A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:I know this is not a relationship question, but I am just wondering which one would you choose US or Germany.I am 22yrs old and I have lived in US most of my life, but I am currently living in Germany. I have family in both countries and I think that is whats making it hard for me to decide where to live. Its a long story but which country would you choose and why? Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (23 June 2010): I would say Germany because of all the other European countries which are easily reachable by rail, and also the proximity of other interesting countries, say in North Africa. There is so much culture in Europe, and also a bit further afield, so many languages, etc. But that's just my opinion because that's the sort of thing I like.
A
female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (23 June 2010):
 Well,my answer is ,I am afraid, totally biased,irrational, istinctual, and unsupported by any stats or facts , but, - absolutely USA !! No doubt about it. I am totally in love with USA -and I am not even American,btw.
If there are any German friends here, please don't get me wrong, Germany is very cool, a nice country with beautiful towns, nothing wrong with it....but it's just so ... well,European.
USA is where it's at, and it has always been this way since the roaring Twenties. USA is where things happen- and where ANY thing can happen.
...............................
A
female
reader, Caresha  +, writes (23 June 2010):
Hello there,
I do not have any experience living in the US, but I know Germany. I have lived in Ireland and I would love to spend some time in the US so I do like to think about the differences between these countries as well.
The choice is yours but I guess you knew that before asking. If you want to just talk about what might be "facts" and differences .. why not discuss that!
Saying that there is a lot of racism in Germany might be true - but only partially!
You get racism in any country where a different nationality comes in overwhelmingly and gives the natives the feeling of being overruled. I live in a nice area and we do have several different nationalities here and there is no racism at all.
Whilst being a student I lived in a social welfare-complex and 90% of the people living on my street were turkish. Nice people but when I walk down the street and nobody is actually able to talk German it feels weird.
The racism starts when you look at these areas. In Germany you have a lot of these areas with Turkish and russian people. Living on social welfare, not learning our language, therefore giving the impression that they do not even try to work. The social welfare program in Germany is good enough to live a good life. No luxury, no holidays or stuff but you will live, have an apartment and health insurance. Given that Germany has financial problems these areas are a focus point for unhappy Germans looking for a scapegoat. And to be honest - as nice as these people are: If I choose to live in a foreign country I can bring my religion and my culture but I should try to socially fit in by learning the language and work.
I am far from being a racist but I do not like that kind of behaviour either so I find it understandable that it turns into a problem.
This kind of racism you will get in any country!
The difference with Germany is that because of the racist past and constant "bringing it up again" by other countries Germans do get sensibilised in school concerning this subject. We are taught that something like "pride in your country" is really wrong. Racism, discrimination against disabled or gay people is really wrong. Try making a statement that is not tolerant and open and many Germans will get emotionally involved in a debate that you HAVE TO BE TOLERANT towards EVERYTHING!
The oversensitive feel of not showing national pride and being completely tolerant towards everything is really extreme. The only time when Germans are "allowed" to raise a German flag is when it comes to soccer. (And that might be why a lot of people really go crazy atm!)
To Germans it is weird to raise a flag.
The US gives the exact opposite impression. Too much national pride with not enough care what is really happening in the world. (My words may sound provoking here, but they are merely to underline that Germany and the US are exactly the opposite when it comes to that matter. Both countries just a bit too much on their half).
What might speak for Germany:
- a good social welfare system. A lot of people talk bad about it and it is not perfect but in Germany nobody has to live on the streets, nobody goes without healthcare and nobody has to go to sleep hungry. The social help is good if you hit rock bottom. You just have to skip the pride and ask for it.
- healthcare. There are a LOT of problems with the healthcare system lately and it is getting worse because the state has no money left. But it is a lot better than in a lot of other countries!
- school system. The system might not be the best but it is affordable. You will not see parents starting a "college fund" here when a baby is born. I actually have friends who moved back to Germany because high school and then College for three sons would be too expensive in the US.
