Kultur 4

I can completely understand the interrogation, per se, of foreigners. I assume that it is purely curiosity-based. It would be for me. I LOVE to ask people from other places lots of questions. I get excited meeting people from other states, let alone countries. It makes sense that they ask questions that may sound stupid to us. We do it all the time to others, and I think that we often don't realize it when we do it.

It is extremely funny to me that an obscure movie in English is so popular and traditional in Germany. One would think that such a unique country, especially one with such a rich film tradition. Germany doesn't need films from other countries. Why did it click so well with the German people?

Reading these culture articles on Germany makes me realize that I never want to shop in German stores. They're either too expensive or hellish to shop in. The quality in the budget stores is awful. And now I find out that the hours are terrible as well. Good lord. It's a good thing that this is improving in metropolitan areas, because I want to go to Germany, and I'll need my Sunday Diet Coke.

German Dads know how to party. That's all I'll say about that.

Kultur 4

On the "Father's Day" article: it's somewhat hilarious that German people go this far on what's supposed to be a lovely traditional day. However, the image of a drunkard fits more into the stereotype of what's known as German.
"Dinner for Who": Bizarre. What a weird sense of humor people must have to watch this same clip year after year, nationwide? And the high point is that this short film is not even in their mother language.
One of those travel blogs of Basel:
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/amullett/germany-2006/1142515980/tpod.html
The blogger seemed to have a really nice day in Basel. He met some friendly and helpful people inviting him to dinner or help him navigate in the city. This blog makes me feel that Swiss must be a heavenly place.
"Die Brüder Grimm" is also interesting to know, and I really like to read the book if possible (best if translated). German people are really good storytellers, especially of fairy tales(Captain Bluebear is a very good example).

Kultur 4

The "Dinner for Who" was interesting because it gave insight into a part of German culture during the holidays. The show sounds like it is funny and that it inadvertently plays into the German stereotype of being fans alcoholic beverages since the butler gets more drunk as the evening wears on. It was also fascinating to learn that a show which holds the Guinness Record for the most aired TV program in history has never been broadcasted in the US.
The title, Booze Brothers:Father's Day Debauchery in Deutschland, gives away that the article will not be about the ways in which father's day in Germany is similar to other countries. The part of the article which described how the tradition has evolved from crowning men who sired the most children to what it is today was a nice thing to learn about. Although it was disheartening to read that some people try and take the day for granted by causing trouble.
Brennpunkt Kultur: Brüder Grimm published one of the most important works of children's literature, spent many years collecting and putting together a story about tales (Märchen) that were traditionally passed down orally.
Karneval, Fasching, Fastnacht each represent the name of the city in which the Karneval will be held. It is a season in German-speaking countries that is very important and involves many different customs, such as the date held, and traditions in each country. The Karneval is a time of festivity, parades and balls.
Die Schweiz is a small nation that plays host to some major things, such as the chief French-speaking city, home to the the headquarters for the International Red Cross and one of two headquarters for the United Nations. The country is also unique because it does not use the Euro and does not belong to either NATO or the EU.
Germans celebrate countless Fest-und Feiertage throughout the year. For example, Neujahr, Karneval, Tag der Arbeit, and many others.