Week 7 Verbal/Nonverbal differences

   Being in Germany for 6 weeks now I have noticed some verbal and nonverbal differences in communication. first the verbal differences, I have noticed that patience is not really a thing here for example when I try to just buy something at a there is not much communication between myself and the clerk other then a hello, it seems like everyone is in their own world and don't enjoy much interaction unless its absolutely necessary .once my transaction is completed they move right onto the next person and if I am gathering my goods they don't seem to wait on me to leave. Its also a low context culture meaning they depend on the speaker, conversations are short and to the point. 
    I believe i have noticed more nonverbal cultural differences. The main one that I have stated in previous blogs is the fact that when two people lock eyes make awkward eye contact there is no interaction, in the U.S we would grin and say hello. so this vibe gets given off that the germans are rude and that plays into the stereotype that Germans are mean. However I know this is not the case its just the way they are and its how they decide to interact as a culture. Even eye contact is noticeable for me, there has been countless times where I will be interacting with either a store clerk, waiter , or student and while having a conversation they seem to have trouble keeping eye contact with me. at first I thought it might have been me doing something wrong but I noticed them doing the same thing and having trouble keeping eye contact which in results makes me feel that they are less engaged in the conversation, again after now becoming friends with the students who I've had these interactions with i understand its just they way they are and what they are used to they do it to everyone subconsciously. 
   When reflecting on my time so far in Erfurt i feel as if that these interactions I have noticed seem to be a bit repetitive when I blog week to week but it shows how minuscule these problems are because when I look at the big picture of living my daily life its quite easy and have enjoyed every minute. 

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