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Article: Perspective: Never ask German folk how they are; Germans have a reputation for being hard-working, humourless and punctual. But is there any truth in it? Sabine Eichhorn, a German who is studying at The University of Birmingham, explains her fellow countrymen.(Features)
- Article from:
- The Birmingham Post (England)
- Article date:
- May 20, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Sabine Eichhorn
Don't say: 'How are you?' to a German, if you don't want to know the answer.
In my homeland, we don't ask that question in the same way as the British - as a little phrase of politeness used to extend the word 'hello.'
Germans will give long and detailed answers to that question, including the intricacies of how their mother died or their washing machine broke down that morning, not because they are inherently boring, but they were asked a straight question so they will give a straight answer.
We don't have the ...