C.S.'s Fun Field Trip

FACTS

DID YOU KNOW....
Nearly half of all Germans are fluent inEnglish, but only 3% of Germans speak
fluent French.

DID YOU KNOW....
Chimney sweeps can still be seen in German, dressed in thetraditional black suit and black top hat.

FAMILY
The Father is generally the head of the family both parents often work. Large families are not common. The average family has only one or two children. Order, responsibility, and achievement are traditional family values. Many young people like to live away from home once they get a job or go to college.

TRADITIONS
When a child loses a tooth parents sometimes tell their children to put their lost tooth
under their pillow. In the night a “Zahnfee” (a kind of elf) will take the tooth and give the child a small gift.

CLOTHING
Clothing styles are similar to those in United States, but with a little
European flavor. Traditional costumes are sometimes worn during festivals and celebrations.
Cosmetics are worn only sometimes. Sloppy and untidy clothes are inappropriate to wear in public.

SPORTS
Germany is a world leader in Tennis, track, field cycling and auto racing. Germany has many excellent sports facilities for both players and those who watch. For many years the German Sports Federation “Deutscher Sportbund” has sponsored physical fitness programs.
Swimming is very popular, in almost every town has a public “schwimmbad”. (swimming pool)

FOODS
There are many different foods the Germans eat like potatoes, noodles, dumplings, sauces, cakes, and pastries. Different places have different kinds of wurst (sausage).
The main meal is usually served at noon. Abendbrot, a light meal in the evening is usually an opened face sandwich. At the dinner table, hands must always be above the table
with their wrists resting on the edge of the table. It is considered wasteful to leave food on their plates when they are done eating. Germans do not like ice in their drinks
because they think cold drinks are not healthy.