By kaandle
While I'm sure there are many stereotypes of Americans in Germany - loud, in a rush, rude - two stand out above the rest. First and foremost, our desire for small talk and discomfort with silence are duly noted by the German population. They prefer stoic silence over meaningless conversation. "Nice weather we're having, isn't it?" is unsuitable for elevator rides with strangers. However, with this being said it is important to note the U.S. sided stereotype - Germans are a hard and unsocial people - is very untrue. The value is on meaningful conversation. Quality over quantity kind of thing. Talking for talking's sake is uncommon, and quite honestly, refreshing. There is no need to fill silences and pauses to gather your thoughts before speaking aren't immediately filled with another comment to keep the conversation flowing.
The second is a bit more difficult to define. Throughout the past month, especially when traveling to other German cities like Dresden or Hamburg, the common response from a local after saying we're from the States is "why are you here?" This is not an inquiry about what we are studying or if it was the culture that enticed us. Instead it is a surprised statement with a hint of disdain. At the moment I am still uncertain if the surprise comes from an opinion that Americans are generally uninterested in Germany and therefore seeing people spend long periods of time within its borders is thought of as unusual or if they are utterly unaware of how interesting Germany can be.
Regardless of German expectations we are actively working past our cultural differences and misunderstandings. The group's native German friend group is finally expanding past host parents and student assistants! It may take a little stepping out of our comfort zones, but bridging the gap between German and U.S. customs is an exciting adventure.