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Zurich15365 Posts
This is an illustration of German stereotypes, mapped onto German regions and states. This map was inspired by the European stereotype thread seen on TL a while ago. The idea is to map stereotypes other countries know about Germany, as well as stereotypes Germans maintain among themselves onto the regions within Germany where you can actually find these stereotypes existing.
The map is not exact at all, and certainly not exhaustive either. I compiled the list of local and regional stereotypes that Germans like to keep among themselves through interviews with people from (almost) all over Germany. I won’t deny that the map probably reflects my South Western point of view and bias though.
I’ll drop some random bits of knowledge concerning what is illustrated on the map for the most common terms one would associate with Germany. Please feel free to ask for explanation on other terms I put on the map, I will happily explain them in more detail in the comments.
Engineering – The South-West German state of Baden-Wurtemberg produces as much industrial machinery as the United States. Dozens, if not hundreds of small and midsize businesses from BW are world market leaders in specialized machinery and industrial goods. Got a tunnel to dig through the Alps? A machine from Baden-Wurtemberg will do the job.
Cars – Also in Baden-Wurtemberg are the headquarters of Daimler-Benz and Porsche. Audi is located in BW and the neighboring Bavaria, where BMW has their headquarters as well. Volkswagen on the other hand are up North.
Beer – Beer is made all over Germany. However, partly due to the yearly Oktoberfest, Bavaria is probably most known for it, and produces more beer than all the other regions as well. Of the approximately 3000 breweries in Germany, about 600 are located in Bavaria. However every single city or town in Germany has several micro-breweries, and of course the bigger brands are available anywhere as well.
Serious – The stereotypical German seriousness and sternness you will find in the North. Being from the South I have found pretty much every foreigner who visited down here said they didn’t expect how open, friendly, and nice people in Germany are. This is also Germany’s true cultural division: It’s not so much East and West; The real difference is more between North and South, or let’s say North-East and South West.
Rammstein – The band Rammstein is something many foreign people associate with Germany. The band’s name originates from the South West German city of Ramstein, home of the 2nd largest US military base in Germany. In 1988 the world’s deadliest airshow disaster happen on Ramstein airbase, when 2 jets collided mid-air and crashed into the spectator area, leaving 70 dead. The band is named after the disaster, and their song "Rammstein" refers to it.
Sausages - Okay this one was not easy to place. I really don't know where the idea comes from that Germany eats sausages all day. The German state Thuringia is known for their supposedly outstanding sausages so that's where I placed the item on the map. Other than that Germans eat not more sausages than Americans eat hot dogs.
Random bits of knowledge about Germany
Ep2: Sauna
Ep1: Small Talk
 
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this is awesome, thanks for sharing. I now know I want to visit somewhere in the west 
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Could you elaborate a bit on the dirty porn thing. What cities - or rather towns (in that area of the map) - is that related to, and why?
Anyway, nice work!
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9071 Posts
On the topic of sausages, if you find yourself in a german pub, dont just order "sausages" hoping for a guarantied nom-nom-nom. There are lots of different sausages and you should choose yours wisely
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Beer and german girls next?
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What is this thing in the south-east?
Oh and there are naked people in the uncharted territories I heard.
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North germans are more open-minded. Where did you get that from? Maybe you have encountered some unfriendliness in the north, but you should consider that bavarians are pretty much hated every in germany except in bavaria itself. You forgot that bavarians are usually cocky and have a weird sense of humour. East germans are less wealthy and they like bananas.
Berlin people are not that unfriendly, just very direct and a little bit cocky.
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Zurich15365 Posts
On December 14 2010 05:58 bitter[KALT] wrote:
Could you elaborate a bit on the dirty porn thing. What cities - or rather towns (in that area of the map) - is that related to, and why?
This is mostly referring to the city of Essen and the area, where Germany's biggest adult production company, Videorama, is located. Also most of German porn is produced in that area, or rather was, until they all went out of business.
I have no definite confirmation for this, but I am pretty sure most "German porn" is not produced in Germany.
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Zurich15365 Posts
On December 14 2010 06:11 nK)Duke wrote:
North germans are more open-minded. Where did you get that from? Maybe you have encountered some unfriendliness in the north, but you should consider that bavarians are pretty much hated every in germany except in bavaria itself.
It says liberal and worldly in the North, and conservative in Bavaria, which I think covers this pretty well.
Humor in Germany is an entire topic for itself as every region in Germany has a different sense for what is funny.
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Cool, TL makes you so worldly lol :D
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hehe, I immediately knew the map had to be disciples work
nice blog, altho speaking of stereotypes, Sauerkraut is kinda missing :p
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Huh, I never knew about the porn thing. Shame on me. Where in the southwest are you from, zatic?
P.S. Baden Württemberg :D
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Dirty porn and easy girls. I don't know what part of Germany that is but I'm getting a ticket.
