


Am 08. Dezember 2006 gaben sich die Ehre: die Damen Unger und Pardemann, begleitet von Herrn Förster.
Ein rauschendes Fest!
Mein schriftstellerischer Entwurf zum Thema "Critical Incident" (= Schlüsselerlebnis) im Fach Intercultural Communication, Oktober 2006. Finde, der letzte Absatz ist der beste.
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I have so far lived in Germany, England and Spain.
When I went to Spain (or more precisely, to the island of Mallorca) I expected to find a foreign language and a different culture. I found two languages, actually: Castellano and Català. People also spoke German and English. I lead myself to believe I embraced the new culture I was presented with, with all the minor incidents that make stays abroad so special. I encountered the true sense of a relaxed attitude and learned to appreciate it. I became slightly more relaxed myself, even in a business environment. I realised that most tasks in life can actually be done without filling in a formular beforehand. I came to believe that sunshine does have an influence on one’s state of mind.
When I went to England for my studies I found a culture full of irony, lots of drinking and equality issues (religion, gender, nationality). I found a fairly comfortable place to live (after moving house twice) and I adjusted. I felt OK. I noticed very German traits among fellow Germans and questioned them. I learnt to smile at the very German things I invariably did myself. Apart from the weather, I liked living in England.
Then I came back to my home country. Back to Germany. Here, I have since felt somewhat out of place. I believe this is what they call “reverse culture shock”. I have discovered a lot of things that annoy or astonish me: Why do shops close at 8pm? Why are service staff so deliberately unhelpful? Why do most Germans worship bureaucracy? Why is the international food section in the supermarket called “Foreign Specialities” as if to scream does-not-belong-here-even-if-some-people-buy-it? I have also discovered I do like punctuality and thoroughness, in some contexts at least. However, not as purposes in themselves.