they soon will. |
| Longer must be better | | Most Germans apply the rule that more equals better. If a passing quip
makes you smile, then surely by making it longer the pleasure will be drawn out
and increased. As a rule, if you are cornered by someone keen to give you a laugh,
you must expect to miss lunch and most of that afternoon's appointments. |
| Angst breeds angst | | Because life is ernsthaft, the Germans go by the rules. Schiller wrote,
'obedience is the first duty', and no German has ever doubted it. This fits with
their sense of order and duty. Germans hate breaking rules, which can make life
difficult because, as a rule, everything not expressly permitted is prohibited. |
| The nature
of the Germans - very funny but true description. You must read this book, if
you want to learn more about the strange nature of the Germans because you will
find most of it in no other book. The book is full of prejudices - but they are
all true (I can assure you because I AM one of the strange people). There are
comments to nearly everything which is different in Germany, e.g.: Polishing cars,
drinking beer, order & discipline, "everything is forbidden unless it is
explicitly allowed", why you don't have a German word for "small talk".
Some Germans will NOT like this book, because they don't like that somebody laughs
about them. But I think, everyone who reads this bookwill understand their (sometimes
strange) behaviour better. | | Stuttgart, Germany |
| Concise,
true and very funny. I'm a German working from time to time abroad (often in the
UK). I think it is a great insight on the attitudes, implicit policies and main
motivations of Germans. Furthermore, it is very funny (I had to read it in one
session and was laughing out loud most of the time). A must read if you plan to
go to Germany! | | Dortmund, Germany |
| Brilliant
balance between British humour and German reality! This book is absolutely hilarious!
As a German who lived in London for 2 years, I think I am well qualified to congratulate
the authors on their well balanced analysis of the German mind and culture. The
combination of British humour and German reality is absolutely perfect - it made
a German laugh! | | Frankfurt, Germany |
|
I have read a few of the Xenophobe's Guides, and this so far is the best and the
funniest. Maybe because I have lived here for the last two years, and experienced
all the wonderful quirks and traits of the locals that I could relate to this
book, but really, it is for everyone who plans to visit or live here, and of cause
for the Germans themselves. Natually, I didn't agree with all of it, especially
the working atmosphere... It's really not as formal as written in the book, at
least not these days, but much of the rest runs true. |
| Germany |
| Xenophobe's
Guides which give a wickedly satirical look at the foreigners we love to hate... |
| Cambridge Evening News |
|
An enlightened new series, good natured, witty and useful. The Xenophobe's Guides
to different nations deserves a real cheer. |
| The European |
Nationalism
and Identity
Character
Attitudes and Values
Happy Families
Manners
and Behaviour
Leisure and Pleasure
Drinking and Eating
Custom and
Tradition
Sense of Humour
Culture
Systems
Culture
Systems
Business and Commerce
Government
Language | |
| 
| Authors:
Stefan Zeidenitz and Ben Barkow |
| Format:
96
pages, pb | | Published:
20/02/08 | | Updated:
New Edition | | Price:
£4.99 | ISBN-13:
978-1906042-33-2 |
|
