David's World

March 11, 2005

Germanism Eins, Zwei

Sometimes, people that meet me are a little suspicious, because I don't sound like a proper German - occasionally, I even have to get out my German passport to convince them. At parties, I used to say I'm Canadian, which tends to work well until someone goes, "Hey cool, me too, I'm from Toronto, eh!". Besides, I don't want people to think I'm an American in disguise.

Germans, like Americans nowadays, sometimes have an issue with their heritage. In Germany, it's considered inappropriate to say, I'm proud to be German!. Germans don't have flagpoles attached to their houses like Americans have them, and in general, at least the intellectually upper half of the population is fairly modest in their chosen affiliation with Germany. For good reasons, Germans have ceased to be be proud in the years before 1945.

But hey, one's nationality is not really one's greatest achievement anyways, is it? I tend to say: I'm European. I felt reassured when I read what Germany's most prominent late-night comedian, Harald Schmidt said: Only when I see those grumpy faces at the baggage claim, that's when I realize: I've come home.

Among the things I miss about Germany: the fun language, of which I will happily give you a little sample. To enjoy it properly, may I ask my English-speaking readers that you lean back in their Germanism-appreciation chairs and read the following blog comment (which I found here). It helps if you read it out lout with a proper German accent:

I am full your opinion. Sometimes it is very important (and clever) to think twice before doing "things". So it should be very important ... to set for the first time an unmistakable sign.

So after that everyone know what they better don't do.

What you said is so true, i mean at school when i say that im proud to be german they call me a nazi it sounds like there just kidding but i don't agree with what Hitler did at all or want to follow him and i plan to go to germany sum day but thanks for that artical, now i know some more about germany.

Well I am french Canadian from Montreal and I think that people who still think that german people are still nazi they are so wrong.I know that no one in Germany would be ready to follow hitler...That is past and the world goes on. Personaly i don't know why but i love Germany and i want to go visite out there, thats one of my dreams.
Anywayz, have a god day!