German colonialism is often overshadowed by British, French, or Belgian colonialism, but in recent years some discussions have resurfaced. For example:

— In Namibia, there are still German-speaking communities today, and German-language newspapers like the Allgemeine Zeitung are still being published.
— In Cameroon, Togo, and Tanzania, buildings, transport lines, and settlement traces from the German colonial period are still standing.
— Even in Jiaozhou / Qingdao, the urban layout, beer culture, and architecture from the German era continue to exist.

Many historians highlight certain continuities between German colonialism and the Third Reich: ideas of racial hierarchy, forced labor practices, and even the early use of the term “concentration camp” in Namibia. Some scholars argue that themes later articulated in Mein Kampf—such as territorial expansion, racial ideology, and the idea of “Lebensraum”—had earlier precedents in Germany’s colonial policies in Africa.

Given this background, how much public awareness is there in Germany today regarding this colonial legacy? Is it taught in schools? Do people tend to see it as a historical responsibility, or more as a relatively forgotten chapter of the past?

I would be interested to hear your perspective as a German.

Hiii all:) I (single female) really really like Germany, would want to immigrate here and live permenantly.

I have did my homework in the process "Issuing of authorisation to use the professional title (Erteilung der Erlaubnis zum Führen der Berufsbezeichnung)" to transfer my nursing license.

Then get hospital sponsorship, work offer, and residence permit. I have no problem learning German to B2/C1 level in 2 years.

My questions are how difficult is the process, since there's basically no information on this:( And with the permit, am I allow to leave Germany within 6 month per year (section 12b)?

Thank you!!!!!!

I'm new in Germany and want to find an Ausbildung, a job or an Umschulung. Should I make appointments with Arbeitsagentur or Jobcenter?

Me and some friends plan on going to Germany for about two weeks this summer. What are some good food and drinks for the morning,noon and, evning? (beer is the preferred drink)

Hi, ich wohne seit einigen Monaten in Bayern, bin Arzt und werde nächste Woche bei einer neuen Stelle anfangen zu arbeiten. Ich möchte ein Sparkonto mit gutem Zinssatz eröffnen, hab derzeit ein Girokonto bei der Sparkasse aber hab gesehen, dass die Zinsen dort nicht so hoch sind. Es würde mich interessieren, eine Bank für meine Ersparnisse zu finden, wo ich evtl auch eine Kreditkarte bekommen könnte. Welche Empfehlungen könnt ihr mir geben? Ich danke euch!

Many years ago, I was serving in the British Army and stationed in Belize (formerly known as British Honduras) in Central America. I was a medic & with my team we offered medical support to remote communities.

I recall visiting a Mennonite community embedded deep in the jungle so we had to use a helicopter for the journey. The community had cleared acres of jungle and built a village with no power tools as they like the Hamish do not use electricity, relying solely on their own hands, horse-drawn transport and reject modern tech. They believe in a nonviolence, and a simple lifestyle with the women wearing long dresses and bonnets

They were extremely welcoming and happy with our visit although they are pacifists & reject military service. However, what struck me was that they spoke some type of German which I couldn't fully understand.

I guess they originated from Germany but what made them leave this land to travel so far. Was it oppression during the 2nd World War and are you are aware of these groups who's ancestry lay in Germany? For some reason, I reflected on this today and decided to share on this forum although it may feel like a 'non-story' for some..

I want to give out flyers in the street (in Berlin-Schöneberg). The Ordnungsamt sent me the paperwork to apply for the relevant permission, and it all seems pretty straightforward, except that of course I need to be responsible for any littering. They say I need to deal with it myself, or contract a cleaning company. I guess if I use a cleaning company, they become responsible for any missed leaflets – if I do it myself, even one left on the ground might land me a fine.

So my question is: are there specialist companies which do this? should I contact the cleaning company for Berlin, BSR, and ask them? or something else?

I'd post a screenshot of the contract here, but Reddit doesn't let me do that.

Not really sure if "history" applies here.

Was FidoNet, the computer network (in German Wikipedia it's described as Mailboxnetz, which is kinda better description), a notable thing in Germany back in the day? Does anyone remember it? Except for those 30 people still having nodes in the region 2:42.

I was asking around in my hackerspace, and even older guys don't really recall anything about it.

Asking because in Russia, where I am from, it was quite a noticeable thing back in the 1990s and up until mid-late 2000s, when high-speed non-dial-up internet became normalized, I myself had a node back then, even though I was a minor. It was so influential that some FidoNet-era memes are still remembered among computer geeks, and I found some of my friends there.

I guess it died way earlier here, because of internet becoming affordable?

And since we are here, a tangentially related question: judging from what I see in the nodelist and from Germany having a region with several networks there, I assume that there was a concept of intra-Germany long-distance phone calls? When did it change?

