Life as a Pakistani or other Asian in Germany

Hi, although im from the UK I will be visiting my cousin in Aachen soon who has just arrived to study as a PHD student from Pakistan. Im over in a couple of weeks and just wondered what life is like for Pakistanis/Asians in Germany, where are the communities located, where are the safer/acceptable places to hang out and where to avoid. Also do you have Kebab shops like we do here in the UK, anyone know of the Curry mile in rusholme, anything similar like that in Germany, and also is there access to praying facilities, i/e mosques. Thanks in advance.

I'm not Asian, but I can tell you that there is a fair number of Asians in Aachen, especially compared to other parts of Germany. There are a lot of Asian stores that specialize in anything from Chinese to Indian foods. There are kebab shops, but I have yet to find a decent curry here. There is a Mosque near the Westbahnhof. Hopefully others can chime in to tell you more about their experiences here.

See also the related topic: Life as an Asian in Germany

I find this interesting because, to an American, Asians are Koreans, Chinese, Japanese...it wouldn't occur to us to think of Pakistanis or Indians as Asians.

The Asian community is not as big or as self-contained as the one in the UK, but there are plenty of kebab shops and a fair number of mosques. But if you're visiting Germany, wouldn't you like to explore German culture and see the sights? Why not do some tours, visit the historical and cultural sites, try out the food, learn a few phrases of German to try out on the locals? If you show a genuine interest and curiosity in German culture, rather than remaining within the confines of what is more familiar, you are much more likely to get a positive reaction from the people you meet and therefore have a more enjoyable time in the country.

http://www.aachen.de/EN/ts/Current_information/index.html

Even Israelis, Arabs and Turks are Asians ... among many others

I think Asias can be identified broadly on 3 categories. All from South East Asia, North East Asia then from India, Pak, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Afghanistan into another and later further from Iran,till the Middle east like Turkey, Lebanon, Saudi etc which are Arabs. So I think people can be identified based on the looks at least into one of these 3 broad categories

But I have met some Americans so poor in Geography and their non exposure to places other than America that they just mention Asia

Yes totally agree, but if you read my initial query I explained I am visiting my cousin who has never left Pakistan, this is the first time for him so it will all be a new experience, I am certain he will find his ways on his own accord anyhow but I was more interested in if such a culture/community exists in Germany. Remember I am from the UK and over here the English do not potray the Germans in the best light, but when I travelledvery brieflly through Germany few years back on a Euro driving experience where I did experience the local cultures of 8 different countries I didnt get the opportunity to do so in Germany. I am hoping now that I will fly over more regularly to visit my cousin and at the same time explore Germany. Good Stuff!

I suppose the issue is where exactly - or roughly - does Asia begin.. Some say the Ural Mountains in Russia, others say Istanbul.. There`s also a saying that the "Orient" begins at Vienna Westbahnhof.

Yet others still say Wogs begin at Calais..

I guess it`s all relative..

No, it's not either Ural or Istanbul, but both. The term "Orient" has little to do with the definition of the continent Asia.

Same for us Kiwis, we call any of the Oriental countries Asian, then Middle Eastern for any of the err, M. Eastern countries, and then the Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi get to be called by their country. Lucky duckies.

Perhaps it's because most people from Asia in the UK are from Pakistan, India or Bangladesh, and not from Korea, China or Japan, that they've come to be referred to collectively as Asians.

Timmeh's definitions about fit the ones I learned. People from India are Indians. True, I guess without a lot of people from countries from a certain region of the world we Americans don't have a need to define them as a group. The groups we have are Latinos, or Pacific Islanders, stuff like that...

The Kebabs here in my opinion are nowhere near as good as the ones in Britain, they use a bizarre type of bread roll and the meat is pretty much always crappy turkey meat. (I think the Germans only know two types of meat...pork and turkey)

not strictley true they know gammelfleisch too

This started off as a reply and around the second sentence molded into a sermon and then ended trying to look like a reply

There’s a catholic priest at Frankfurt airport maybe Rocco could go the whole way and convert before passing passport control

In American Corporate-Speak they call us all "EMEA"-ians anyway...

