Subtitles section Play video
-
So, some days ago, the big German tabloid newspaper “Bild” published an article about just how badly-behaved the Brits are when they go on holiday.
-
Apparently, we drink too much, grope women, and get sunburnt.
-
Outraged at all these lazy stereotypes, the British press decided to hit back with some lazy stereotypes about the Germans.
-
So I thought it would be a good idea to take just a few of these and examine them a little more closely.
-
I’ve chosen five.
-
Germans always lay their towels on the sun-loungers in order to reserve them before anyone else can get to the pool.
-
At least one study has confirmed that, in fact, yes,
-
the Germans really are more likely to do this than anyone else.
-
But do you know who came second?
-
The British.
-
Germans have no sense of humour.
-
I’ve made a couple of videos explaining this one, and no matter how clearly I state that yes, in fact Germans do have a sense of humour,
-
I’m regularly accused by Germans of saying the exact opposite.
-
Yes, the Germans have a sense of humour: of course they do!
-
It’s just that humour is a product of culture, and so the British simply don’t understand the German sense of humour.
-
Germans don’t know how to enjoy themselves.
-
The British have this view of the Germans as being well-behaved, strait-laced,boring, unable to have fun or enjoy themselves.
-
This is probably because, outside of London,
-
most British people's experience of German tourists to Britain is of retired couples going to Cornwall touring the settings of the books by Rosamund Pilcher,
-
which are very popular among that age group in Germany.
-
In fact, these people are enjoying themselves; just without the need to get senselessly drunk first.
-
But if you try some of the Mediterranean resorts, like the Platja de Palma on Majorca,
-
you’ll find lots of young Germans getting just as stupidly drunk as the British twelve miles down the road in Magaluf.
-
Germans can’t cook.
-
There’s some irony about this one, because the Germans say that it’s the British who can’t cook.
-
Well in fact, German cuisine is as varied and interesting as any other cuisine:
-
it’s not all just potatoes and cabbage.
-
What about all the different types of fish that you can get in the north of Germany?
-
Or, if you’re in the south, how about...
-
Swabian Maultaschen? Sort of pasta, stuffed with meat and spinach.
-
Or how about... grilled chicken?
-
Onion tart? Or...pork tenderloin in a mushroom and pepper sauce served with fried potatoes and salad?
-
Germans think Mr.Bean is funny.
-
Actually, that one is true.
-
If you have something for my notice board,
-
please send it to this address.
-
Please note that I can only accept letters and postcards,
-
so please don’t send me parcels or packages,
-
or anything that must be signed for.