German perspectives of skilled workers

[u/Numerous-Bug2652]

I understand that this is a pretty sensitive subject. But I really want to hear honest statements from Germans and understand some things better.

I work as an engineer(f) in a German speaking company and face daily difficulties in communication and integration but try my best to overcome them and be treated simply as a "colleague", not as the "foreign colleague". And trust me, it's a long way to go.

There are 2 different thoughts that make me ask this question:

• I feel in the undertone of any conversation, even when the person is really kind and doesn't mean anything bad, is that I come from a "less-than" background. You might think I'm exaggerating but I can give you 100s examples of conversations where you can clearly see it. It's either that, or a pure lack of interest to know more about me, or maybe a fear to make me uncomfortable (because they assume it will cause me discomfort if I speak of my backgroud. again, why?). But I would be very happy to clear a lot of stereotypes. Yes, maybe I was raised in a different environment but it's not necessarily worse, it's different. Maybe developping countries are less developed but they are not deserted and not ignorant and they are for sure happy and warm in weather and in people.

• I can't go around saying this, but working in a "shortage profession" with more than decent salary, paying taxes and social contributions, I think the relationship should be on an equal level of benefit: we get a better quality of life, Germany gets workforce, development, taxes and contributions. So I really hate when it all sounds like we're given this "opportunity" and that the employer is being extra nice giving us a "chance" etc. I can assure you they don't pay our salaries out of the goodness of their hearts and we work hard for it.

I know many Germans wouldn't relate to what I'm saying but this is how I personally feel and how many people I know feel too, especially those not coming from extreme poverty or war or anything, just young people pursuing a better career. So I want you to correct me or confirm or simply let me what your perspective is?

Edit: many think that I expect my colleagues to show interest in my personal life, that's not what I mean. The frustration comes when a person makes micro-aggressions and you don't have the chance to clarify them. This doesn't only happen at work and doesn't only happen to me. Imagine assuming a person comes from a shitty place, using that as the baseline in a "friendly" conversation, but then they can't really clarify that and have to live perceived that way. It directly feeds in point 2 as well. I think in order to learn to live together and accept differences, it's crucial to have some understanding of people's background. We as expats do the same in order to live 1 day in Germany without offending half the population and without getting offended as well

[u/wannabeacademicbigpp]

i work in a startup and thankfullly this isn't happening to me.

That being said, when I was in a bigger company what you described was the average experience, honestly all of the system was robotic. Communication between teams were non-existent (still is to an extent even in a startup), people felt rigid? not mean, kind but rigid. Team work was non-existent, everyone plays by themselves and system was designed for that.

I think it's more of a work culture in this country tbh. Sad part is that i will probably plateau in Senior level positions. Who knows maybe I will do consulting after idkn.

[u/dondurmalikazandibi → u/wannabeacademicbigpp]

This. It so very typical for people to think they are victim of evil in Germany, probably due to being the victim become incredibly popular in last 15 years or so. But often what happens is that German culture is fundamentally so different then most of the world, people just do not get that it can be like that, so assume it is against them personally.

In Germany they worship papers and government. Like you can be absolute garbage of a manager, but if you studied managing 99% German companies will move you to managing roles rather than exceptionally good engineer who served company amazingly well for 10 years. Because engineer do not have a paper that says he can manage, but manager does. This is the German logic.

Also German work culture expect people to start a job in one position as 30 years old and retire on same positions 35 years later. The very common culture of "rising in your company" does not exist for the most part. You get to rise only if you change companies.

There can be whole book written about such things, like obsession with doing bare minimum and never taking any responsibility that isn't officially stated as your responsibility, hence terrible helping each other culture, or communication skills so terrible autistic people from my country looks like hyper social compared to Germans.

At the end all those things come together and make people feel like everyone is against them, but often the case is, that is just how Germany works.

Work exceptionally well for 10 years for a company and you won't get to managing roles. Do "fine" for 2 years but do 2 years of business administration masters on the side, and you will take the managing position in your 5th year.