After almost 20 years in Italy, my first time in Germany was quite shocking, especially because of having to deal with all the stereotypes and misunderstandings which are counterproductive and misleading in the encounter between cultures. Therefore, I decided to study the German culture (aka drinking beer in a Biergarten and observing Germans in their natural habitat) and I have recently come up with an ultimate guide to how Italians approach Germany and Germans when abroad. Stereotypes sometimes have valid explanations, and sometimes do not, but they are definitely worth being explored, and my Biergarten case study produced the following results:
1. Italian food has a different meaning in Germany: TRUE
Despite the Italian-sounding names accompanied by some familiar titles, like Nonno Beppe, Zio Gigi, Babbo Geppetto, German food disguised as Italian is never a good idea. Lesson learned: Italian food can only be eaten in Italy, and no, you will never make me believe that that Leberkäse is mortadella, despite its label!
2. Germans are cold: FALSE
One thing is for sure: PDA is not for Germans. However, public displays of affection are a fundamental part of the Italian tradition, and they shouldn't be exported: forget warm hugs with friends and a kiss-on-the-cheek with acquaintances; this is not an international greeting, believe it or not. And don't get offended if some German steps back or runs away screaming when you try to get closer. Save all your effusiveness for your return to the Bel Paese, or occasionally for some festivals, where even the most reserved Bavarian will suddenly become your best friend and involve you in a crazy dance-and-sing-along, like a modern Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
3. The weather is horrible: TRUE
Italy definitely has an ideal climate, which guarantees the right quantity of vitamin D, while still having mild and acceptable temperatures. Unfortunately, we only realize this when we move abroad, possibly during a storm or in the pouring rain. Why did I leave Italy, why?
#4 In Germany there is no art: TRUE/FALSE
Many times Italians take the "historic city center" for granted, but in Germany it is not so implicit for every town to have at least a couple of marble pieces of art or impressive architecture from other centuries; it is actually very difficult to have a drink or to take a walk with an authentic masterpiece in the background. There must be a reason if tourists from all over the world visit Italy to enjoy its artistic heritage; only Italians seem to be the ones not aware of it!
5. Coffee there is different (and scary): TRUE
Macchiato is definitely an endangered species in Germany: if a good espresso is difficult to find, a macchiato (namely, an espresso with a delicious, creamy milk foam in a tiny little cup) is as rare as a white rhino. And not only can it rarely be spotted, it is replaced by its big brother "Milchkaffee", a half a liter bucket of coffee and milk.
CAUTION: if you're an Italian and decide to order a macchiato you will get a "latte macchiato"!
6. Germans are very efficient: TRUE/FALSE
Everything seems to work pretty well in Germany, but if there is something they are extremely good at, it is striking, and that of course causes inefficiencies. In any case, you can be sure that a strike will be majestic: either a week long, or accompanied by music and balloons, or "open-end" -- all things that will make Italians regret their quiet one-day-long strikes.
7. Germans love sandals with socks: FALSE
I have never spotted someone wearing this fashionable combination, but I am pretty sure that many people would like to. I wouldn't therefore say that they love it; maybe it is an unexpressed desire, but it remains a wish and it doesn't commonly come true (the whole of humanity thanks you for this).
8. Italians and Germans are very different: TRUE
Italians in Germany are likely to experience culture shock, since the lifestyle and the approach to life are totally different: however, people can always learn from variety. Dear Italians, even if in Germany you miss food, coffee and la mamma, you should make the most of the positive aspects of Germany and the Germans and implement them into your daily life. What about starting to show up for meetings on time? Or at least not 2 hours late?
Lisa Fontana is a small-town girl from the Alps trying to survive the big city life in Munich. Even though she dreams of her native region in northern Italy, she loves Bavaria and its beer, as well as foreign languages and international food. At the moment she is enjoying her last semester of university and getting a taste of adult life by working as an intern at InterNations, the world's largest network for people who work and live abroad.