Which German habits or characteristics you acquired as a foreigner living in Germany and you realized while visiting your home country?

 

Gautam Sawala

Living in Germany since 2014.

5,831 followers

41 following

Yes, I am weird, weird is good. Normal is overrated.

Gautam Sawala was born in India and had a humble upbringing. He moved to Germany in 2014.

He is a graduate in MSc. Computer Science from Saarland University, Saarbrücken. He works as an Android and iOS Developer and is a business partner in an e-commerce startup. He is also a co-founder of The Honest Blog, where he writes about living, studying and working in Germany. He is a published writer at Quartz.

Being unconventional is his forte. Having taken five years to finish his master studies is a testimony to that. Speaking his heart, by writing controversial answers on Quora and blogs is another.

When he is not talking about himself, he loves to ski in the mountains or walk the city with a camera. He is also trying not to break something while learning to skateboard. He also loves to binge on TV Shows.

Growing up Gautam has been infamous for being nerdy and spelling mistakes. Thanks to the autocorrect feature, the latter one isn’t a thing anymore.

Here is some of the habits I got used to living in Germany which I realize only when I visit my home country, India:

• Drinking black coffee.
• Drinking sparkling water.
• Eating much less spicy food.
• Using plastic bottles as currency. Expecting pfand (deposit) to be paid back for returning the bottle.
• Segregating the garbage.
• Using tissues and toilet paper.
• Calling professors at university by their name instead of “sir” or “prof”.
• Walking out half way through the lecture.

11 reasons why study in Germany? - The Honest Blog

• Criticizing everything from weather to traffic. Even when there isn’t much to complain about.
• Summers: It’s so hot! I’m sweating like a pig here.
• Spring/ Autumn: The weather here sucks! It’s always pouring, always!
• Winters: Was I high when I decided to come here? -5 degrees! I could sit in a refrigerator and feel warmer now.

• Griping about public transport:
• 1 minute delay: Maybe the bus got stuck at a signal it will be here soon.
• 2 minutes delay: Probably the driver took longer smoke break so the bus got delayed.
• 3 minutes delay: Alright, I am getting a little uncomfortable now. I am recalculating my plan and checking if I need to inform the other person that I’m going to be late.
• 5 minutes delay: I am getting impatient now. I’m mentally preparing my apologies to the person I’m meeting. I should have probably taken the previous bus. I would have reached half hour early, but at least better than being late.
• 10 minutes delay: I am frustrated. This is too much. Whoever talked about German efficiency was probably drunk. I’m going to write about this on Quora, even if it does not fit the context of the question.
• 20 minutes delay: Alright, I’m going back home now.
• Using “,” as a decimal separator.
• Saying Danke schön (Thank you very much) and Bitte (Please) very often.
• Being at least five minutes early for an appointment or meeting.
• Going for a walk at two in the morning.

• Wearing a seatbelt or helmet while driving.
• Walking or driving on the right side of the street.
• Waiting patiently for red light to turn green.
• Pressing this button to make the signal turn green.

• Not bothering about small talk. You rarely strike a conversation with strangers.

• Feeling of something missing, loneliness and emptiness.

11 Things that happened to you after living in Germany

7 reasons why living in Germany is awesome

Marcos wants to see more women in key leadership posts

BY BETHEENA UNITE

Dec 13, 2023 12:32 PM 

President Marcos is hoping to see more women in key leadership positions in the country, including government seats.

 National Executive Board and Regional Presidents of the Lady Local Legislators League of the Philippines, Inc. (Photo courtesy of PCO)

Marcos made the statement in his speech at the oath taking ceremony of the National Executive Board and Regional Presidents of the Lady Local Legislators League of the Philippines, Inc. (Four-L Phil’s), stressing the "steady" work women put in their work.

The President noted that women have been working very hard for the society all throughout the country's history, so he hopes to see more opportunities in facets of the society open for women.

"[C]reate a conducive and nurturing environment for women and for girls to participate freely and equally in our political, social and economic spheres," Marcos said on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

"So, moving forward, I hope to see more women in key leadership positions in the country," he added.

He further said that women, especially girls, must not be excluded from certain sectors of the economy and the society, stressing that "women leaders play an indispensable role in the vital task of nation building."

