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LIVING IN GERMANY

Living in Germany: Cold and flu wave and the legend of Christmas tree pickles

From an unusually high number of people on sick leave to the myth behind 'German' Christmas tree pickles, we look at some of the highlights of life in Germany.

Published: 19 December 2022 10:11 CET
Living in Germany: Cold and flu wave and the legend of Christmas tree pickles
Is the 'German Christmas pickle' more fiction than fact? picture alliance/dpa | Johannes Schmitt-Tegge

Cold and flu virus wave strikes before Christmas

With just a week to go before Christmas Eve, most people are winding down their work schedules and mentally preparing themselves for the start of the new year. But right on cue, it seems like just about everyone in the country has been struck down by the lurgy. According to the latest report from the Robert Koch Institute, an estimated 9.5 million people contracted some kind of flu or respiratory virus in the first week of December – representing more than 10 percent of the entire population.

Somewhat surprisingly, Covid-19 doesn’t account for the majority of respiratory infections anymore: in fact, some experts believe we’re only now catching up on all the ordinary bugs we missed out on during the pandemic years. 

Whatever the cause is, the impact of this latest wave of illness has been tangible. We’ve seen train services cancelled as drivers are off sick and Kitas closing their doors as they simply don’t have enough staff. Children have also been badly affected as understaffed wards struggle to cope with all the sicky youngsters. If you’re one of the unlucky ones feeling poorly this week, these tips for what to do and say might come in handy. And gute Besserung (Get well soon!) from all of us at The Local. 

Tweet of the week

Need a few warm clothes to help you get through the endless sleet and drizzle of the German winter? It looks like this shop could have just the thing… 

Where is this?

Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jan Woitas

This charming snow-capped scene was captured this week in Oberwiesenthal, Saxony.  Nestled near the Czech border, the picturesque town is home to one of the state’s largest and most popular ski resorts, which finally opened its doors for the winter season on Friday. 

Did you know?

Christmas pickle ornaments for the Tannenbaum may sound like an old German tradition connected to the very real German love of pickles. But in fact the reality is that these decorations are more of an American thing. Legend has it that the Weihnachtsgurke or Christmas Pickle – a glass ornament shaped like a pickle – is the very last decoration that Germans hang on their Christmas tree.

And on Christmas Eve, the first child to find the pickle hidden amongst the branches on the tree is said to get good luck for the year to come, as well as an extra present. If you ask someone from some parts of the USA – such as the Midwest – they are likely to be familiar with this German festive custom. Germans, on the other hand, will probably have no idea what you’re talking about. No one knows quite where this tradition got lost in translation. But it could simply be down to a marketing ploy by US companies to shift leftover pickle decorations.

On the packaging of a lot of pickle ornaments, there’s an explanation of how to carry out the ‘time-honoured German tradition’, emphasising how it’s an ‘Old World custom’. Nevertheless, this misunderstanding has led to a bit of resurgence of Christmas pickles becoming kitsch and vaguely popular decorations – even in Germany.

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LIVING IN GERMANY

Inside Germany: Boozy public holidays, bilingual kids and the countdown to Euro 2024

From public holidays to getting ready for Euro 2024 and how to help children grow up in a bilingual household, here's what we're talking about in Germany this week.

Published: 4 May 2024 08:19 CEST
Inside Germany: Boozy public holidays, bilingual kids and the countdown to Euro 2024

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

A good year for public holidays (especially May) 

After the long and dark winter in Germany, it’s a relief to see more daylight and even some sun. And when spring rolls around, there’s another nice perk of living in Germany – public holidays. This season is when you get to relax, not work as much and enjoy being outside. At the end of March, we had a couple of days off for Easter and in May there are several Feiertage. 

We kicked off the month with International Workers’ Day or Labour Day, known as Tag der Arbeit in Germany. Luckily, the weather was pleasant and warm across the country as people attended demonstrations, May Day parades or relaxed in the sun. I took a turn to see the festivities in Berlin’s Kreuzberg area – a traditional spot for Tag der Arbeit gatherings – in the afternoon but was quickly stressed out by the crowds. I don’t know if the sun had gone to everyone’s head but it did seem like people were drinking more this year than usual. 

Next Thursday, May 9th, is Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) which is also a public holiday. Of course this is also Fathers’ Day or Vatertag in Germany. It’s another one where you are likely to run into a lot of drunk people. It has always amused me that it’s a tradition for men to fill a cart with booze and go hiking with their drinks in the afternoon. Next up on Monday May 20th is Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag) which is another Feiertag – but maybe will be less boozy than the others. Lastly, there’s a regional holiday on Thursday May 30th for Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) – but it’s not nationwide. 

It’s safe to say that it’s a pretty good year for public holidays in Germany since most don’t fall on the weekend. As long-time readers of The Local will know, one of my biggest bugbears about living in Germany is that we lose a holiday if the event does not fall on a week day. But never mind the holidays, who has channelled their inner German and already booked their ‘bridge days’ off?

READ ALSO: Bridge days – how to maximise your public holiday like a German 

Countdown on for the Euros in Germany

June is a busy month in Germany. Not only is the new citizenship law coming into force (on June 26th!), but the UEFA European Football Championship or Euro 2024 kicks off. A total of 24 teams are gearing up to compete in the tournament, which takes place from June 14th to July 14th. Over 22 match days, a total of 51 games will be played.

It’s quite a special occasion for me because Germany’s national team is taking on Scotland in the very first game in Munich – and I am Scottish! I’m excited for my fellow country men and women to pop over from the island (although I do hope everyone is on their best behaviour). 

A view of Group A for Euro 2024.

A view of Group A in the Euro 2024 tournament. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christian Charisius

Although I’m not a huge football fan, I do enjoy these big tournaments and the atmosphere in Germany is always fantastic. It’s usually very inclusive with screenings set up in beer gardens and even outside off-licences or Spätis as they are called in Berlin. People tend to let their guards down, mingle with strangers and enjoy the beautiful game. Of course I will be hoping that Scotland win. Who are you rooting for in the tournament?

READ ALSO: Euro 2024 – What can you expect in Germany during Europe’s biggest football frenzy?

Tips on bringing up bilingual children 

I was delighted to hear from readers about their experiences of helping raise their children in a bilingual or even multilingual environment. 

Many of the respondents to our recent survey said that parents should have trust in the German education system – and stick to their native tongue at home. 

Siniša, 44, from Hesse, who speaks Croatian and English at home, said: “Speak your native language at home. The school will ‘cover’ German and other languages.”

Steve, 55, who lives in Munich and speaks English and Spanish with his daughter, added: “Be consistent and raise your child in your native tongue. At a local school, they will learn German quickly.”

“For international parents, I think it’s very important that their children do not lose touch with their mother tongue, as it is a very special part of their identity,” said Prashanth, 42, who lives in Munich.

Read our full story for more, and don’t forget to listen to our Germany in Focus podcast where we hear from The Local Germany’s former editor Rachel Stern talk about her experience of raising her daughter Amelie, who is almost three-years-old, in a bilingual home. 

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