by HF | Jun 28, 2013
Shopping Hours in German-Speaking Europe For almost 50 years, shopping hours in Germany were the most restrictive in Europe. Since July 2006, the situation has improved, but all of the German-speaking countries still have the most limited shopping hours in Europe. And...
by HF | Jun 23, 2013
The Famous German You’ve Never Heard Of “Even as a first-grader he may not have been the most studious one, but always the funniest one.” — Thomas Gottschalk’s mother, Rutila (1922-2004) Unless you live in German-speaking Europe, Thomas “Thommy” Gottschalk is...
by HF | Jun 4, 2013
The Fifth Season: Fasching & Karneval Mardi Gras, German Style Different Traditions, Different Dates There are three different words in German for “Carnival” or “Mardi Gras”: Karneval, Fasching and Fastnacht. Although all three refer to the same pre-Lenten...
by HF | Jun 3, 2013
The German Christmas Pickle Tradition: Myth or Reality? German Myths: Die Weihnachtsgurke-Legende The glass Christmas pickle ornament is supposed to be a long tradition in Germany. But does this “old German tradition” really hold up to close scrutiny? Here’s one...
by HF | Jun 3, 2013
Christmas Customs: Der Tannenbaum – Der Weihnachtsbaum “O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter! Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.” – Text: Ernst Anschütz, Leipzig, 1824, set to a traditional tune. Various...
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