What are typical German habits?

 

Judith Meyer

Berlin-based polyglot, author and web developer

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IT Coordinator at www.diem25.org, author of language courses (print and digital). Former head organizer of the Polyglot Gathering (largest international conference for language geeks).

I love learning & teaching languages, discussing politics and philosophy, and developing computer programs that process languages.

If you want to ask me something about languages, please check out Overview of my Language-Learning Advice or A2A me if there is a question I haven't yet written about, this is preferable to asking in private because more people will benefit from the answer.

Bringing flowers when visiting someone.

As long as the flowers are a colourful bouquet (or even a pretty potted plant) and not just roses, this won't necessarily be interpreted as a romantic gesture. Bring flowers when visiting elderly people in particular; parent-age people may also find a bottle of good wine or a box of expensive chocolates acceptable. Never come empty-handed. If going to a student party, you might bring something very cheap like a salty snack or a bottle of soda, but never come empty-handed.

Flowers are traditionally given to women. If visiting a work colleague at his home, you'd give the flowers to his wife (the lady of the house). I believe this is because traditionally the wife had to do the work of preparing for a guest.

Flowers are also often gifted by superiors as a form of recognition, for example for a woman's work anniversary, for women volunteers at an event, for female talk show guests or for female passer-bys on Mother's Day.

Apologizing for being late

In Germany, punctuality is seen very strictly: people generally expect an apology even if you're just two minutes late. And this happens quite often because not all Germans are good at being punctual.

Asking for the window or door to be shut

German windows are a wonder of technology: they can be opened partially (as in the photo) as well as completely (sideways). However, if you even partially open the window and there is another open window/door somewhere, some Germans will start to complain about the draft of air coming through. Sitting in the draft is believed to cause colds, so people are quick to request the window to be shut.

Lecturing people at the red light

If you're a pedestrian trying to cross the street on a red light, no matter if there are no cars in sight, be prepared to be lectured (and sometimes physically restrained) by any elderly German lady or parent with kids.

Separating trash

Since environmentalism is big in Germany, it's important to separate different kinds of trash so that they may be recycled. In a typical household you'll find trash cans for paper, recyclable packaging, organic waste and "other", while glass (separated into white/green/brown glass) is collected in big containers you can find nearby. Most glass bottles now have Pfand, meaning that you initially pay an extra fee which you will get back when/if you return the bottle to the store.

Respecting Authority

Kurt Tucholsky (German thinker) said it best: "The German nightmare is to stand in front of a counter, the German dream is to sit behind a counter."

Germans have a lot of respect for authorities:
1) those given power (bureaucrats, policemen) and
2) those who have authoritative knowledge of their field (teachers, doctors, lawyers)

Politicians on the other hand are given no respect; any American lawyer joke is a politician joke in Germany.

Talking about the news

It is assumed that everyone has been watching the news (or are too ashamed to admit if they haven't), so the news are a safe topic to discuss with anyone, including strangers on the street. They're kind of like the weather. There is little chance of offending anyone or getting into a heated argument because the consensus is that all German politicians are shitty and we're all just voting for the least bad choice. "Wahl zwischen Pest und Cholera" - a choice between falling prey to either pestilence or cholera is how we say it in German.

Kylie Verzosa finds business success through e-commerce

 Kylie Verzosa (center) with fellow models of her own products

Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines —  Aiming to encourage the community to embrace the uniqueness of their bodies and to feel comfortable in their own skin, actress and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa and her friends launched an affordable but high-quality shapewear line, Solá, in 2023.

A year since the brand was launched, it has distinguished itself by leveraging on the distinct features and enhancing the brand's reach and appeal to consumers via opening in TikTok Shop.

“As an e-commerce startup, Solá has adopted TikTok Shop to maintain a two-way communication with its consumers, allowing them to connect with the brand's shapewear products,” the e-commerce platform stated.

Through the online shop, the brand “was able to achieve its main goal to directly connect with consumers. The brand reached a vast audience of engaged and interested users, which built trust and created a sense of community,” the statement added.

The brand embraced content creation spearheaded by Kylie, boosting the brand's visibility and consumer recognition. The company plans to include collaborations with more content creators to expand their reach, showcasing the platform's potential in fostering organic growth in a competitive shapewear market.