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really cool write-up and awesome illustration. really enjoyed the series so far!
could you explain why Lörrach and Waldshut are tree huggers? i live near the border to waldshut and never heard someone say baumschmuser to anyone ^^ are they environmentalists?
would love to do something like this for switzerland, but i don't have the skills and time to do so. i'll leave it to the experts 
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What about the Tree Huggers? Is it just because of the Black Forest?
Ah beat me to it^^
Btw. such a map would be boring. There'd only be 2 parts. Racists and wannabe french ppl 
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On December 14 2010 06:34 Coagulation wrote:
whats with the nazis ?
Most of the eastern parts of Germany suffer from high unemployment. Right-wing radical parties have it easy there and are often also represented in the federal governments, albeit with little influence.
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i'm from sauerkraut! its in the middle! :D tastes good! (actually, i'm a little bit more south, but of descent right in the middle which is a lot closer to sauerkraut)
![[image loading]](http://sirdoomsbadcompany.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/kassler-sauerkraut.jpg)
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Sick map (wooo disciple)
I plan on heading to Germany in a year or two to visit some relatives and just enjoy a nice vacation overall. With that in mind, I think you should help me around and play SC as well as devote the next article to tourism in Germany ;o
I love the series, please keep it up!
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Man you should try to find a job in travel agency you make me want to go to the Germany even i never thought i will want to :D you are really good in this keep it going hope for some xmas special :D
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United States1172 Posts
My wife is from Cottbus and she agrees with all of these, lol. =)
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Let's chart the regions of Germany with the four humours:
Choleric- South
Melancholic- East
Sanguine- West
Phlegmatic- North
It's amazing how prophetic climate is.
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Zurich15365 Posts
On December 14 2010 06:35 DoXa wrote:
could you explain why Lörrach and Waldshut are tree huggers? i live near the border to waldshut and never heard someone say baumschmuser to anyone ^^ are they environmentalists?
Yes that whole area is known for being environmentalists. Nowhere else does the Green Party receive more votes.
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What sausages would you suggest?
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The only ones I'd eat are Coburgers. Sausages are generally pretty bad in Germany. Go to Poland for sausages.
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I am disappointed I was unable to go visit Germany last year and enjoy large quantities of easy women, porn, football and sausage. Damnit.
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On December 14 2010 06:54 MoltkeWarding wrote:
The only ones I'd eat are Coburgers. Sausages are generally pretty bad in Germany. Go to Poland for sausages.
this sounds so wrong lol.
but i have to disagree with you, germany has good sausages. but on the other hand i agree, poland has them best sausages
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On December 14 2010 06:11 nK)Duke wrote:
North germans are more open-minded. Where did you get that from? Maybe you have encountered some unfriendliness in the north, but you should consider that bavarians are pretty much hated every in germany except in bavaria itself. You forgot that bavarians are usually cocky and have a weird sense of humour. East germans are less wealthy and they like bananas.
Berlin people are not that unfriendly, just very direct and a little bit cocky.
I don't know why I found this so funny
:o
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9071 Posts
On December 14 2010 07:03 FragKrag wrote:Show nested quote +On December 14 2010 06:11 nK)Duke wrote:
North germans are more open-minded. Where did you get that from? Maybe you have encountered some unfriendliness in the north, but you should consider that bavarians are pretty much hated every in germany except in bavaria itself. You forgot that bavarians are usually cocky and have a weird sense of humour. East germans are less wealthy and they like bananas.
Berlin people are not that unfriendly, just very direct and a little bit cocky.
I don't know why I found this so funny :o
I dont know if its relevant but in the communist countries we only used to get bananas and oranges for Christmas and New Year, you couldn't buy those on a daily basis, so maybe that was the case with East Germany as well.
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On December 14 2010 07:03 FragKrag wrote:Show nested quote +On December 14 2010 06:11 nK)Duke wrote:
North germans are more open-minded. Where did you get that from? Maybe you have encountered some unfriendliness in the north, but you should consider that bavarians are pretty much hated every in germany except in bavaria itself. You forgot that bavarians are usually cocky and have a weird sense of humour. East germans are less wealthy and they like bananas.
Berlin people are not that unfriendly, just very direct and a little bit cocky.
I don't know why I found this so funny :o
After the wall fell, masses of east germans went to west german supermarkets to buy lots of bananas. You could have easily distinguished between east and west germans
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If I ever visit Germany I'll print this out and use it as a guide. I'm not going to lie to you, I'll probably be staying around the Easy Girls/Dirty Porn area.
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Zurich15365 Posts
On December 14 2010 06:50 Rayzorblade wrote:
My wife is from Cottbus and she agrees with all of these, lol. =)
Nice to hear that :-)
But I am glad something beautiful came out of Cottbus for once.
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MrHoon
10183 Posts
Sausages - Okay this one was not easy to place. I really don't know where the idea comes from that Germany eats sausages all day. The German state Thuringia is known for their supposedly outstanding sausages so that's where I placed the item on the map. Other than that Germans eat not more sausages than Americans eat hot dogs.
