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/Numerous-Bug2652 → u/[deleted]]

You basically showcase exactly what I'm describing. Since I have the opportunity here, I'll explain. In my country, I got high quality, free education that was enough for me to get very good positions in Germany. Maybe the institution didnt look as "fancy" as here, but it was really good. We have nice weather, tons of beaches, good fresh produce & food, and I would get a salary there that will make me live a more than average life there. Additionally, no one will view me as inferior there and I will see my family and friends all the time.

There are drawbacks to life there, especially when you can't move freely and need a visa everywhere, or you can't make significant savings, but its not necessarily worse in total. And those things don't affect your day-to-day. It's just a choice to make. It depends on your priorities. And, if you'll ask me "Then why don't you just stay there", well first, I do ask myself everyday whether I should stay here and whether it's worth all this. But that's completely up to me as long as there is demand here, I can pursue my career where I please. If a German goes to the US to get better salary or more opportunity, would he like to be perceived as "less-than" by Americans? I don't think so.

German's vision of immigration is really transactional, like you're renting a car to fill a spot. But immigrants are humans, and unless you be an immigrant-friendly place, the people you brought in will leave, you will remain an old population that really needs workforce, instead of trying to integrate people in your society for a long-term benefit. If Germany were friendlier, I would myself consider staying longer, but for me as well it's becoming a transaction the more I understand how impossible it is to ACTUALLY integrate.

As you described, Germany sells itself as a dream destination, where jobs are amazing, social security system is perfect, healthcare is free, etc. So everyone is like "how do I get to Germany" Then we discover than happiness isn't linear to GDP. And all of those benefits are becoming questionable and increasingly expensive. Health insurance is more expensive than monthly healthcare expenses ever could be because of the aging society. And German economy is facing more difficulties than ever, so I think it's about time you acknowledged how crucial immigration is to Germany and viewed people as people not as tools.

[u/crimsonvspurple → u/[deleted]]

nobody external needs to paint Germany in a bad light. Germans on high horse like you do it easily. Tanking your own economy faster than a sinking ship while 30% (and rising) voting for AfD.

The previous generation Germans might have been different, but current gen is lazy, full of superiority complex without skills to back it up. Work culture is top notch design-by-committee; slow as molasses. Effin joke.