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German homes are not meant to last a lifetime, but rather many lifetimes.

5. Not feeling guilty, which does not help anyone, but something much harder: keeping in mind, continuosly, what humanity is capable of and working to prevent the worst. A job for everybody, not just Germans.

Wer nicht aus der Geschichte lernt,ist gezwungen, sie zu wiederholen

As a German, i love this video and i feel honored by your descriptions

I was raised by a born and raised German mother...she was never late, always planned, was very organized, was thrifty, and was extremely neat and tidy.

Sehr schöner Beitrag Nick. Du bist ein super Kerl. Schön das du viele gute Ansichten über Deutschland hast, obwohl Deutschland an manchen Stellen schon an sich arbeiten muss. Du bist der perfekte menschliche Botschafter, um die amerikanische und deutsche Kultur zu verbinden. Klasse Mensch, bodenständig und einfach ein netter Kerl. Bleib wie du bist. Deutschland hat mit dir eine Bereicherung 😊

Being 5 minutes early means that you can chat with the others that have come 5 minutes early, and then you can start with whatever you came to do in time.

In my opinion, you missed a huge one: Courtesy. In public, in America people are very loud. In Germany, everyone minds their own business (other than staring maybe). Whenever I go back home (America) I realize how loud, obnoxious, and kinda judgmental Americans are. And it's not like you can't make conversation with strangers in Germany, it's just generally people mind their business. I don't even know how to explain this lol. Just basically, Germans are more respectful.

And we respect you buddy.

I dated a German gal for 1,5 years. This is all very accurate - I do think these traits are common amongst all Germans, regardless of region. In my experience with her and her family, I found these characteristics to be the most important: 1) Value her time management and be punctual. 2) Little room for changes or spontaneity - we generally always stick to the plan. 3) Relationship building takes time. Cracking the outer shell isn't easy, but when you do, you have a friend for life (unless you give them a reason not to, of course). 4) Communication is direct. Expect to be told how it is, all the time. This can be hard, especially for Americans. I am Eastern European by birth, but I was raised in America. I was able to easily adapt to these traits, especially in regards to communication. I know that might not be so easy for others who are more passive in communication.

I wouldn't say it's guilt, but an awareness of the responsibility of the past for the future.

Made in Sweden is pretty high up there for me. I'm still driving my 30 year old Volvo I bought new.

When the German train system was state-owned you could set your clock by it. Since it has been privatized and all the cost-cutting not so much.

Thank you for the kind words ❤

For #5: we also should be encouraged to not make the same error again. No wars, no racism, no dictator again.

turkish guy born in germany here and this video made me proud to be part of this country. i hate patriotism but i love people and the positive side of cultures :)

Thank you for you kind words, especially regarding #5. It gets harder every year with more and more contemporary witnesses dying and right-wing ideology spreading more and more all over Europe. I neither feel guilty nor proud about being a German (because I haven't done anything to be born here obviously), but rather obliged to do everything I can to let our dark history not repeat itself.

#5 Respect Germany!! You make Europe proud 🥰 Peace and love from Denmark.

Respect, nice video, Nick. About Germans and the dark past: I am going to be 68. My siblings are 9, 7 and 12 years older. Nothing at school about 1933- 1945 and the Holocaust for the three elder ones, German history ended with Bismarck or maximal Weimar. Completely different for me, we was taught by young teachers in a modern way what happened. Parents didn' talk about, my parents the exception, discussions at home were normal, and 7 or eight years old I asked what Auschwitz means. They explained. I think, the end 60ies and the 70ies were time when is was getting mandatory in all schools to teach how humans are misleaded and easily to catch for bad purposes.

Nick, where did those glasses come from? You are correct about how we back home have problems dealing with our past, Slavery. Growing up in the South, NC, we are surrounded by statues , confederate flags and Charleston SC is down the road, the site of Fort Sumter where the first shots of the civil war were fired. There is now a movement of ancestors of former slaves who want financial reparations from the government. We still have a long way to go. Fort Bragg in NC changed it's name this week to Fort Liberty.

#1 having a high standard of excellence #2 being on time #3 planning and preparing for things #4 work life balance #5 handling their dark past beautifully made, a delight to watch, thank you!!

Thank you for this video. Also important for me as a german as a gentle reminder

What a great channel! I'm so glad KZfaq recommended it to me. Your production is really high quality!

@NALF: Thank you for your channel. I love how reflected you are examine the topics. Greats from Tübingen!

Your analysis are very thought through. I like that. You are not simply talking to get viewers, you are analysing things.

Thank you! Especially #1 and #5. Thank you so much.

Beautifully said about a balanced approach to difficult topics!

