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i got a job in germany this week. i am ethnic german 4 generations removed. i speak the language ok. took one minute to get thru customs. the officer just said make sure you go to the auslanderbehorde and get the paperwork done. mind u i have a lohnsteuerkarte already, etc.... ( social security card here)

mind you if i didnt speak the language i dont think it would have happened. also they wanted someone who had already lived here before for the job due to the culture shock(extreme) when most americans try to make a go of it here with no previous german experience.

and im really happy im back, danke gott!!!!


Life is not a dress rehearsal

by johnfire (johnfire@christopherrehm.com) on Tue Jun 10th, 2008 at 06:33:44 PM EST
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I worked with somebody like that in Germany. My favourite moment of his culture shock was at lunch, when he sneezed. One of the Germans said "Gesundheit" and he responded with "Do you say that in German too?"
by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Wed Jun 11th, 2008 at 02:03:39 AM EST
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only targets "the kids" for foreign assignments.  It is far easier for them to learn the language than us old farts.  For me it was the return to the US that created more culture shock!
by Lasthorseman on Wed Jun 11th, 2008 at 07:55:16 AM EST
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