Finding the little differences

Reflections on Everyday Life

The world is getting smaller every day and there are more and more similarities between the United States and Germany. Some things about Germany however remain very different, especially the living spaces.

Many Americans, at least Americans from Michigan , live in suburban areas in a house with a yard. I have observed that this is less common in Germany . Most Germans live in an apartment or condo, and one-family houses seem less common. This is an important aspect to take into account because it does not show that they are of a lower class, as it shows in the US . Middle and upper class Germans also live in apartments and condos. The inside of the house is similar to an American house, but it still has several differences that seem very foreign to me.

To begin, the trash system is different. In the US any type of waste is trash, and is disposed of in the same trash can, while in Germany , the three trash can system is used. So using this system for the first time is different, but makes sense to separate it so that some can be recycled or made into compost.

It has also been very different to see windows and doors without screens. In the US , or at least in Michigan , we have too many bugs forcing us to use screens when we open windows. Having fewer bugs though, is quite an advantage because the use of screens is not necessary. Overall, the German living space is very similar to Americas , but the few differences can seem bigger than they really are.

These few small differences can make the house seem very different, even though almost everything is similar to the living space in the US.

Matthew Chebowski