Kultur 6

   When reading through the article about closed doors for Kultur 6, I was very intrigued.  I found it funny that the scenario that they described has, in fact, happened to me many times even in my native society.  This just puts into perspective, how awkward a scenario like this could be in a foreign environment.  I also found the article somewhat helpful and insightful.  It just goes to show that confidence is very important when it comes to interactions in an unknown environment.  You cannot be afraid to take chances or you will never have the opportunity to establish new relationships or break new barriers in life.

Kultur 6

Sex, Smut and Shock: Bild Zeitung Rules Germany was about various newspaper images in Germany. It was interesting to read what these papers consisted of because they are similar to newspapers and magazines here in America. many of our magazines contain nothing but gossip about the latest celebrities, new reports, and advertisements that include women and even men dressed provocatively.

German Privacy: Come On In, My Door Is Always Closed was about how you have to be assertive when trying to receive an answer from someone behind a closed door. In America a close door usually means to come back later but they express how in Germany you have to be assertive even if the door is closed. Usually people don't like to be bothered when their door is closed or usually that means that they are busy. It's interesting to read how even with small things such as choosing to knock on a closed door vary between here in America and in Germany.

 Division Hell: Worshipping the Garbage Gods was about how garbage is handled over in Germany. Germany and America share some things in common when it comes to the way garbage is handled. Many places and homes have recycling bins along with their regular waste paper cans. in the article they stated, "Like everything else in Germany, recycling bins also have strict opening hours. You're not allowed to use them on Sundays." I found this to be rather interesting that on a certain day out the week you're not allowed to use the recycling bin.

Kultur 6

I was extremely intrigued by the "Bild" article. Coincidentally, one of my favorite things to do at the grocery store is to laugh at the headlines in the tabloids in the checkout aisle. Numerous sex scandals divorces and false deaths steal the show. It sounds like Bild is Deutschland's equivalent to "The National Inquirer" in the United States. I couldn't resist the urge to check out Bild's website; even just for a second. Sure enough, I was promptly greeted by the headlines:


"Schwer Verknallt in Porno-Sternchen.  Charlie Sheen: Sie ist die Liebe meines Lebens!"

I decided I got enough chuckles after seeing Charlie Sheen found the love of his life in a Porn star and called it quits.



As for the other articles, I've continued to learn that many common customs we take for granted in the United States are much different over there. I imagine many tourists from our country have headaches when they travel to Germany and learn this stuff the hard way. The garbage sorting would especially frustrate me! I'm unorganized as it is, so why would I organize my trash?

Kultur 6

Reading this Kapitel's cultural articles gave me some good insight into the German psyche. Bild Zeitung seems to have cornered two markets, the low-brow celebrity worshiping, porn ogling crowd, and the politically charged, conservative porn ogling crowd. It seems like a pugnaciously trashy circulation but I can totally see why its popular. The article about keeping doors closed and knocking assertively did not really surprise me, as I can understand that German's appreciate their privacy. I think it would be much more efficient if the German's adopted single sort recycling because it would take up less space with less containers, and ultimately be much less maintenance.

Kultur 6

I was happy we read the article about the Bild; many times I read an article in the news which quotes the Bild as a source. From now on I will know how to disregard such citations seeing as this news paper has little to no validity, as it seems.

The article about recycling gefallet mir euch. It reminded me of the complex and serious method implemented in England. At first I thought that the EU does a good job of educating and funding such infrastructure. Then again, I don't remember any such concern from visits to Poland and Greece, so I guess this is again an east-west dichotomy. 

Last, but most definitely not least, i was thrilled to read the Tübingen's sister-city in the US is Ann-Arbor. Anna Adler must be overjoyed.