Ethnic race relations in Hamburg

I'm just curious what ethnic race relations are like in cosmopolitan cities such as Hamburg?

For example, one would think that Heidi Klum marrying Seal means that interracial dating and marriage is accepted amongst the younger German generation. The incidence of American GIs (black, latino, oriental) marrying German women also seems quite high.

However, others have told me that the British (at least in London) are MUCH more open to multicultural relationships...and that the Germans still tend to be very much clannish and suspicious of foreigners.

Any comments would be appreciated. I guess I am referring to American/British ethnic minorities such as blacks, latinos, and orientals - and not the Turkish population (who I know have their problems with integration and acceptance).

On the whole, I would say that you would as a minority fit in much better in a big city like Hamburg than a small town. This is my opinion. I feel much more at home here in Hamburg than in Ulm where I lived before. There I NEVER spoke english if I could help it but dutch instead as I thought there was a lot of anti war/Bush/Blair sentiment at the time. I dont mind speaking english on my mobile phone here because I hear a lot of english being spoken anyway. You see a lot here in Hamburg, lots of different nationalities and minorities. Lots of gay couples being open about their sexuality and I think this is because Hamburg is more tolerant of all this. The only people I would be weary of are Skinheads as i dont know what they feel about us; whether their beef is with the Turkish and other immigrants or all foreigners.

Interesting comment about the skinheads because this is something that I've wondered about over the years. Officially, I guess they're opposed to all non-Aryans, but in practice I think they have their own personal "preferences", and I'm fairly sure that Brits, other Europeans, and Americans come fairly well down the list behind the likes of Turks, Afro-Caribbeans, Asians, etc.

I wouldn't like to put my theory to the test though...

That could be more to do with the fact that they Turks, Afro-Caribbeans, Asians, etc. are more easily identifiable for not just picking out for 'special attention' but also so those who see them in action will easily see what they are about.

How different is the culture and attitudes of Hamburgers vs other larger cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich?

Port cities always seem to be more tolerant for some reason.

England is a multi-cultural society, Germany is not! Big difference!!! I doubt that most Germans are prejudice towards foreigners, however, what I do think exists is an overall disapproval towards groups/individuals who do not attempt to assimilate into German society.

A comparison from pre-Euro days:

When you come out of the main station in Munich, you see a sign that says "Munich, a town with a heart."

When you come out of the main station in Hamburg, you see a sign that says "Hamburg, the gateway to the world."

When you come out of the main station in Cologne, you see a sign that says "Potato puffers 2 Marks"

This might help you to choose European Cities

Just bear in mind that population and GDP are not complete measurables of where it is "nice" to live, just where the most people and money are.

well, germans have less experience in having colonies than UK. germans are equally less interested in integration. the idea of integration is perhaps inappropriate, it should be more to do with tolerance to the fact that social mobilisation, call it immigration, search for assylum, work, is a global issue of irreversible nature, and being tolerant to other humans, and accepting the cultures they come from. without going into an insolube debate, short comment is that you see far less couples of mixed ethnicity, and you can sum up the reasons why yourself. as for heidi klum and seal, well, for a start heidi has become a cosmopolitan person, seen the world outside of german perspective and why be amazed at her relationship? cant judge the nation from exceptional few.