Week 3

  There are many cultural conflicts that I have encountered while I have been in Germany for the past three weeks.  However, the one that I am concerned with the most is that people never smile and I feel like they do not like that I am always happy and smiling.  I am astounded by the way people do not smile while just walking in the streets or on a train or anywhere that doesn't involve directly talking with family and friends.  In America (note that it's everywhere in the US I've been, not just where I'm from or the local nearby areas I am fully familiar with.  I will, now and then, bump into someone and smile and say warmly "etschuldigung!" while they just glare at me and say nothing back.  There are times in the grocery stores or shops where there are smiling, friendly faces that like my attempt to converse with them and we exchange laughs, but I do not see it on the sidewalks or on trains.

  To be honest, I am not sure why this example in particular bothers me the most, but I have not accepted this cultural norm yet and it only seems like this is one that I cannot do so like just not talking on the train, or being quieter at dinner, etc..  This, however, just does not seem like a part of any culture that I would enjoy or even start doing. I will, though, admit to being stubborn in my actions because of the freedom I am used to in the United States.  By that, I really mean that although I realize we are in a foreign country and this is how things are for them, I do not think I should be required to do as they deem socially acceptable.  I am the type of person that likes to respect cultures, and I may even take part in them out of that exact respect, but I hate being treated like I owe it to them or am required to do it because I am always going to be myself and enjoy my original cultural identity (Remland, 2015).

I would like to point out that I do like new cultures and getting the chance to experience them first-handed.  I would love to see even more differences in European culture and the United States' culture.  I am excited to travel to more countries and get the chance to try and adapt to them as well. 

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