We have lived in the Stuttgart area now for 1 1/2 years. Most of my German neighbors are older, grandparent types. When we first got here they NEVER smiled at me - at anyone. I have learned that it is a cultural thing. Smile at someone here and you have a screw loose. I guess the idea of smiling at a stranger for no reason just doesn't make sense to these folks. But to my 4 year old (and to a lesser extent to my 2 year old), not smiling and saying hello is just rude.
On morning as we headed to the car for school a group of older gentlemen out for their morning stroll walked by the car. They looked at me (stared actually, but that is a whole other behavior here), and kept on going. I smiled out of habit and mumbled "guten morgan". They didn't say a word. C is a very outgoing kid so she used her best German and said, "guten morgan". They didn't resond. By now they're backs were to us. C was flabbergasted. "Mommy, they didn't say good morning!!" She was incensed, hurt, shocked... angry. And out came a loud and not so friendly "GUTEN MORGAN!" Those men never turned around. I had a nice chat with C about how some cultures do things differently as we drove to school.
It has been several months since this happened. Our neighbors have warmed up to us and the girls in particular. They love to chat with her as she is the most fluent German speaker in the house. There are smiles and "morgans" all around. And even the gentlemen on the morning walks will nod and occasionally say good morning to the loud four year old girl doing her best to be friendly.
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Oh Julie,
How wonderful. To laugh. To cry. To marvel at you and your wonderful family. Haircuts (I had already noticed C's cut in an earlier picture by S), metro door wrestling matches, god house explorations and musings, pizza times ad infinitum, sistine chapel wall mysteries, gelato juices. What a wonderful post. I was so delighted to recognize places I had just visited (like the Trevi fountain and the coliseum) -- but with you and family in the foreground. And all of the haircuts look great. Love, Mom
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