Ho ho. All I'm saying is that people don't necessarily get the most out of living in Germany by sticking to what they already know.

i like the one they use USA and rest of the world or RTW

I think it's only people in the UK that would call someone from Pakistan or India Asian. I remember when I first got to the UK, someone referred to themselves as Asian, and I didn't know what they were talking about. I thought maybe they had a great grandfather who was Chinese or something.

Anyway, to the original poster, I don't know why he should be so concerned if there is a "Asian" community around where he is going to live. He is coming to Germany, maybe he should try to enjoy the local culture while he is here. If he's concerned about racism, fair enough, but my most accounts on here, it's not any worse here than in most other countries. I have an Indian friend here at work, he says he never has any problems.

I think you are right on this one. Asia is a bloody big continent and includes Indians and Chinese.

Asians in Britain usually means people from the Indian sub-continent including Sri Lanka and possibly also Afghanistan. They are also referred to as "South Asians" in some countries.

What the Americans call Asians, can be split between South-East Asians (Vietnam down to Malaysia etc) and East Asians (China to Japan etc).

Anyone west of Afghanistan is usually lumped into "Middle Eastern".

The new Asian countries which diverged from the USSR don't really get classed as anything because they are too new. I think they'll probably end up being called "North Asians" or something.

I once had a friend from Sri Lanka when I was still in the States - when I used to say "Asian" he'd say: "Yellow or brown?"

Why are people giving this guy a hard time for trying to find an Asian community? Aren't most of us here because we're looking for an English-speaking community while living in Germany?

Yawwwnn more preaching.
I loved the "I have an Indian friend" part congruous to "I have a black friend and he says this so it must be true for all black people" LOL

Just kidding yall

Btw to Rocco VW: If you or your friends practice Zabeehah there are websites that help you pick places to eat. My friends did this when they came to Munich and we found some amazing restaurants...works for all places methinks.

Would you like the link?

AFAIK they are already being referred to as Central Asians.

i didn't realise anyone was giving this guy a hard time. Most of the posts were discussing what the word "Asian" means to people from different countries.

ah yes, that rings a bell. I suppose the bit of Russia above them would be "North Asia", oder?

Can I thank you all very much for your input, i really did not expect to be overwhelmed with the number of responses received. This is the first time I used this forum and Its a great tool. Thank you to those who were kind enough to respond to my original question and also interestingly some of you digressed away from my original question, nevertheless your response appreciated as it helps me understand all your different views and we really do have a mix bag of thoughts here which is no different to the people I live and work with around here. With respect to exploring German culture I cannot wait and Im sure I will get regular opportunities over the next couple of years, Ive just booked my tickets and fly into Cologne shortly. About being converted, lol..thats a far cry as Im happy practicing Islam, which I intend to continue to do so, hence why I asked about availability of mosques, just because Im travelling doesnt prevent me from practicing my religion. About the food, of course I would like to try German Cuisine, however being a Muslim I can only eat Halal meat, which means poor animal is blessed before the slaughter, therefore I will be unable to eat non-halal food, that then restricts me to either fish (which does not need to be blessed) or Vegetarian food. Now Ive traveled to several countries and from time to time can get fed up eating rabbit food. About my Identity, this digression was so funny, just to settle the matter, the Indian Sub Continent is called South Asia, it is on the BBC website anyway. But we have always been referred to as Asians here and strangely we dont refer to Chinese or Koren people as Asian, we refer to them by the name of their country, it just shows who is called what depends on where you live. Well Id rather be called Asian than the other half of stani. Ok now Im not a full time practicing muslim, I just do what i do when i feel ready, however Ramadan (the month of fasting) is approaching in 2 weeks and typically muslims who dont pray throughout the year make an extra special effort to do so during this month. Anyway I think this is enough for one post for now...

not sure where you get this idea from, the country bursting at the seams with immigration

sounds like a narrow minded view, yet can I ask you how many Asian family homes have you entered and sat round the table and ate with, and how many Asians have you invited to dinner at your house, or when was the last time you made an effort to make friends with and Asian. Why should you? for the same reason why you expect an Asian to integrate I guess. Do not forget when you point one finger at someone there are always 3 fingers pointing back at you asking you the same question 3 times, go on try it, point your finger...lol

have a nice time in Germany Rocco I know your going to love it here

That would be awesome, thanks

just a quick note

yes germany can be a nice place to visit and explore, but just be mindful, that in reality, not all Germans will be welcoming. there is a subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) prejudice against certain communities (Pakistani, Turkish, Kurdish.etc...Muslims in general)

other than that, i hope you take home some great pics and will want to return in the future.

