Kulture 8 - DaBo

It amazes me that Germans are afraid of drafts. I would get so annoyed on a hot day if I could never open a few windows to cool down. I feel like it could be just suspicion of where disease comes from that has lasted throughout the history of Germany, maybe even going back to the Bubonic Plague. Ich wolle nicht ein Kreislaufzusammenbruch. That does not sound like a good condition, if it is a real condition that doesn't involve dying. I can't think of any weird medical issues in America that would be eine gute Entshuldigung. In order for absences to be excused it seems you have to be bed-ridden and have a note from a doctor. The article also mentioned that universal health care has caused Germans to visit doctors less because it has become so expensive. Ich liebe Saunas! Saunas sind sehr gut. Ich gehe auf das Sauna in das CCRB jede Woche. Meine Grosseltern haben ein sauna in deine haus und mein Bruder und ich tried to see who could stay in there the longest. I nearly passed out which means I lost. I think it's because he has a good 30 pounds on me. Anyway, I would not feel comfortable in a unisex sauna unless everyone had at least a swimsuit on.

DaBo

Kultur 8 - Cameron Monroe

Besser spät als nie!

Ich habe immer viel Fernweh, nachdem ich 365 Dinge lese. Ich will zum Baumblütenfest gehen oder eine Grillparty auf dem Wasser haben. Ich mag auch Nummer 146 über den "Magic Mountain", weil ich gerne klettere. Ich muss bald nach Deutschland wieder gehen! Die anderen Artikel sind sehr lustig gewesen, aber ich habe "Brennpunkt Kultur" wirklich gemocht. I am still very curious about the Deutsch college system. It seems strange that students do not pay tuition to such a large institution. It would be very nice to graduate with a maximum of 10.000 Euros worth of debt to the government. I will far exceed that by the end of my undergrad. Another key aspect of their schooling system involves the time when a child is either sent to Gymnasium, Realschule, oder Hauptschule. That is a HUGE decision to make so early on in a child's development. I do understand however that the other types of schools can still lead to good jobs that may even overlap with careers sought by students at other types of schools. As far as getting into Universität, I am still undecided about who's system is better. The Abitur sounds like a lot of pressure. It is beneficial to consider more than I single test when analyzing a students aptitude or skills. However, our complex application system puts a lot of pressure on students to excel academically while also being involved in every club the school has to offer and show that you can write one damn good essay about why every school you are applying for is your "#1".  It would be interesting to learn more and compare the systems in depth.

-CaMo

Kultur 8 Janelle Jajou

Hallo!

Ich habe the Articles lustig gefunden. "Draftophobia" is strange to me, because usually people encourage getting fresh air. Die Deutschlander haben einen Vogel! Cool air is more enjoyable than being sticky, hot, and gross. Schlecht! However, I can get behind the idee of the Schitzkasten; it is very relaxing. Ich mag the German's love of shameless opportunities to do things in the nude.

The mysterious illnesses in Deutschland are a sign of natural selection. Just kidding! But the fact that aspirin is shunned in the same place where it was made is funny. Es ist sehr interessant that Germans find ingesting pillen und drogen is bad because you're ingesting "chemicals," because many non-Americans can agree with that sentiment. Many prefer natural herbs and tea to do the job and turn their nose up at the thought of "chemicals" remedying them. The fact that die Deutschlander
können get a day off is enviable!

Ich habe das Deutsche Universitätssystem sehr gut gefunden! Ich will die Deutsche Schule gehen! I would like to receive the kind of financial aid that German students do! Not only do they receive so many benefits, aber they also can jump right into their majors instead of doing requirements.

Bis Später!

JaJa

Kultur 8 | Jenny Richter

Ich finde die Artikel über “Draftophobia” lustig, aber traurig auch. Ich could nicht in Sommer mit kein AC und kein open Fenster leben. Ich get heiß zu leicht. Und der Illnesses war lustig auch. Die Artikel hat mich von die Artikel über Deutsch und Complaining reminded und ich denke dass Deutsch zu complain mögen. Aber sie sind zu gesund und Biolanden minded zu Tabletten nehmen. Ich denke dass die Deutsch really sweating mögen. Sie zu Saunas gegangen und machen nicht auf das Fenster wann es ist heiß.

            Ich will alles von diese Dinge machen. Ich mag especially der Ritterfest, weil ich medieval Dinge mag und ich finde dass Spaß! Ich would like die Grafittis zu sehen, weil ich gern Photo machen habe. Ich will auch die Motzstraßenfest und Christopher Street Day gegangen, weil ich Homo Pride habe.

