Recycling Kultur 6 -Ashley Britt

I actually quite enjoyed the article on recycling in Deutscheland. I think recycling is very important from an environmental standpoint, so the topic struck a chord with me. Their system is interesting. Here at UofM we have separate recycling binns for bottles, paper, and trash, but we don't have sub-categorized binns to separate green glass from brown glass (atleast not usually). While Americans do recycle, they don't usually aren't picky about which binn they put their used items in. Most of the time, even products that are obviously paper get thrown away if they have food remnents or some other substance on them. We wouldn't have as difficult a time deciding where to place our remnents as the Curry Wurst guy did.

Kultur 6 Kyle O'Meara

Reading the Kultur 6 articles I was pleased to read on a variety of subjects. The first article on the taboloid Bild Zeitung I was surprised to find such a harsh tabloid in Germany. I am not an expert on taboloids, but I know of the Sun and others in England that are pretty famous. I thought German's culturally were a little more proper and honest to have something with semi-true facts. Besides that, I found that the magazines motto that translates loose to "We form your opinion so you don't have to", was sort of shockingly different than America's new agencies such as FOX NEWs who always says "We Report, You Decide". I also found knocking once on someones door and then just entering pretty weird from the second article. Here I'd want to wait for them to let me in. And finally the article on trash is pretty funny. I always picture German's as sort of really organized and the trash bins that are split up into many categories fit that. If that system was implemented in the United States, I would imagine it never being utilized and ending up losing a ton of money.

Kultur-Texte Kapitel 6 - Jeremy Kohtz

Per usual, these were quite the interesting read. Although we all know how different other cultures are, its still a surprise when you actually hear specific variances. They're just things you wouldn't think of on your own. For example, I wouldn't have thought to ever ask about the specifics of German garbage collection, but maybe that's just me. [Good for them, by the way, for encouraging recycling! (But not on Sunday)].
The article about German's made me chuckle a bit. I always laugh at the American tabloids at the grocery store, but these German ones seem to take the ridiculousness to a whole new level! (Though to them, obviously, nudity doesn't seem as big of a deal and such). The desire, it seems, for controversial new, transcends all cultures. Understandably, as well. Who doesn't want to read something they probably shouldn't be? It's human nature.
In regards to the other articles, I completely agree with their assessment of the door-discrepancy. A closed door here definitely isn't particularaly inviting. Especially in the dorms for the freshman. They always tell you to keep your door open if you want to be social! And that's the truth.
The one about the students living quarters was pretty interesting. I felt like I could relate; I spend a good month earlier this year searching for a house to live in next year. It was QUITE the task, though we ended up finding one. I can only imagine the trouble they have in Germany where things tend to seem more crammed.

Kapitel 6 - Kultur Texte - Emily Seidel

After reading these articles, I once again get the impression that the author over generalizes every topic he writes about. This time, specifically, with the articles "German Privacy: Come On In, My Door Is Always Closed" and "Division Hell: Worshipping the Garbage Gods". I find it very hard to believe that every person in Germany keeps their door closed at all times and that they will get very offended to the point of affecting "intercultural relations".

Also, I find it odd that the author in "Division Hell: Worshipping the Garbage Gods" is complaining about recycling. While we did not have specific bins for each different type of recycling, but growing up we had to sort all of the recycling at our house as well. Now, many cities have implemented machines that will sort the various types of materials for recycling for them. But even so, I don't find it too difficult to sort through a few different kinds of materials to help out the environment.

The article "Sex, Smut, and Shock: Bild Zeitung Rules Germany" seemed pretty typical to me. Most countries (where the government allows them to) have tabloids. I rather doubt that Bild Zeitung is all that much worse. It may base its stories on facts more often, but it seems like most Germans know that it is false. Also, I again feel like the author exaggerates when they say that EVERYONE reads it. He/She may live their life by tabloids, but I feel like this is not how the majority of Germans feel.

Kultur 6

Bild Zeitung: Ouch, that picture is harsh. Do people actually believe everything they read in Bild Zeitung? Why would they buy it if they didn't believe it? Is it just amusing? "We form your opinion so you don't have to" - that sounds sort of dystopian and scary. Are any of these articles going to be positive? It was founded by a guy named Axel...I think that says a lot there. Who is Natasha, and what does she have to do with anything? When I was in France I once found on the dining room table a tabloid, with a bunch of pictures of topless female celebrities at the beach. There were no bars or blurred-out parts. I was shocked, but this was nothing to the French. Oh yes, the picture of Angela Merkel changing. I read about that. I also read about how once she wore a dress that Americans considered to be to revealing.
Ok, I will knock loudly.
You're not allowed to use recycling bins on Sunday? That doesn't make sense. That's cool they're so environmentally forward though!