You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?

There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!

Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!


Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!

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Friday, November 21, 2025

Oettinger macht Brauerei endgültig dicht

 ach mehr als 150 Jahren

:

Oettinger plant, seine Brauerei in Braunschweig zum Jahreswechsel zu schließen

Oettinger plant, seine Brauerei in Braunschweig zum Jahreswechsel zu schließen

Foto: imago stock&people

Braunschweig – Bitteres Aus für eine Brauerei mit langer Geschichte: Oettinger schließt den Standort in Braunschweig. Und zwar früher als gedacht. Damit endet in der Löwenstadt eine 150-jährige Biertradition.

Bereits zum Ende des Jahres macht Oettinger die Brauerei dicht. Ursprünglich war die Schließung für das Frühjahr 2026 geplant. Insgesamt verlieren rund 110 der aktuell 120 Mitarbeiter in Braunschweig (Niedersachsen) ihre Jobs. Zehn Mitarbeiter sollen in die Logistikabteilung wechseln.   „Auch für die Brauerei wäre der Erhalt aller Arbeitsplätze das Wunschszenario gewesen“, sagte eine Pressesprecherin zu den Plänen. Zuerst hatte die „Braunschweiger Zeitung“ berichtet.

Die Gründe für die Schließung des Werks

Hintergrund für den Schritt sind laut Oettinger nicht nur steigende Energiepreise, sondern vielmehr ein drastischer Absatzrückgang. In den vergangenen Monaten meldeten gleich mehrere Brauereien in Deutschland Insolvenz an.

Der Durst auf Bier sinkt seit Jahren. Allein in diesem Jahr sei der Markt um bis zu 7,5 Prozent eingebrochen. Besonders die Generation Z (geboren zwischen 1997 und 2012) bereitet der Branche Sorgen. Sie mag offenbar kein Bier.

Der Durst auf Bier schwindet - Infografik

Warum es gerade diese Brauerei trifft

Firmen-Chef Stefan Blaschak hält die 1731 gegründete Firma seit zwei Jahren auf einem straffen Sanierungskurs. Die Transformation von einer Brauerei hin zu einem innovativen Getränkeunternehmen ist in vollem Gang, so Blaschak. Dass es nun Braunschweig treffe, liege auch am Alter der Anlagen dort.

Zwischenzeitlich hatte es so ausgesehen, als könnte ein Investor einspringen. Ein Getränkeproduzent interessierte sich für den 1871 gegründeten Standort. Doch laut Brauerei zerschlug sich die Übernahme.

Bierflaschen in den markant blauen Bierkästen werden ab 2026 in Braunschweig nicht mehr abgefüllt

Bierflaschen in den markant blauen Bierkästen werden ab 2026 in Braunschweig nicht mehr abgefüllt

Foto: Peter Steffen/dpa

Oettinger ist ein riesiger Getränkehersteller

Auch die Gewerkschaft Nahrung, Genuss und Gaststätten (NGG) und der Betriebsrat hatten versucht, den Standort zu retten. Ihr Argument: Mit Investitionen wäre die Brauerei weiterhin wettbewerbsfähig. Doch am Ende konnte niemand den Bier-Giganten umstimmen. Übrig bleiben die Werke in Oettingen und in Mönchengladbach.

Oettinger gehört mit einem jährlichen Absatz von rund 6,6 Millionen Hektolitern zu den größten Getränkeherstellern in Deutschland. Jährlich füllt das Unternehmen mit seinen rund 800 Mitarbeitern etwa eine Milliarde Flaschen, Dosen mit Bier, Biermix und Erfrischungsgetränken ab.  

Thursday, November 20, 2025

If you were free to choose, which country would you like to live in: Malaysia or the Philippines?

 

 · 

To be quite honest, while the Philippines will always have a special place in my heart, in terms of career growth and lifestyle I would choose Malaysia at this very moment.

Right now, the PH is quite hard to live in. Driver’s licenses are all receipts and the distributing body has yet to print out actual IDs even if the receipts are already more than a year old. Same goes for license plates for cars. It takes forever to get a hold of your personal identifying documents. Passport online appointments are full until Dec 2017 and I’m not sure if walk-ins are allowed.