Great video...as always

Another wonderful post, good facts and good presentation

Wow. Respect. The last four minutes of this were unexpectedly moving. I moved to Berlin from the U.S. over seven years ago (although I myself am Chilean) and can agree with all you said. But the way you closed the video and your comments really touched something deep within. I was not expecting that. Keep up the excellent work.

Ich liebe deine Videos. Du bist ein guter Mensch. Bleib, wie du bist.

Great Video! Thank you so much.

As a German I like the video and feel honored by your descriptions. Thank you so much. About Guilt: I was born 14 years after the end of World War II. When I was 10 years old, my parents and I went on holiday to Spain for the first time. I played with two girls on the beach. I didn't understand their language, just as they didn't understand me, but we had a lot of fun. (Children can communicate with each other in other ways.) After a while they took my hand and brought me to their tent. We girls giggled, their parents smiled and looked very friendly. So I greeted them in a friendly way and said "Guten Tag" to them and everything changed immediately. The parents shouted at me very aggressively, called me "Boche" (a single word I understood), pushed me out of the tent and spat on me. The girls looked scared, I was confused, didn't know what happened, what a mistake I made. So I ran back to my parents. They explained to me (because of the word Boche) that they were probably French and hated me because I was German. The war and the atrocities would never be forgotten. The war was always a topic in my family. My parents were children in those dark times, my grandfather emigrated to the USA as a Jew and never came back to Germany. My other grandparents supported the communists at the time and had to fear the Nazis themselves. They taught me to respect everyone, no matter where they come from or what they look like. Of course, the French couldn't know all this. I was German, that alone was enough to make me hate. I could understand that. I was ashamed of everything the Germans had done and felt guilty for a long time. From the age of 10 I knew I would have a responsibility for the rest of my life. I also knew it wasn't my fault, but I still felt it. Many years later, when I told my own children about the responsibilities we are all born with, the guilt eased somewhat. We must ensure that history never repeats itself. That's why I'm watching the developments in Germany with great concern, because the forces that deny and say that it wasn't so bad are unfortunately getting stronger. So I think it's very important to remember and teach it in school.

Thanks, Nalf ❤

Good job, Nick. Proud of you! 👍

Thank you for seeing our country still positive, even if right now a lot of things are changing, not to the good...

Danke! Vor allem der letzte Teil. Eine treffende Analyse. / Thank you and special thank for the last part. This Analisys was on point!

Brilliant Nick, thanks.

10 Minuten vor der Zeit ist des Soldaten Pünktlichkeit. Nur der Sanitäter kommt 10 Minuten später.

Another great video!

You earn my subscription talking about interesting topics both in depth and breadth

Wunderbares Video! 👍🏻

Vielen Dank !!! Voll schön 🌺🙏

That was very kind of you, thanks!

Unfortunately, its not "only" slavery in the US, but also the treatment of Native Americans, which still goes on to this day. Australia also does a pretty bad job at acknowledging the past concerning natives.

You captured it all perfectly!

Thank you for that positive summary. It does feel good hearing about them from an outside perspective of someone who took the brave step into our society. 😊 That's probably what Germans crave the most: the acceptance that we had lost during those terrible 12 years; that we learned from our past; that we have tried to take steps forward and away from that past, without denying the existence of that past. Our attempts at improvement and amelioration of the sins of the past. That all this hasn't been for nothing. What we fear the most of sliding into something similar, subconsciously, unbeknownst and unwanted. That we failed at the mission of never again, never forget. For we know, without a doubt, Germany won't receive a third chance should we fail again.

#5 - nice one, Nick ! Abonniert .

Wow, point 5: THANK YOU. So much truth, thanks again for your very elaborate view and expressing that so punched on point. Hats off!

Awesome video, thank you! My husband and I have been living in Germany now for two years. At first a lot of these characteristics you are pointing out got on our nerves, but with time we too have also really grown to admire and respect these people. Another trait I respect is how responsible folks are here. There are a lot of freedoms here -- more than we have in North America -- and it works because Germans generally respect the rules that are in place. I read some of the news back at home where more and more rules and restrictions are being put in place and I just shake my head.

True words if i ever heard them. Never forget your past, but also dont feel guilty yourself, if you did not live at the time

Well done.

@Nick: It was and is always a pleasure to find that blue spot near your channel - NEW VIDEO! Really nice! I never before thought about my country like your videos made me to. And from the depth of my heart, I thank you so much for it. Yes, how could I ever get this perspective you have as a person raised in a completely different country with different values like myself? If you allow I may add something to maybe enrich your video about german direct communication: "Wahre Worte sind nicht immer schön. Schöne Worte sind nicht immer wahr." - Laozi "True words aren´t always nice. Nice words aren´t always true." - Laozi Most of your words about my country are true and therefore nice, I think it´s a german sense of awareness to value honesty, even though it may hurt, greater than nice sweet honey around the bush. And again - as you mentioned in this video - nice untrue words are a waste of time, which hurts even more. 🙂 All the best for you and keep going like that, your perception is brilliant!

