The German culture is cooler than people give credit.

One question I get asked a lot is why I chose to learn German above other languages. It’s kind of hard to explain. None of my family or friends speak German, and I don’t live in an area that is frequently visited by Germans. (But honestly, why would anyone want to visit Lubbock?)

1. The music.

Germans listen to some weird stuff. My current favorite German band, Feuerschwanz is a medieval comedy metal group. That alone is hysterically hilarious to me. There’s a song, when translated to English is “Do You Want a Pizza,” and another about a sloth, or in German, Faultier. I even found a German version of the theme song to Spongebob Squarepants, and a German version of Cotton Eye Joe. It’s hilarious taste in music, and all my friends laugh at me for it, but I laugh at it, and takes my mind off of everything.

2. The rules.

With my life so hectic, it’s nice to have a set of rules, and Germans are all about rules. During my study abroad in Munich, I once accidentally walked on the bike path for a few feet because the ground was muddy and it was raining, and a couple of Germans told me to stay off the bike path. They weren’t trying to be rude, or at least I don’t think, but in their culture, they place a high value on rules, and if you break one, like walking on a bike path, then they just assume that you don’t know, so they tell you. I love that.

3. Sounding Angry.

One of my favorite things to do randomly is to speak German in an angry tone. I’m usually not even angry, but sometimes, I’ll just yell some random words like “Etwas. Scheiss. Egal,” and watch people’s faces. It’s hilarious. For those of you who don’t speak German, those words translated mean: something, sh*t, and exactly. I told you, random words. No meaning together.

4. Germans are straightforward.

I know some people hate being frank or saying what they’re feeling, but Germans tend not to be that way. Instead of protecting others’ feelings, they, as Damon Salvatore put it, “Rip off the proverbial Band-Aid." I’m the same way. I mean sure, sometimes I don’t want to hear the truth, but usually, after I hear the truth, it speeds the process of healing.

5. Germany is beautiful.

I know, everywhere has some sort of beauty to it, except perhaps Lubbock, but I’m sure someone will find something good to say about Lubbock. Anyways, Germany has the Alps, part of a beach, and other stuff. Many of the buildings are old and beautiful. There’s also a ton of churches and cathedrals.