            Die Deutsch Schule und Universität system ist so different  from ours. Wir haben examen in Vorlesung aber sie haben kein Prüfung oder Assignments in Vorlesung. Die Abitur sounds zu stressful. Sie haben ein similar system in Frankreich. Aber hier count wir die ACT, GPA, extracurriculars, und Aufsatz. Ich wish Universität in die USA was kostenlos. Nicht fair.

Kultur 8 | Matt Willner

For the first Kultur reading: Draftophobia, my impressions were more of confusion than anything else. Like the author mentioned in the last line, Germans are exposed to the same "drafts" whether they are biking, driving, or riding the train to their destination. As an American, I love having the windows open when I am driving. The fresh air is  far more welcome feeling than the air conditioner, and not having constantly keep the air on in the house or the car saves fuel. For all of the ways Germans are "eco-conscious," I am surprised they are deathly afraid of this most simple solution.

The second Kultur reading regarding German sauna protocol was also very eye-opening. People in the United States have the impression that Germans are very reserved; especially around fellow business colleagues. It was therefore very surprising that it is common practice to enjoy a sauna visit on a business trip and even more shocking to learn that both  men and women share saunas naked. I am not sure if such a practice is merely a German or a European ritual, but from my experiences I would say going to a sauna would be something one would do only with close friends in the United States.

The third Kultur reading regarding German attitudes towards medicine did not surprise me, as I was able to draw parallels to my own German family members and realize they also discourage taking medicine unless the illness was dire. I know Germans are very lenient towards maternity and paternity leaves, so perhaps part of the reason they would rather stay at home than take pills and go to work is because it is easier to do so. 

As for the rest of the readings, I was not surprised that Germans only care about grades when being admitted to universities. Having spoken with a few exchange students, they were confused that school and sports even cross paths at the highschool and university levels. It seemed foreign to them that a sports team could represent a school as much as its academics.

-MaWi

Kultur 8 Carsten Sprunger

I always find the Brennpunkt Kultur articles the most interesting. The one about University in Germany is really interesting. They go through a three-part system. Vorlesung hat keine Tests and are huge. In other course types, students are graded on group discussion and group work, oral presentations and projects. In the practical courses, they have tests and assignments. They also get degrees and have theses to serve as capstone projects. They have graduate school just like us.
At Universities, they often have registration caps for the popular subject, similar to the way we do things at Michigan, except that we have caps for every course. There are no gen ed requirements at German universities! Ich soll in Deutschland gewohnt haben. Along with that, college has been tuition-free for a long time and only in 2005 did some select universities start charging small tuition fees. Wow. A government that values education like that feels so foreign.

Kultur 8

Ich habe "Draftophobia" gelesen und ich habe "You Have What?" gelesen. Die zwei Artikel sind lustig. Ich kann verstehen, wollen das Fenster zumachen. Ich gefällt mir nicht der Wind in mein Gesicht, aber ich nicht glaube das ist nicht gesund. Ich would agree mit Deutsche das es ist nicht gut to take a lot of schmerztablette für jede ding. Ich nicht glaube "Kreislaufzusammenbruch."  Was bedeutet das? Wie können ein Kreislaufzusammenbruch be fine? What happens? Was das es feel like? Ich weiß nicht. Saunas: Ich nicht viel Leute wer gern the Sauna in den USA. Die Leute glauben es gross. Es ist different das Deutschland likes the Saunas, aber ich can not judge. 


The Kultur section in das Buch war sehr interessant. Ich habe kein Idee about the drei Weg ein Studentin gehen kann nach Grundschule. Ich weiß nicht ob ich like that procedure. Sorting out Kinder ist sehr weird und at ein junge alt. The BAföG ist schon. Ich like das das ist ein maximum amonut of geld man owes zu Government. I really enjoyed reading about the educational system, but I do wonder if the system will be changing in the future. There was one sentence that alluded to this, and I do wonder how it will change.

Molly Range (MoRa)

Morgen Medizinische Rant

Draftophobia: Blown Away by the Fear of Air

And

You Have What? Mysterious Illness in Germany

Intro

Normalerweise, these articles are an unfair, if Lustig, stereotype of Germans. This particular one, however, may carry more weight than usual. According to multiple firsthand accounts, the opinion that a draft will cause one to become sick seems fairly accepted and widespread in Germany. The phrase “Es Zieht” or “it draws” is commonly heard in response to an open window. Even the medical professionals reportedly back this theory.

