The path to my first night in Berlin entails a drive up to Vancouver, a flight to London, a flight to Berlin, a bus from the airport, and, finally, the U Bahn to Die Fabrik Hostel in Kreuzberg. The most significant experience of this jet-lagged Monday-into-Tuesday blur was the currywurst that we had at Curry 7, just down the street from the hostel. Between my frantic whispered pleas to Natalie to help me translate the menu and my stumbling attempt at German, the sense of being helpless in a foreign country first dawned on me. Prior to arriving in Berlin, I hadn’t really anticipated the “out of place” feeling to be so strong; I felt like as a diverse group of students, we’d blend in to the hip, heterogeneous Kreuzberg scene with little difficulty. Maybe this is more of a personal feeling, but since that first night I’ve been on edge with every public interaction I have. From boarding the U-Bahn to ordering in a café, I have a fear of not doing it the “right way.” The longer I spend in Berlin, the more the unspoken social rules of the city make themselves known, often at the expense of my embarrassment. For example, leaving your bottles on the table after you finish drinking at some bars, sitting down as soon as a seat opens up on the train, and perhaps most importantly, staying out of the bike lane. I don’t think I’m ever going to completely shake the fear of doing something wrong, and immediately be identified as a tourist, but as time goes on I’m getting better at pretending I know what I’m doing.
Aside from the cultural norms that continue to pop up in new ways and places, there’s definitely a “look” that distinguishes a native of Berlin. Lots of darks and neutrals, leather jackets, and fashionable-yet-functional shoes all go into a perfect composition of urban identity. It may just be the kooky Kreuzberg neighbourhod, where we are staying, but tattoos and piercings are all over the place in a way that I’ve never seen in the United States, unless it’s a very localized event. Over the last few days I’ve seen these aesthetic differences through the haze of cigarette smoke that lingers around the U+S Bahn stations and the outdoor patios of restaurants. There’s an attitude that I’ve been picking up as our stay lengthens: there’s no passive-aggressive behaviour correcting in Berlin—if you are doing something wrong, someone will tell you. There are no public apologies for a bump while walking down the street. There’s an unspoken understanding that it’s never a personal attack but some small way of helping you out. It’s my own belief that the blunt attitude makes for more genuine interactions between people.
Speaking of these interactions, I’ve been greatly appreciated the forgiving nature of the waiters, shop owners, and other Berliners when I gaze back at them, wide eyed after hearing a stream of German I don’t understand. From there follows either a pantomimed exchange, or more commonly, they speak to me in English. Recently, I was able to have a conversation with Emma, a tenth grader at the alternative school we visited. We were able to discuss everything from our differing school systems and our plans for the future, to the Kardashians and Vine superstars. Emma’s English proficiency and cultural awareness made me think about how America-centric our schooling really is. This closed of nature of our K-12 education might be contributing factor to the “stranded” feeling that I have experienced as an American(ish) abroad. I think the cross-cultural understandings necessary for international travel should make their way into the curriculum in the United States. Then maybe we can finally shake the “clueless and loud” stereotype. In my case, it’s been more like “absolutely silent and in the way,” but the statement stands true. I’m hoping that over the next few days, I can find my footing and get out there to interact with confidence for my interviews and other interactions.
Aside from the cultural norms that continue to pop up in new ways and places, there’s definitely a “look” that distinguishes a native of Berlin. Lots of darks and neutrals, leather jackets, and fashionable-yet-functional shoes all go into a perfect composition of urban identity. It may just be the kooky Kreuzberg neighbourhod, where we are staying, but tattoos and piercings are all over the place in a way that I’ve never seen in the United States, unless it’s a very localized event. Over the last few days I’ve seen these aesthetic differences through the haze of cigarette smoke that lingers around the U+S Bahn stations and the outdoor patios of restaurants. There’s an attitude that I’ve been picking up as our stay lengthens: there’s no passive-aggressive behaviour correcting in Berlin—if you are doing something wrong, someone will tell you. There are no public apologies for a bump while walking down the street. There’s an unspoken understanding that it’s never a personal attack but some small way of helping you out. It’s my own belief that the blunt attitude makes for more genuine interactions between people.
Speaking of these interactions, I’ve been greatly appreciated the forgiving nature of the waiters, shop owners, and other Berliners when I gaze back at them, wide eyed after hearing a stream of German I don’t understand. From there follows either a pantomimed exchange, or more commonly, they speak to me in English. Recently, I was able to have a conversation with Emma, a tenth grader at the alternative school we visited. We were able to discuss everything from our differing school systems and our plans for the future, to the Kardashians and Vine superstars. Emma’s English proficiency and cultural awareness made me think about how America-centric our schooling really is. This closed of nature of our K-12 education might be contributing factor to the “stranded” feeling that I have experienced as an American(ish) abroad. I think the cross-cultural understandings necessary for international travel should make their way into the curriculum in the United States. Then maybe we can finally shake the “clueless and loud” stereotype. In my case, it’s been more like “absolutely silent and in the way,” but the statement stands true. I’m hoping that over the next few days, I can find my footing and get out there to interact with confidence for my interviews and other interactions.