Question for German natives...sorry the computer messed up and this is here too many times...?

Question

ok I am an american living in germany for almost two years....I am 6'3 200 lbs.....I love to ride my bike work out and play all sports including soccer (which i suk at) but its fun I always try to talk german even though its not very well, I love to laugh and do things i think is kinds strange to germans, Like wrestling with my daughters at the park...My kids love it (they are 4 & 6) I watch american football because i love it. I also do things like working with my shirt off when its hot outside, or when i am riding my bike. I wear a colts ball cap and love to grill in winter when there is ´snow on the ground. I always help out in the community with various things, I know I stand out from the typical germans obviously, but they do appreciate the help. IDK if the germans think I am crazy or just a typical ''american''. I would like to know what germans think of this because no one will come out and tell me in person because they are nice people?..I live in a small town of 600

Answer 1

Well, Germans are quite conservative (in a positive fashion). Especially if you live in a small village of 600 people, they will notice you are different. I wouldn't worry about it, though, unless you feel you are disturbing someone. Then you should ask them directly, they will give you an answer or cease to make you feel uneasy.

As a German, I can tell you that the things (which are perfectly fine with me) may seem strange in a village, where conservative people like their routine. But they will get used to it.

I don't know how much 200 lbs is and how many cm 6'3, but some people rather see a body covered if it is not alean athletic one.

That's part of German conservatism.

But I wouldn't generally worry too much, only if you feel uneasy. Grilling in winter and not having a top on are things that are not usually done in a small village, but either they will get used to it or perhaps you can adapt a bit to German conservatism... ;)

Answer 2

There are probably 2 things that your German neighbours will find very weird: barbecuing in the snow, and liking American football.  You did not write which part of Germany you are living in, I can tell you from my own experience that people in the South do all the other things that you describe themselves.

People in villages are not more conservative than those in cities, they are mostly  more open to strangers because they don't see them as a threat. As an outsider you usually have "Narrenfreiheit" to a degree, things that would be disapproved of in a native will just be part of your "otherness".

So don't worry and enjoy!

Answer 3

Well, I am German but do not live in a small village as you do. I can only give you my comment of what you wrote. I do not think that it is that different to what Germans do from time to time.

First of all, Germans generally appreciate it when you try to speak German. I suppose you experienced that yourself allready.

The shirt off thing. Germans do that as well, allthough they shouldn't from time to time. ;-) Strangely German women usually don't do it at all... but that's beside the point.

German Dads wrestle with their kids as well. So that is not untypicall either.

Are you sure you are American? ;-)

The only thing that might be difference is that you are an outgoing type of person. Germans are usually more private (if you can say that). Don't really know how to explain that. They do not really want to be part of the community, at least not in public. They are straight forward and say what they think. This behaviour makes them appearing rude sometimes. Although they are actually not. That might have something to do with the German language, but I am not sure about that.

I travel a lot and experienced, that other cultures sometimes are annoyingly indirect when they try to say something. In the German language you can point something out very clearly and direct, without beeing actually impolite. This fact might be the reason, why Germans are less "sharing" cause it appears to us as a waist of time (hardly spoken) or we are expecting that - if someone does something for us for free, that he is actually expecting something else in return. If you know what I mean.

E.g. When somebody in a supermarket would offer a German to pack his bags and carry them to the car he would refuse that simply because he is expecting that he has to pay four it. When you give him a voucher when he enters the supermarket saying something like "free bag packing and transportation to your car" the German will imediately insist on that free service and will complain in the moment he would have to wait for it or when this service is not offered anymore.  

You should have noticed that Germans are a littlet bit strange sometimes, but they actually do not mean it rude or impolite. They are actually not as depressed or negative as they appear either.

My advice: Don't think about whether you are crazzy different or what so ever. Challenge your german neighbors. Most likely they don't really care anyway. ;-)

Answer 4

Hey, I am originally from Bloomington, Indiana, and my Dad is a huge Colts fan.

I bet you are really popular with German people-I think they appreciate a foreigner who does as much as you do, and is trying to fit into their culture, and speak the language.

I think what they probably thought was funny about me was the fact that I always wore t-shirts this past summer-something that made me stand out as the typical American, but I´m proud of it-in my German class I´m a celebrity:)

Answer 5

Hi! I'm German and can tell you that I doubt Germans think Americans are crazy - different maybe. I'm married to an American, and we live in a very small village. He is acting differently in many ways too, but he is liked and respected by the German community! I really don't think anybody has a problem with what you're doing. In fact, I think it's great what you write!! However, if you feel insecure just walk up to your neighbors and ask them straight forward what they think! I can only speak for myself and my own experience!

Answer 6

hey you shouldn´t worry too much. most germans are kinda open minded and this stuff they just like to watch, even if i go running i feel like i´m an animal in a zoo, sometimes you just think they  watching you  and that might think you are crazy.... but well i can tell you that i was over in the us the past year as an exchange stundent for a whole year and in the beginning a lot of people thought that i was crazy too probably, but they get used to it or you adjust more to the other culture, but it was really cool in the end of the year i had a lot of fun with my friends, and now im missing them like.. i dont even know how to describe it, but you really shouldnt worry, just be open minded and the "germans" will get used to you just as well as you get used to the german life slowly, maybe a little bit faster than the "germans"... hope you enjoy it over here ;-)