#3 Plan and prepare: well, yes, there are advantages to this approach. But too disadvantages as risk-averseness and waiting/thinking too long and then missing opportunities and going overboard with details. Working with US-Americans I learned to take a more pragmatic approach: analyze the situation, be honest, work out a plan containing the overall direction and next 3 steps, and then just go for it. German can freeze due to their fear of having missed any aspect.

Pippi in den Augen. Sehr schön Nick. Fantastisch mal was positives zu erfahren

deserves more subs !

Genau darum ist es ja so wichtig aus seinem eigenen kleinen Denken in andere Länder zu gehen. Sie sind ein super gutes Beispiel. Dazu lernen.👍🍀🥰

This nuanced approach you mentioned can be extended further into politics and work life where compromise (politics) or finding the best approach to a problem (work) is the norm.

Imho one of your best videos.

Great list.

Interesting video! Thanks for all the effort you put in this. Especially i liked how you discussed the #5 about how Germans deal with their past. I for myself have the strong believe, that there's no real 'national identity' in Germany anymore, since due to everything of what happend before1945. It simply has been erased by history. Thus whenever a german politician talks about such a thing as 'german identity', i ask myself, "what's he talking about Bro!", because the federal states, & the people living in them, especially in terms of mentality / attitude differs from one another in so many things & there simply is no mutual uniting entity anymore, such as like Americans or French people or other countries have and so on. And this isn't even sad, since on an abstract level - i know this sounds lurid - countries & nations are to some extend constructed anyway. But to give some more insight about how i feel in regards our history - to be honest our history doesn't bother me, it is how it is, and at the same time it's not that I don't care either, it's just that i no more have any emotional connection to this subject. Sure, Germany has a lot of holocaust &war memorials spread all over the country, and of course it's an important part of our culture & education in context of history, but the form in which the public commemoration takes place (in television, official ceremonials), is highly ritualized and to some sort of frozen. You see, living in Germany means that you learn about the cruel part of our history already at a young age. I myself was introduced to this subject already with the beginning of middle school, at the age of 11, of course, apart from what was already told in my family by that time. However this meant, that with every year you treated this topic again and again, but with more detail. And of course hearing this at a young age makes you first of all feel deeply ashamed, guilty & sad, but when you're growing older, you get to the point, where you have a more mature approach, when dealing with it. Eventually you come to a point, where you've had so much of it until you suddendly loose your interest. And this is not because it's not relevant anymore, but because you're being stuffed with it and also, especially when you're young & graduadet from high-school (Abi), all you want is to explore the world, learn about other cultures and not hear about such a subject on and on - you would get rememberd by public television & ceremonials anyway. Overall, i do think that most Germans go through these phases. I for myself can say, that "yes" history is important, but for me in my personal life, it doesn't have any real impact.

I love the way you are analyzing me and my country. Your opinions are so empathic and intelligent. It makes me feel good if you can explore this opinions, even in our modern so fast changing society. I can agree with your theses almost a 100%. Great work, love it. And by the way the filming of Schwäbisch Hall couldn't be more beatyfull.

When I have a bad day, I watch one of your videos and happily take the positivity shower :-) Thanks 😀

Danke

I really like your point no 5 - that is a very good point!

Appreciate this video 😃🫶

America's issue with race relations didn't end with the abolition of slavery. It continued on with Jim Crow laws, lynchings, oppression, etc. with effects that are still felt today.

That's why it's so important to take a look at other cultures because every culture has something to offer. Salute dude!

Thank you ❤

I had to chuckle with the yt translation Deutsche Bahn / German railway (the state railway company) was translated "doe chiban", which maybe works phonetically 😂. So funny, these subtitles are hilarious!

Hello Nalf, yes, punctuality is very important in Germany. Because if we have an appointment with someone, takes or he must also take time for me. And then it would be disrespectful if we then appear e.g. half an hour or even later. Something can always happen, but then I still have the opportunity to contact the person. Because I should be clear that I have kept this person from something important or taken away.

