Why people hate the German winter and how I learned to love it

One of the biggest reasons for people to leave Germany is the weather.

Those long dark cold depressing winters. If you are thinking of moving here this might be something that you’re dreading.

But I have learned to love the German winters and that’s what this piece is about.

#germany #germanwinter #culturaldifferences

[britingermany]

Good morning everyone. What has your experience been so far? 

[geraldwagner]

Many people say that November is the most depressing month of the year, but I don’t think so. In my opinion January is much more depressing because it follows the Christmas and End of the year festivities with absolute darkness, emptiness and boredom. I really hate January!

[theowaigel]

excellent video, I really appreciate you saying "Baden-Württemberg" in a proper way and that is a tongue breaker for british tongues

[danipianoarts]

Well, about 20-30 years ago there would be snow everywhere and for longer periods of time. I think the climate has changed quite a lot. At least when I compare to what I remember from my childhood.

[tomasohaodha]

Very well articulated. Switzerland also has this same sentiment of Gemütlichkeit, slowing down, appreciating the simpler things and baking 'güezi' together with family/friends. :)

[michaelcliffe]

There is actually a word to describe a feeling of anxiety you can get in the summer months. It's called "sunshine guilt" and describes a guilty feeling one gets when not "using" the good, warm weather to it's full potential. Now I don't know if this is neudeutsch or if it's originally an english term, but it's definatly something I and other germans around me experience and can get relief from in the winter months. You don't have to feel guilty about staying inside and taking time to do nothing basically, and that coincides with what you said about "Winterruhe". I've also lerned to like winter!

[tomasohaodha]

Not to distract from the topic of this video, I think what you've done with your channel is fantastic, giving your thoughts and tips on Germany from a British perspective. I am often in Switzerland and would like to do something similar from an Irish/Anglo perspective, I really like the balance of topics you have, it gives a fascinating insight into what it is like for someone from our islands to live in the Germanic parts of Europe.

[thorstenberninger]

Your voice gets me every time. So soothing. 🙏 Thank you.

[mostafaEOY]

Living in Germany for 9 years. Likewise, I had a hard time adapting to the winter at the beginning but now I love it more than anywhere else.

[renameduser]

Thank you very much for this video ! It helps me (almost) not being afraid of German winters anymore, remembering what you described so well. After most of my life in a warmer country, I want my kids to experience Germany - the long cold dark winter was my biggest obstacle.

[GreenMorningDragonProductions]

When I was a kid in Manchester we often summered in N. Wales (family there) which was lovely, but we never went abroad. When I was a working adult (aged 20) and in a position to go on a foreign trip, I chose not Benidorm or Ibiza in August, but Munich in January. Absolutely loved it. Winter's just around the corner here in Japan, and I can see the freshly fallen snow on Mount Fuji and I'm buzzing!

[mikecap]

I love winter in Frankfurt where I work! Not as cold or snowy as Latvia where I live. Just wrap up warm with multiple layers of light clothing, and go for a forest walk.

[lattakia]

I met a lot of German travellers in Canada who are searching for snow.

[Gert-DK]

I agree with you. I usually tell people to embrace the winter, not fighting it. Go outside as much as possible, at least take a walk. Do as people did 200 years ago. Prepare for spring. Furthermore, do not do in the summer, what you can do in the winter, such as painting the house inside. Get your new kitchen in the winter and so on.
Plan your summer projects in the winter, buy the materials for your new garden shed in the winter so it is ready to spring.

Stay away from the couch!

[lynnm]

We just had a very warm, lovely evening yesterday, having been invited to eat Duck by my Ukrainian neighbor/friend.
Everything was really delicious, 3 other neighbors came and a friend from the Integration class, and it was Russian/German all the way.
This beautifully edited video just speaks perfectly to the joy, the glow of friendship that was so evident yesterday.
Being able to have friends among your neighbors will always be a blessing.

Have a nice Sunday everyday, schönen 1. Advent!

[TB-vmyr]

When I lived in Aschaffenburg I loved the winter. We had snow which I loved especially on a Saturday morning having a lie in :)

[eastfrisian_]

I live almost directly on the North Sea coast, and I love it when it's really stormy. Then I sometimes drive right to the beach (as long as it's not life-threatening), watch the angry sea, and stand on the dike, literally throwing myself into the wind. Glorious! Afterwards, I get cozy on my couch, wrap myself in my huge cozy blanket with a steaming mug of hot cocoa in front of me. That's an ideal Saturday or Sunday.

Last year, I experienced a severe seasonal depression for the first time. And like an idiot, I only went to the doctor in April to seek help - my Vitamin D level was almost alarmingly low. Since I've gotten that under control, I'm doing much better, and knock on wood, it hasn't hit me this winter so far. I'm humbled that the reason was, fortunately, relatively simple to address, and I take my hat off to anyone who seriously struggles with depression. If you are affected by symptoms in the wintertime, don't be foolish like I was and get tested. This might be worth it, and the health provider covers the cost of the blood test when there might be a suspicion of vitamin D deficiency.

[nejdro]

I spent 3 winters in Darmstadt. Chilled to the bone! Of course, I had a VW Beetle which had a very poor heater.
Besides the cold, Central Europe is quite far north, so true daylight was only from about 8AM to 4 PM. Cloudy winter days far outnumbered the sunny days. I would often ski in the Alps. I would leave the Alps on a bright sunny day, and by the time I got to Darmstadt, it would be cold and gray again!

[tim___]

its always so great to see our city in these videos

[jenny-c]

Your voice is like a cozy blanket: warm, soothing and somehow embracing. 😌
Have a wonderful advent season! ⭐️