My German Habits as an American
A quick list of 10 things I do
I was thinking that I seem to have permanently adopted some of the German habits I developed while living in Germany:
1. I open the window for 5–10 minutes during the winter to let fresh air in.
2. I wear slippers when I walk around the house, not just socks or bare feet.
3. I use tissues if I have the sniffles, not just my shirtsleeve.
4. I eat cucumber salad when my wife makes it.
5. I shut doors in rooms that nobody is in.
6. I pee sitting down on the toilet — okay, I don’t do this, but sadly, my wife urges my sons to do this, much against my wishes.
7. I say please after every request.
8. I eat open-faced sandwiches — sometimes.
9. I have my hands showing on the table when eating a meal, not under the table playing with my junk like many Americans do.
10. I’m more direct now — I’d call it borderline rude — and have no qualms about telling a stranger they have broccoli stuck in their teeth.
