I didn't know much about Germany, except for the TV and the press. The main purpose of this trip to Germany is to see this technology and manufacturing powerhouse with your own eyes and feel the cultural heritage left by its long history.
1. When I walked out of the gate of Frankfurt Airport, the first impression I felt was that it was neat. The streets are lined with neat low-rise buildings, and even every tree in the green belt has been carefully trimmed into a regular shape. Pedestrians are also well disciplined, and when crossing the street, they do not cross the road at will, but stand in designated areas on both sides of the traffic light.
2. I am very impressed by the German girls, they are tall, dignified, and elegant. Even college students dress simply and plainly, not deliberately publicized. Most German girls don't wear makeup, and their natural faces are beautiful. Their emphasis on pragmatism rather than external decoration contrasts with the romantic enthusiasm of southern European girls.
3. The atmosphere of the German Oktoberfest is warm, and every festival, the people will raise their glasses and drink happily. Beer is not just a drink here, it symbolizes the festive atmosphere of reunion. Every year, Oktoberfest attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. I also tried my hand at toasting with the locals.
4. In Germany, the standard working hours are 8 hours a day from Monday to Friday. In the past, Germany introduced a 42-hour workweek, but it was later shortened to 35 hours by legislation to strengthen the protection of employees' rights. Workers do not work more than 48 hours a week. Most employees have 30 days of paid leave, and public holidays do not count towards the number of vacation days.
5. The minimum hourly wage in Germany is 982 euros, if converted to about 75 yuan. Take the dock workers in the port of Hamburg in Germany as an example, their hourly salary is 13 euros, and their monthly income is about 2,000 euros, which is about 1 yuan50,000 yuan. The average monthly salary in Germany** is around 3,000 euros, which is equivalent to 2 yuan30,000 yuan. The average monthly salary of an engineer is more than 4,000 euros, which is about 30,000 yuan. The monthly salary of a junior software engineer can also reach 3,500 euros, which is equivalent to 2 yuan70,000 yuan. This is pre-tax income, and the actual income will be lower.
6. Germany is the largest economy in Europe, but it also faces some deep-seated problems. Germany relies on exports, and a large number of low- and medium-end manufacturing flows to Eastern European and Asian countries. The hollowing out of industry has led to a decrease in employment. On the other hand, Germany has a well-developed social welfare system, with a basic pension that can cover most of the elderly, and a medical insurance coverage rate of the whole population. This improves the quality of life on the one hand, but also increases the financial pressure on the other.
7. In Germany, the shadow of the Nazis of the past is still nostalgic. The catastrophe that Nazism brought to Germany and Europe as a whole still makes Germans feel the weight of history to this day. In Germany, the mention of Hitler and the Nazis is still a sensitive subject. The Germans remember this history well and have a clear stance on anti-Semitism and racial discrimination in order to avoid a repeat of the tragedy. But the remnants of Nazi ideology are not completely extinct, and there are still far-right elements who want to deny history. Germans inevitably have ambivalent feelings about this history, trying to face it but fearing to touch it.
8. Germany can be said to be a home and has a diverse cultural outlook. About 15% of the German population is descended from immigrants from places such as Turkey and Eastern Europe. The integration of immigrants into German society has contributed to the development of multiculturalism. Freshly grilled meats and pizza in Turkey, for example, are gradually becoming popular foods among Germans. However, immigration also brings certain social problems, and language and cultural barriers lead to the marginalization of immigrants. The Islamic terrorism that has taken place in Germany in recent years is also partly due to the marginalization of the descendants of immigrants. How to deal with intercultural relations and make immigrants truly integrate into society is a difficult problem for Germany.
9. The consumption level in Germany is relatively high, and the prices are not low. For example, a two-bedroom apartment in the center of Berlin costs about 800 euros, or about 5,500 yuan, a month. In other cities, such as Düsseldorf, the monthly rent for an apartment of the same size is around 500-600 euros. The ** of buying a house is higher, in popular cities, second-hand apartments of about 70 square meters, the total price is more than 300,000 euros.
In terms of food, meat and dairy products are more expensive in supermarkets, about 5 euros a pound of pork, and up to 10 euros a pound of cheese. Vegetables and fruits are relatively cheap, costing 1-2 euros for a pound of apples and less than 1 euro for a pound of potatoes. Germans also like all kinds of discount activities, and on holidays, supermarkets have very strong discounts.
10. In terms of eating out, the price of fast food is low, and a hamburger fries** are about 5 euros. Mid-range restaurants spend around €25 per person, while high-end restaurants spend more than €50. Germany has a well-developed beer culture, and beer halls can be found everywhere. A large glass of locally produced German Kauer beer** is around 3 euros. Beer is an everyday necessity for Germans.
