My Struggle (and Small Victories) with German Writing – B1.2 and Cultural Differences

Okay, deep breath. I’ve been living in Berlin for six months now, working as a freelance translator, and honestly? The writing part of my job is tough. Especially when it comes to these TELC exams they keep telling me I need to pass. Right now, I’m stuck on Task 3: “Describe Cultural Differences.” It’s not just about knowing the words; it’s about actually explaining them in a way that Germans will understand – and accept.

The First Time I Tried (and Messed Up)

The first time I tried to write about this, I went straight for what felt obvious. My task was to describe how greetings differ between English-speaking countries and Germany. I wrote something like: “In England, people often hug when they meet, but in Germany, it’s considered too familiar! Das ist unangebracht!”

I submitted it, feeling pretty confident, and got a massive “X” across the whole thing. The feedback was brutal. It said my explanation was “too simplistic,” “stereotypical,” and frankly, “a little rude.” Apparently, assuming everyone in Germany is going to find hugging strangers ‘unacceptable’ isn’t exactly nuanced or helpful.

Understanding the German Perspective on Greetings

That was a really humbling moment. I realized I wasn’t thinking about why Germans might be more reserved with initial greetings. It’s not just about being “rude,” it’s about concepts like “Privatsphäre” – privacy and personal space.

I started researching, talking to colleagues (mostly older, wiser translators!), and paying actual attention to how people interacted in daily situations. I noticed that even with friends, Germans tend towards a formal ‘Guten Tag’ initially, followed by a handshake. It’s about demonstrating respect for the other person’s boundaries.

I learned phrases like: “Ich möchte Sie zuerst kurz anstupfen.” (literally “I would like to give you a quick tap on the shoulder” – used as a polite way to initiate contact). I still cringe saying it, but knowing when and how to use it makes a difference.

Common Misunderstandings – And My Own!

Another massive thing I kept stumbling over was misunderstandings around directness. In the UK, if you’re unhappy with something, you say so! Loudly! I actually complained to my landlord about a leaky faucet and used phrases like “This is completely unacceptable!” Das war ein Fehler! (That was a mistake!). He looked incredibly uncomfortable and ended up just fixing it quietly.

Later, I asked a colleague why he hadn’t voiced his frustration with the slow internet speed at the office. He explained gently, “Wir sagen das nicht so direkt. Es ist… unangenehm.” (We don’t say that directly. It is… uncomfortable.) He explained they prefer to address issues privately and respectfully – “unter der Hand” – discreetly.

Useful Vocabulary & Phrases for Task 3

Here are some phrases that have been genuinely helpful me in my writing:

• “Es ist eine Frage der Gepflogenheit.” (It’s a matter of custom/etiquette.) – Perfect for setting the stage.
• “In [Country] ist es üblich, dass…” (In [country] it is customary that…) – Provides context.
• “Dies kann zu Missverständnissen führen.” (This can lead to misunderstandings.) – Shows awareness of potential problems.
• “Es hängt von der Situation ab.” (It depends on the situation.) – Adds nuance and avoids generalizations.
• “Ein Beispiel hierfür ist…” (An example of this is…) – Helps illustrate your points with specific situations

A Recent Success – Describing Gift-Giving

I recently completed a similar task about gift-giving customs, which felt much more successful. I described how in the UK, small gifts are often given casually, even if you’ve just met someone. In Germany, presents are usually wrapped beautifully and given for special occasions – birthdays, Christmas, weddings – demonstrating thoughtfulness and care.

I wrote: “In England, a small box of chocolates is often brought to a casual meeting as a friendly gesture. Aber in Deutschland ist es üblich, dass man Geschenke für besondere Anlässe schenkt und sie gut verpackt.” (But in Germany, it’s customary that you give gifts for special occasions and wrap them nicely.) It felt much more balanced and realistic.

My Advice to You – Don’t Just Memorize!

Honestly, the biggest key isn’t just memorizing vocabulary or following a strict formula. It’s about understanding the cultural context behind the words. Talk to people, observe, ask questions (politely!), and try to see things from their perspective. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes – that’s how you learn! “Viel Glück!” (Good luck!) – I really need it for this exam.