After spending some time here in Germany, I’m quite used to the German way of life and their way of thinking. It helps to have a German boyfriend seriously. It does explains sometimes why things are just the way they are here, albeit some of them I have yet to accept. I doubt that I ever will.

For example, when it’s your birthday today, it is normal here that you should tell your colleagues that it’s your birthday today and you, the one who’s celebrating the birthday, should bring some cakes or some snacks to the office to treat your colleagues. Because after all, it’s your celebration . Totally opposite to the way in Malaysia or in Asia right? Where got birthday girl/boy belanja makan right? But if you’re here, you have to follow the rules here loh. I have yet to accept this! I recalled once that I toiled late into the night, baking cakes and muffins for my colleagues just because I’m having my birthday the next day!

It is even consider rude, if you know someone is having a birthday today, and you don’t go up to that person and wish him/her the first thing you see that person. My German lecturer who taught me last time during my days in Shah Alam couldn’t understand why do we keep quiet as if nothing happen, and then later only wish the birthday boy/girl at the surprise birthday party. Sometimes the Germans just don’t understand the element of surprise.

However I have to admit more than often that I do admire their way of working and their discipline. When it comes to work, they are just dead serious. When it’s time, then it’s time. If you can do it, you’ll get the recognition that you deserve. It’s really no nonsense way of working. That’s why now do I understand why some countries can be so advance while some are still striving to be but will never be with their lackadaisical and their permanent I’m-your-boss-but-I-know-nothing-and-you-are-slave-but-
know-more-than-me-and-do-everything mentality which is so sickening.

If you get what I mean.