Marcos encouraged the women leaders to continue to work for the passage of local legislative measures that aim to improve the lives of the people, especially the vulnerable.

He urged them to embrace their commitment to conduct fair and gender-responsive programs in their respective localities and broaden the growth of opportunities and enhance the role of women in the society.

"Let us aim to eradicate prejudice and discrimination against women in every facet of our society," he said.

The Chief Executive also told the women legislators to work with the government in closing the country's gender parity to improve the Philippines' ranking in the global gender gap index in the World Economic Forum.

This year, the Philippines attained a rating of 79.1 percent in gender parity, ranked 16th among 146 countries globally

The administration, he said, remains steadfast in implementing the magna carta of women at all levels of government. 

Mindanao quake damage now at almost P1-B, NDRRMC says

BY AARON RECUENCO

Dec 13, 2023 09:43 AM

  

---

The damage to agriculture and infrastructure as a result of the 7.4 magnitude quake that hit Mindanao early this month is now at almost P1 billion, reports reaching the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) revealed on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

In a situation report released on Wednesday, the NDRRMC said the damage to infrastructure is at P837.5 million, almost all of them are in the Caraga region while the rest were reported in Davao Region.

For agriculture damage, it said the report from National Irrigation Administration (NIA) was at P91 million while P19.2 million in agriculture products as reported by the Department of Agriculture.

In the same data, it said a total of 177,689 families composed of 790,773 individuals, some of them lost their homes as the NDRRMC reported that there were 354 damaged houses and 5,442 houses were partially damaged.

The epicenter of the earthquake was traced in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and so far, it has already triggered a total of 7,444 aftershocks.

There were three reported fatalities, including a pregnant woman, and 74 people who suffered injuries, although the NDRRMC said they are yet to validate the casualty reports from the field.

What’s your greatest desire?

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

IT should be to look for Christ, to be with Christ, to follow Christ. That’s where we can find what is good for us in any situation we can find ourselves in. If that is not yet our greatest desire, then it’s about time that we train ourselves to acquire such desire.

Why is that? The simple answer is because Christ himself said that he is “the way, the truth, and the life” proper to us. In the Book of Isaiah, we are told that “they that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall take wings as eagles; they shall run and not weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (40,31)

Besides, in the Gospel of St. Matthew, Christ clearly tells us: “Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.” (11,28) And he reassures us that he will be the one to give us rest. He also tells us that his yoke is sweet and his burden light.

Thus, if we find looking for Christ and living with him not sweet and light, we can be sure that we are not truly with him yet. Let’s do something about it immediately. To be with Christ should give us the sensation of lightness, peace, joy and confidence, irrespective of the situation we may be in. It should fill us with energy to do a lot of good.

Even in our difficulties and suffering, such conditions of lightness, peace, etc., should be felt. After all, it would be Christ who would be bearing them more than us. We simply share a little of the weight. And when we share it with him, we would know that such difficulties and suffering have some positive value.

We should be wary when we are complacent in this duty of looking for Christ in everything that we do. We have to look for him, so we can find him and be with him, and share what he has with us.

We have to be wary when we would just allow ourselves to be dominated or ruled by our earthly condition—our moods, bodily health, the temper of the times, etc. We should be guided always by our faith which, by the way, is a gift God gives us always in abundance. The gift of faith is no problem. It’s never in short supply.

Right at the start of the day, let’s take the decision to be ruled by our faith, and not simply by our earthly condition, and to start looking for Christ. With him, we are assured of a happy life despite whatever. Our outlook in life would always be marked by optimism and confidence. Yes, Christian life is always a happy life.

Let’s help one another develop this greatest desire to look for Christ. That way, we can help many people deal properly with problems, challenges and trials. Just looking around, we can see many cases of people in states of sadness, discontent and depression. Mental illness is becoming a kind of epidemic these days. Sad to say, some people, especially the young ones, choose to commit suicide.

This business of looking for Christ in order to have a happy and meaningful life, should be made a culture in our place. It should be an ordinary and commonplace thing around. It’s not meant only for a few chosen ones. It’s meant for all!

Diesel prices cut by P1.85/liter; gasoline by P1.60 per liter

BY MYRNA M. VELASCO

Dec 11, 2023 02:09 PM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• Reflecting these lower prices at the pumps will come as a bit of good news to Filipino consumers – especially in this stretch of the holiday season when most are on their shopping rush, or on constant drive and commute to catch-up meetings, parties and other gatherings.