The state of local transportation is just horrible. Traffic on main roads. Malfunctioning Metro Railways. 100 year old, falling apart public buses. Taxis that charge you an arm and a leg if you can’t book an Uber or Grab.

City planning is also a mess. No care for the environment AT ALL. Here is a photo of one of our most densely populated cities (Pasig) which went viral just recently.

Yes, the roads can only handle 2–4 cars across at the most and it’s just so dense that you can hear your neighbors from 3 houses away snoring.

Internet services are a scam. There’s a data cap on most ISPs. Those with no data cap, you have to pay premium price and it still is UNSTABLE service for the most part. Customer and tech support is also a pain. Despite being known for smart and techy support in BPOs, Filipinos seem to care not one whit when they’re serving their own people.

My dad has been to Malaysia and Singapore in the past year and he says both countries are like a breath of fresh air.

Given the current circumstances, I would grab the chance to live in Malaysia if an opportunity was provided.

OUR INTERNAL CONFLICTS



 

Internal conflict refers to the struggle within a person's mind, a battle between opposing desires, values, or needs. It can manifest as a clash between what one wants to do and what one believes is right, or between different aspects of one's personality or values. These conflicts can be a source of stress and can impact various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and personal well-being. 


With individual internal conflict, we find ourselves at war with, well, ourselves. We have a strong desire to do something that's in conflict with our beliefs, values, or self-image. An example might be wanting to eat healthy foods, but stopping for fast food when tired.


We are in conflict with ourselves many times during life. Our future gives cause for concern; the past is captured, therefore we miss the future.


The grief and sorrow asked the hope, "How are you?" The hope answered, " I am a little bit low and sad today!" The sorrow replied sarcastically, "I hope so!"


When conflict is mismanaged, it can cause great harm to a relationship, but when handled in a respectful, positive way, conflict provides an opportunity to strengthen the bond between two people. Whether you’re experiencing conflict at home, work, or school, learning these skills can help you resolve differences in a healthy way and build stronger, more rewarding relationships.


When people get angry with each other, they often say or do things without realizing the cause of their feelings. Understanding the dynamics behind a conflict can make it easier to resolve issues. This insight also can help you mediate a conflict between friends and relatives. Many experts break personal and professional conflicts down into basic types, based on the underlying causes of disagreements and the dynamics.


Nobody really knows what might happen after reaching the retirement age. Sure, if we can observe our neighbors and all other people in our surroundings, we really don't like to know it. If we treat ourselves with care, our real age will not be shown. I won't make any secret about celebrating my 70th birthday sometime next year. I enjoy it. I am proud to reach this age with God's help.


It seems that the respectable treatment of our beloved seniors around us are disappearing into the past and are forgotten by the younger generation. Praising the elderly nowadays means to attest to their impudent and imperishable youthfulness.  I am sure, with His help many seniors are still strong, still indefatigable, still a phenomenon, still intellectual and still spiritual on top!


Let's not forget our respect, when sometimes just being artificial or  affected by stammering, that "our old lady" or "our old gentleman" hasn't become senile yet.


On our way to an honorable and respectful age we should try to fulfill some of our greatest longings in life.


During the last decades, I met many people around the whole globe. Unbelievable, I found out, no matter where in this world, the conflicting attitude is everywhere. "It's an absolute certainty, those doubts are the main certainty!" stressed already the German author, philosopher and dramatist Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956).


Please allow me, once in a while, to be able to say NO. Please allow me to delete inferior and defeatist feelings. Please allow me to admit that I can't do everything during a single day. Please allow me to no longer be afraid about other people and their spiteful comments about me.  


People love a good story. But what makes great literature so compelling? Is it the setting, the plot, the characters — or the rich inner world created by all of these things together?


The stories that rise to the status of “classics” are the ones that paint a character’s internal struggles against a larger, external conflict. Katniss wants to save her sister, at the risk of her own life. Frodo wants to return to the Shire, but the fate of Middle-earth depends on him.


It’s good reading, for sure, and all of us hope that we’d be as noble and heroic when the time comes. But as the main character in our own great dramas, we’re painfully aware of the choices (big or small) in our own lives — and the answers don’t always seem as clear as they do on the page.


