Kultur 8

Draftophobia: Blown Away by the Fear of Air
Why are Germans so afraid of moving air? I mean, obviously nobody WANTS to get sick, but I think your chances become exponentially higher when you're sitting in a congested room with a bunch of other people all breathing the same air. There's not much logic to their fear of drafts. I suppose that's why the author called it irrational...because it is. This article made me chuckle a few times. I truly admire the writer's sarcasm.

You Have What? Mysterious Illness in Germany
Germans are much smarter than Americans when it comes to being sick and having a choice to take antibiotics or not. The main causes of antibiotic-resistant strains are because we have been taught to load up on meds at the first sign of illness. Of course, in dire need, they are necessary, but kudos to the Germans for fighting the good fight. I think it's quite odd that acute hearing loss and circulatory collapse are "illnesses" that exist in Germany, but not really anywhere else. Why? Is it genetic? That's so strange to me. I'm going to have to look further into this whole phenomenon.

Germany's Sauna Obsession: Expose Yourself to the Culture
Reading about these differences between American and German culture is always bewildering to me. At first I'm always appalled at the things Germans are okay with. Then I sit back and think about it and it's not terrible. Yet, baring all in front of a bunch of strangers and sweating it out together really isn't my thing. Don't get me wrong, I find saunas quite enjoyable and relaxing, but not so much with a bunch of men and women that I don't know from the man on the moon. And naked? I'm okay with a bathing suit, but not naked. That's just way too awkward.