- People in Germany try to learn english and most of them like to speak english. Although racism might be an issue for muslims or other eastern immigrants, it will not be an issue for an american (or brit, french, canadian, scandinavian etc.) especially with americans i would actually say that its the opposite: Americans are cool, you know ;)
Bad things are:
- bureaucracy. Germans like to have a document for everything, make everything "official" and going through several instances before something being approved. Things are never "easy". Other countries are worse though ;)
- soccer fans. I love public viewings and how a crowd gets emotional but soccer fans can become pretty annoying. I guess the US has that too within other sports though ;)
- unemplyoment is extremely high and it does not look like there is a real solution to that in the near future. More and more people emigrate because of a job. This leads to nationwide frustration.
- germans are friendly people in general but as an american you might need some time to understand that. Germans do not have to smile all day and to be overly friendly to be nice. Compared to the fake friendlyness of other countries the might seem less happy/friendly/emotional. Germans like to complain about their situation a lot. And if they do they are not doing it with a smile in their face ;)
I have even heard from a girl from the US that she did feel like a lot of people were not that friendly at first but later she "understood". She said it is like: "We do not need to be friends with everybody, we do not have like 200 friends on facebook, we might only have 20. But to these 20 we are REALLY loyal."
In the end I do think that Germany can be a wonderful place to live. You have to get used to a different mentality and as long as you work and learn the language you can do really fine here. Germany has a lot of beautiful spots that you can visit and I bet there are a lot of Germans that would love to show you around! (Whilst living in Ireland for like half a year I went on a "tourist trip" every weekend. It was a wonderful way of getting to know a country. Living there and letting people who live there show me the sights!)
After saying all of this I have to let you know that even if I think that Germany is a good place to live I do not want to live here. I sort of have an affiliation to the english language and do want to live in an english speaking country again one day. There are a lot of little things that are not onjective at all that make me NOT wanting to live in Germany :) So after objectively thinking about pros and cons ... the decision where you feel home might be totally different to the rational choice!
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (23 June 2010): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThank you guys for taking you time to answer my question.
Maverick494,I know that it is still my decision to make. You are 100% right though you will always be an auslander here. Its been almost 2 yrs here and I tried to learn the language as much as possible since I am planning to go back to school, but still it just doesnt feel like home. If anyone else has gone to college here please let me know your experience it would help me alot.
Talkinghelps: hahahhah
Thanks again guys
...............................
A
female
reader, maverick494 +, writes (22 June 2010):
Haha, I could say "US!" or "Deutschland!" It wouldn't matter.
The truth is we can't decide for you. What makes either country special to us is because of our own experiences. I for an instance, LOVE Rio de Janeiro because I lived there for a while and made very good friends and generally had a positive experience. My friend can't bear the thought of living in according to her a "criminally infested pit". She was robbed in her first week there. Do you get what I'm saying?
I generally choose the place where I had the most positive memories. And where I feel safe and at home the most. My friends and family are in the US. I could live in Rio and though I've made new friends there, I could not live there permanently. I've also lived in London. Loved it, but same story. I keep going back to my roots, because that's where the people I really love are. Skype can't replace face to face contact, after all.
I mean sure, each country has something going for it. And if you don't mind being uprooted and starting over from scratch at your age, be my guest and try your luck in Germany. What I will say about Germany is this, though: racism is high and they are generally wary of newcomers, no matter how well you speak the language. They can always tell you're not a native and that'll make it harder to truly be 'at home' there. Not to say they aren't nice people: compared to the fake genuineness of some Americans, the German directness can be refreshing.
Good luck making your choice. Take your time. Close your eyes, which country pops up? Keep doing that every day until your heart is sure.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (22 June 2010): Germany, cos of the beer. And their sense of humour/ lack of, is highly amusing.
...............................
A
female
reader, *brea//babbby. +, writes (22 June 2010):
 Go US!
...............................
A
female
reader, Little tiny girl +, writes (22 June 2010):
 Im from the USA I reall want to live in germany because my favorite metal band (RAMMSTEIN) from germany and i love the langage and for what i see how u have family in both the USA n germany i would uh.......visit the family that is from USA sometimes like during the holidays.
...............................
|
