German Personality Traits ;-)
Filed in Culture & Art, Traditions
I found the Schnitzel Republic Blog on the personality traits of the typical German quite by accident.
Wow, are we really like that? In typical German fashion, I was obsessed (I mean, motivated) to find out if these were really true.
Stubborn & Argumentative
Germans stubborn? Wow, when a German’s got his mind to something — then nothing will detract him (or her) from their mission.
Case in point, 3 friends were coming home from a German club one night. The driver stopped the vehicle right in the middle of the street putting his car in park and absolutely refused to move until the €20 he thought was owed was paid right there on the spot.
The funniest part? They were 2 blocks from their house — the passengers could’ve walked home. But, noooo… they decided to argue it out in the middle of the street.
Stubborn? I’d say yes. Argumentative? Too. Maybe there is some merit to this.
Wow, that’s two typical German traits for the price of one story.
Tradition
I’d call it loyalty. Yes, Germans will find a brand they like and stick to it (you know, Mercedes vs. BMW vs. Audi). There’s something comforting in the fact that on the 2nd Saturday of the month when the moon’s in Aquarius with a Venus rising that there’s some event or another going on. Makes it easy to plan things that way.
Why is this a shock? Germans plan, plan, plan. One friend (me) will stare at you for a good 5 minutes before answering a question because he’s thinking how to answer. ;-)
Coldness
One non-German friend said, “the Germans started two World Wars, they’re not exactly the kissy-huggy type”; this in response to a lady asking why her new German boyfriend wasn’t romantically demonstrative in public.
This gives us the impression of being cold. We’re not really, we just believe in formality.
Humor
As cold as the world sees us, we’ve got a funny streak. Silly, nonsense humor isn’t going to do it for us — give us irony or vulgarity and we’re laughing til beer shoots out our nose (which isn’t funny, BTW).
Creative
Ever see a German’s eyes glaze over? They’re in deep thought as how to make something work better, faster, more efficient if you will. Some of the best inventions have come from the logical thought process that is a German brain.
Remember that when you brush your teeth with toothpaste or take some aspirin for a headache.
I would like to add one more.
Orderly
My grandmom used to say, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” Yes, we’re a bit OCD in the whole keeping order department. We like things tidy with no clutter — chaos is a German’s Kryptonite.
Don’t believe me? Go mess up a German’s desk (kitchen, bathroom, whatever) and watch their whole world spin out of control. I’d gander that would be hilarious — unless you’re German, of course! ;-)
Or if you’d like to get up and travel to wherever your nose takes you? Don’t do that to a German. It has good, valuable reasons to plan out a route first to ensure the most efficient travel experience.
Conclusion
You know what? I must say that I’m happy to be stubborn, argumentative, traditional, cold serious, humorous, creative, and orderly. Oh, and I’m also glad to be efficient, punctual, reliable, meticulous, down-to-earth, honest, and a true friend. :-)
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10 Responses to “German Personality Traits ;-)”
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hello i sent you a letter hope you receive it ok. nelson smallenbarger
hello i sent you a post offivce letter . hope you get it ok
hello i sent you a letter to germany but it cameback wrong address . what is your real address in germany as i want to sent this letter back to you please sent me your german address thank you nelson smallenbarger 1733 paradise trail troy ohio 45373
hello marcus i have been to schmalenberg germany in 1980 or 1981 i enjoyed my visit to schmalenberg my grandfather home town. i am glad you include a message about my grabdfather on schmalenberg g. he would be glad they received a reward for the town . he was a good farmer and had a 60 acre farm close to kessler station in ohio. what is your mailing address so i can send you a saga about the town of schmalenberg ? thank you . i would like to know more about the schmallenberg name but cannot find much. nelson smallenbarger troy ohio 45373.
Even though while growing up I was not considered “German” and not considered “American” by my other heritage,,leaving me “wondering” who DO I belong too,, I realize now that I am older I really am half one and half the other. It can be more of one then the other depending on “where I live”! If Im in Germany or the US I embrace being stubborn, argumentative, traditional, cold serious, humorous, creative, and orderly. Oh, and I’m also glad to be efficient, punctual, reliable, meticulous, down-to-earth, honest, and a true friend. I consider myself “more German” because I really LIKE the traits listed above about me, but dont be fooled,,I can also say that when the National anthem comes on ANYWHERE or God bless the USA,, I get “goose bumps feeling VERY proud that Im “american”. (that probably explains) why I was not considered by “either side” ;o) it seems Im confused, or maybe just ,,,Proud to be GERMAN to some and AMERICAN to others , its a COMPLIMENT IN EVERY WAY NO MATTER WHAT !!
Hi, I am an American married to a German man 14 yrs, living in US. My two cents as a person who has tried to be happy with this, shall we say, different attitude: I can’t do it anymore. It’s a shame because the good qualities are there and are good, great even! (orderly, work intelligent, etc.), but the coldness just goes beyond anything I can imagine sometimes. And couple that with his stubborness, passive-aggressiveness, and the fact that our mutual nearly teenage daughter cant stand him whatsoever due to his critical and cold attitude and lack of parental guidance on his part, and I guess our cultures are clashing big time:/ Sadness in this family … we were never good enough:(
Yep, it’s pretty much all true. I wrote the blog note over two years ago and won’t move from that point…a single bit. Comment after comment comes in line with that. But the thing is….there are absolute moments when you need that German individual and their attitude in life. We wouldn’t have ABS or fine beer….without them. And that humor…might not be so bad (it does grow on you).
I stumbled upon this quite by accident, and it is SO true! I am born and raised American, but my family is of German lineage. I was raised around people who were directly from Germany, as well. Every SINGLE one of the traits listed describes me to the letter. But I consider it a blessing and a curse. No one truly understands why “logic dictates” is how I live my life. Very difficult in the work environment! I often think I would live a happier life in Germany, as I would be surrounded by people who are like minded. Hopefully no one considers lists like these offensive as these are traits that get results! Kudos!
I have noticed that these match my traits, all of them, very Accurate to German description, gut gemacht! To fellow Germans: Next time someone critisizes our country about trying to take over the world, tell them our country was the only one that was brave enough to try it multiple times. ( Spruce it up if you have to)
I am a 2nd generation GermanAmerican having been born near a small German speaking town where I learn to speak English only after approaching school age. I am proud where my 100% German ancestors come from and have been to Reisbach a.d. Vils and Bachham many times.
All German traits I see in myself.