Survey on the French view of Germany/ the Germans

[Bercandize]

Hi,

my name is Deniz and I'm from Göttingen, Germany.

I would like to ask you some questions for a school project.

Our topic is prejudice.

The first part of our project was to analyse the germans view on other

european countries. The secons step is to look how our neighbour states

think of us.

So it would be very kind of you to answer the questions honestly.

Questionaire:

1. Have you ever been in Germany? What was your impression?

2. What do you think of when you hear Germany?

3. Do you like / dislike Germany and/or the Germans? Why?

4. Characterize the Germans as far as possible.

5. Do you think there are more prejudice against Germany than other

countries? Why? (If you know a prejudice or stereotypes concerning

Germany or the Germans please post them,too.)

Thank you very much

Deniz

[Weedon]

Maybe Deniz it might be nice to know what conclusions came out of the first part of your project.

[Maricopa]

[quote user="Bercandize"]
1. Have you ever been in Germany? What was your impression?

Several times, liked it.

2. What do you think of when you hear Germany?

Germany?

3. Do you like / dislike Germany and/or the Germans? Why?

All those that I have met and know are nice people who live in a nice country.  Cos I do. 

4. Characterize the Germans as far as possible.

Efficient, friendly, make some nice cars.

5. Do you think there are more prejudice against Germany than other countries? Why? (If you know a prejudice or stereotypes concerning Germany or the Germans please post them,too.)

Not particularly, though I do know people around here who have had difficulties registering german cars!

[/quote]

 

Hope this helps[:D]

EDIT: After reading your clarification later I should add that I am English living in France.

[Jacqui Too]

[quote user="Bercandize"] ......The secons step is to look how our neighbour states think of us. .........
Deniz[/quote]

I don't understand who you are aiming your questionnaire at. [8-)] : The French in France or the British in France or the British in Britain ?

And If all three, then wheres the question that asks nationality? 

 

[Bugsy]

Sorry about this but you really do have to question the motives of a teacher that would set such a project.

IMHO of course........................

[raindog]

I think this is aimed at French people - could be wrong of course.

(mind you, it's written in English so......) [8-)]

[Bercandize]

As I said we deal with prejudice/ stereotypes at school at the moment.

As I said we're talking about prejudice/ stereotypes at school at the moment.

After talking about prejudice in general our teacher divided us up into groups of about 4 students.

Each group choose a European country that borders Germany.

Now we have to find out what these countries think of Germany and the germans.

What prejudice exists and so on.

We did the same before but the other way round, we asked other classes for their opinion about our neighbour countries.

 Actually, as far as I can tell you our schoolmates had a very good view on other countries, but unfortunately I don't have the results here.

This questionnaire is aimed at French people, actually, but of course this is a English-speaking board.

 My problem is that I can't speak french and so I thought I'd find a few french people here, although it would be nice to hear the view of other nations,too.

The aim of the survey is just to look if there are differences between the french and the british view of germany for example.

[Cat]

I'm not French, so can't really help, but I do congratulate you on your excellent command of the English language.

[Clair]

1. Have you ever been in Germany? What was your impression?

Yes. I enjoyed it tremendously and all the people I met were very friendly and helpful.

2. What do you think of when you hear Germany?

Beer and cars!

3. Do you like / dislike Germany and/or the Germans? Why?

I have no reason to dislike the Germans in general or Germany and I have good memories of my visits there.

4. Characterize the Germans as far as possible.

Sorry, can't help there as I don't characterise people by their country of origin.

5. Do you think there are more prejudice against Germany than other

countries? Why? (If you know a prejudice or stereotypes concerning

Germany or the Germans please post them,too.)

I believe any prejudice against Germany in France is predominantly found in the older generation who have suffered through WW2.

Some 30 years ago, a person I knew told me quite clearly that he would deliberately give a German person incorrect directions or information. He was about 50 years old at the time.

[Jacqui Too]

OK I'll take part and I will be honest, I'm British living in Britain

1. Have you ever been in Germany? What was your impression? No

2. What do you think of when you hear Germany?  War, Wine, Beer festivals, beautiful horses, Michael Schumacher

3. Do you like / dislike Germany and/or the Germans? Why? I have only known 2 young German girls who came to stay with me for a holiday and they were delightful, I will only comment on people I have met.

 
4. Characterize the Germans as far as possible. I don't know enough of them to make a comment 

 
5. Do you think there are more prejudice against Germany than other countries? Why? (If you know a prejudice or stereotypes concerning Germany or the Germans please post them,too.) No,

[Chancer]

[quote user="Bercandize"]Hi,
Questionaire:

1. Have you ever been in Germany? What was your impression?

Only once as a mechanic for the Nurburgring 24 hour sports car  race, spent the weekend at the circuit and didnt sleep!

I thought that the circuit was very well organised, all officials spoke good English but cannot speak for the rest of the country as only travelled through it.