I totally agree that germany found a good middle ground to educate people about the past

You are spot on with this! I am German and my wife is Colombian, imagine the contrast!😂

I wonder what the flash at 1:28 was that put such a smile on the Nalf's face. TSGO

Thank you very much for the discussion of the various points. Like so many other Usonians in the comments, I particularly appreciated #5. I was brought up in the South in the 1950s so we were actually taught that slavery was not that bad. At the same time, my classmates in Napa in 1961-62 knew nothing about separate drinking fountains and restrooms. Australia had a National Sorry Day (year?) for its treatment of the Aboriginal people and Canada is finally coming to grips with its treatment of First Nations. The USA - not yet. I do not pretend to know HOW we should address the many issues we keep hidden but I hope we find a way. BTW, Belgium, from what I have read, is only acknowledging in the past few years the horrors of its reign of terror on the people of the Congo. What the Germans have been doing may be unique.

Great insight...

I've been living in Germany now for over 30 years and as an American, I completely agree with all of your points. Especially the last one. Being a Native American Indian I have always felt this is one aspect always made it difficult to live in the States.

I really enjoyed this video and respect your balanced approach to explaining #5. I'm French-Canadian but do have a German great-great-grandfather(maybe 1 more) who emigrated to Quebec from Leipzig in the 1830's...

Nice video❤

Much love from Berlin, Germany! 🌻❤

You are 💯 right about issue 5

Thanks

Regarding #4, there is the old saying "Dienst ist Dienst und Sc hnapps ist Schnapps!" Literally "Duty is duty and liquor is liquor!" meaning "Work is work and fun is fun!". Both important but also to be kept apart. I really like you videos. I always find it fascinating to hear the opions of people from other countries. Sometimes i think "Yes of course!" but much more entertaining for me is, when i think: "Hold up, this is something special? You all are not doing it the same way?" Greetings from Lower Saxony and a hearty "Moin!"

"Fünf Minuten vor der Zeit ist des Deutschen Pünktlichkeit" - Great Channel, enjoy your videos very much.

3:07 Wow, I didn't know a single flake could bend time that way

I was at school in the late 80s and early 90s. We were constantly made feel guilty. They kept telling us that our grandfathers were part of this terrible war. And we would have to pay and make up for this for the rest of our lives. Which made me very reluctant to learn about WW2 as a stubborn teenager. Stupid, I know but then I just hated to be made responsible for something I had nothing to do with. But: Our children have received a far more nuanced education on this topic at school. They are very aware without the massive feeling of guilt.

The US has more recent events in it's dark past... concentration camps for Japanese Americans during WWII. And then there is our growing amnesia about what we did to Vietnam during that war.

That full-screen video Resolution is chef's kiss 👌

Hmmm, well when I used to host parties and Germans knocked on the door 5 minutes early, I made them wait on the porch.. hehehe It's very rude to arrive early. The hosts of the party plan for their guests to arrive on time if a sit-down meal is planned, and even a bit later if it is a cocktail party. You don't want everyone to arrive in one clump.

Thank you for your appreciating #1 to #4 -- and I would like to emphasize that I 100% agree with your assessment as to #5, both for Germany and the US. I would assume that other countries might do themselves a great favor if they also followed this "balanced approach", but that's of course up to themselves. Briefly on the subject of "pride and Germans": I personally am really proud of the way my country is dealing with this relatively short and yet so drastic period of its dark past. I believe that this shows strength. However, what other chance did this country have after the greatest crime of the 20th century was finally put to an end...? Best from Germany

#5 = *sehr gut erklärt!* 👍

Germans are often said to not socialise. Actually the reason for being not exactly on time, but some 5-10 minutes early is, to have this time for socialising! If you are late, most of the time, then you definitively get the impression, Germans would not socialise. Punctuality, actually being early, ist about socialising.

I’m half German (father’s side) so I can relate to the first 4 points. I also agree about #5. American’s must not have learned from past mistakes as we keep repeating them!

"Fünf Minuten vor der Zeit, ist die beste Pünktlichkeit." my father

Brit in Germany loving your videos. America’s dark history? Yes, slavery was bad. But what happened to the native American‘s was just as bad, if not worse (they were slaughtered, not enslaved). Sorry to moan - keep up the good work!

Your bgm never misses

To the last part. I really like a quote by the late Max Mannheimer: "You are not guilty for what happened back then. But you are responsible to never let it happen again." He was an amazing storyteller who went to schools and told students about his story. To your first point. This high standard of excellency is, combined with our stereotypical bluntness, the main reason, why Germans complain so much. We are used to excellent work and if something is subpar, we tell people right away, so it can be fixed. Even if it is trivial.^^

The spirit of preserving american history had a great man. A man who tried to fight against racism in a clever way by capturing children/youngsters by the mass media he had acess to. Books. Mark Twain. He reached much more people than the Ku Klux Klan and not only in germany. He formed minds all around the world to tolerance of etnicy, religion, colourand culture. Thank you, Mark Twain. And you also ....

1:25 settlers of catan shout out!