German traditions?

Question

I'm mostly german and our family hasn't been into the whole tradition thing EVER. so i decided to find out traditions.

So

what kind of traditions are there that don't have to do with weddings or christmas?

Answer 1

These are laws not traditions, but stores are closed on Sundays. You cannot mow your lawn on Sundays. Your kids can't even make noise outside on Sundays.

Answer 2

There was one called something like "Pfhasing" sp? where every one would dress up in costumes.

Answer 3

Here are some of my favourite traditions:

Sternsingen: January 6th is the day of the three Magi. Little (Catholic) Children dressed up as Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar go from house to house singing songs, collecting donations for charity and blessing your house. The kids are also called Sternsinger (Star singers) in memory of the star that shone above the manger in Bethlehem.

Karneval (in some Regions called Fasching or Fastnacht): A period of dressing up in costumes, having processions and general party-going. It usually culminates on Shrove Monday, then ends on Ash Wednesday. Historically, it's a last-minute go at indulgence before lent, and it also has some roots in heathen traditions of driving out evil winter spirits. PLus, the carnical societies that developed especially along the Rhine wear uniforms which used to be a way of making fun of French occupying troops. So you get loads of serious-looking men in funny hats like him:

http://www.karnevaldeutschland.de/Hauptf...

April Fool's day - that's something we celebrate, too, playing tricks at other or trying to pull their leg.

In the night leading to May 1st, dances are often held and, especially in rural areas, men will put up a maypole outside the home of their sweethearts - I think this is similar to Maypole traditions in other European countries, which you can read up on here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maypole

Then there's November 11th, which is St. Martin's day. We have processions with lampions and torches, and children go from door to door (again :o)) singing songs, only this time they collect candy. It's abit like Halloween, but without the fancy-dress bit. It's all in memory of St Martin, who gave half his coat to a beggar to stop him from freezing to death.

Answer 4

When invited to someone's house always:

1. ask if you should take off your shoes

2. bring flowers or a bottle of wine for the host

Answer 5

I live in German, been here 1 year, from what i seen Germans looove beer, they drink it at lunch, they love sausage, and in winter they drink this awesome drink called Gluhwein is hot and they sell it in the outdoors markets, usually most Germans go to church on Sundays, They love bread, the have bakeries

everywhere and sell pretzels with butter they are sooo good, also they eats lots of pork, anything else u want to know just contact me.

Answer 6

I'm an American who married a German woman (Bayern Frau to be exact). Two of the traditions I experienced was on our wedding day. During the party after the ceremony, my wife was "stolen" from me. I was made to travel around to find her. I don't remember how many places I went and people I asked, but I "found" her. The other was the re-arranging of our hotel room that night which was interesting.

Yes, they did involve a wedding, but a tradition non-the-less.

Other traditions, talking forever at the dinner table. Germans love to discuss things and I learned to enjoy it. In the US, we tend to eat and go watch TV. Not very intellectual.

Answer 7

"Schultüte"...

a Schultüte is a large cardboard cone, filled with candy and little presents given to children in Germany on their first day at school...

Answer 8

There are so many different traditions in different regions of Germany, so without knowing about your family origins, it's impossible to tell without giving you the impression that Germany has 365 holidays a year. Besides, there are are regions where I simply don't know the local traditions. I'm Bavarian having lived in Berlin for a couple of years; if this could be helpful to you, please respond.

Answer 9

okay, here are a few-

The traditional meals are;

light breakfast with bread rolls, cold meat, and cheese (in the part of Germany I'm from, Sunday breakfast is mostly the same except an egg is served in its shell runny style)

Lunch is the big meal of the day, usually warm.  Braten (which is kinda like a roast), potato balls called Knudle, speizle which is warmed noodle looking things and maybe a beer.

Dinner is another light meal that resembles breakfast.

Another tradition is a schnapps after your big meal or dinner-this is believed to help with digestion.

Answer 10

I think Alwin answered you well, with out more information it would be too hard to say, they have different customs in regions just as we do here in the USA from North to South and East to West. Customs vary there too.

So we would need to know more.

Answer 11

Well, every Christmas, my family and I being German, open our Christmas gifts Christmas eve, instead of Christmas day. We also hide a pickle in the Christmas tree, and which ever child finds the pickle first receives the best gift.