This initiative includes partnerships with L’Oreal Paris, offering complimentary products during key livestream sessions.

“We want to be on an e-commerce platform where we’re able to communicate with our audience two ways. So not just selling them, but really communicating and resonating with them through the content.  Through (the e-commerce platform), we got a lot of audiences interested with the brand,” Solá General Manager Ally Gao explained.

Gao added that their unique livestreams allow them to come up with competitive pricing. 

"We don’t have this every single day and it’s for a limited time only and I think our audience knows that so they really tune in to livestreams to communicate with our host and the brand and partake in lower pricing. We really love seeing that because not only do they get a discount, they’re also able to really engage with us.”

A story that pays tribute to women’s lives

 

Ruth Jordana L. Pison - The Philippine Star 

July 4, 2024 | 12:00am

Shown during Pride Month in June, ‘Isa Ka Pungpong nga Rosas’ demonstrates a nuanced understanding of gender issues, particularly women’s sexuality, domestic violence, sexism, and machismo. The film, set in 2024, presents a more complex narrative, an intense visual translation, and a reminder that such issues persist. The screenplay was written by Kevin Piamonte based on Alice Tan Gonzales’ short story and the film was directed by newcomer Julie Prescott.

Film review: Isa Ka Pungpong nga Rosas (A Bouquet of Roses)

Watching the 40-minute “Isa Ka Pungpong nga Rosas (A Bouquet of Roses)” at the UP Visayas Cinematheque on June 15 was to experience visually and aurally the textual connections of the Palanca Award-winning Hiligaynon story of Alice Tan Gonzales, its screenplay adaptation by FAMAS awardee director Kevin Piamonte, and its film adaptation directed by newcomer Julie Prescott.

Shown in time for Pride Month in June, the film demonstrates a nuanced understanding of gender issues, particularly women’s sexuality, domestic violence, sexism, and machismo. Twenty-five years after Tan Gonzales’ short story was written, the film, set in 2024, presents a more complex narrative, an intense visual translation, and a reminder that such issues persist.

“Pungpong” centers on the inner lives of Gemma (Alyanna Cortum), a woman in her 30s whose birthday is marked by the untimely breakup with an insensitive boyfriend and then by a reconnection with Claire (Taw Muhammad), a recent acquaintance whom she invites for dinner.

Over glasses of wine and vodka martini, Gemma admits to predictable feelings of worthlessness and of a general exhaustion towards life. Claire, on the other hand, prompted by Gemma’s question on being single, reveals that she lost a partner in a vehicular accident and, if being single has to do with it, that she is queer. (In Gonzales’ story, Claire declares herself gay.)

Despite its deceptively simple external action, the film unravels some surprising details. Visually presented as flashbacks, Gemma tells of a series of failed heterosexual relationships — with friends, her married boss, and the immediate ex-boyfriend. One begins to suspect that the film’s critical point is Claire’s revelation and hence the possibility of a blossoming queer relationship between them.

What instead blossoms is a dramatic articulation of female companionship and empowerment highlighted by Gemma’s telling of a traumatic childhood experience which consequently has made her incapable of having healthy adult relationships. While she has not told her ex-lovers of an incestuous past, it is in the expressed empathy and understanding of another woman that has encouraged Gemma to speak out and unburden and confront her secret. Gemma’s occasional funny comments provide comic relief from the serious tone of the entire film. It is this sense of humor that makes her later revelation all the more disconcerting.

As film is both visual and aural, the adaptation of Gonzales’ story successfully intensifies the gravity of the issue without being overly dramatic. The film’s opening scene where Gemma enters her apartment establishes the mood of the narrative and frames the viewers’ expectations. The faceless boyfriend she talks to on the phone foreshadows the unfolding of disturbing scenes. All men in the film are only partially seen, an intentional and impressive move by both Piamonte and Prescott, and it functions as commentary. Also striking in the film is the pronounced use of close-up facial shots conveying crucial changes in the characters’ thoughts and emotions which though subtle are not too subtle to be missed or misunderstood. Shot angles by cinematographer Ruperto Quitag including those of Claire’s hand caressing the stem of a wine glass, the steak eaten by the women for dinner, and the snapping of a car key by a male diner trigger memories of the past.