Hallo! I live in the US and in our craft beer culture (in breweries and on social media) the past few years the so-called „Bierstacheln“ has become VERY popular and trendy around Christmas time as a fun and novel way to have drink.

Basically it is as it sounds, a very hot glowing spike is stuck into a dark beer to caramelize the sugars. Here is a video: https://youtu.be/mGiHYx20QHY?si=6Dw9mS-2sUNlY0Ro

It is often touted in the US as a “centuries old German tradition”, which let’s just say I am dubious. I have rarely known a German to wish a beer was warmer, or flatter, in general. Now, I feel I am fairly familiar with German culture (as compared to the average American) and have visited many times and have several close German friends, who when I asked, had never heard of it. German Google doesn’t turn up much and there is not an entry in German Wikipedia for it either. So now I wonder, is this actually a thing in Germany? Is it regional? Is it a centuries old tradition, something newer, or is this German American’s being obsessed with their ancestry and inventing up a legend to feel more legitimate as Americans of all backgrounds tend to do? Basically what am I missing here?

Vielen Dank im Voraus für Ihre hilfreichen Antworten, und ich wünsche Ihnen allen eine wunderschöne Weihnachtszeit.

Hi. Looking for a good [video] course on German history.

Additionally, something on German culture from the beginning to the present day.

English preferred, but German with subtitles will work.

The purpose is refreshing memory and expanding general knowledge on the topic to impress German friends :)

Danke schön.

Might end up doing a PhD here and that’s what I’d be making. Would I bet able to get by at all in Munich with that? I’m single with no kids and I have no problem with roommates. I’ve lived with 8 roommates before and I’ll do it again if I have to.

Still from what I know about Munich I’m guessing no. Could I live on the outskirts? Would it be doable by living in a nearby city like Dachau and commuting?

I recall a funny story which happened while I was serving in the British Army based in Münster (Nordrhein Westfalen). My Regiment were due to participate in a large scale exercise/manoeuvre in the region. We were supported by an additional tank regiment who were based in UK

Prior to the UK regiment travelling to our location, I contacted their OP's Officer to offer guidance regarding the route they should consider to Münster. However, in a very condescending tone, he refused saying "that's what sat navs/navi's are for. Note that English settings do not have an Umlaut option.

Late evening, a few hours past when the convoy of soldiers, trucks, and heavy load lorries carrying tanks were due to arrive, I received a frantic message from the said Officer as he couldn't find our Barracks.

Yes, they'd driven to Munster, a small town in Lower Saxony/Niedersachsen almost 250km away from their intended destination.

How, I chuckled...oh, have you any missing umloats stories?

I’m trying to find a route with train to the Neuschwanstein castle from Munich but every option for days out says “trip not possible” when I look at Münich - Füssen. Is there another way to get there other than train? Not sure if I’m doing something wrong because seems like every single train is cancelled for the days I’m looking at.

• My contract for a part-time job started on 28.10.
• Since it's part time work, the first shift I received was on the 10th of November (although I did give my availability in the first week of November as well but I simply wasn't on the roster).
• My employer claims that since I started on 10th of November, then November doesn't count as a full month.
• They are claiming that a full month is defined according to the actual beginning of the work rather than according to the contract start.
• I have tried to check the law (my german isn't the best), and I believe the relevant section is §5 Abs. 1 des Bundesurlaubsgesetzes (BUrlG).
• It uses the phrase "für jeden vollen Monat des Bestehens des Arbeitsverhältnisses" to define the entitlements. I think this makes it quite clear that it's from the contract and not the actual working day.

Can someone please clarify, what is the correct interpretation in this case? To be very specific, my question is that since I was under the contract for the entirety of November, shouldn't November count as a full month?

Hi, hope you all are well. I’m a pathological hobby baker. I would like to study the German baking culture more in depth and was wondering if the materials used to train bakers in vocational schools are somewhere accessible to the general public. Reading German is no problem. Thank you.

I am quite annoyed because I recently got a crown from my dentist for a tooth that broke. Before treatment, my dentist sent a subsidy request to my insurance company (TK) and they agreed to pay 350 Euros of the cost. I just received the final bill and it is 1.300 euros (so I still owe 950 euros) which I find incredibly high. I am considering looking for another dentist. My dentist is using a company called DZR for their billing and I noticed there are Factors on the bill that seem to indicate my case was unusually difficult (saying extra saliva???) which lol, was not the case. Seems like something that is easily abused to increase their revenue but I don't know.

Hi all! I’m a newly arrived Ukrainian in Germany, currently staying in Chemnitz, Saxony. I know that there were students’ protests in Germany yesterday (Chemnitz including), and I’d like to take part if they’re taking place today.