Unlike external conflicts, which are forces that feel like they’re acting “on” us, internal conflicts are contradictions between a closely-held value and a course of action. If you find yourself pondering a decision, chances are, there’s some type of internal conflict at play.  


Conflict in literature tends to be clear because we only know what the author tells us about a character. In fantasy literature (my favorite kind) there’s often tension between what a character wants and what the world needs them to be. The plot of the book hinges on a few, pivotal decisions that often have the ability to decide the fate of the world.


If we take fantasy novels as a metaphor for our own inner lives, we can see how seemingly-small choices feel like they have earth-shattering consequences. This inner turmoil is known as cognitive dissonance. Because the psychological discomfort of cognitive dissonance is so painful, we’ll go through some pretty impressive hoops to overcome it. We might think of it as our very own Mount Doom.


Please allow me to accept my silence. Please accept me being terribly tired from time to time. Please allow me to be excused even without having an intelligent reply. Please allow me to be carried by salvation and bliss.


Hopefully, we may have enough understanding people with us to accompany us during the voyage of our sometimes very conflicting life.

Ballet Philippines reimagines 'Alice in Wonderland' for the holidays


The company's 56th season continues with a new full-length production choreographed by Mikhail Martynyuk

By Feliciano Rodriguez III
Published Nov 10, 2025 09:27 am     
Ahead of its premiere, Ballet Philippines offered a glimpse of the production during a media preview on Nov. 7 at the Oasis Garden Café in Solaire Resort, Parañaque. Dancers performed excerpts in costume, giving guests a preview of the imaginative choreography and design that will define the show.
The ballet follows Alice, whose curiosity leads her into a world where rules of reason are suspended and imagination reigns. From sipping potions that alter her size to meeting gardens of talking flowers, she moves through scenes that balance humor with emotional depth.
One of the production’s most striking sequences unfolds in the Mad Hatter’s tea party, filled with riddles and absurdity. Later, the Queen of Hearts’ courtroom erupts into chaos as flamingos and hedgehogs turn into croquet mallets and tempers flare. Alice’s story culminates in a moment of defiance when she shouts, “Stop!” which shatters the dream and restores order.
For Mikhail, the challenge lay in turning a familiar fantasy into movement that speaks without words. “In Alice, I wanted to create a world where movement tells the story beyond words,” he said. “Through choreography, mime, and expression, we invite audiences to feel the humor, absurdity, and heart that make Wonderland so unforgettable.”
The production, he explains, merges classical ballet technique with “plastic comedy pantomime,” infusing the piece with theatrical energy. This mix creates what Ballet Philippines describes as a visually rich, family-friendly experience designed to enchant audiences of all ages.
“As we continue to evolve Ballet Philippines’ artistic journey, Alice in Wonderland represents our ongoing mission to celebrate imagination, courage, and the joy of discovery,” said Kathleen Liechtenstein, president of Ballet Philippines. “It also reflects our deeper purpose to bring Filipino talent and artistry to the forefront of the global stage, showcasing how collaboration between world-class artists like Mikhail Martynyuk and our homegrown dancers creates a uniquely inspiring expression of creativity and excellence.”
As the curtain falls and Alice awakens beside her sister, the ballet ends with a quiet moment that underscores its central theme: the courage to stay true to oneself and the boundless reach of imagination.
Alice in Wonderland will run for five performances from Dec. 5 to 7, 2025, at The Theatre at Solaire. Showtimes are Dec. 5 (gala performance) at 8 p.m.; Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are available through TicketWorld

They will smash you to the ground

 