Remember This? - Bloodletting

For over 2,000 years, bloodletting was the staple of “modern" medicine. Medical professionals were SURE that most diseases were caused by an imbalance of the vier bodily humors (blut being one of them) and that draining blood would help return the humors to balance and the patient to health.

Superstitions like these are reinforced when a person treated in this manner makes a recovery. Heute we verstehen that bloodletting has no positive effect on any disease (save perhaps slightly and temporarily lowering blood pressure) and, if anything, would weaken a person to pathogens and other diseases.

And It’s Still Happening

Similarly reinforcing, a German may come to America and experience for the first time open Fenster and draft. This German may also become sick for the first time in years at which point the superstition is reinforced.

Alternately, we fortunate, enlightened few understand that this new sickness is more likely the result of any of the hundred more realistic causes: first exposure to new allergy, contact with new pathogen strand, stress-induced compromised immune function, ect.

The subject of Draftophobia intersects with that of alternative medicine. I could wirklich schreibe ein Buch on the subject. The amount of ignorance is frustrating. My sister (a registered nurse of all people) uses a machine called Truerife, claimed to cure any disease by shaking the disease-causing pathogens apart, even conditions that aren't caused by pathogens, like arthritis.

 

Circulatory Collapse

The second article covers German’s “circulatory collapse,” a transliteration to describe the symptoms of light headedness or weakness. In Germany though, these symptoms are defined as a disease and called Kreislaufzusammenbruch. This is not to be confused the life threatening condition, auch heißt Circulatory Collapse, which is literally a failure to move blood through the arteries or veins. Germans often miss Arbeit for their mild, common cases of Kreislaufzusammenbruch.

Modern Medicine – Some pros and cons

The modern medicine we know today doesn't always get it right. Wirklich, it is a overall blessing upon humankind and has resulted in the average increased life expectancy of the human population, perhaps to a fault. But, it is still common practice to treat many symptoms without looking for root causes. We still don’t understand the cause of many diseases and therefore classify symptoms as diseases and treat them instead.

I’ll end the rant mit was ich hoffe ist a thought provoking question: If evolutionists are correct about “survival of the fittest” driving a population to evolve, what does modern medicine mean for the fitness of the human population?

 

P.S.
I have to add that in Korea, most of the people I met held the belief that sleeping with a fan on in the room would result in suffocation.

The only shred of truth I could attribute to either of these theories is that if man sleeps with a fan or breeze directed over there face, it CAN cause your sinuses and the back of your throat to dry out while sleeping which will result in a sore throat upon waking.

JeSt

Kultur 8

It seems like the Germans have a lot in common with Asian than with the other European nations when dealing with sickness. The article Draftophobia noted that Germans have a strict aversion to open windows and other drafts because they somehow cause sickness. It doesn't seem to be just draft either; the author did mention that many Germans did not appreciate him having a fan in a hot workplace either. I know for a fact that my parents, and especially the Korean cultures, don't like draft or long-timed fans either. My parents usually never let me open the windows on car rides. The difference would be that my parents actually used Air Conditioning. I do have much experience with no open fans in a room though; my parents usually made note that fans during the night time were bad. I believe I also read how the Korean Culture thought leaving fans on overnight while sleeping or for long periods of time lead to death; the change in air pressure from the fans would cause the body to suffocate or something. Considering that we experience changes in pressure many times (just being outside, climbing in elevation, and being in an airplane) this logic doesn't seem that sensible.

As for the Germans having their own rituals and aversion to modern medicine, I can relate that to my life as well. My parents seemed to have their own herbal Chinese methods to recuperating from illnesses. I was surprised to see my roommate took anti-cold pills or aspirin when he was sick this past week. When I had a cold, my parents gave me this weird Chinese cough syrup or herbal medicine and then just set me on my merry way to continue coughing my sinuses up. Still, I seem to have a very strong immune system and only get sick maybe twice a year at most, so I guess I can attest to my parents ways.

I've tried a sauna once. My friend said it was good for you after a workout, and he set the sauna for 10 minutes. By 8 or 9 minutes we literally just gave up and walked out. I don't think I'm a big fan of it, just willingly allowing yourself to sweat and suffer from high temperatures. When I visit Germany, sauna visits probably won't be a top priority on my list.

Kultur 8

Ich finde ,,Draftaphobia” und ,,You Have What” sehr lustig! Die Kultur Artikel machen mich immer denken, dass die Deutschen sind sehr Ernst oder sehr doof. Vielleicht ist Kreislaufzusammenbruch psychosomatisch, oder vielleicht sie ist nicht überhaupt real. Sie klingt besser als einen “Mental Health Day”.

