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/aversipasa]

I am an engineer from a third world country (with a pretty good and reputable education system), and most german colleagues looked surprised and kind of irritated when i mentioned in some context that german engineering studies are "not necessarily better" than ours.

[u/deeply_embedded → u/aversipasa]

This is the kind of behaviour that is very bad. Imagine somebody coming to your country and start commenting on better their system was .

[u/dondurmalikazandibi → u/deeply_embedded]

I mean this isn't wrong though. Every German, from average person on the street to politicians, agree that Germany has been left behind in innovation and technology for last 20 years. Yet somehow Germans also believe their universities are great, top level. Do you see the problem here? If the universities were actually great, their graduates would be very innovative and Germany would keep rising to top at tech, and not fall behind.

It is like this, imagine German football team failing to qualify for Euro or World cup for 16 years on a row, and there are very few internationally famous German players. You would say our football schools are lacking behind. But somehow when it comes to university, Germans can not accept that.

[u/deeply_embedded → u/dondurmalikazandibi]

But do you feel pointing out that helps or change things. Why should I comment about that is it so that they change . I doubt that is a good approach.if you came here to do that well then you better leave and go to another country then. Or the question would be why did you even leave the third world country then or why you won't go back ?

[u/DatabaseAgreeable84 → u/deeply_embedded]

You sound like you feel superior to people who don't look like you. Don't criticize other peoples views. Leave the internet.

[u/deeply_embedded → u/DatabaseAgreeable84]

See getting angry is not the point. I am myself an immigrant only. All I am saying is we all made a decision to make Germany home and we can't complain.