I will never look at the German people the same
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Zurich15365 Posts
On December 14 2010 16:56 MrHoon wrote:Show nested quote +Sausages - Okay this one was not easy to place. I really don't know where the idea comes from that Germany eats sausages all day. The German state Thuringia is known for their supposedly outstanding sausages so that's where I placed the item on the map. Other than that Germans eat not more sausages than Americans eat hot dogs. I will never look at the German people the same
To expand on that, most people don't eat Sauerkraut either. I myself have it maybe once or twice or three times a year, and that's about how much most people have. I know not a single person who regularly eats Sauerkraut. Not saying there aren't some Sauerkraut loving Krauts out there, but they are definitely in the minority.
If you want to have some Sauerkraut in most regions you will actually have to look for while to find a restaurant that serves typical German food. Most places will maybe have one dish with Sauerkraut, if at all.
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That map is very accurate :-)
Keep it up zatic, i love this series!
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On December 14 2010 07:08 disciple wrote:Show nested quote +On December 14 2010 07:03 FragKrag wrote:On December 14 2010 06:11 nK)Duke wrote:
North germans are more open-minded. Where did you get that from? Maybe you have encountered some unfriendliness in the north, but you should consider that bavarians are pretty much hated every in germany except in bavaria itself. You forgot that bavarians are usually cocky and have a weird sense of humour. East germans are less wealthy and they like bananas.
Berlin people are not that unfriendly, just very direct and a little bit cocky.
I don't know why I found this so funny :o I dont know if its relevant but in the communist countries we only used to get bananas and oranges for Christmas and New Year, you couldn't buy those on a daily basis, so maybe that was the case with East Germany as well.
Afaik from family members who lived in the GDR it was the case there, yup.
No kiwis and bananas for east germany! 
I definately live near the football.
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On December 14 2010 05:34 zatic wrote:
Serious – The stereotypical German seriousness and sternness you will find in the North. Being from the South I have found pretty much every foreigner who visited down here said they didn’t expect how open, friendly, and nice people in Germany are. This is also Germany’s true cultural division: It’s not so much East and West; The real difference is more between North and South, or let’s say North-East and South West.
Are you serious? :p
Yeah, the North is not as warm and friendly in a familial sense compared to the South, but we are not stern or serious.
The North is rather cold(not only weather-wise) but very relaxed with that subtle sense of self-irony you just have to love.
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On December 14 2010 06:54 Froadac wrote:
What sausages would you suggest?
Depends where you are.
In Berlin it would be "Currywurst".
But ask someone where to buy, because they vary in quality.
Same with Döner, which Berlin has the best in all Germany.
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Zurich15365 Posts
On December 25 2010 22:11 clusen wrote:Show nested quote +On December 14 2010 05:34 zatic wrote:
Serious – The stereotypical German seriousness and sternness you will find in the North. Being from the South I have found pretty much every foreigner who visited down here said they didn’t expect how open, friendly, and nice people in Germany are. This is also Germany’s true cultural division: It’s not so much East and West; The real difference is more between North and South, or let’s say North-East and South West.
Are you serious? :p Yeah, the North is not as warm and friendly in a familial sense compared to the South, but we are not stern or serious. The North is rather cold(not only weather-wise) but very relaxed with that subtle sense of self-irony you just have to love.
I agree. However this dry irony and sarcasm is what is hard to understand for foreigners. And for Germans from the South for that matter. North Germany appears stern and serious because outsiders don't get the very subtle humor.
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On December 26 2010 06:53 Corak wrote:Depends where you are. In Berlin it would be "Currywurst". But ask someone where to buy, because they vary in quality. Same with Döner, which Berlin has the best in all Germany.
i forgot that berlin people are cocky when it comes to pretty much everything, especially döner.
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Lol nice read, can't believe I found it a week and a half late xD
Ionno about sausages but when I think of germans (I used to be in this MMO guild that had like, nearly all germans in it) I think of schnitzel hahaha
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On December 14 2010 06:52 zatic wrote:Show nested quote +On December 14 2010 06:35 DoXa wrote:
could you explain why Lörrach and Waldshut are tree huggers? i live near the border to waldshut and never heard someone say baumschmuser to anyone ^^ are they environmentalists?
Yes that whole area is known for being environmentalists. Nowhere else does the Green Party receive more votes.
WTF? I dont believe i would ever read about theese cities on TL. Where are u from zatic and DoXa? (Im originally from Saeckingen).
The only word you will hear is that the people from the rhein will call the people living in the BlackForest is Waelder.
But i have to disagree Zatic. Its mostly in the bigger cities with an university where the Green Party receives their votes (eg. Freiburg, Heidelberg, Tuebingen). The smaller cities in the southwest are as conservative as the parts in bavaria.
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EPT![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/disciple/germanyzatic1a2.jpg)