Tschüß

Are you joking? When was the last time you or your friend or brother or whatever invited a German for lunch back in Karachi or Rawalpindi? And guess what: There are Germans and Brits and assorted other nationals living there. How would you feel about somebody you met at the airport in Karachi who told you he's afraid there aren't any good Schnitzels and Pork Sausages in Pakistan, and could you please advise as to where to get a proper beer after that dry PIA flight? Your first thought would surely be: Hey, somebody has come here to check out and appreciate our culture!

BTW, somebody argued that TT is pretty much the same, finding what you know and miss when faced with the weird and foreign. Yes. And no. What I quoted above sounds like a smart ass and horribly ignorant attitude. Before you start to hate the country and culture you live in, IMO it's a good thing to try to learn about it. You can still say 'Hell, no!' then. 'And for whatever personal reasons decide to stay or move on. But to start out like that? Idiot!

Not sure who u calling an Idiot but you've totally missed the boat, Im from Manchester not Karachi, and when I fly to Lahore I use Emirates because my first was my last trip with PIA, overpriced and underserviced. If I lived in Karachi and came across Germans I would be as hospitable as I am with ll the different nationalities i mix with here in the UK, so if you dont know anything about anyone dont assume Mr not so wise guy! About getting a pork sausage or good beer in Karachi, you're having a laff arent you, its a developing country and it hard enough just getting decent water and food and accommodation half the time, so expect less in life and inevitably you will get more. PS sorry I am ignorant, whats a Schnitzels, maybe i'll google it..lol

No, maybe you haven't been back to good old Pakistan lately, but of course with the proper currency one can get rather drunk and purchase sausages supposedly made of pork (if it's a scam, more power to the locals ). I'm not having a laugh, I have lived and worked there and have always despised those who refused to even acknowledge that there might me a culture worth checking out and exploring. I didn't like it there, I don't like it here. So Germany isn't a developing country (sadly so, some developing might be welcomed). Does that mean you can the existing culture like those ignorant contract workers and tourists treat the Pakistani culture? Think about it. And sorry about the 'Idiot'.

just returned this April after two weeks of sucking in recycled air, way tooo hot to be out in the Sun and in th evenings its not safe, not where I live anyway. Yes they did Scam you, they weren't pork sausages..lol, but I have seen stories in the paper where horse meat and even human meat has been served up!...lol...On a serious note the culture over there has a huge class divide. The north side is worth visiting, I went to a place called SWAT near the northern borders, really nice and scenic and controlled by tribal police and not government police, as result locals very curteous, especially to women, as you know in the main cities they just stare at women, but in SWAT it was really relaxed, 8 of us ate in a local restaurant for about £4 , yes thats right £4, its really devalued currency around there, no wonder there were poppy fields eveywhere to be seen, we drove up a mountain, had a ski resort at the top, no snow as it was off peak but you could see the Himalayas from there and some ice on the mountain tops. I guess we could see the borders of Afghanistan too from there, and thats the problem now, its a very unsafe place to travel especially for foreigners including myself as lots of trouble flared up recently. anyway digressing again but hey

By "Asian" I was using the term in the way I assumed you were using it, i.e. to mean "South Asian".
In 2001, Asians (predominantly South Asian) made up 4% of the UK population.
In 2004, Asians in Germany (i.e. all Asians, not just those from South Asia) numbered 911 995, in a population of 82.5 million, i.e. 1.1% of the German population

Asians (predominantly South Asian and excluding the Chinese) in the UK = 4% in 2001
All people from the Asian continent in Germany = 1.1% in 2004

Is English your first language? lol

By "self-contained", I was referring to the proportionately large South Asian communities in places like Bradford (19% in 2001) and Manchester (9.1% in 2001). Unless I'm mistaken, you won't find similarly large South Asian communities in Germany.

I hope that you and your cousin are nevertheless able to enjoy your time in Germany.

Add approx. 2 million Turks ... and recalculate the percentage of Asians in Germany