11. Germany's public transportation is developed and convenient, and rail transit can be fully used to travel in the city. In Berlin, the Berlin Ticket is available for city transport, which is metered and starts at 19 euros, 4 within 10 km9 euros. The high-speed train in Germany is also very punctual, but the ticket price is higher, for example, the high-speed train from Hamburg to Berlin costs more than 100 euros. Taxis are less commonly used, starting at around €10 for 5 km.
12. In terms of daily necessities, a pack of six rolls of toilet paper is about 3 euros, and a bottle is 15 liters of mineral water is about 05 euros. Theme park tickets** are higher, around €40 for a one-day ticket. Entrance to the bath and sauna is around 15 euros. Germany's conservative character is also reflected in everyday life.
13. In terms of medical care, Germany implements compulsory medical insurance, and ordinary residents have basic medical insurance. The primary clinic sees the common cold, and the out-of-pocket cost is around 10 euros. Dental scaling costs around 80-100 euros. Overall, medical expenses match income levels.
14. In terms of education, Germany implements 13 years of free basic education, including 4 years of primary school, 6 years of secondary school and 2-3 years of vocational education. After that, you need to pass an exam to enter a university or vocational school. Public universities charge a nominal tuition fee of only a few hundred euros per semester, and the quality of education is guaranteed. Private universities have a tuition fee of 8000 euros per year, but they are not as well-known as public universities.
15. The festival culture of the Germans is rich and colorful, and the festivals of all sizes continue throughout the year. For example, the Oktoberfest is the largest beer festival in the world, attracting more than 6 million people every year. At the Oktoberfest in Munich, thousands of visitors listen to German traditions and drink the most authentic German beers in the region. The best-selling mermaid beer sold more than 1.2 million liters at the 2017 Oktoberfest alone! The atmosphere in the wine tent is warm, and the bustling crowd is dizzying.
16. The Christmas market is also a very important cultural festival in Germany. From the end of November, small wooden houses are erected in the central squares of major cities and transformed into fairytale Christmas markets. The market sells Christmas decorations, crafts, local specialties, mulled wine, grilled sausages, donuts and more. Germans get in the festive spirit by shopping for everything they need for the holidays at Christmas markets. On Christmas Eve, December 24, German families will build a Christmas tree in their homes, and the whole family will dine together, open gifts and spend time together.
17. Germany's concept of environmental protection and sustainable development has done a good job. **Strong support for the development of renewable energies, such as wind and solar power, which account for more than 36% of Germany's energy consumption. In daily life, the garbage sorting system is also implemented, and every household will separate and dispose of domestic garbage. Germany is also one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world in terms of automotive technology, with a penetration rate of more than 14% for electric vehicles. The concept of environmental protection is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and green travel methods are respected.
18. Germany's fanaticism for football is world-famous. Germany is home to the Bundesliga, one of the most successful professional football leagues in the world. Giant clubs such as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have attracted enthusiastic followers from fans around the world. The German national team has won the World Cup four times, which also highlights its status as a football powerhouse. During the World Cup, the atmosphere of the game was unusually high. Beer, sausages and football fill the German spirit.
19. Germany has a long tradition, and many classical songs come from the creations of German masters. For example, Beethoven's "Symphony of Destiny" and the guitar works played by the Lütteqin are all well-known classics. Gothenburg, Leipzig and other cities hold classical festivals, attracting countless ** lovers to make pilgrimages every year. Not to be missed is the Vienna New Year's Event, a traditional German-Austrian event that requires a year in advance. The love for ** culture has witnessed the gentle and elegant side of the Germans.
20. Germany has world-class Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and other brands driving on roads around the world. The German love of cars is not only reflected in driving, but also in the grandeur of car culture can be found in the theme parks of many brands. The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart combines car-themed rides with a museum of automotive history. The Tulip Auto Show attracts millions of car enthusiasts every year to see the new cars. Cars are part of everyday life in Germany.
21. German Byzantine bureaucracy is also often the object of complaints from foreigners. All the materials must be prepared for any formalities, and the application must be made in strict accordance with the process, and no mistakes are allowed. For example, to apply for a work permit, you need to prepare 16 documents, all of which are indispensable. Tax returns should also detail the various types of expenditure vouchers. Everything is documented in every detail for easy inspection. The authorities also have stricter protection of personal information. This style of focusing too much on procedures and details is indeed difficult for Chinese who are accustomed to casual adaptation.