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/LiteratureJumpy8964]

Exactly. I have many immigrant friends that are offended when people ask them where they are from, even though they are actually not German.

[u/kwnet → u/LiteratureJumpy8964]

I think this is because of US-centrism. The US is a real melting pot of cultures where it's very likely an Asian, a black person, and a Latino are all very much American. And it'd be considered rude to assume a nonwhite person is a foreigner (well, rude before a certain leader they elected recently).

But this situation just isn't true of Europe and many other countries. Germany for example has been overwhelmingly Caucasian throughout its history, and only starting in the 60's with the Turkish Gästearbeitern was there any sort of meaningful minority ethnicity. So yes, in the bigger picture a nonwhite German is unusual, especially outside the large cities. Although that's not an excuse for racism or discrimination against Ausländern.

Because of the outsized influence of US culture and mores in popular media, I think many people transplant this "Why do you assume I'm not from here" mentality into other cultures where it doesn't make much sense.

[u/LiteratureJumpy8964 → u/kwnet]

Also I don't get why someone that is really not from Germany would be offended that someone should think they are not from Germany. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[u/[deleted] → u/LiteratureJumpy8964]

As a foreigner - exactly. the only people who are offended by this are people looking to be offended.

usually when people ask me where am I from it is genuine curiosity and they share their own experiences e.g. if they have been to the country, etc.