2. What do you think of when you hear Germany?

Good engineering, to me Germanic means attention to detail and a desire to make the best product

3. Do you like / dislike Germany and/or the Germans? Why?

I have liked all the German people that I have met as they have been very polite and "proper"

4. Characterize the Germans as far as possible.

As above

5. Do you think there are more prejudice against Germany than other countries? Why? (If you know a prejudice or stereotypes concerning Germany or the Germans please post them,too.)

Not more because the sort of people to be prejudiced have many better targets for their hatred, WW2 is a either a distant memory or history for most people but probably will be remembered for a few more generations.

Thank you very much
Deniz[/quote]

You are very welcome and I too congratulate you on your excellent English

[Bob T]

1. Have you ever been in Germany? What was your impression?

Yes, I spent most of my childhood there

2. What do you think of when you hear Germany?

Good memories

3. Do you like / dislike Germany and/or the Germans? Why?

Dislike some Germans (my mother being one), Why, because she was cruel.

4. Characterize the Germans as far as possible.

Most of them are nice people

5. Do you think there are more prejudice against Germany than other

countries? Why? (If you know a prejudice or stereotypes concerning

Germany or the Germans please post them,too.)

No we are all European now and I feel welcome anywhere.

[Pads]

[quote user="Bercandize"]Hi, 

Hi .. Im British good luck with your survey . Hopfully your reserch will show that stereotyping is a waste of time as everyone has a different opinon. and most people judge the people they meet not the country they are from   
 

Questionaire:

1. Have you ever been in Germany? What was your impression?

yes had a great time there , clean and simple place to travel around in.
2. What do you think of when you hear Germany?

Beer . perfection. organised. great youth hostels  
3. Do you like / dislike Germany and/or the Germans? Why?

Everyone I have met has been well educated and polite.

in my teens I was hitch hiking to Acchen I was picked up by a lovely couple , who asked where I was going , it was a futher 50km away and well out of there way to the youth hostel I was going to. but as it was night they didnt want to leave me on the road and drove me to the front door and made sure they had room for me and that I was Ok. 3 hours later they came back after arriving home they had found my carrier bag with my supper in on the back seat and brought it back to me . I have never forgotten this .   
4. Characterize the Germans as far as possible.

The few I have met have been kind , fun ..... but they do like to hog the sun beds around the swimming pools with there towels ( some one had to say it )[Www]
5. Do you think there are more prejudice against Germany than other countries? Why? (If you know a prejudice or stereotypes concerning Germany or the Germans please post them,too.)

No in fact germans are the least talked about in a negative way i have ever known ......apart from the sun bed hogging in hotels [:D] 

Thank you very much
Deniz[/quote]

[Gluestick]

1. Q. Have you ever been in Germany? What was your impression?

1. A. Too little on which to base a valid conclusion.

2. Q. What do you think of when you hear Germany?

2. A. Excellent automotive engineers and designers. Good pure beer; a country presently struggling with the economic and social effects of re-unification.

3. Q. Do you like / dislike Germany and/or the Germans? Why?

3. A. Most of the Germans I have worked with and socialised with have been bankers and company directors and were charming and polite to a fault: with the single exception of booking the wrong hotel in Corfu once, when it mainly catered to German factory workers on their annual leave. They were not polite, tidy and clean in fact and were very noisy and drunk every evening!

4. Q. Characterize the Germans as far as possible.

4. A. Less emotional than the English: more obedient to any social system. Individualism tends to be rarer than in the UK, for example.

  
5. Q. Do you think there are more prejudice against Germany than other countries? Why? (If you know a prejudice or stereotypes concerning Germany or the Germans please post them,too.)

5. A. Definitely exists; for example in the Greek Islands. Older Greeks have not forgotten WW II and are highly prejudiced against Germany and the German race. Still exists in both Holland and Belgium as well as Northern France amongst the older people.

In Southern Spain, there are pockets of a number of races: Torrox, near Malaga, for example has more German residents than others and has a reputation amongst other residents as being Germanic. (Some bars and restaurants for example only have German menus).

Such behaviour does cause prejudice: however, British people living in Southern Spain (places such as Torromelenos, Benalmadina, Fuengirola, Estapona) create British ghettos too and cause anti-British prejudiuce amongst Spanish peoples.

Sterotypes do exist: a British sterotypical vision of a German man would probably be that he was rather fat, had a small moustache, wore Ledderhosen during the weekends and drank huge amounts of beer from a ceramic stein and lived on pork sausage and cabbage!

 

[Patf]

Hello Deniz - I've never been to Germany, and have never met any Germans, except for many German Jewish refugees, who of course have their own agendas. But My father fought in WW2 and had a very strong prejudice against Germans. My younger sister, on the other hand, went completely against him and studied German at University. She spent a lot of time there and finally managed to persuade Dad to visit. After which his views were a bit milder.

As your english is so good you might find it interesting to read "Three Men on the Bummel" by Jerome K. Jerome. Available as a Penguin book. A bit dated, but gives an amusing view of the German character from an english point of view.

This sounds like an interesting project and it would be good if you could report back when it is finished.

[cooperlola]

. Have you ever been in Germany? What was your impression?

