Tag: culture

The difference of water in Germany

Published on by Greta BrombeereLeave a comment

I just received a text message from a massive group chain on WhatsApp. I’m talking about 30 people. They are a part of a company, and I am their English teacher. It is nice that they include me in this group- but talk about FOMO! They are at a Christmas part in Hamburg right now, and I just get to sit and watch from Munich.

 

Many texts have come in throughout the day and just a moment ago, this guy asked for someone to pick up water at the grocery store. The response was:

Still/Medium/Classic?

In Germany, people are so picky about their water. Which brands you buy is one of them, but mainly it’s about the level of the bubbles in the bottle.

 

Still: flat water

Classic: bubbled water

Medium: lightly bubbled water

 

I used to think this was excessive. But there is a major difference in the water. And in fact, I drink way less sodas now since I have moved here and became obsessed with Sparkling water. For me though- Classic is far too many bubbles. Medium for me please!

 

The answer in the end was:

2x Still 2x Medium

 

How to eat a croissant like the french

How to eat a Croissant like a Parisienne

Published on by Greta BrombeereLeave a comment

When living in Europe you meet so many people from so many different backgrounds. Some of my closest confidants here in Germany happen to be from France.

I studied French for 6 years in school and was even a French tutor in college, but this is one part of the culture one cannot learn without having experiencing it herself.

The morning after a sleepover at a friend’s house, I observed my French friend eating her breakfast and was overwhelmed with amusement. She actually took her buttery, fresh-baked croissant and drowned it in her coffee! I immediately asked her, “uhhh, what are you doing?” Equally confused, she stared back and replied, “eating…”

After an exchange of blank stares and subsequent giggling, the mystery was clarified. This was not pastry abuse but actually the way all French eat their croissants!

Now I’m not one to mix anything into my coffee except for the occasional drop or two of whole milk. However, if a French woman says try it, she will not let you go until you do what she says.

I skeptically dipped my perfectly okay croissant into the coffee and proceeded to taste the soggy pastry. Only once it reached my tongue did I realize this was the most delicious combination I had never tried. I’ve been missing out on so much!

And so are you- so here’s how you eat a croissant like a proper Parisienne:

Continue reading “How to eat a Croissant like a Parisienne” →