---

Santa’s slick surprise will also manifest at the oil pumps this week as the price of diesel products will be on rollback by a significant P1.85 per liter; while gasoline prices will be trimmed by P1.60 per liter, based on the price adjustment announcements of the oil companies.

The industry players similarly advised that the price of kerosene, which is an essential base for aviation fuel and an important commodity for many households, will be reduced by P1.40 per liter.

As of this writing, the oil firms that already sent notices on their price cuts effective Tuesday (December 12) had been Shell Pilipinas Corporation, Chevron, Seaoil, Cleanfuel, PTT Philippines, PetroGazz and Jetti Petroleum; while their rival firms are anticipated to match this week’s newly enforced pricing trends. 

The oil firms implemented the downswing in prices based on cost movements anchored on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) index; as well as other factors affecting prices – such as foreign exchange rate, market premium, biofuel costs as well as the sweep of competitive pressure on prices at the domestic downstream oil industry.

Reflecting these lower prices at the pumps will come as a bit of good news to Filipino consumers – especially in this stretch of the holiday season when most are on their shopping rush, or on constant drive and commute to catch-up meetings, parties and other gatherings.

The recent incessant impact of high oil prices on the country’s inflation rate will also be eased; and this will similarly keep consumers away from the typical spiraling effect of surging fuel prices on the cost of basic commodities and services.

In the world market, industry experts noted that persisting concerns of lower-than-expected economic growths in major economies had been precipitating overall downtrend in oil prices. 

In fact, even the recent pronouncement of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and ally-producers (OPEC+) on voluntary production cutback had not been given weight at market sentiments when it comes to the recent swing of international prices.

According to industry watchers, the era of lower prices may continue in the remaining days of the year if there are no major geopolitical events that could send markets into fresh round of jitters.

As of Monday (December 11) trading, international benchmark Brent crude just edged up slightly to $76 per barrel from last week’s more than $75 per barrel price level. 

Philippine Fairy Tales (XI) - Philippinische Märchen (XI)

 

VON DER EIDECHSE BUTIKI

FROM THE LIZARD BUTIKI

Es heißt, allabendlich bei Sonnenuntergang komme die Eidechse Butiki aus dem Haus, wende sich nach Westen und verneige sich. Die alten Leute sagen, Butiki tue für die Verbrechen Buße. Das hat sich so zugetragen.

Es lebte einmal Kandeng, eine arme Witwe, die einen einzigen Sohn, Amando, hatte.

Amando liebte seine Mutter nicht. Er wußte, daß sie nur davon lebten, was seine Mutter mit dem Waschen von Wäsche verdiente, doch er bemühte sich nicht, ihr irgendwie zu helfen. Ständig lungerte er nur mit schlechten Freunden herum.

Mit der Zeit wuchs er heran und begann, den Mädchen nachzulaufen. Er verliebte sich in ein schönes Mädchen aus guter Familie. Doch die Eltern kannten Amandos Wesen und verboten der Tochter, sich mit ihm zu treffen. Aber Amando hatte Ausdauer und folgte dem Mädchen wie ein Schatten. Die Eltern machten sich deshalb Sorgen. Sie fürchteten, ihre Tochter könnte ihr Schicksal mit einem Tunichtsgut teilen.

Sie beschlossen, Amando zu zwingen, daß er aufhöre. ihrer Tochter nachzulaufen. Doch wie sollten sie das anstellen?

"Ich habe es!" sagte der Vater des Mädchens. "Wir wollen ihm eine Aufgabe stellen, die er kaum lösen wird."

Das taten sie. Also Armando wiederkehrte, sagte das Mädchen zu ihm: "Ich glaube Dir nicht, daß Du mich liebst, du mußt es mir beweisen. Und Du mußt es mir auf die Weise bezeugen, daß Du mir das Herz deiner Mutter bringst. Ohne das Herz komm mir nicht mehr unter die Augen!"

Amando ging einige Wochen in Gedanken versunken herum. Er magerte ab. Nachts konnte er nicht schlafen. Und endlich erschloß er sich zu der schrecklichen Tat.