Published Nov 20, 2025 12:01 am | Updated Nov 19, 2025 05:29 pm
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Arriving at the spot where he has a beautiful sight of the city of Jerusalem, Jesus cries instead of rejoicing. He laments over the destruction of the city, for not recognizing the time of his visitation.
His presence there is his visitation. He is there to announce the good news of salvation, but the residents would not listen. Instead, they will kill him, as he predicted three times. He also predicts that the city will severely be punished.
Historically, it happened in AD 70 when the Romans besieged the city and destroyed the Temple for harboring the rebels. There was no way to rebuild it and to return to its pristine beauty. In Hebrew, the word “visitation” is paqad.
When God visits his people or some individuals, it is either to announce that something good will happen, like in the case of Sarah, who was soon to conceive a son, or to announce destruction, like God visiting the iniquities… up to the fourth generation (Ex 34:7).
We, Christians, must be attentive to God’s coming into our lives. He comes to us as a poor man, through the events of daily life, through his Word and the sacraments. Let us not ignore his presence when we encounter him. To us who welcome him and ask for mercy, he brings salvation; to the unresponsive and indifferent, destruction.
First Reading • 1 Mc 2:15-29
The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices. Many of Israel joined them, but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart. Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias:
“You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city, supported by sons and kin. Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those who are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends, and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.” But Mattathias answered in a loud voice:
“Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him, so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers and consents to the king’s orders, yet I and my sons and my kin will keep to the covenant of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments. We will not obey the words of the king nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.”
As he finished saying these words, a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein according to the king’s order. When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal; his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.
At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus he showed his zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.
Then Mattathias went through the city shouting, “Let everyone who is zealous for the law and who stands by the covenant follow after me!” Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons, leaving behind in the city all their possessions. Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom went out into the desert to settle there.
Responsorial Psalm • Ps 50
“To the upright I will show the saving power of God.”
Gospel • Luke 19:41-44
or Matthew 12:46-50]
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

BingoPlus powers up Miss Earth 2025 'The Silver Lining' Coronation Night


By MBrand
Published Nov 19, 2025 02:54 pm
Celebrating beauty with a purpose. The leading digital entertainment platform in the country, BingoPlus, supported this year’s Miss Earth pageant and witnessed the crowning of the new queen, who embodies the organization’s mission and environmental advocacy.
Miss Earth 2025 candidates in their shiny silver evening gowns
Miss Earth 2025 candidates in their shiny silver evening gowns
On Nov. 5, the Miss Earth 2025 Coronation Night, themed “The Silver Lining,” took place in Manila. The theme highlights the pageant’s milestone celebration of 25 years of promoting beauty, purpose, and environmental awareness.
Natalie Puskinova of the Czech Republic was crowned Miss Earth 2025, leading this year’s court of elemental titleholders — Miss Earth Air 2025 Soldis Ivarsdottir of Iceland, Miss Earth Water 2025 Mu Anh Trinh of Vietnam, and Miss Earth Fire 2025 Waree Ngamkham of Thailand.
Mr. Jasper Vicencio during the Miss Earth 2025 Coronation Night
Mr. Jasper Vicencio during the Miss Earth 2025 Coronation Night
Philippine’s very own Joy Barcoma proudly finished as one of the four runners-up, alongside Nathalie Briones of Chile, Laila Frizon of Brazil, and Mariia Zheliaskova of Ukraine.
BingoPlus’ unwavering support was clearly reflected as the major sponsor through its strong brand presence across the event. Mr. Jasper Vicencio, president of AB Leisure Exponent, Inc., likewise graced the occasion as a member of the distinguished panel of judges.
In 2024, BingoPlus sponsored the Miss Philippines Earth pageant. Continuing the partnership, the brand once again supported Miss Philippines Earth 2025.
Miss Poland accepting the title of Miss BingoPlus 2025 and a token of appreciation from Mr. Jasper Vicencio.
Miss Poland accepting the title of Miss BingoPlus 2025 and a token of appreciation from Mr. Jasper Vicencio.
Moreover, prior to the coronation night, Justyna Roguska of Poland earned the title of Miss BingoPlus 2025, a special recognition from the brand. Roguska was formally presented with the award at the BingoPlus headquarters.
Glitz and glamour filled the night, but beyond the beauty was the advocacy to protect and preserve the environment.
During the question and answer portion, Miss Earth 2025 Natalie Puskinova left a lasting impression with her words in Filipino:
“Protektahan ang kalikasan,” a powerful reminder of the pageant’s mission. In partnership with Miss Earth, BingoPlus reaffirms its commitment to creating a positive impact by supporting initiatives that address environmental and social issues. BingoPlus believes that true beauty shines through purpose — making a difference and working for a greener, better future for all.
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. pioneered digital entertainment in the Philippines. It introduced the leading platforms BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, widely known for their engaging interactive gaming and sports entertainment experiences. DigiPlus also operates GameZone, with more to come. For more information, visit www.digiplus.com.ph.

