The document summarizes research conducted by European student work groups on typical characteristics of three German cities - Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Ratingen. The students identified characteristics like order, cleanliness, respect for rules, and adherence to traffic laws as typical in Germany. They observed differences from their home countries in areas like living in apartments/houses, underground power lines, use of public transportation and cycling. The document also notes Germans spending more time at home, eating meals at different times than other countries, and caring for pets like dogs. Traditions like Carnival and distinct local beers were highlighted as important parts of culture in Cologne and Dusseldorf.
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Germany typical characteristics of the rhineland
1. Typical characteristics of cities and their people:
Cologne,
Dusseldorf and Ratingen
During our project meeting in Germany we were searching for
distinctive characteristics of the visited towns Cologne,
Dusseldorf and Ratingen.
The results of the research were noted on overhead
transparencies by the European working groups, which were
used for the presentation afterwards. At least, students from three
different countries worked in each group.
2. On the right transparency the
following terms stick out: order
tidiness cleanliness respect of
rules.
All these terms refer to public
order.
It is an interesting question whether
the students only confirmed their
prejudices about typical German
characteristics during their
investigations or whether they
found indeed actual differences to
their home country on this issue.
3. On the slide on the left, the cities of
Cologne and D端sseldorf are
perceived differently.
Cologne is an ancient city and
dominated by tourism.
D端sseldorf is modern and focused on
the business.
But the students dont name typical
characteristics which are common to
both cities and thus to the Rhineland.
4. Specific differences between
Germany and the native
countries are mentioned here:
Living in apartments and
houses.
Underground power cables.
Use of public transport and
cycling.
It is interesting that the students
once again points to the German
road users who seem to observe
the traffic rules.
5. On this slide, the students write about
typical behavior, especially the
importance of politeness and
kindness. Cross-cultural differences
in the daily behavior are emphasized.
Because the students were in the
Rhineland during the Carnival, they
have learned a lot about the
importance of the "crazy days" for the
typical Rhinelander.
Even the teachers should obey the
rules at school the Germans and
their rules: prejudice or typical
characteristic?
6. The meals are at different times than
in our country
They spend a lot of time in their
houses.
They take care a lot of animals.
Students identified behaviors that are
certainly typical for Germans. For
example, the Germans love their
dogs. In our partner countries, for
example in Turkey or Romania, we
saw a lot of stray dogs.
The Germans eat later as e.g. the
Spaniards. And while live is really
more taking place outside in the
street, the Germans prefer to stay at
home.
Also this we noticed in our partner
countries as well.
7. Carnival and the beer in Cologne
K旦lsch and Dusseldorf Alt are
naturally interdependent.
Visiting the traditional breweries in
both cities, the attentive observer can
experience the relative importance of
traditions in both cities.