'ello, 'ello, you're English aren't you?
We are accustomed to hearing an increase in the merry cackle of English at Christmas, when the tourists from the UK pour in to do their shopping at the traditional markets. But these days, be it in Cologne, Düsseldorf or Bonn, in the cafes, restaurants and bars, on public transport or in the shops, you increasingly are hearing more English accents, which presumably means that there are increasingly more Brits in the country.
The latest available figures of Brits in Germany, according to David Rowe, Press Officer at the British embassy in Berlin are revealing. At the end of 2006, there were 96,507 British nationals living in Germany of which, in 2008, there were 27,024 of these nationals living in North Rhine Westphalia (NRW).
What is this fascination we Brits have for Germany? Has it something to do with King George III or Queen Victoria who we embraced as our rulers? Could it be the two wars we fought against them or even the ones we fought alongside them against the French? Is it Felix Mendelssohn or George Fredrick Handel, the German musicians we sometimes appear to have adopted as our own? Maybe it is because we gave Karl Marx a home and a grave in England? Whatever the reason and despite the weakening Pound, more and more Brits are crossing the channel to work, to settle, to have their hips replaced, or just to enjoy a holiday in Germany.
I am not sure - these days - if I would agree with Matthew Arnold (English poet and critic 1822-1888) who thought we Brits, “are so shy, so self conscious, so embarrassed, because our two natures (the Celtic and Germanic inheritance) are mixed in us and are natures which pull us in such different ways.” But it could be another explanation for our increasing attraction to Germany and the Germans.
We tend to bang on about the Germans not having the quality of life which their French neighbours are rumoured to enjoy. But they are certainly more hospitable and will always be ready to help us with our attempts to speak German; if they do not already speak English better than some of my compatriots. Compare this with the ridicule you will be subjected to in France when endeavouring to speak their language.
“It’s a sort of love hate relationship I have with Germany” replied Londoner Dave Atherton, an IT specialist working in Cologne, in answer to my question why he stayed. “At times I love Germany, at times I hate it, but on the whole I love it and I am certainly not planning on leaving.”
But just what do they think about us? In general, apart from our football hooligans and over boisterous stag weekends we appear to be accepted. We blend in well, was one German’s candid opinion. “Too flippant in the work place.” Commented Axel Wendel, a Frankfurter trader. “We Germans treat our work more seriously and are not used to casual attitude of our English colleagues.” Petra Henkel, a secretary from Mulheim, thought otherwise. “I work with British colleagues and find that they are very conscientious but, unlike us Germans, they like to party a lot. After work, the pub is their home”
The majority of Brits I talk to are still patriots at heart; especially when it comes to football. But although clubs like Manchester United or Chelsea can still count on ex-pat support, there are many who are now shouting for their adopted German teams such as Bayern München, Schalke or Mönchengladbach.
I would go as far as to say that most of us are happy with our lot in Germany. But not to worry, if you ever do feel a spate of homesickness or nostalgia coming on, pop into one of the many good Irish Pubs - sadly, good English ones are in short supply in NRW - and you will immediately feel that you are back in the UK.
Text: Bryan R. Thomas