Chef Tatung's new book brings Filipino food back to its roots

At the launch of Pinas Simpol, the chef reframes Filipino cooking as memory, identity, and cultural intelligence

Published Nov 19, 2025 06:07 am
   PINAS PRIDE Guests join Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou at Lore in Bonifacio Global City for the launch of his new book
Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou gathered chefs, educators, cultural leaders, and media at Lore by Chef Tatung in Bonifacio Global City last Nov. 12 for the launch of “Pinas Simpol: The Love and Lore of Filipino Cooking,” a book that looks at Filipino cuisine through memory, home-kitchen wisdom, and cultural grounding.
The restaurant, part of the Michelin Selected 2026 list, set the tone for what many guests called a long-awaited articulation of how Filipinos understand and cook their food. In his remarks, Chef Tatung said the project began with a desire “to show that Filipino food is intelligent, beautiful, and rooted” but grew into something more reflective. The book, he explained, is “not really about recipes, but about remembering—giving words to what we already know by heart.”
At the center of Pinas Simpol is a framework he calls the “Four Legs of the Filipino Table,” describing food that is rooted, resilient, respectful, and responsive. He noted that Filipino cuisine “has never been improvised; it has always been intelligent,” pointing to daily cooking practices—laga, ihaw, gisa, and gata—as evidence of heritage shaped through lived experience. These gestures, he said, are “proof that simplicity can hold great wisdom.”
The new book is also the first volume in a planned trilogy to codify Filipino cooking for future generations. Chef Tatung emphasized that Filipino food is often difficult to teach internationally not because it lacks structure, but because documentation is limited. “We don’t have enough literature explaining its complexity,” he said, adding that while Japanese cuisine is taught through clear systems, staples like buro remain rarely documented despite their sophistication.
BOOK SPOTLIGHT Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou stands beside a large display of the Pinas Simpol- The Love and Lore of Filipino Cooking book cover.
BOOK SPOTLIGHT Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou stands beside a large display of the Pinas Simpol- The Love and Lore of Filipino Cooking book cover.
Part of codifying the cuisine, he noted, is strengthening the ecosystem behind it. He recalled working abroad in Michelin-starred kitchens while cooking with calamansi from Vietnam and coconut from Thailand. “If I am to promote Filipino food, our people should be the first to benefit from it,” he said, calling attention to the need to support farmers, producers, and the local supply chain.
The launch also became a moment of reflection for the culinary community. Liza Morales, Program Director of Le Cordon Bleu–Ateneo and Amanu, said the event marked “a celebration of how Filipino cuisine is defining itself anew—through knowledge, pride, and purpose,” especially as the Philippines gains visibility through the Michelin Guide and the United Nations Gastronomy Forum. “For the first time,” she said, “international recognition and local confidence meet at the same table.”
Liza added that Chef Tatung’s work extends beyond restaurants and books, noting his consistent efforts in community feeding and relief operations. She also announced that Le Cordon Bleu–Ateneo will host another celebration of Pinas Simpol on Dec. 6, where French chefs will prepare dishes from the book. “For once, let the French chefs cook Filipino food,” she said.
A key section of Pinas Simpol introduces the Simpol ABC Framework—Assemble, Build, Complete—based on how Filipino households naturally cook. Chef Tatung said the approach reinforces the idea that intuitive cooking has structure. “Filipinos cook with what they have,” he said. “Tantsa is not guesswork—it’s intelligence.”
The book launch also coincided with his 10th year as an author. Since “Philippine Cookery: From Heart to Platter,” he has earned four Gourmand World Cookbook Awards and published eight titles, with three more completed. He traced his writing aspirations back to high school, when he first wrote that he dreamed of publishing at least ten books. Through the years, he said his guiding belief remains unchanged: “Filipino food must belong to Filipinos first.”
Pinas Simpol, published by Vertikal Kreatives Inc., is now available for ₱790 on major e-commerce platforms and will soon be sold in leading bookstores nationwide. The book blends essays, cultural reflection, technique, and recipe storytelling into a single volume meant to document and celebrate the depth of Filipino cooking.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Collateral in the race to survive: The high cost of sacrificing sleep


 

By Manila Bulletin


In today’s fast-paced world, especially as the end of the year approaches, it seems as if people believe they can work 24 hours a day if only the body allowed it. Many Filipinos willingly trade hours of sleep to finish deadlines, pursue degrees, juggle multiple jobs, or expand a small business. The mindset is familiar: when time runs short, sleep becomes negotiable.

