Article from Mark Twain on the German language (HERE). Letter from Proclai Founder & Co-Director John Bowers (HERE)

Interesting Differences:

1. In the U.S., a person is innocent until proven guilty. In Germany, a person is guilty until proven innocent.
2. When driving and you come to a cross road, you must yield to any cars coming from the right, even if you are going straight on a larger road and even if they are turning (I’m not I can explain this clearly but it means you have to slow down or stop every time you come to a tiny road on you right).
3. Another driver can give your license number to a police officer and he will write you a ticket and mail it to you even though there was no other proof of a crime.
4. In their equivalent to a presidential election (they have a Chancellor), you don’t vote for a person but rather only for a political party. Though you know who the party if putting forward they can always switch it on you (since you don’t vote for individuals).
5. There is official representation of Neo-Nazi s in what is their equivalent to our Congress as well as a party with communistic views.
6. There’s virtually no border between EU countries (makes Passport stamps very rare).
7. Swing music and dancing was against the law in Germany prior to and during WW2.

Take the "Life in Germany Quiz"

1. What is the most commonly seen logo in Germany (for us at least): a. Munich soccer team, b. Manchester United soccer team, c. German national soccer team, d. New York Yankees.
2. What type of food is represented by the most restaraunts in our town: a. sausage, b. pizza, c. weinerschnitzel, d. Turkish doner-kababs.
3. What is the average price of tennis shoes at the local sporting goods stores: a. 25 eruo, b. 40 euro, c. 50 euro, d. over 80 euro.
4. Computer and electronic goods are: a. cheaper, b., the same, c. slightly more expensive, d. significantly more (20-100+% more), than in the U.S.A.
5. Flowers at the flower markets are: a. cheaper, b., the same, or c. more expensive, than in the U.S.A.
6. The evangelical church in Germany is about: a. 1% of the population, b. 2.5%, c. 5.2%, d. 10.4%.
7. Which store have we NOT seen in our town: a. Wal-Mart, b. Ikea, c. Costco, d. McDonald's.
8. To wash and dry a load of laundry cost us an average of: a. 1 euro, b. 3 euros, c. 6 euros, d. 8 euros.
9. How many swing dancing venues are there in our town: a. 0, b. 0, c. 0, d. 0.
10. About how much does a gallon of gas cost: a.) $1.50, b.) $2.00, c.) $4.00, d.) $7.50.
11. True or False: German trains are always (or almost always) ontime.

Answers:

1. D, 2. D, 3. D, 4. D, 5. A, 6. B, 7. C, 8. C, 9. 0, 10. D, 11. False,

What's Different?

Germany and the U.S. have many similarities, but also many differences. We're fairly new here, but this is our preliminary list. Please note that this list is not to bash Germany nor the U.S. It's just for education and fun.

Let's start with washing machines. In the U.S. is takes about 45 minutes to wash a load of laundry and about an hour to dry. In Germany it takes about 2 hours to wash clothes and about 2 hours to dry (if you're fortunate enough to find a dryer!).

The euro. It's great having a currency that works in many surrounding countries. Unfortunately for us, the euro is currently stronger than the dollar which means our dollars don't go very far (bummer!). The bills are made out of a different kind of paper/fabric. The U.S. dollar is actually fabric but I think the euro is paper (I've already ripped a bill).

Smoking. Everyone and everywhere (well, that's an exaggeration...sort of).

Leg Warmers. Yes, I said leg warmers. They're all over here. Kind of . . . different.