Forums » Germany » Australians in Germany

• newgirl

  
   

  October 2, 2007 11:20:42 AM CEST

  I am from Sydney, posted in Essen for a 2 year contract....
  I love Germany!!! But I am finding it hard to meet people outside of work colleagues.
  My boyfriend is still in Australia and will join me eventually....
  But I feel a little isolated I guess, and am finding the language barrier a little hard even though I am taking lessons of course.
  I have been here only a few months....
  Does it get easier??????
  :cry:
• EricGilkison

  

  • 2 posts
   

  February 6, 2012 12:44:43 AM CET

  Hold the tears.... I don’t mean to be cruel but I have endured your dilemma more than a few times before in various countries.
  Germans are very hard to reach as a matter of principle. However, once you have made a German friend… you have a friend for life… as a matter of principle.
  It is difficult to explain but please take it as advice from someone who has grown up on both sides of the pond, US/DE.
  I encourage you to keep practicing your German, no matter how they might put you off or become testy... Most Germans inherently are perfectionists. They always have been and always will be, hence their greatest strength as well as their greatest weakness.
  Try this. Next time you engage a German in conversation, insist that they practice their English with you without you offering correction and Visa Versa. In other words, make it clear that you ought to be able to respond in German to their English lines…To this idea I would suggest that you go to the outskirts of the Fußgängerzone and find a bar that appeals. Go and have yourself a few drinks and mingle.
  I wish that I could offer more than that but it is like an insurmountable wall… give it time, the more that they see your face and become accustomed to your presence increases your chances that someone with (after a few) will try to strike up a conversation.
  I don’t know Essen personally and each and every district is different. For example, in the village where I lived they ignored me for 2+ years before I was acknowledged while taking out the trash (dumb example) as on the contrary… The village where I went for me shopping not more then 1.8km away I was know on a first name basis… even more so the pub where I went to frequently (4.5km away) knew me personally and had my beverage of choice waiting at my usual table after only 8 months. If this all seems too overwhelming then I would suggest making friends with the Dutch or Bavarians.
  ... Yeah the Germans are hard, but there is a good reason why they are that way ... Wish you all the best
  
• Admin

  

  • 1035 posts
   

  February 6, 2012 10:27:12 AM CET

  EricGilkison said:
  Hold the tears.... I don’t mean to be cruel but I have endured your dilemma more than a few times before in various countries. Germans are very hard to reach as a matter of principle. However, once you have made a German friend… you have a friend for life… as a matter of principle. It is difficult to explain but please take it as advice from someone who has grown up on both sides of the pond, US/DE. I encourage you to keep practicing your German, no matter how they might put you off or become testy... Most Germans inherently are perfectionists. They always have been and always will be, hence their greatest strength as well as their greatest weakness. Try this. Next time you engage a German in conversation, insist that they practice their English with you without you offering correction and Visa Versa. In other words, make it clear that you ought to be able to respond in German to their English lines…To this idea I would suggest that you go to the outskirts of the Fußgängerzone and find a bar that appeals. Go and have yourself a few drinks and mingle. I wish that I could offer more than that but it is like an insurmountable wall… give it time, the more that they see your face and become accustomed to your presence increases your chances that someone with (after a few) will try to strike up a conversation. I don’t know Essen personally and each and every district is different. For example, in the village where I lived they ignored me for 2+ years before I was acknowledged while taking out the trash (dumb example) as on the contrary… The village where I went for me shopping not more then 1.8km away I was know on a first name basis… even more so the pub where I went to frequently (4.5km away) knew me personally and had my beverage of choice waiting at my usual table after only 8 months. If this all seems too overwhelming then I would suggest making friends with the Dutch or Bavarians. ... Yeah the Germans are hard, but there is a good reason why they are that way ... Wish you all the best

  Hey Eric,

   

  Good tips! Thanks for sharing.