This thinking is not only misguided—it is dangerous.

Sleep is not a luxury. It is a biological requirement, as vital as food and exercise. Yet it is the first thing many of us give up when life demands more of us. In the Philippines, where commutes stretch for hours, where workers often hold side gigs, and where students battle heavy academic loads on top of household responsibilities, sleep is routinely stolen both by necessity and habit.

But science is clear: the body pays the price every time we cut sleep short.

According to the National Sleep Foundation based in Virginia, USA, most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep, while teenagers and young adults require even more. As explained in medical reports, deep sleep early in the night allows the body to repair muscles, tissues, and the immune system, while later REM sleep strengthens learning, memory, and emotional regulation. Skipping sleep means skipping these vital processes.

The consequences are serious. Medical experts warn that chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and depression. It weakens immunity. And in a country where non-communicable diseases are rising and healthcare remains costly for many families, skipping sleep quietly fuels an even larger public health burden.

And still, Filipinos continue to give away their sleep. Why?

First, economic pressure. Many workers in Metro Manila and other urban centers work late-night shifts, especially in the BPO sector, to match foreign time zones. Gig workers—delivery riders, freelancers, content creators—extend their waking hours to earn enough to withstand rising prices. Sleep becomes collateral in the race to survive.

Second, academic overload. Filipino students deal with early call times, heavy homework, and long commutes. College and graduate students often push through the night to meet demanding requirements.

Third, technology and lifestyle habits. Late-night scrolling, binge-watching, and constant notifications keep the brain stimulated long after the body wants to shut down. Health and sleep experts recommend turning off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed, but for many, phones and tablets have become inseparable from daily life.

Finally, the culture of hustle. We often glorify “puyat” (sleepless nights) as a badge of hard work, even when productivity and performance suffer. The belief that success requires sleeplessness persists, though research consistently shows the opposite: chronic lack of rest leads to burnout, poor judgment, and declining creativity.

The good news is that improving sleep is possible. Experts cite several strategies: keep a regular sleep schedule, avoid large meals and alcohol before bedtime, limit caffeine after the afternoon, keep bedrooms cool and quiet, and exercise regularly. These practices—known as sleep hygiene—are proven to improve rest and overall health.

Better sleep is not merely a personal win. It is a societal advantage. A well-rested workforce is more productive and less prone to errors and accidents. A well-rested student learns better and stays mentally resilient. A well-rested parent is more patient, present, and emotionally stable. A well-rested citizenry is a stronger nation.

It is time to reject the myth that sleeping less is the price of ambition. True success requires clarity, endurance, and sound judgment—and none of these flourish in exhaustion.

What is leberkase, and why might someone be hesitant to try it despite its popularity in Germany?

 

What is leberkase, and why might someone be hesitant to try it despite its popularity in Germany?

Leberkäse is a sausage which is not filled into a casing and cooked but which is baked in a loaf pan. You can also call it a kind of meat loaf.

It is made of finely ground pork, bacon and a few spices. Sometimes, there is also beef in it.

The name “Leberkäse” is confusing, because Leber means liver and Käse means cheese.

There is, however, neither liver nor cheese in Leberkäse. The word comes from a dialect and means a compact mass, like a loaf in English. (The only exception is Stuttgarter Leberkäse which contains 5% liver, so neglectable.)

To make clear that it does not contain liver, Leberkäse is now often called “Fleischkäse”.

So, why are some tourists hesitant to try it?

Maybe they do not like liver (or other offal) and think there is liver in it. A classic misunderstanding.

I would strongly recommend it. The flavour is neither strong nor unusual, very similar to a Frankfurter or Wiener (actually, it is made of the same ingredients). The crust adds some extra flavour. It is really good.

EDIT:

This one is my favourite:

You buy it raw and you bake it at home in your oven. The crust turns out perfectly, as you like it best.

And it’s super-fresh and sizzling.

We like to eat it with a fried egg, homemade radish salad (just radish, yoghurt, mustard, parsley) and south-German potato salad.