No
2. What do you think of when you hear Germany?

Reliable, well-built cars. 
3. Do you like / dislike Germany and/or the Germans? Why?

I only really know two Germans and they are two of the most pleasant and charming guys I know so "like" - but of course I have no idea about the millions I have not met, so I assume that they are like every other nationality - some good, some bad.

4. Characterize the Germans as far as possible.

I don't really know enough of them to comment but the two I do know don't strike me as being basically any different from anybody else - they are who they are.

5. Do you think there are more prejudice against Germany than other countries? Why? (If you know a prejudice or stereotypes concerning Germany or the Germans please post them,too.)

There are still prejudices, some stemming from the two world wars, which are certainly still significant for those who were around at the time. I know one Austrian jew who had to leave his country with his parents in the late 30s. He will not countenance buying anything German, nor will he visit the country under any circumstances - but in that case it is perhaps understandable.

The other stereotype which persists is about German holiday makers who bag all the best seats by the swimming pool at resorts and hotels.  One brewery - whose most famous beer is called Spitfire -actually produces a beach towel which reads "You have the sunbeds, we're going to the bar."

[AnOther]

Being 1/2 Austrian (mother), having long standing friends there (20 years +), and having made the Oktoberfest pilgrimage for 13 out of the past 14 years I think rather precludes me out from writing an objective critique but I'll try to answer your questions as objectively as I can anyway.

1. Q. Have you ever been in Germany? What was your impression?

Innumerable times and I love the country. Bavaria where my friends live (Munich) was actually on our list of

potential locations when planning our escape from UK but property

prices and the predominantly long hard winters ruled it out.

2. Q. What do you think of when you hear Germany?

Technologically innovative with good engineering skills producing quality goods. A clean country where the people are environmentally responsible. Beer, sauerkraut, sausages and unrestricted autobhans !

3. Q. Do you like / dislike Germany and/or the Germans? Why?

Like and like, partly because of my parentage the German way of life suits me and I think I should have been born a German.

4. Q. Characterize the Germans as far as possible.

Proud, patriotic and law abiding, sometimes to the point of obsession, although these standards and qualities are rapidly slipping, the corruption scandals which have recently hit Siemens for instance. Unfortunately these virtues appear to have completely bypassed a large section of the current generation. I think many older Germans are covertly racist and are very unhappy about the levels of immigration and particularly non whites. Many of these will have been the children of the Hitler Youth though who's parents were brainwashed with these views at a young age and passed them down and I think the general "correctness" of German people is a legacy of this. They are also living in denial because their welfare systems are broke and unaffordable but the power of the trade unions is such that ie effectively prevents reform (now where else could that describe I wonder !) It's joked that if Bavaria were a company it would be immediately placed in bankruptcy.

  5. Q. Do you think there are more prejudice against

Germany than other countries? Why? (If you know a prejudice or

stereotypes concerning Germany or the Germans please post them,too.)

Yes, in certain quarters memories of the war have not gone away and therefore there will be pockets of prejudice for some time yet.

Relatively few English have ever visited Germany and for a great many of the uneducated Hitler and the Nazis still the epitomise the country but considering that the only exposure the majority of English ever get to German life and culture is TV programmes like Allo Allo and war films perhaps thats not too surprising.

EDIT: That's pathetic editing out the word Naz1s..................didn't realise that Irving was a moderator here !

[Quarmby]

I lived and worked in Germany for three years. I have no criticisms to make of the country or its people - both were delightful - but German cuisine was diabolical. Where I lived the local delicacy was schlacterplatter - "slaughterplate" - a heap of various kinds of offal. Even in high summer restaurants would serve you with canned vegetables. I know British cuisine is not beyond criticism, but cross the Rhine and you leave the realm of even half-decent food. Sorry!

[Monika]

I will take part too as a Swiss citizen living in England and somtimes in France and Switzerland.

1. Have you ever been in Germany? What was your impression?

It's very clean and very well organized, it's a beautiful and varied country.

2. What do you think of when you hear Germany?

Beautiful food (cream cakes!). Beer. Cars. Best dressed people in Europe.

3. Do you like / dislike Germany and/or the Germans? Why?

They are very polite and correct perhaps a bit too serious. I think they do have  a chip on their shoulders because of the war. You have to be very careful what you say. They can be a bit too outspoken, they seem not to have as much tact as the English.

4. Characterize the Germans as far as possible.

Very well organized, extremely capable in every aspect of life. Well groomed.

5. Do you think there are more prejudice against Germany than other countries? Why? (If you know a prejudice or stereotypes concerning Germany or the Germans please post them,too.)

I think there are certainly more prejudices against Germans than any other European country because of the two World Wars. I am for instance interested to see the reaction of the ordinary French person in our little village in Normandy when I take my German friends to our Cottage. And I ask myself this questions would the French be prejudiced because they have suffered a humiliating occupation during the war? The Swiss certainly are perhaps least prejudiced against the Germans because they did not suffer during the war and they feel closer to Germany because of the language.  

I would be interested in the outcome of your research! Good luck!