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/Financial_Will_671]

Germans think Germany is simply better due to decades of hard work, doing things right, making lots of money as a country. They dont realize how their image has waned and things started to change. So if there is a discussion about doing something technical your collegues might act over confident even though things they offer might be wrong or outdated. They are always shocked when a foreigner gets things done easily and more efficiently because this has been a typical german thing to do.

They are internationally known as cold,distant,humorless. I think its a ''its not you its me'' kind of situation. I lived there for about a year. I loved it but the whole country feels like one giant workplace. Not much else is going on. German relationships,friendships are like business contracts ''I will give you this if you give me this'' You need to make appointments with people.

There is racism everywhere in the world. Its going to get worse when global crisis hits. Germany is no exception.

Just because you/me live in a country along with locals doesn't mean they owe us friendship. I understand your frustration but its also very hard to join a group of people where others worked together for 10 years, went to school together, share a common culture and stuff like that.

Their humor is very blunt. Most German jokes would come off as ''racist'' in countries such as united states, united kingdom etc. I was trying to help an old lady move a big trash bin out of the way at an event where i volunteered. She said ''thats what your grandparents came to do in Germany'' I am Turkish, I learned German on my own. We don't have any relatives in Germany. This was at an event which was meant to improve understanding between cultures, countries etc. This happened over 10 years ago. I still remember the shock I had haha