Nummer 85 ins 365 Dinge sieht Spaß. Ich möchte wie Alice im Wunderland fühlen.

In Deutschland will ich auch zu Snowtropolis und Aldemir Eis gehen. Ski laufen im Sommer würden toll sein! Ich will Quark-Sesam-Honig Eis probieren, aber ich weiß nicht, ob ich es mag. Wann das Wetter ist schön, eine Grill-Party auf dem Wasser (Dinge 120) sieht Spaß.

BrEl

Kultur8

Ich habe die Artikel über Illnesses in Deutschland sehr interessant gefunden. It’s weird how Germans deal with disease and illness seems so different from the way we’re used to dealing with them. Particularly, the odd obsession with drafts, called draftophobia in ein of die Artikel, seems very weird to me. Maybe it’s because I grew outside of the culture and somehow miss the whole idea behind it. It just seems nonsensical and superstitious to me, which is why it’s surprising that it’s such a big deal. Sooner or later I would expect people to realize that risking the unlikely chance of growing ill from a draft is worth it for a little fresh air inside a muggy hot indoor place. Also, it’s interesting how Germans sometimes don’t get medication for illnesses that would be much easier to bear with the right prescription. There seems to be a lot of superstition surrounding illnesses in Germany, and I’m wondering to what extent the author of the articles exaggerates his experiences and his claims.  

Also, as ein Student, ich habe the information about Germany’s university in Vorsprung auch interessant gefunden. It seems a little more structured in Germany than in America, at least from the outset. In America I think the transition between introductory, intermediate, and advanced is a little vaguer than in Germany, but it’s still apparent in both places. Germany’s interesting in how you need to take a particular exam to advance altogether, whereas in America exams like that are more limited to the individual classes themselves. Still, es ist auch interessant zu sehen the similarities, such as with the master’s degree and Ph.D. programs which seem rather similar between the two countries.

JoRe

Kulture 8- Hannah Loveless

Hallo!

Ich habe viel gelacht when I read "Draftophobia" and "You Have What". Based on these articles, Germans sound like my Großtante! Ich dense dass Kreislaufzussamenbruch are would be rarer than German's make them out to be, but I completely relate to people with circulation problems-- meine Finger sind immer blau! As far as drafts go, I hate nothing more than a stuffy room, but meine Mitbewohnerin likes to keep das Fenster open even during the Polar Vortex. However, I don't understand why Germans wouldn't want to open their car windows in the heat of the summer. A little fresh air its gut für Sie!

Ich mag the article "Germany's Sauna Obsession". Although I think saunas are silly (and incredibly awkward), I thought it was interesting how the author noted that the sauna takes away social and economic divisions. That being said, I wish there would be another way for the citizens of Germany to unite. Badeschiff sounds sehr toll, though!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Kultur 8

Being from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the article on Saunas really hit home with me. Most of the articles that I've read depicting German culture have made me raise my eyebrows at their strange customs. However, all of the talk of saunas seemed like common practice to me. As a matter of fact, we have our own personal saunas installed at both my mom's house as well as my dad's. I'd also like to clear the air and make it clear that one of my biggest pet-peeves is the pronunciation of the word "SAUNA". Most people down here tend to pronounce it "SAW-NA", but the correct Finnish way to pronounce it is more along the lines of "SAUW-NA". I don't know why, but it bugs the hell out of me and many other Yoopers. Also, the unisex aspect, which many may find strange, also occurs quite often up north.

On another note, I can't decide whether or not to take the other articles relating to sickness serious or not. I find it hard to believe that they've found scientific evidence to back this information up. Do they not go outside unless the wind is completely calm? Air is air, isn't it? Whether it's moving or not. I guess you'll never catch me in a car with a group of Germans on a road trip. Being accustomed to the climate back north, I tend to sweat like no other when it gets humid and around 75-80. Whenever I travel, air conditioning and cool wind are a must. And the funny thing is I'm still alive to tell the tale. They can tell me to "Es zieht." all they want, but I'll take my chances.

-ZaBo

Kultur 8

Germans would not survive in a lot of the U.S. would they? It's so windy here, and it's almost impossible to escape a draft. Is there no wind in Germany? Could I win a battle against Germans by using the wind?

I think it's actually pretty cool that Germans are apprehensive about pharmaceuticals. In America, doctors shell out prescriptions almost willy nilly, and pharmaceutical companies make abhorrent amounts of money. There's no need for them, as we can see, the Germans get along fine without them.

