Culture Shock?

The new teachers at school had a meeting yesterday to discuss how we felt in our new surroundings, and how we were coping with "culture shock".  According to the W-curve of cultural adaptation, when you move to a another country, you go through certain phases:

1. Honeymoon. Everything is new and exciting!

2. Crisis/Cultural Shock. The novelty wears off, and anxiety sets in, as you start to notice real differences in lifestyles, social customs, communication, etc.; you find yourself asking things like, "Why can't they just do it this way???" [or maybe, "In this town there is a Korean market and a Turkish market--why isn't there an American one, too?!" :) ]

3. Recovery and Adjustment. You begin to feel more comfortable in your new environment, and more accepting of the culture and the differences.
 

I've been working in Germany in three months now, and I'd like to think that I am already at the recovery phase (even though I think I see a few symptoms of "culture shock", like sleeping more now than I probably did as a child).  There are many things I like about Germany, including some that surprised me. For example, I thought it would drive me crazy that nearly everything is closed on Sundays. I am actually starting to like this; it kind-of forces you to chill out...of course, going out-of-town on the weekends helps, too.  :)  Here are a few other random things I like:

1.  I don't feel like people are always trying to sell me stuff I don't need.  So many examples...Here are two: 

• The salesman who sold me my cell phone plan told me that his store didn't have the best price on a cell phone (in Germany you can buy a cell phone without a contract), and suggested I go somewhere else to buy the phone. 
• I stopped in an electronic store to buy an antenna for my TV.  The guy told me that all I needed was the little antenna that cost 10 Euro. When I took it back the next day (because I could only see 3 channels), he GAVE me a cable so that I could put the antenna closer to the window.  Seriously?  Don't you want to sell me the biggest, most expensive antenna you have?!?    He was right, of course; I now get about 20 channels.   

2.  The price you see is the price you pay. Taxes are already figured in, so you know what you are paying. This is not just at the supermarket.  No extra "taxes and fees" on your cable or phone bill--that 40 Euro plan actually costs 40 Euro.

3.  I'm learning what produce is actually in season.  Before coming to Germany, I couldn't tell you when many fruits and vegetables were available locally.  Believe me, if you're here when asparagus is in season, you'll know. 

4. Cars actually stop for pedestrians in crossings. The first few times I saw someone walk into a crosswalk without even looking, I thought, "Wow, she's brave."  (I'm not completely acclimated--I still look.)

5. Rote Grütze. It's made from fruit (cherries, raspberries, Johannisbeeren) and SUGAR, and it's sweet enough for the American palate. I have only had it with a kind of vanilla yogurt, but I can imagine it on ice cream, with cream cheese...so many possibilities!

Yum!

6.  Taking the train. I've always liked taking road trips, but I like driving, too.  I LOVE the train.  Mostly I think I like it because I can just sit and stare out the window; there's usually something nice to look at.  Plus, if you somehow got tired of Germany, in just a few hours you could be in another country!