Are German parents more laid-back?

Sand + water = lots of fun

As a mother with a British/Italian background living in Berlin, I often find myself observing and comparing different parenting styles.  When I first started taking my child to the playgrounds in Berlin I was struck by how relaxed some German mothers (and fathers) appeared to be.  They let their children roam free through the playground, while they chatted at the edge of the sandpit and often did not even check on their little ones (or so it seemed at the time).

At the playground with Papa

Once when our son was about a year and a half, my husband* came home from the playground saying that some mothers had actually teased him for being too anxious and following our son wherever he went.  One mother claimed that she only looked up if her children were crying and/or covered in blood, otherwise she would simply let them get on with it.  Another mother also laughed at what she called “the anxious first-time father”.

So are German parents more laid-back? Fast-forward a year or so.  I am at the playground trying my best to adopt the “let your child get on with it” attitude, while chatting with one of these mothers. Suddenly her son starts crying and in a matter of seconds she is by his side, has picked him up and is soothing him.  This is not her first child by the way.  There is no blood in sight; in fact, the child does not seem to be hurt at all.  About 15 minutes later, the same situation is repeated.**

Last summer my child went away for two nights with his Italo-German nursery.  It was the first time my three-year-old had been away from home without his parents or grandparents. Obviously I was anxious and I regularly checked my phone in case of any missed calls or messages, but otherwise I just assumed that things were going well.  Guess who called the holiday resort to check if the children had arrived safely?  No, it was not an Italian mother or father; it was a German parent.  So in my experience German parents may have a more relaxed approach to parenting, but deep down they are just as worried about their kids as everyone else.

*   He has a German passport.

** I would have done the same thing, but I am not the one pretending to be cool and relaxed.

Spargel and Kimchi?

Kimchi Princess

After the post on Spargel (white asparagus), I've decided to continue with the food theme, which makes sense considering the name of this blog.
When I started the blog almost five years ago, I decided to name it "Currywurst and Sushi", to give a flavour of Berlin: a city characterised by an ever-present history with an international flair.
At the time I decided that currywurst and sushi would do the job. However, if I were to rename the blog today, I would probably call it "Currywurst and Kimchi".

Bottom-right Bibimbap; second row in the middle Kimchi

Obviously Currywurst remains a staple and sushi is still pretty popular, but the trendiest dish on the Berlin menu at present has to be Kimchi, Korea's national dish.

Like Spargel, you might wonder: what is so special about Kimchi? After all, one may argue that it's a spicy  version of Sauerkraut. 
- Sauerkraut... isn't that a traditional German dish? (I hear you asking)
- Spicy? I thought Germans didn't like spicy food...
True, but this is not Germany, this is hipster capital Berlin.

Every few months or so a new trend emerges. Some of these trends survive (street food or gourmet burgers), while others are quickly forgotten (bubble tea). It will be interesting to see whether this new wave of Korean restaurants that have taken over the city will last. 
Personally I think it will, because Kimchi is actually really tasty and so is Korean food. So bring on the Kimchi and forget the Spargel! Or even better try combining Spargel with Kimchi. I think I might be on to a winner...

Where to eat Kimchi in Berlin
Kimchi Princess: very popular with hipsters
Skalizer Str. 36, 10999 Berlin Kreuzberg

Kochu Karu: Korean-Spanish fusion cuisine
Eberswalderstr. 35, 10437 Berlin Prenzlauer Berg

Omoni: very good sushi & Korean food including Kimchi
Kopenhagener Str. 14, 10437 Berlin Prenzlauer Berg

It's Spargelzeit! (The Trouble with Spargel)

Although I have lived in Germany for many years, there are still lots of things about German culture that puzzle me.  
Why is there no speed limit on some motorways?
Who on earth decided that a mobile phone should be called a "handy" (pronounced hendy)?
Why are Germans so obsessed with “krimis” (in other words, thrillers)?
But most troubling of all is:
Why do Germans get so excited about white asparagus? 
When I say excited, I mean over-the-top ecstatic.

Typical stall selling white asparagus

 

Strawberries I can understand... cherries I can understand, but tasteless white asparagus?!?

After all the years I've lived in Germany (I’ve already reached my tenth anniversary), I still have no idea what the fuss is all about. 

One of the typical ways of eating Spargel - as they are called here - is drenched in hollandaise sauce, which says a lot about their taste. In fact, you need a really good dressing to be able to taste anything at all.

Having said that, asparagus soup is all right I suppose...

Some devoted German Spargel eaters have tried to make their case, but whatever they say I just don't get it. Or at least I think it’s more about the fact that Spargel is synonymous with spring and good weather rather than good taste. 

Personally I believe that you have to be either German or have grown up in Germany to really appreciate white asparagus.

In any case I have a feeling that the question will continue to trouble me for many more white asparagus seasons to come.