I'm only a guest but I was wondering if anyone here would be able to help me.
I'm actually German and have been living in London for 5 years now.
I'm desperately looking for a book for English people that helps them to understand the Germans (it's difficult I know). It's meant to be a Christmas present for the new English boyfriend of my German friend. Anything funny (it's for him not for her!), satirical, interesting to read.
Any ideas would be highly appreciated.
Many thanks for your help!
BTW, it was very funny to read your 'You know you're turning German when...' comments as we have a very similar thread in a forum for Germans in the UK.
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"Guide to the Germans" guidebooks
Which books would you recommend?
The Xenophobe's Guide to the Germans is a classic
If you want something for yourself, read:
'Watching the English'
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Watching-English-H...6717&sr=8-1
'Watching the English'
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Watching-English-H...6717&sr=8-1
She's German though - probably wouldn't get it
One of the TT'ers (from England, but residing in Germany) wrote a book and has posted recently about that..check it out :
Book By cartooncat
Book By cartooncat
QUOTE (Jeeves @ Dec 12 2007, 4:23 pm) 
The Xenophobe's Guide to the Germans is a classic
Wow! That was quick! Thanks Jeeves.
I've come across that one before but I thought it might be a bit old (it's from 1999). Have you actually read it yourself?
The Xenophobe's guide is probably more suitable, but When in Germany is good for more practical information.
I wouldn't worry about that book being from 1999; the Germans don't change that much!
I wouldn't worry about that book being from 1999; the Germans don't change that much!
I have "The German Way", by Hyde Flippo. There's also a website. It's more factual than funny.
On the funny side, "Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About" is also available as a book (see the bottom of the page).
On the funny side, "Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About" is also available as a book (see the bottom of the page).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Year-Scheisse-Gett...8352&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Springtime-Germany...8352&sr=8-2
and can you link us to the germans thoughts on turning into insel affen
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Springtime-Germany...8352&sr=8-2
and can you link us to the germans thoughts on turning into insel affen
Before moving here I read In the Know in Germany: The Indispensable Guide to Working and Living in Germany and have found it quite helpful.
QUOTE (Mothership @ Dec 12 2007, 5:21 pm)
BTW, it was very funny to read your 'You know you're turning German when...' comments as we have a very similar thread in a forum for Germans in the UK.
What's the website for Germans in the UK? That could be an interesting one to look at!
QUOTE (Mothership @ Dec 12 2007, 5:32 pm)
I've come across that one before but I thought it might be a bit old (it's from 1999)
Bearing in mind the pace at which life changes round here I don't think a book from 1999 could possibly be considered out of date. Germans are still listening to Hasselhof and wearing 1950's National Health Glasses. I hear they will be getting supermarkets soon, but that is just a dodgy rumour.
This is also a classic:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Things-Girlfriend-...t/dp/0340821159
Book came from this I think:
http://www.mil-millington.com/
QUOTE
We're staying at a German friend's flat in Berlin and he brings out the photo album, as people do when conversational desperation has set in. It's largely pictures of a holiday he went on with Margret and a few friends several years previously. And consists pretty much entirely of shots of Margret naked. 'Hah! So, here's another photo of your girlfriend nude! Good breasts, no?' I sat on the sofa for hours of this - I think I actually bit through my tongue at one point. Fortunately, though, everything turned out all right because Margret, me and one careful and considered exchange of views revealed it was, '...just (my) hang-up.' Great. I'm sooooo English, apparently.
QUOTE
Margret's four-hundred-and-fifty-second most annoying habit is to stealthily turn off the central heating (then light the gas fire in the room she's in, natch). I'll suddenly notice that, sitting typing at the keyboard, I can see my own breath while from the bedroom one of the kids will call out, 'Papa, I can't feel my legs...' And I'll shiver down the stairs to find the central heating set to 'Summer/Hypothermia/Cryogenic Suspension,' and Margret in the living room watching the TV in a door frame warping furnace.
QUOTE (Mothership @ Dec 12 2007, 5:32 pm)
Have you actually read it yourself?
Yes, and as STB says, Germans don't evolve that quickly!
You could also go for Three Men on the Bummel by Jerome K Jerome, written about 100 years ago but the Germans don't seem to have changed much since then either.
Sorry, you got me completely wrong. I totally agree, cultural characteristics don’t change overnight – and I’m sure Germans will still love David Hasselhoff in 100 years time – I only asked if you had read it because I had come across a review about that book which mentioned attitudes towards the Trabant and other DDR related topics which were probably more relevant 10 years ago and possibly not so interesting for an English bloke with a German girlfriend in London. But that might be just a very small part of that book and the rest is probably perfectly suitable. Sorry, I didn’t make myself clear enough.
I’ve actually decided to buy that book plus the ‘Things my girlfriend..’ one, maybe even a third one. The challenge will be now to get it before Christmas – Amazon mentions a delivery time of 2-4 weeks – but there is always Waterstones…
Thank you very much for your great help everyone! That was brilliant!
This is the link to the Germans in the UK forum:
http://www.deutsche-in-london.net/forum/
And this is the link to the topic ‘Wie ihr feststellen könnt das ihr zu lange auf der Insel seid.…’
http://www.deutsche-in-london.net/forum/in...ic,13579.0.html
Please don’t be offended. Some comments can be quite narrow-minded and obviously exaggerated. Apologies for my fellow countrymen.
I’ve actually decided to buy that book plus the ‘Things my girlfriend..’ one, maybe even a third one. The challenge will be now to get it before Christmas – Amazon mentions a delivery time of 2-4 weeks – but there is always Waterstones…
Thank you very much for your great help everyone! That was brilliant!
This is the link to the Germans in the UK forum:
http://www.deutsche-in-london.net/forum/
And this is the link to the topic ‘Wie ihr feststellen könnt das ihr zu lange auf der Insel seid.…’
http://www.deutsche-in-london.net/forum/in...ic,13579.0.html
Please don’t be offended. Some comments can be quite narrow-minded and obviously exaggerated. Apologies for my fellow countrymen.
Ditto.
Mein Kampf.
No, only joking!
There`s quite a good book from the series "Culture Shock" on the Germans, which I`d recommend. British written, not American.
No, only joking!
There`s quite a good book from the series "Culture Shock" on the Germans, which I`d recommend. British written, not American.
For an English guy with a German girlfriend I would also recommend things my girlfriend & I, I have the book somewhere, will have to read it again now.
If you can't get it in time from amazon try whsmith they have it online & you may be able to get it in a store or have it sent to your local store.
If you can't get it in time from amazon try whsmith they have it online & you may be able to get it in a store or have it sent to your local store.
QUOTE (Jeeves @ Dec 12 2007, 5:23 pm)
The Xenophobe's Guide to the Germans is a classic
Yes, the Xenophobe's is great, funny, and once you've finished laughing and thought about what they say it's quite useful. Germans don't change quickly, a rather conservative bunch, so although this book is from the 90s and talks about mullets you'll still find them here...
QUOTE (Mothership @ Dec 13 2007, 12:20 pm)
...This is the link to the Germans in the UK forum:
...Please don’t be offended. Some comments can be quite narrow-minded and obviously exaggerated. ...
...Please don’t be offended. Some comments can be quite narrow-minded and obviously exaggerated. ...
You haven't read this forum...
QUOTE (Mothership @ Dec 13 2007, 11:20 am)
Please don’t be offended. Some comments can be quite narrow-minded and obviously exaggerated. Apologies for my fellow countrymen.
No need to apologise... You probably wouldn't get such courtesy for most of the xenophobic ranting on this site...
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