Introduction
I left Germany at the end of 2021 to fulfill my dream and to live in Korea. Every time I think of Germany where I spent 30 years of my life, I feel disappointed by how it has declined. Nothing seems to function properly anymore, from the unreliable train infrastructure to people's mentality of downplaying the issues. In contrast, I've experienced how things can work efficiently and without disruption in Korea.
This summer, I returned to Germany for my best friend's wedding and brought my Korean girlfriend along, to show her how boring Germany is. To my surprise, she fell in love with Germany! Her perspective opened my eyes to the positive aspects of my home country, helping me appreciate what it has to offer.
This experience taught me that sometimes it takes an outsider's fresh perspective to remind us of the good things we might overlook in familiar surroundings and take them for granted.
In this post, I'll delve into my Korean girlfriend's first experience in Germany, highlighting the aspects she found intriguing and notably different from her Korean perspective. Her fresh eyes on German culture provided a unique opportunity to rediscover and appreciate my home country's characteristics that I had long taken for granted.
From transportation and infrastructure to social norms and work-life balance, her observations offer a fascinating contrast between German and Korean cultures. This comparison not only showcases the distinct features of each society but also emphasizes the value of cross-cultural experiences in broadening our understanding and appreciation of diverse ways of life.
Join me as we explore Germany through the lens of a Korean visitor, uncovering both the charming peculiarities and significant cultural differences that shape these two distinct societies. This journey of rediscovery has not only rekindled my appreciation for Germany but also offered valuable insights into the strengths and challenges of both cultures.
Transportation and Infrastructure
German highways (Autobahn) allow for higher speeds driving over 160km/h is common, and manual transmission cars are more prevalent. License plates are often personalized. In contrast, Korea prefers automatic vehicles and uses standardized nationwide license plates. Germany's public transportation system, particularly trains, operates on an honor system. Passengers buy tickets, and random inspections ensure compliance. This differs from Korea's strict tap-in, tap-out system.
Family and Social Dynamics
Germany exhibits a more balanced approach to family life compared to Korea. Men are more involved in childcare, and family-centered activities are common in public spaces. Intergenerational interactions are more relaxed, with less emphasis on strict hierarchical structures. This contrasts with Korea's more traditional family roles and stronger adherence to filial piety.
Pet Culture
German pet ownership, particularly for dogs, involves more freedom and responsibility. Dogs are well trained, often walked off-leash, and taken out for a walk multiple times daily. There's a structured approach to pet ownership, including taxes and mandatory training. This differs from Korea's urban pet culture, where smaller dogs are often carried or kept indoors.
Media and Advertising
German media and advertising showcase greater diversity and less emphasis on idealized beauty standards. There's less censorship in terms of showing skin and a focus on family-friendly, everyday content. This stands in stark contrast to Korea's beauty-centric advertising where celebrities are representing brands with stricter media censorship.
Food and Dining Culture
German cuisine tends to be less sweet and intensely flavored compared to Korean food. There's a greater variety of international cuisines available. Dining habits differ significantly, with Germans more likely to eat at home and spend less time in cafes. The absence of 24-hour eateries and the unwritten requirement to order drinks in restaurants are notable differences from Korean dining culture. After eating in a German restaurant, you don't pay at the counter but have to wait for the waitress to bring the bill to your table and also add some tips.
Urban Life and Public Spaces
German cities feature more bicycle lanes, diverse plant life, and quieter streets. There's a culture of outdoor exercise and social sharing (like leaving books for others). This contrasts with Korea's busier, more densely populated urban areas and less varied greenery in city centers.
Architecture and Home Life
Germany places value on preserving old buildings which can be over 150-200 years old, contrasting with Korea's tendency for rapid urban renewal. Where buildings are completely demolished and rebuilt. German homes often have separate kitchens and living rooms, and reflect diverse cultural influences in decor. This differs from the more uniform style and open-plan layouts common in modern Korean homes.
Social Norms and Personal Appearance
Germans tend to be more casual in their appearance and social interactions, with less emphasis on fashion and makeup compared to Korea. There's greater acceptance of body diversity and public displays of affection. The society appears more open to greeting strangers, contrasting with Korea's more reserved public behavior.
Work-Life Balance and Leisure
German work culture usually offers 4-6 weeks paid vacation in contrast to Korea you get 5 days a year. There's a greater emphasis on home-based socializing. Where you invite friends and family to your home and have dinner together. The ease of international travel within Europe is a significant difference from Korea's geographical situation. However, Korea offers more abundant fitness facilities and 24-hour conveniences, which are less common in Germany.
My Girlfriend's Perspective on Germany vs. Korea
In the past, she had a vague notion that Europe was a great place. As highly praised in Korean Media. However, after spending a month in Europe, she realizes there are significant differences from Korea.
The most notable differences are the lack of 24-hour convenience stores, restaurants, and cafes, as well as the unreliability of train schedules. She was surprised to find that customer service isn't as friendly as in Korea. These various differences became apparent.
Efficiency is closely tied to the Korean work ethic, where people are deeply committed to their jobs and often work overtime to complete tasks. Due to this strong sense of responsibility and respect for user convenience, Korea has 24-hour convenience stores, restaurants, cafes, and PC rooms. However, she noted that this culture can also negatively impact workers' health and induce anxiety due to the intense sense of responsibility at work.
In contrast, she found that Germany places more emphasis on workers' rights and well-being. Unlike Korea, Germany prioritizes workers' health and human rights over user convenience. As a result, there are no 24-hour stores, and labor unions are well-developed, leading to frequent strikes. While this approach protects workers, it can sometimes inconvenience users.
She felt that Germany's relaxed and nature-friendly aspects were appealing, especially after experiencing the intense work culture in Korea. To her, German society seemed more humane. However, she acknowledged that Germany lags behind Korea in terms of cashless payments, technological advancements, convenience, and entertainment options.
Ultimately, she concluded that it's difficult to say which country is better, as both have their strengths and weaknesses. She realized that everything has two sides, like a coin. The important thing, she felt, is that people can choose where they want to live and recognize the differences between cultures.
Conclusion
After being away from Germany for some time and creating some distance, I've come to appreciate many things I previously took for granted. My girlfriend's fresh perspective on Germany has been instrumental in reminding me of aspects that either don't exist in Korea or are markedly different. This experience has helped me gain a better understanding and renewed appreciation for my home country.
Her excitement over things I once considered mundane - like the abundance of green spaces, the relaxed pace of life, or the diverse architectural styles - has rekindled my own appreciation for these aspects of German life. At the same time, it's made me more aware of the unique qualities that drew me to Korea in the first place.
This journey of rediscovery has reinforced the value of cross-cultural experiences. It's shown me that sometimes we need to step away from the familiar to truly appreciate its worth. Moreover, seeing my home through the eyes of someone experiencing it for the first time has given me a more balanced perspective on both Germany and Korea, helping me recognize and value the strengths and challenges of both cultures.
Ultimately, this experience has taught me the importance of maintaining an open mind and appreciating the nuances of different cultures. It's a reminder that there's always something new to learn and appreciate, even in places we think we know well.
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About the Author
Kim Ninja (Huy-Kim Nguyen)
Cloud Engineer / WebApp Developer 💻
Content Creator Bridging Korea 🇰🇷 to the World 🌎
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