Gemma and Claire‘s Grab ride after dinner is one of the strongest scenes that show the film’s appreciation of the many possibilities of Tan Gonzales’ story. The well-angled shots of Claire’s pained look and Gemma’s body language as she leans her head on the former’s shoulders dramatize the loss, pain, and trauma both women have had to endure. All shots are intentionally suggestive, acting like metaphors, and move forward the development of character and plot. Piamonte’s choice of Emman Bedia Abatayo’s original composition Magkayakap (sung by Taw Muhammad), sorrowful while wistful, perfectly matches the scene.

The challenge for “Pungpong,” a film about a fairly common issue, is how to create a defamiliarizing effect on its viewers. How can it avoid a clichéd depiction of sexual violence and effectively sound the alarm on its continuing pervasiveness? The film rightfully leaves us to think about these issues and what we can do to help resolve them. Even though Claire admits to Gemma that she resembles her former partner, she does not exploit the situation, the moment of Gemma’s vulnerability, and instead decides to simply be a friend to a friend in need.

“Pause, breathe… You might end up regretting this, too,” she advises Gemma. These powerful words of assurance from Claire before she leaves give viewers a clue to the growing trust and strengthening foundation of their relationship, romantic or otherwise. The bouquet of flowers given by Claire at dinner brings the narrative to a close. Where once flowers were a reminder of the betrayals by men in her life, they have become a symbol of positivity, a bouquet of hope.

Can more films about gender issues heighten our awareness and resolve to attain gender equality and fairness? When asked why she decided to make a film adaptation of Pungpong, this story among the many authored by Tan Gonzales, Prescott shared that aside from receiving encouragement from Piamonte, she believed that the story’s topic remains relevant, and will always remain relevant.

She acknowledged that Gonzales’ story does not lend itself easily to a film adaptation, the same impression I had upon reading Tan Gonzales’ story for the first time. Nevertheless, in the hands of Piamonte and Prescott, the narrative on oppression and impending redemption has acquired new energy, a new life, and a renewed significance.

Prescott felt that “Pungpong” was a “dangerous choice” for a director’s first film since its subject matter is still considered sensitive by many. Interestingly, the story was also involved in a controversy when it won the Palanca in 1997. The two Palanca judges, both recognized scholars in the field of literature and cultural studies, for the Hiligaynon short fiction category were accused of manipulating the results, an allegation which cast doubt on the entire competition.

Could this have been because the story’s essential theme was contentious? As film, “Pungpong” iterates not queerness but primarily and more significantly the many facets of women’s lives, their resiliency, and the importance of finding strength in each other.

This bookstore is holding an online and offline midyear sale

And some recommended books to grab

BY JESSICA PAG-IWAYAN

Jul 3, 2024 08:46 PM

  

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Attention bookworms! It's time for Fully Booked's Midyear Sale, where you can get up to 20 percent off on best-selling books.

This much-awaited sale is happening from July 3 to 7, 2024, for Fully Booked Online, and from July 11 to 15, 2024, for in-store purchases nationwide. If you're wondering what items to add to your cart or list, here are some recommendations.

‘I Want to Die But I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki’ by Baek Sehee

Get your chopsticks ready. Baek Shee, author of the international South Korean therapy memoir, is back with a sequel as she continues her conversations with her therapist, delving deeper into her inner conflicts.

‘Houses That Sugar Built’ by Gina Consing McAdam and Siobhan Doran

Houses That Sugar Built is a coffee table book that explores and celebrates the architectural legacy found in the ancestral houses of Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Pampanga — the three main sugar-producing provinces of the Philippines. With over 200 pages of interiors, this beautifully curated book will take readers on a visual, historical, and cultural journey. 

‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ by Rufi Thorpe

A quirky coming-of-age story about a young single mom, who, desperate to afford rent and feed her newborn baby, starts an OnlyFans account and becomes a runaway success. Witty and full of laughs, this uplifting tale will make you fall in love with and root for Margo as she wrests money and power from a world that has little interest in giving it to her.

