Our German Exchange Students

[Mermaid02]

I drive to the market because it's difficult to ride a bike AND get a weeks worth of groceries home.

 

[clarabelle]

I would love to walk or ride bikes more-but we just aren't set up for it.
I feel like I am risking my life just to go to the store.

 

[Micca]

I force myself to go outside and walk (almost) every day. The rest of the time I'm in my house surrounded by all the creature comforts.

I understand that many people like being outdoors and being active. Unless I'm at WDW, I'm happiest in the mancave.

 

[whatcateydid]

I think the good thing about exchange programs is that they give people the opportunity to see past the stereotypes they might have held at the beginning of their exchange. When I first registered for university I was in line behind a group of new exchange students which included and American girl and a German boy. The American girl was telling the boy about America, and then said "Americans think that Germans are, like, just drunk all the time!" Hopefully she left the exchange a little bit more open minded!

 

[dairyou]

well the german boys are on their american tour right now and my house is pretty quiet. we can lounge around all day and not be labeled lazy or fat

to respond to what others wrote, i thought about why we drive everywhere. for me, i never can get my life together to allow that extra 30 minutes to walk. plus, i really don't like it. maybe i'll try and change my ways

deb

 

[gina2000]

Europeans live much differently than we do. In cities, they live in smaller spaces with fewer amenities. They don't have a/c, large refrigerators, or tv sets in every room. They tend to head outdoors for entertainment.

Air conditioning is the key to staying inside. Many Europeans do not have a/c in their homes and taking a stroll is a way to stay cool. Also, many European nations don't have much in the way of tv choices and so going outside and being social is a form of entertainment. Many Europeans also shop every day for food because they have limited refrigerator space in their homes.

Lastly, most large European cities were built before the automobile was a common form of transportation for the middle/lower classes so they have more public transportation options.

 

[TDC Nala]

I live in a condo, I don't have a yard, my balcony is over a busy street and breathing exhaust fumes can't be healthy. Grills on wooden balconies understandably aren't allowed either. If I want entertainment I don't get it where I live, I get on a plane and go somewhere else. When I'm home I work most of the time. I thought Americans were workoholics.

 

[Liberty Belle]

They have books that tell you what is and what is not considered polite in other cultures. My favorite series is Culture Shock.

I would think the boys were told things like that before they came here, but teenagers don't think the same as adults, so maybe they just disregarded that info. I'd bet they weren't trying to be rude, but it would be nice for them to make the effort to find out what is considered rude in the culture they'll be spending time in.

To me, it doesn't seem like anyone would possibly think it would be ok to call someone else lazy and fat. Can you imagine what the German version of the CB would be like?

 

[rigs32]

I live in a small/medium city. I live 1.5 miles from work. I have three choices in my commute:
1) Drive and pay $5 to park. Time - 10 min
2) Drive and pay $2 to park, but a longer walk from that lot. Time - 15 min
3) Walk to work. Time - 30 min

I have been walking except for when it's raining hard, well over 90 at the end of the day, or if I know I'll be in the office until after dark.

People are always shocked, but it seems like such a no-brainer to me.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I live in a small/medium city. I live 1.5 miles from work. I have three choices in my commute:
1) Drive and pay $5 to park. Time - 10 min
2) Drive and pay $2 to park, but a longer walk from that lot. Time - 15 min
3) Walk to work. Time - 30 min

I have been walking except for when it's raining hard, well over 90 at the end of the day, or if I know I'll be in the office until after dark.

People are always shocked, but it seems like such a no-brainer to me.

But if it's hot out aren't you all sweaty by the time you get to work? DH used to bike to work a lot, but that at least gave him some air flow.

 

[rparmfamily]

They have books that tell you what is and what is not considered polite in other cultures. My favorite series is Culture Shock.

I would think the boys were told things like that before they came here, but teenagers don't think the same as adults, so maybe they just disregarded that info. I'd bet they weren't trying to be rude, but it would be nice for them to make the effort to find out what is considered rude in the culture they'll be spending time in.

To me, it doesn't seem like anyone would possibly think it would be ok to call someone else lazy and fat. Can you imagine what the German version of the CB would be like?

But even if you read books about other cultures, it doesn't mean you know specifically how the exact words or wording can be rude by the host country. We took an 80 hrs long "indoc" class on our arrival to Italy, dealing with custom, culture, transportation, language,etc plus the reading we did ahead of time. Now, I don't speak enough Italian to probably say something rude, but I'm sure I did things that were rude, on accident. And I thought Italians were pretty dang rude too LOL, but it made me laugh. And for the record,I don't think the boys were being rude. America has an overweight/obesity problem, and that now includes our children unfortunately. And we also don't use public transportation, even if available, like other places in the world.

I do hope they enjoy their stay though!

 

[dairyou]

no, the boys are never ever rude. they just gave me retrospect our on lives. there is so much entertainment within my own house (tivo, kindle, computer, ect) that there can be times to never leave the house.

ive enjoyed our times together. that's why one came back to visit and decided it was fun enough to invite a friend. im glad they're here.

 

[amez]

We've had two exchange students and this is actually a conversation we've had with both of them. It is kind of interesting to discuss the stereotypes that exsist. We've had a student from France and one from Vietnam and it wasn't a mean discussion it was just we just talked about common perceptions/misconceptions that there were on all sides of the globe. Our French student also said that many people she knew thought of Cowboy hats as well.