In einer Nacht trat er in die Stube ein, wo seine kranke Mutter lag und schnitt ihr das Herz aus dem Leib.

Plötzlich begann das Herz, das er in seinen Händen hielt, zu sprechen: "Amando, deine Grausamkeit hat in der Welt ihresgleichen nicht! Der Himmel wird dich dafür bestrafen. Du wirst dich in ein hässliches Wesen verwandeln und dein ganzes Leben auf der Erde herumkriechen!"

In dem Augenblick verwandelte sich Amando in die Eidechse Butiki. Und bis zum heutigen Tag, wenn die Sonne untergeht, kommt sie aus dem Haus, und zum Zeichen ihrer tiefen Reue verneigt sie sich nach Westen. Der über den Sohn ausgesprochene Fluch der Mutter war also in Erfüllung gegangen.

+++

It is said that every evening at sunset the lizard Butiki comes out of the house, turns to the west and bows. The old people say that Butiki is atoning for the crimes. That's how it happened.

Once upon a time there lived Kandeng, a poor widow who had an only son, Amando.

Amando didn't love his mother. He knew that they only lived on what his mother earned from washing clothes, but he made no effort to help her in any way. He was always just hanging around with bad friends.

Over time, he grew up and started chasing girls. He fell in love with a beautiful girl from a good family. But the parents knew Amando's nature and forbade their daughter to meet him. But Amando had perseverance and followed the girl like a shadow. The parents were therefore worried. They feared that their daughter would share her fate with a ne'er-do-well.

They decided to force Amando to stop. to run after her daughter. But how should they do that?

"I got it!" said the girl's father. "We want to give him a task that he is unlikely to solve."

That's what they did. When Armando returned, the girl said to him: "I don't believe you that you love me, you have to prove it to me. And you have to prove it to me by bringing me your mother's heart. Come without the heart no longer under my eyes!"

Amando walked around lost in thought for a few weeks. He lost weight. He couldn't sleep at night. And finally he came to terms with the terrible act.

One night he entered the room where his sick mother lay and cut her heart out.

Suddenly the heart he held in his hands began to speak: "Amando, your cruelty has no equal in the world! Heaven will punish you for this. You will turn into an ugly creature and crawl around on earth all your life !"

At that moment Amando transformed into Butiki the lizard. And to this day, when the sun sets, she comes out of the house and bows to the west as a sign of her deep repentance. The mother's curse pronounced on her son had come true.

Yllana Aduana asks for support in Miss Earth 2023 popular voting

By: Armin P. AdinaINQUIRER.net 

Miss Philippines Earth Yllana Marie Aduana (center) with (from left) Mongolia’s Munkhchimeg Batjargal, Vietnam’s Do Thi Lan Anh, Myanmar’s Soung Hnin San and Cambodia’s Pouvjessica Tan / MISS EARTH FACEBOOK PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Yllana Marie Aduana, the country’s representative in the 2023 Miss Earth pageant, was included in the five highest vote-getters in the contest’s “Best Appearance” poll. And now she hopes to enjoy the support of netizens as the voting for “Miss People’s Choice” has rolled out.

“Please also keep on voting for me for Miss People’s Choice awardee [face holding back tears emoji][Philippine flag emoji][orange heart emoji][Earth emoji],” the medical laboratory scientist posted on social media.

As part of the Top 5 for the “Best in Appearance” voting, Aduana enjoyed “double points” for the “Miss People’s Choice” poll for 24 hours. Asia dominated the earlier voting, with the delegates from Mongolia, Myanmar, Cambodia and host country Vietnam joining the Filipino delegate.

For the first time ever, the Miss Earth pageant will reserve a spot in the next round for the leader in the popularity poll. “The winner of the ‘Miss People’s Choice’ will be granted a direct entry to the Semi-Finals,” the organizers posted on social media. Fans may cast their votes through the Eventista voting platform, missearth.1voting.com.

The ultimate winner of the “Best Appearance,” meanwhile, will receive a special gift. The leading delegate will be announced on Dec. 12, the Miss Earth pageant added.

Aduana is on a quest to sustain the Philippine’s impressive record in the Manila-based international pageant. Four Filipino competitors have captured the title—Karla Henry in 2008, Jamie Herrell in 2014, Angelia Ong in 2015, and Karen Ibasco in 2017.