‘Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide’ by Rupert Holmes

If dark humor and wit are your cup of tea, then you should pick up this book. It's about an academy that trains murderers to "delete" people whose demise would supposedly improve the world. Written in the style of an educational manual, it promises a wickedly entertaining read, full of twists, puns, and hilarious quips. 

‘She and Her Cat’ by Makoto Shinkai

Indulge in your love for all things furry and feline with She and Her Cat, a collection of four interrelated, stream-of-conscious short stories following women and their cats in their quests for love and connection, penned by renowned anime director Makoto Shinkai. 

‘Stitches’ by Junji Ito and Hirokatsu Kihara

A must-read for fans of the strange and spooky, this graphic novel stitches together ten stories, each recounting a true-to-life unsolved mystery.  Immerse yourself in the eerie world of manga as you explore these haunting tales.

To know more, visit Fully Booked's official website. 

Empowering tomorrow’s leaders: Highlights from the LYCESGO Youth Summit 2024

Unified by a collective goal: to inspire and cultivate the next generation of leaders.

BY MB LIFESTYLE

  

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On May 11, 2024, the highest central student government of LPU Cavite, LYCESGO, hosted the highly anticipated LYCESGO Youth Summit 2024 at the university auditorium. The event gathered students from various schools across Cavite, unified by a collective goal: to inspire and cultivate the next generation of leaders. This annual summit, a cornerstone event for LPU-C, provided a vital platform for young individuals to embrace leadership roles and drive societal change.

Photo take from LPU Cavite Central Student Government – Lycesgo Facebook Page

Harnessing the potential of young minds to develop a group of future leaders capable of making positive contributions to their communities and the world was the overarching goal of the inclusive LYCESGO Youth Summit. The summit was centered on giving participants the inspiration and abilities necessary to lead, acknowledging the critical role that youth play in creating a better future.

The summit featured a series of engaging talks by distinguished guest speakers, each bringing their unique perspectives on leadership and personal growth:

 Val Patrick P. Dela Rea talked about “Resilience and Adversity: Stories of young leaders who have overcome adversityand how resilience plays a role in leadership”

The first talk was about “Resilience and Adversity: Stories of Young Leaders.” Val Patrick P. Dela Rea captivated the audience with powerful stories of young leaders who have triumphed over adversity. His emphasis on resilience as a cornerstone of effective leadership resonated deeply, offering valuable lessons for aspiring leaders.

Marianne Dimaculangan-Beatriz talked about “Youth Leadership Development: Strategies and Programs for NurturingLeadership Skills Among Youth Individuals”

Marianne Dimaculangan-Beatriz, the next speaker, was assigned to the topic, Youth Leadership Development: Strategies and Programs for Nurturing Leadership Skills Among Young Individuals. She had spoken about doable tactics and initiatives designed to help young people gain leadership abilities. Her talk provided practical insights that emphasized the value of organized leadership development and training.

Vincent Cortiñas talked about “Taking the Lead at the Lykeion”

Lastly, the talk was all about “Taking the Lead at the Lykeion.” Vincent Cortiñas presented an insightful overview of the Lyceum of the Philippines University. Highlighting the history or background of LPU's founder, diverse course offerings, advanced facilities, scholarship programs, awards, and accreditations, he provided a comprehensive introduction to what makes LPU a premier choice for higher education.

But the goals of the summit went beyond just informative talks. It aimed to: 

Motivate and Inspire: The guest speakers' experiences served as invaluable lessons, lighting a fire in aspiring leaders like us.

Promote Diversity and Inclusion: We believe leadership roles and decisions should be a reflection of our diverse community. The summit encouraged inclusivity in leadership.

#ChooseLPUCavite: The event aimed to introduce LPU's strengths and offerings to students who may not be familiar with what we have to offer. Hopefully, many will be convinced to join the LPU Cavite family!

Student Leader Snowball Effect: By marketing LPU to student leaders, we created a network of individuals who will share their learnings and experiences with their peers, multiplying the impact of the summit.

The LYCESGO Youth Summit 2024 was a huge success. All felt inspired, in control, and prepared to assume leadership positions after the event. It is now our moment to take charge, seize the opportunities, and transform into the change we wish to see in the world. Stay tuned, Lyceans, because the future of leadership starts with us!