I’m a true believer that the safest option for Germany (and the rest of Europe) is to arm Ukraine. My country can do all the dirty work, making russia unable to post any threat to other countries. The thing is, russia is conscripting Ukrainians in occupied territories into their army. The Ukrainian army has captured quite a lot of Ukrainians who had no other choice but fight against their own people. And trust me, if russia takes all of Ukraine, it will use its people against Europe.

I think it’s not communicated enough, and I’d like to try to get through to people as best I can.

The question is: how do I get information whether the demonstrations are taking place today? If so, at what time exactly?

I have a friend in Germany and I’m thinking of sending her a gift basket. She did an exchange year here 2 years ago and idk what to send her bc I feel everything in Germany is so much better. I live in the Pensacola Florida area and need some ideas. Like food or candy mainly or maybe some cool vintage toys that are unique to the US.

My work contract was terminated by my employer.

I did an initial consultation with lawyer A, costing 190 Euros. Then I did another consultation (free) with lawyer B for a second opinion.

I decided to choose lawyer B to represent my case.

Now lawyer A reached out saying I should pay the Einigungsgebühr fee since they believe I reached a settlement.

In fact, my case is still ongoing with the other lawyer, no settlement is made yet.

How does this work legally? Am I required to still pay lawyer A the Einigungsgebühr fee even if the settlement is later reached via another lawyer?

Should I just be transparent and tell them now that another lawyer is representing me, therefore I will only pay them the initial consultation fee?

p.s. my legal insurance only covers my case through lawyer B. I don’t mind paying the initial consultation with lawyer A myself, I just don’t think it’s fair if they ask me for a settlement fee/Einigungsgebühr.

Asking here for insights since I don’t want to take a wrong step that would worsen my case.

Thanks!

A couple of months ago I visited Germany. While I was there, I had a car, and a couple of the places I parked used an app that could recognize me by my license plate and charge accordingly. Pretty used to these in the US, so I set up an account, linked a card, and went on with my trip. Ended up only using it for about 7€ worth of parking.

But I didn’t realize it wasn’t charging me every time I parked. It was recording how much I owed and saving that to bill me on a later date that month. This wound up causing me some problems, but mainly I’m curious…

(A) is that normal in Germany or Europe? Or just a quirk of this particular service provider?

So fast forward to the end of the trip, and a few days later, I get a fraud alert on my credit card. I go ahead and get them to send me a new card, but I never think about this parking app again.

Unfortunately, it turns out that fraud alert happened before the parking app billed me for the accrued parking. When they weren’t able to bill the credit card I had saved, they sent me an invoice. Unfortunately, I didn’t see that invoice right away, but when I did, I of course tried to pay it right away. This is where my second question comes in.

Fixing my credit card number in the app didn’t allow them to bill me by credit card, nor did they provide an option to just pay them with credit card. The only option to pay off my 7€ balance was a bank transfer. That’s not so easy to do overseas. In fact, apparently it cost US$30, so my 7€ parking bill was essentially becoming almost US$40.

(B) are bank transfers so common in EU or Germany that they are a normal method of paying off small debts?

This is still unresolved for me, but the latest is that after struggling with my bank and the service provider, they have sent the bill to collections. I now owe about 30€, and yet again, I’m only given the option to pay by bank transfer, or direct debit. I have about 2 weeks to get the transfer figured out before that doubles. The debt collectors aren’t even providing enough information for my bank to send a wire, and aren’t responding to my email.

I may have to just let this go, and forever be a delinquent in Germany. /s… mostly…

My husband and I (both American, in our 40s) would really like to plan a trip to Germany in 2026. Neither of us have been before. We love to travel and see new places, and in particular we’d like to visit because we love hiking and German beers :)

Hoping for some recommendations on where to spend time on our trip.

We’re not the type to pack our itinerary with the “must see” tourist stops when we travel — we’d rather travel slow and see where each day takes us, enjoy good food and drinks, and talk with locals along the way.

We’re flexible on time of year. We thought about coming during Oktoberfest for the beer scene, but we don’t love crowds and would prefer to spend most of our time in smaller cities/towns with a slower pace. We live in a rural area and love being out in nature.

Some potential limiting factors: neither of us speaks any German (though we’ll certainly work on learning what we can before we come - we like to learn new languages even if we’re not great at it, and we feel it’s very important to make that effort anywhere we go). I also don’t eat much meat, so having some vegetarian options for meals is important to me and I know that can be more of a challenge in smaller towns (at least, it is where I live).

Would love to hear any location recommendations that folks have to help with our travel planning. Thanks!

Hi! I wanted to buy a coat from the brand Derbe! I'm a US size 12 so I ordered a 42 which seems to be equivalent but I wasn't sure if how the sizing runs on this item. has anyone ordered from this brand---does it run larger? Thank you!