The 2023 Miss Earth pageant will hold its coronation show at the Van Phuc City development project in Ho Chi Minh City on Dec. 22. The ceremonies will be streamed live on the pageant’s new YouTube channel @MissEarthChannel, and will be telecast in the Philippines on Dec. 24, 10 a.m., on A2Z channel.

Vigilance is better than cure

 

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:03 AM December 10, 2023

Don’t worry, don’t panic. This essentially was the message of the Department of Health (DOH) in addressing concerns over the detected cases of mycoplasma pneumoniae or “walking pneumonia” in the country. The four patients diagnosed with the disease have already recovered, it said, and that such cases were “not new.”

“Only 4 (0.08 percent) of the confirmed [influenza-like illnesses] cases from January up to Nov. 25, 2023 were due to M. pneumoniae or ‘walking pneumonia’ … More than half of confirmed ILI cases were due to other well-known and commonly detected pathogens,” the DOH said in a statement. It noted that one case of mycoplasma pneumoniae was reported in January, another in July, and two more in September.

Three years of anxiety

But who can blame Filipinos for being skeptical, even paranoid, given the DOH’s track record? It has only been a few months since the global health emergency over COVID-19 was lifted and the local economy started to recover, but the public has not forgotten the three years of anxiety and uncertainties marked by the loss of jobs caused by the economic slowdown, and worse, the loss of lives due to the coronavirus. In early 2020, when COVID-19 was first detected in the country, the DOH said it was on top of the situation. It had to take one death—the first death from the coronavirus outside China where it originated—before the government took drastic measures and imposed a travel ban on international flights and, by then, the virus had already spread. The government would eventually impose the world’s longest lockdown.

Indeed, there might be no need to panic since seasonal influenza or the flu is common at this time of the year. There is also the assumption that the government has learned its lessons from the COVID-19 crisis—but apparently not. The DOH reported a 45-percent increase in influenza-like illnesses from Jan. 1 to Oct. 13, or a total of 151,375 cases; however, this has only been highlighted following reports of walking pneumonia in other parts of the world. Moreover, the DOH admitted that some cases may not have been officially categorized as walking pneumonia because doctors administered antibiotics right away and no longer recommended further tests for the patients. Clearly, there is still a lack of transparency in health reporting as well as thorough checking of viruses by health authorities.

No cause for alarm

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, described as an “atypical” bacterium that causes lung infection, has been detected in China, Denmark, France, and the United States, among others. In the United Kingdom, there has been a rise in pertussis or whooping cough, a bacterial infection of the lungs. Health officials have so far found no cause for alarm and these cases have been attributed to normal seasonal increases in viral and bacterial disease and the easing of restrictions that has seen the return of normal public interactions and habits.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae symptoms include fatigue, sore throat or pharyngitis, low fever, chest pain, cough, sneezing, and headache—signs that are similar to other respiratory conditions like bronchitis, flu, and the common cold. Doctors warned that the coughing up of a mix of mucus and saliva can persist beyond seven days, unlike common viral infections that last only five days. The DOH said that while the infection can be mild, vulnerable individuals can be at risk of developing a more severe form of health condition.

The national government has not issued any directive yet but the DOH has advised Filipinos to wear masks again and observe other preventive measures including handwashing, ensuring adequate ventilation, and vaccination. The Bureau of Corrections has reimposed the mandatory face mask policy within its facilities, especially in the New Bilibid Prison, which has major congestion problems that could pose risks to inmates when respiratory infections spread.

Like headless chickens

By now, the government should be proactive in preventing the rise of infectious diseases, checking hospital preparedness, and accelerating vaccination efforts. That bizarre waves of bacterial infections have been observed in other parts of the world warrants the government, particularly the DOH, to be more vigilant and not take chances. We don’t want to see our health system being overwhelmed again and health authorities running around like headless chickens while billions in taxpayer money are lost to inflated purchases and other forms of corruption. The public, too, should do their part. In countries like Japan, wearing a mask has been the default precaution taken at the first sign of flu—that should also be the case here, especially during the busy holiday season when malls are packed making it easy to catch a virus.

COVID should have taught us that we cannot take our health for granted, and taught our government that, indeed, prevention—as well as transparency and extra vigilance— is always more practical and less expensive than cure.