The coolest part about the saunas, is that they throw out all social constructs while one is in it. There's nothing like that in America. All activities don't allow for intermingling of classes. Sports are separated, whether watching or participating, gyms and fitness clubs are, so that means saunas are, and there's really no point for classes to intermingle. It would be very nice to have a place where none of that matters and you're able to just relax with other humans.

KeDeTu

Kultur 8 - Luc Hildebrand

The article “Draftophobia: Blown Away by the Fear of Air” brings up a very interesting phobia in the German culture. I don’t know how Germans can handle hot summer days in the car, on the train, or in the office, without cracking the windows or having some kind of fan. That would be miserable! It was also surprising to hear that Germans blame drafts for a variety of different illnesses, and many Germans will also come down with mysterious (made up) illnesses, that just don’t exist in other countries as highlighted in the article “You have what? Mysterious Illness in Germany”. However, it did not surprise me to hear that many Germans are skeptical of antibiotics and various other medicines. I love taking saunas (most of my family is from the Upper Peninsula, and everyone has one up there), so hearing about Germany’s obsession with saunas in “Germany’s sauna obsession: Expose yourself to the culture” makes me want to live in Germany even more!

LaHi

Kultur Blog Kapitel 8

Deutschen hassen Luftzug! Sie offen Fenster für kurze Zeit, aber sie sie schließen. Sie sagen, "es zieht!" wenn sie Fenster schließen wollen.

 Kreislaufzusammenbruch ist sehr komisch. Ich verstehe es nicht. Es ist ein sehr seltenes medizinisches Problem! 

Saunen sind sehr wichtig im Deutschland! Wie seltsam!

Ich mag ein paar Dinge aus 365 Dinge! Sehr interesstant.

Es ist seltsam, wie Deutscheschulen sind sehr unterschneiden sich von Amerikanschulen.

Diese Kultur Blog war sehr spaß! Auf wiedersehen!

HaKu

Kultur 8 SoLe

Mein Gott! Wie können die Deutschen ertragen das heiße Wetter? Und besonders in dem Auto oder dem Zug? Ich weiß dass ich nicht kann. Die Deutschen möchten die Sauna. Ich möchte auch die Sauna weil sie ruhig und schön ist. Der Badeschiff sieht aus sehr interessant. Eine Sauna in einem Fluss? Wie schön! Ich liebe die Natur so ich denke dass ich es versuchen werde.

Nach habe ich "Draftophobia: Blown Away by the Fear of Air" gelesen, ich war surprised. Wenn die Deustchen können ertragen die Wärme, ich denke dass sie "the draft" ertragen können. Ich mag den Wind. Er ist so frisch und so cool. Aber meine Mutter sagt mir immer, "Geht nicht aus mit nasse Haare! Du wirst dich erkälten!" Im Deutschland, viele Ärzte denken dass "the draft"wird dir ein Fieber geben. Jetzt ich weiß was bedeutet "es zieht".

Wenn ich gehe nach Deutschland, ich will zum Wildpark Schorfheide und Sea Life. Ich liebe liebe die Tiere! Der sehs Meter lange Unterwassertunnel ist so cool! Ich möchte auch den Boulevard der Stars besuchen. Es ist wie ein "Walk of Fame".

Whoa, I did not know there was even a part (das Basismodul) in an education program that do not require tests! I believe discussions and independent as well as group work because it really sets the learning atmosphere and engages students to actually open their minds to new ideas and concepts rather than memorization and standardized scores. It's interesting to learn that originally German colleges were tuition-free, but of course, there would eventually come a time when fees have to be initiated into the system.

Kultur 8

Ich habe "Draftophobia: Blown Away by the Fear of Air" gelesen. Ich mag der Artikel. Der Artikel war sehr lustig. Ich habe werid that Germans would want to sit in a hot car and not put the windows down gefunden. Ich mag to roll die Fenster down und let the wind blow in my face. It is a weird phobia they have, to be afraid of a draft, even wenn ist es heiß. Ich habe lustig Germans thought the drafts caused all sorts of problems, like serious health problems gefunden.
Ich habe "You Have What? Mysterious Illness in Germany" gelesen. Ich mag der Artikel weil ist sehr lustig that Germans are the only ones that get this sickness. I also found it really funny that in other parts of the world people die from Kreislaufzusammenbruch, aber Duetsch do not, it seems they are the only ones who get this sickness. I also loved the fact that some people have taken off from Arbeit weil they have this sickness. Also, I found that the chairman Matthias Platzeck, had to step down from his chair because he suffered a Hörsturz. Which according to the author does not exist anywhere but in Germany.

-EmGu