Monday, August 15, 2011

You know you are in a whole other world when...

It's a tradition in Germany to give first grade students a Schultüte on the first day of school. They are usually filled with candy, and maybe some pencils or other small school supplies.  The administration at my new school decided to keep up this tradition and give us newbies a Schultüte, too.



My Schultüte, about 2 feet long

However, in contrast to what you would find in a first grader's bag, the contents of mine were:




So, to finish the sentence I started...You know you are in a whole other world when the school administration welcomes you by giving you a bottle of local liquor and follows it up with a short back-to-school party with beer, wine, and cakes in the faculty lounge.
Posted by Jan at 6:04 PM
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14 comments:

  1. Alex, Speaking DenglishAugust 15, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    hahaha this is hysterical! i LOVE it! I see those things at stores everywhere and had no idea what they were, so also super glad you filled me in on that.

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  2. imacAugust 16, 2011 at 2:05 AM

    Hey Jan,
    Today we were welcomed back with our PTO breakfast but no beer or wine. Maybe the Germans are on to something. LOL!

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  3. fionaAugust 16, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    I'm sorting out Orla's Schultute this week for her starting school in a couple of weeks. Yours has given me a few ideas, but I might hold back on the Jagermeister!

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  4. Jennifer MooreAugust 16, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    How awesome! My German grandmother always had the Ritter chocolates to give us kids.

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  5. Kelli NørgaardAugust 17, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    It is too funny that you posted this because one of my German friends just told me about this tradition yesterday! VERY cool!

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  6. Becky MoralesAugust 17, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    I so gotta move there! Perhaps they will do something similar for social workers :)

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  7. JanAugust 17, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    @Alex--that would NEVER happen in Texas!
    @imac--they are definitely on to something! you know the way to keep teachers happy...food and drinks!
    @Jennifer--I love those! They were good (notice I said "were")!
    @Fiona--the candies are for Orla, the Jäger is for you ;)
    @Kelli--Thanks! It's a pretty cool (and pretty old) tradition.
    @Becky--come on down! :-)

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  8. RBalusek2August 18, 2011 at 3:29 AM

    I'm guessing teachers in Germany are very happy people during the school day with adult beverages in the teacher's lounge!

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  9. JanAugust 18, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    @RB--I am sure they would be, but I have only seen alcohol in there AFTER school hours! :-)

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  10. FionaAugust 21, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    I LOVE it!
    After making tutes for my kids I said just last week they need a 'Mummy schuletute' and that pretty much covers all the the bases...

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  11. UnknownAugust 24, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    I love this tradition & the grown-up version sounds divine! Enjoy

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  12. Frau DietzAugust 24, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    This is absolutely brilliant. Love it!

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  13. SabrinaAugust 26, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    Very cool! I loved my Schultuete as a kid :) Hope you enjoyed yours!

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  14. JanAugust 27, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    @Fiona, I think I am going to make my own next year! :-)
    @ebe, they apparently do this every year for the "newbies", and I think it is a great tradition for adults, too!
    @Frau, me too! They know how to keep their people happy!
    @Sabrina, thanks! I did! 'Hope you are keeping cool over there!

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