During the last year, one of my worst nightmares has been...
Learning new German words, in order to improve my vocabulary and to enhance my language skills in German.
Learning new German words, in order to improve my vocabulary and to enhance my language skills in German.
Yesterday I had just another chance to observe that, sometimes, instead of learning new words, it's actually better to forget some of them or to rather never use them.
One of the most dangerous is certainly "typisch", that in German means "typical".
Even if I don't like to generalize, I have to notice, day in and day out, that, funny enough, one of the most "terrible" things you could tell most Germans is: "You are typical as a German".
Usually, awkward cricket silence follows.
Yes, even if you mean it absolutely in a good way and you are paying them a compliment.
Mental note to myself: Never use the word "typical" when it comes to another culture.
You will not get anything good. Even if what you're saying is actually typical.
Tags: Clichés about Germans, Diversity, Cultural stereotypes, Being typical, Awkward intercultural misunderstandings
What to read next:
The first secret of intercultural communication, or why screaming a name in the wrong language is not always the best choice for making new friends
One of the most dangerous is certainly "typisch", that in German means "typical".
Even if I don't like to generalize, I have to notice, day in and day out, that, funny enough, one of the most "terrible" things you could tell most Germans is: "You are typical as a German".
Usually, awkward cricket silence follows.
Yes, even if you mean it absolutely in a good way and you are paying them a compliment.
Mental note to myself: Never use the word "typical" when it comes to another culture.
You will not get anything good. Even if what you're saying is actually typical.
Tags: Clichés about Germans, Diversity, Cultural stereotypes, Being typical, Awkward intercultural misunderstandings
What to read next:
The first secret of intercultural communication, or why screaming a name in the wrong language is not always the best choice for making new friends
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