#ChooseLPUCavite #ReadyLycesGO #LYCESGOYouthSummit2024 #LYCESGO

Vivamax goes German

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Jul 3, 2024 10:03 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Launched in January 2021, Vivamax is now the largest and the fastest-growing video-on-demand service in the Philippines.

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Vic del Rosario, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Viva Communications, Simon Bausch, media head of Bausch Germany, Sarah Bernales, director Bobby Bonifacio, director Lino Cayetano and Vincen

Great news for German-speaking movie fans in Germany and other countries. Vivamax, with its famous film catalog, is now available in German.

Mother company Viva Communications, Inc., has licensed several Vivamax for distribution in Europe to the Busch Media Group GMBH Co. KG. Territories covered in the deal are Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Alto Adige.

The Busch Media Group is a well-established film producer and distributor known for its vast and varied international portfolio that ranges from indie features to acclaimed documentaries. 

“We are very happy about this development for Vivamax,” says Viva Communications president and chief operating officer Vincent del Rosario. “We are very proud that the hard work of the talented
artists behind the films of Vivamax are now getting international exposure.”

Among the titles now available are Scorpio Nights 3 starring Christine Bermas and directed by Lawrence Fajardo; Virgin Forest starring Sid Lucero and Angeli Khang and directed by Brilliante
Mendoza; Call Me Alma starring Jaclyn Jose and Azi Acosta and directed by MacArthur Alejandre; Selina’s Gold starring Jay Manalo and Angeli Khang and also directed by Alejandre; plus Tahan, Ganti-Ganti; Salawahan, Suki, Lagaslas, Tag-init, Patikim-tikim, Katas, The Influencer and Palitan among others. These will be shown by Busch in the original language with German subtitles.

Launched in January 2021, Vivamax is now the largest and the fastest-growing video-on-demand service in the Philippines. Vivamax easily gained loyal patronage and created impressive traction with a steady schedule of releasing one new original title weekly and one new series every two weeks. 

Aside from content from its vast and varied library of over 2000 classics from Viva Films and acquired titles, this is aside from content. 

Vivamax subscribers now number 11 million in the Philippines. It is also available in the Middle East, North America, Japan, and other Asian countries.

How do I pass Goethe Institute's B1 German level, and how do I come to enjoy and learn German more quickly?

Setareh Fhk

traveler of the World, learner

Originally Answered: How do I pass Goethe Institut's B1 German level? And how to enjoy and learn German faster?

Don to worry! Here some tips that might come in handy.

First i should say,getting through ZD or b1 exam or any other exam for that matter, has more to do with learning the techniques, than your actual knowledge of the language. (i guess that is good news for you!)
Having said that, i won't suggest to you,to write the exam before you have completed b1.1 at least(if you are studying Menschen books.)

There are 4 sections in ZD exam

1.hören: this part is probably the hardest part, i suggest you change your Playlist,replace all your Music with german hören at least for a month,you can use german radio or buffet website(very useful.) It does wonders for your pronunciations and prevents you from the Shock you might get on exam sessions (Germans normally speak very fast, it's hard to follow with a native even if you have very good comprehension of all the words!) First try to differentiate the words, then try to understand one sentence at the time(verb, ,prepositions,akk, dativ,...) the last level is try to hold the grasp of the main points in a conversation or dialog. (Even if you don't know all the words)

2.Schreiben and sprechen: the easiest parts in my idea, for this part you just need to memorize Redmittel, half of your work is done! Esp in schreiben. you can easily find them from your books, you don't need anything more! In schreiben with a little preparation you can easily score 80.

Lesen: can be tricky. But still if you know the techniques, you will be surprised how easily you can score in this part! Getting through this part is highly dependent on your ability to grasp the full concept. and practice!!!!!

Don't worry it's going to damn easy, just try to enjoy learning Deutsch!

In any case i suggest you practice with these three books before writing the exam, each book contains module tests, which gives you a sense of what to expect, in a real exam.start with yellow one, then green and then red (i didn't have any photos of the red book, i will add it later.)

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p.s you can take up preparation courses, which are offered by Goethe Institut, they are very useful.

I wish you all the best on your journey!