Question about a potential cultural difference?

[Anonymous]

I don't think this is really a "German trait".

We've had 3. 2 were exceedingly polite, friendly, and thankful.

One was sour and NEVER said thank you.

Rudeness exists in all cultures. I do think, however, that in some circles in Germany, there is a difference in how they view children. Our one sour German au pair was extremely strict with the children when THEY did not say please or thank you -- but it was as if that rule only applied to children, dogs, and other "lesser" beings. She never felt a need to model that behavior one iota.

[Anonymous]

Our AP last year was German and this was a problem as well. She mellowed over time and seemed to catch on. The first 6 weeks or so were very rough and this certainly played a part. It was more about being silent, moody and brusque.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our AP last year was German and this was a problem as well. She mellowed over time and seemed to catch on. The first 6 weeks or so were very rough and this certainly played a part. It was more about being silent, moody and brusque.

I'm the poster above who said my four Germans all had verbal thank you deficits, but I do want to be clear - not one of them was silent, moody, or brusque. In fact, they were all very sociable, happy, and loving. They just didn't verbalize thank yous.

[Anonymous]

We've had three German au pairs - two from the east and one from the west. None were bubbly like Americans, but all showed gratitude and were warm and friendly. We tend to match with older au pairs - maybe that's part of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our AP last year was German and this was a problem as well. She mellowed over time and seemed to catch on. The first 6 weeks or so were very rough and this certainly played a part. It was more about being silent, moody and brusque.

I'm the poster above who said my four Germans all had verbal thank you deficits, but I do want to be clear - not one of them was silent, moody, or brusque. In fact, they were all very sociable, happy, and loving. They just didn't verbalize thank yous.

16:57 here, who has hosted six Germans. Two were not quick with the thank yous, but not one was silent, moody or brusque either, and all were very good APs for our children.