As a native German living in Ireland and teaching Irish students, I've encountered many stereotypes about Germany and German people. Some of these are spot-on, while others are so outlandish that they make us laugh. Today, I’m here to debunk some common stereotypes with facts, anecdotes, and a bit of humor.
Germans on Holiday
This stereotype is probably the first one I heard after moving to Ireland in 2015: Germans love to wake up early on holiday to reserve sun loungers! While I can’t say I’ve done this myself, I know many who do. It seems that most Germans are efficient and want to make the most of their vacation time, ensuring they have a sun lounger waiting for them. Yes, we also enjoy sleeping in occasionally, but since we aren’t big drinkers, we often start our day by the pool early. Stereotype: Correct
Germans Love Order
I can't deny this one; all 83 million of us are incredibly organized and appreciate structure in our lives. We like following rules, and if you’re ever in Germany, just observe how we wait for the green light before crossing the street—even when no cars are around. Crossing on a red light is frowned upon and illegal (jaywalking). Our love for order extends to having at least four bins at home for separating waste: plastics, paper, glass, and general rubbish. We treat waste separation like an Olympic sport! There’s even a government office called the Ordnungsamt, which translates to "office of order."Stereotype: Correct
Germans Love Beer
You’re probably thinking of Oktoberfest right now. Germany is home to over 1,300 breweries and boasts more than 5,000 different beer brands. In 2019, Germany ranked second in Europe for beer consumption, just behind the Czech Republic (the birthplace of Pilsner), which is particularly popular in Germany. Paulaner’s Hefeweizen is a favorite among Irish people and one of our top exports. Stereotype: Correct
Germans Are Punctual
Being on time is a given for Germans and a sign of respect toward the person you're meeting. While we aren’t always punctual, we would feel extremely apologetic if we were late. Public transport runs on a tight schedule, with very few delays and over 90% punctuality. In a recent survey, over a third (37.3 percent) of Germans said they are most proud of their punctuality. Stereotype: Correct
Germans Wear Lederhosen All the Time
When you think of this style, Oktoberfest likely comes to mind. While Lederhosen (traditional leather pants for men) and Dirndl (traditional dresses for women) are iconic, they originated in Bavaria in the 1870s and were worn by working-class peasants. If you visit Germany, don’t expect to see locals dressed in these outfits. Stereotype: Incorrect
Germans Love Football
One word: Bundesliga. German football (soccer) matches are the most attended sporting events in the country. The German Football Association has more than 26,000 clubs and 178,000 teams, drawing fans from around the world to see teams like FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Notably, the Bundesliga was the first league to resume play during the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in a dramatic surge in viewership. Stereotype: Correct
Germans Aren’t Funny
I might not claim we’re as humorous as the Irish, but we do enjoy a good laugh! Let me try to amuse you:
— Kann ein Känguru höher als ein Haus springen?
— Ja! Weil ein Haus nicht springen kann.
(Translation: "Can a kangaroo jump higher than a house?"
"Yes! Because a house can't jump.")
And here's another one for you:
— How many Germans does it take to change a light bulb?
— Only one – Germans are efficient and don’t have a sense of humor! Stereotype: Kind of Correct
Germans Just Love to Work
I can certainly agree with this one! Over 50% of the German population attends college or university. We are an educated, ambitious culture striving for success. Germany is home to some of the world’s largest companies, such as BMW, Siemens, and Bayer. Punctuality extends to the workplace, where arriving early and staying late is common. Efficiency is key to our success as a nation. However, we also value family time; that's why German supermarkets are closed on Sundays and public holidays, and employees typically receive 25-30 days of annual leave to spend with loved ones.Stereotype: Kind of Correct
Germans Aren’t Creative
Germany is often associated with its serious economy and industry, but many don’t realize we have produced some of the world’s most famous artists, like Franz Marc, Max Ernst, Caspar David Friedrich, and Emil Nolde. We also boast talented musicians and composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven and Hans Zimmer, along with pop icons like Nena (famous for "99 Red Balloons") and legendary actress-singer Marlene Dietrich. Germany has numerous art colleges, and Berlin is celebrated as a cultural capital, where creativity is embraced every day. Stereotype: Incorrect
Germans Love Sausages
Many believe we consume sausages daily, and while they are indeed a staple on our grocery list, we have a wide variety across different regions, allowing us to create different dishes every day. Did you know we excel at bread-making? German bread is renowned worldwide. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it! Our love for bread is so great that bakeries open on Sunday mornings (which is generally prohibited) to provide fresh loaves for breakfast. We make a diverse range of breads: dark, white, sweet, savory, crunchy, soft, plain, or with various seeds. When I ask my fellow German teachers what they miss most about home, they always mention the bread! German sausages are indeed a crucial part of our grocery lists, with each region offering its unique varieties; my personal favorite is Bockwurst. Stereotype: Correct
If this hasn’t given you enough food for thought (see what I did there?), you can also explore German culture and traditions in our classes. We teach German with a passion for the language and its heritage, embracing culture in every lesson and module.
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