Those Germans

Those Germans and their lesser known customs

Street bowling and the Cabbage Walk

During the spring, curly leafed kale, a type of cabbage, is often eaten in northern Germany. The locals there organize a Cabbage Walk, allowing them to enjoy nature and stop at an inn at the end of the trek. During the Cabbage Walk, there is drinking and also "Bosseln," a kind of street bowling. Here the challenge is to keep the ball on a specified route with as few throws as possible.

Those Germans and their lesser known customs

Surfing in the city

It is hard to imagine Munich without the city surfers under the Eisbach Bridge in the English Garden park. Everyday the wave riders meet here to perform their spectacular tricks. Today the Eisbach is even listed in surfers' travel guides because the waves here are rimmed with concrete, but nearly as good as the ocean.

Those Germans and their lesser known customs

Beach bars

Admittedly Paris first came up with the idea for a city beach bar, when a busy highway on the Seine was closed. But Germany didn't hesitate and jumped on the idea as well. The location of the beach clubs right next to rivers or lakes helps create the illusion of being at a real beach. The concept has been successful even if the summers in Germany tend to be short and moderate.

Those Germans and their lesser known customs

Dancing in the park

Munich's annual ball - the Kocherlball - dates back to the 19th century. Back then, some 5,000 members of Munich's domestic staff would meet in good weather on a Sunday morning to dance under the Chinese Tower in the English Garden. This custom was rediscovered in 1989 when the first modern day Kocherlball was held. Since then the event takes place annually on the third Sunday in July.

Those Germans and their lesser known customs

Rock festivals

When summer comes along, most German music fans head to a series of events like Rock am Ring or the Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival. Up to 90,000 visitors gather and camp for several days at the festival locations to celebrate and enjoy the music. It only turns nasty if the weather is bad, then some campers find themselves sleeping in the mud if the tents are flooded.

Those Germans and their lesser known customs

Sweeping the cathedral stairs

According to local tradition in Bremen, those who don't get married by their 30th birthday have to sweep the cathedral stairs. What's more, the act is to be announced in the newspaper and watched by friends and passers-by. He has to keep sweeping until he is released by the kiss of an unmarried maiden.

Those Germans and their lesser known customs

Bachelor party

Before the wedding, brides and grooms are expected to spend with friends celebrating their bachelor send-off - separately, of course. The groups usually dress up and roam the clubs and nightlife of the next big city. During the evening, the bride or groom is often given tasks, tests and challenges by their friends.

Those Germans and their lesser known customs

A pre-wedding custom

Shards bring luck, they say in Germany. So many soon-to-be-wed couples invite friends to the bride's parents house to break porcelain and generally make a racket. After that, the couple has to clean up the pile of shards, which gives them practice working as a team. Many couples use the event as a way of including people whom they are not able to invite to the wedding itself.

Those Germans and their lesser known customs

Halloween import

On Halloween, the night of the October 31, ghosts and ghouls roam the streets of Germany. This custom is relatively new here: In 1991, Carnival was cancelled because of the Gulf War, so costume rental businesses and pubs looked for an alternative. It was opportune then that the custom of celebrating Halloween in this manner was already migrating from the US to Europe.

Author: Arne Lichtenberg / sbc | Editor : Kate Müser

Those German Traditions

Christmas markets

Four weeks before Christmas, the Christmas markets open across Germany. The best known one is in Nuremberg. Apart from mulled wine called 'Glühwein,' visitors can enjoy many culinary delights, such as 'Stollen,' a Yule time fruit loaf or gingerbread treats of all varieties.

Those German Traditions

Lead casting

The start of a new year is the perfect time for thinking back and looking ahead. Some like to start the year by reading horoscopes - but Germans have a different New Year's tradition. It involves melting lead over a candle and then pouring it into cold water. The lead's resulting shape is then interpreted as a sign of things to come.

Those German Traditions

Valentine's Day

Roses, balloons, perfume, chocolates: Valentine's Day these days has become a celebration of consumerism. But the tradition dates back to St. Valentine, a bishop in Roman times. The marriage ceremonies he conducted were thought to have been blessed.

Those German Traditions

Derblecken - Bavarian political ridicule

When the first keg of stout in Munich's Nockherberg is opened each March, people traditionally use the occasion to poke fun at the political elite. These days the "Derblecken," a local term for poking fun at, is performed by cabaret artist Luise Kinseher in the role of "Bavaria." In years past, her male predecessors used to dress up as a monk named Brother Barnabas to perform the Derblecken.

Those German Traditions

Carnival

With cheers of "Alaaf" and "Helau," carnival is celebrated in the Rhineland. In southern Germany, the revelry goes by the name of "Fasching." People in costumes wander the streets ahead of Lent, and sweets are thrown to visitors from festively decorated floats. What is this organized silliness all about? Originally it was a tradition intended to drive out the winter.

Those German Traditions

Easter

Colorfully decorated eggs, sweet cake in the shape of lambs or Easter bunnies - all these are part of traditional Easter celebrations in Germany. The religious celebration marking the resurrection of Christ is accompanied by pagan symbols - chicks, small bunny rabbits and lambs all symbolize fertility.

Those German Traditions

Mother's Day

Mother's Day, which is celebrated in Germany on the second Sunday in May, was initiated by American women's rights campaigner Anna Jarvis. To honor her mother, who died in 1905, she called for a day of celebration for all mothers. In Germany, this tradition dates back to 1923.

Those German Traditions

Maibaum, the German Maypole

In the South, blue and white decorated Maypoles are stolen overnight from nearby villages in order to play tricks on rival communities. In central Germany, the "May tree" is seen as a love declaration: Silver birches decorated with colorful ribbons are placed outside girls' windows - or boys' windows in leap years. And to ensure credit goes where credit is due, a name tag is attached to the tree.

Those German Traditions

Oktoberfest

The "Wiesn" in Munich are home to the world's largest beer festival. The Oktoberfest attracts some seven million visitors to Bavaria, and nearly eight million liters of beer are served during the sixteen days. Cheers!

Author: Johanna Schmeller / sc | Editor : Greg Wiser