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Stereotypes of Germans include real or imagined characteristics of the German people created by people who see the German people as a single and homogeneous group.
Contents
History
After the German reunification in 1990, the fear of nationalistic misuse of Pan-Germanism nevertheless remained strong. The overwhelming majority of Germans today are not chauvinistic in nationalism, but in 2006 and again in 2010, the German National Football Team won third place in the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, igniting a positive sense of German pride, enhanced by success in sport. For decades after the Second World War, any national symbol or expression was a taboo. However, the Germans are becoming increasingly patriotic.
There exist stereotypes of Western Germans Wessis, especially Besserwessis (people who always know better), and Eastern Germans Ossis.
No small talk
Some people think that the Germans are all straightforward and undiplomatic. The inability of the Germans to engage in small talk and their unromantic nature are discussed by foreigners. As far as a German is concerned, "A yes is a yes and a no is a no."
Nazis
Due to their war crimes against Jews, Slavs and others, Germans are often stereotyped as crypto-Nazis, whose grandparents were involved in Nazi regime. This stereotype persists to this day in many parts of the world, including Britain, India, Japan and Russia.
No sense of humour
Germans are perceived to be stiff and humourless. They are presented this way in Funnybot South Park episode. There exist however Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht and Carnival in Germany, Switzerland and Austria traditions in parts of Germany.
Extremely punctual people
In Germany, everything happens exactly as per schedule and Germans do not tolerate being late for any occasion and are proud of their punctuality. The only exception is the German railroad system which occasionally runs late. The punctuality and discipline of the German people is also ridiculed by newspapers like the Guardian.
Love of order
The German attachment to order, organisation and planning is a personality trait embedded in their identity. Germany has an abundance of rules and the people of that country appear to enjoy obeying them. Over-regulation sometimes leads to inflexibility but the Germans would not have it any other way.
Three Men on the Bummel
Jerome K. Jerome's novel Three Men on the Bummel makes fun of the German craving for rules and their passion in obeying them. The regimented life of German people is discussed in detail in this novel.
German women
There are assumptions that German women are cold and unromantic. Some people even assume that the German girl is not able to cook anything, being a restaurant addict.
There is a stereotype that German people are ugly.
Wrong stereotypes
Some of the popular assumptions about Germans can be quite imaginative. The outward seriousness of the German people can lead to assumptions that they are cold and unromantic people. The kindness of the average German may not be observed by the casual tourist who only notices their reluctance to deal with perfect strangers.
The kitsch
The idea of kitsch comes from Germany, the word is German and the problem was studied long time in Germany. A stereotypical example is a Garden gnome.