Cultural Diversity in German speaking countries: German Beliefs, View, and Norms

Stefanie Mitchell

German Wedding During the engagement period both the bride and groom

wear a ring on their left hand.

After the wedding they wear the wedding ring on their right hand.

Usually the rings are gold with no diamonds.

Brides often carry salt and bread as an omen for good harvests and the groom carries grain for wealth and good fortune.

The Bride wears a white wedding dress. Accessories included may be a Diadem (Tiara), a little draw string purse and gloves. The custom is for the bride to dress at her home or her parent's home and then drive to the ceremony.

German Wedding

Religion in Germany

The religion of Germany was Roman Catholicism before the religious revolution begun by Martin Luther.

Later on Protestantism rose to be the major religion of Germany.

During the Thirty Year’s War, Catholicism prevailed in the Southern and Western areas. The East Germany regions and some northern states were predominantly Protestants.

There are about 3 million Muslims from various countries, mostly Turkish, living in Germany.

All religions are guaranteed freedom to practice their faith by law. You must pay a church tax if belong to a church.

Religion in Germany

Cologne Cathedral

German Norms Germans never make eye contact while walking on

the street or using the subway.

Germans are very proud to be German

When you go into a shop, it is customary to address the shopkeeper.

When you are first introduced to someone in Germany, you are expected to shake everyone’s hand.

If you invite a friend to go somewhere with you in Germany, it is customary for you to pay for yourself and your friend.

German Norms

Questions: What do German wedding rings look like?

A) Simple wedding bands normally with no diamonds B) Expensive looking rings C) Rings are large and covered in diamonds D) German couples don’t wear rings

What do you do when you meet someone in Germany? A) Stand awkwardly B) Shake their Hand C) Bear Hug D) Ignore them

AnswersA) Simple wedding bands normally with no

diamonds

B) Shake their hand

Works Cited Bride Picture:

http://weddingfortuna.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/italian-wedding-dresses-1.jpg

Wedding Information: http://www.german-toasting-glasses.com/information_library/german_wedding_traditions.html

German Norms: http://webpub.allegheny.edu/employee/i/iroy/EXL300/archives/001134.html http://home.wwdb.org/rbreininger/pep-germany/wbcc/customs.html

Pictures: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cologne+germany+cathedral+&view=detail&id=362A09602933CFE4BA833C77673234FAA7CFBC07&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR , http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cologne+cathedral+interior&view=detail&id=DC8674D86C0087B96DD2509AB248C645A954FDE4&first=30&FORM=IDFRIR , http://www.google.com/imgres?q=german+wedding+rings&um=1&hl=en&biw=1148&bih=647&tbm=isch&tbnid=znrZ0rDSokIEOM:&imgrefurl=http://ouluchaff.blogspot.com/2007/11/quiet-german-girl.html&docid=Qa4sn5-jEzvgqM&w=400&h=300&ei=htleTqyeAs-9tgeu8eWlCw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=696&vpy=356&dur=1221&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=177&ty=168&sqi=2&page=5&tbnh=139&tbnw=185&start=65&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:65 , http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=germans&view=detail&id=432CF9E074C5A75FC26641F7CD91FD6AC78629EA&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR

Created by: Stefanie Mitchell