Hamburg

1. Greetings and Key phrases

What are the most common greetings in your culture?

Greeting: Hallo
Meaning: Hi/Hello
Pronunciation: Hallo

Greeting: Moin
Meaning: Hi/Hello/Good morning, afternoon, evening
Pronunciation: Moh-een

Greeting: Tschüss
Meaning: Goodbye
Pronunciation: Chu-ss

What is a typical local phrase?

Phrase: Na? (Northern Germany)
Meaning: How is it going? How are you?
Pronunciation: Nah?

Phrase: Servus (Southern Germany)
Meaning: Hello / Feel greeted / Goodbye
Pronunciation: sur-vus

Phrase: Alles gut (?)
Meaning: Everything ok? All good?
Pronunciation: ah-les goot

2. A day in your city

What are the most famous landmarks?

Elbphilharmonie: opera house
Hamburg harbor
Speicherstadt: UNESCO world culture heritage
St. Michaelis (“Michel”): Church

Which are your personal favourite places in the city (insider tip)?

Elbstrand Wittenbergen: beach
Landungsbrücken: ferry terminal (you can take a ferry to Elbstrand ;))
Isemarkt: farmers market every Tuesday and Friday morning

Is there any interesting way to get around in your city/country?

  • Cycling
  • By taking a ferry
  • Tour bus for road and water

What items should I not forget to bring when traveling to your country?

  • Umbrella/Rain jacket
  • Windproof clothing (scarf)
  • Cash
  • Sunglasses (in case the sun comes out)

What should I avoid when travelling to your country?

  • Don’t expect stable weather (onion layers for clothing)
  • Don’t rely only on credit cards for payment
  • Better check the opening hours of some places (e.g. most restaurants are closed on Mondays)

3. Culture

What is the traditional and the modern costume/dress in your country?

Traditonal: nonspecific, except from regional events (e.g. Oktoberfest)
Oktoberfest/Wasen: “Dirndl” (dress) or “Lederhosen” (leather pants)

Do schools require uniforms in your country? If yes, what do they look like?

No.

What music (and dances) represent your local culture?

  • Schlager (traditional German folk/pop music)
  • Helene Fischer
  • Carnival music

One fun fact about your country

There are many islands in the North Sea which can only be reached by ferry.

What famous invention or something interesting is originally from your country?

  • Light bulb (Heinrich Göbel, 1854)
  • Telephone (Johann Philipp Reis, 1859)
  • First car (Gottlieb Daimler & Carl Benz, 1885)

What are the special colours in your country/culture?

Not many specific ones.

  • Black: for funerals
  • White: pureness
  • Green: hope
  • Red: Love
  • Yellow: Envy

What are the lucky and unlucky numbers in your culture?

In general, 13 is an unlucky number according to international understanding.

4. Food and key dishes

What are your favourite local dishes that I should try in your country?

North Germany: Grünkohl (cooked Kale) with sausages
South Germany: Käsespätzle (cheese noodles)
South Germany: Knödel (bread dumpling)

Where do local people usually buy food ingredients?

Supermarkets, farmers markets

5. Souvenirs

What gift should I bring back to friends and family?

  • Beer
  • Chocolate & other sweets (especially during the Christmas season)
  • Bread (if possible)
  • For football fans: merchandise

6. Contributors

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