When in Germany, Do as the Germans Do: The Clued-In Guide to German Life, Language, and Culture

Paperback - 28 June, 2002 - McGraw-Hill
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By: Hyde Flippo
ISBN: 0844225533

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Reviews by readers

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This book is a good reference for anyone planning on spending any time in German Europe. At the very beginning of the book there is quiz to test your knowledge, of which the answers are provides at the back of the book. Flippo uses culture and history to explain the German way of life. He covers all the main travel subjects such as entertainment, food and drink, language, and transportation. He also talks about other topics not often found in the common travel book; such as business and economy, health and fitness, and education.

Flippo makes it very easy to read. I would suggest reading the whole book because although some areas may not interest you, the articles are brief and provide a good cultural understanding of the German way of life. Due to the variety of topics discussed in this book, I would recommend it to anyone who plans on spending a little extra time submersed in the German culture. While the book is very enlightening and should be read by everyone traveling to Germany, it covers more than just the basic travel information.

Nice stories but it reinforces stereotypes and urban legends

I have lived in Germany for more than 20 years and am currently residing in the United States.

I bought this book as a gift for a friend. Browsing through it myself I found that some things pointed out in the book are on-spot (for example the "Sie und Du" section on how to address people, or insights on dining out).

However, some things covered in the book describe a Germany of 100 years ago (the "Hauptmann von Koepenick" episode, while factually correct, fails to point out that today's Germany fortunately has little resemblance to the Prussian-style military culture of yore described here).

And the chapter on "Kehrwoche" - purportedly an institution of cleaning the hallway in front of one's apartment - is an urban legend to me. Visitors to the town of Stuttgart have told me that they heard of people subjected to such neighborhood rituals. But in all my years in Germany I have never had anybody confirm such facts to me so it is a regional oddity at best. And again the author fails to put this into proper context, thus making today's Germans seem like some cleanliness-and-orderliness-obsessed oddballs to a much greater degree than they deserve.

So while there is some truth in all hyperbole I encourage you to buy a book written by somebody who has seen more than one or two cities and who has been to Germany recently.

60% of contents are useless facts.

just on principle, i have returned the book even though it was only $9. it's definitely not for someone looking for a guide to german ways; the book should have been updated since 2002.

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