As a German in America, I am often asked about the cultural differences between these two countries. I have been in Los Angeles for two-and-a-half months now, and some things are indeed quite different.
Instead of leading the life of a college student in a small German town — where I essentially ride my bike everywhere — I am working a nine-to-five office job in a city where not having a car means you’re not going anywhere fast. Initially, I was quite impressed by the vastness of the greater LA area, and one of the biggest challenges I have faced is getting around in this huge city that has no decent public transportation system.
Coming here, I was expecting that not having a car would be rather daring, but what really surprised me was the food. To Germans, American cuisine conjures up images of extra-large drinks, fried food and cheap franchises, but most of the people I have met here are very conscious about what they eat. Daily workouts and low-carb diets seem almost as popular as driving a Prius. And thus, as part of acclimating to California, I have limited my carbohydrates, and I have been stripped away from my bread friendly German diet — which, on second thought, may not have been that bad (there’s worse than losing 5 pounds and going shopping for new pants).
In general, I must admit that living in Los Angeles, as opposed to the Black Forest, does have its perks. Just yesterday, I wore shorts in January, went to the store on a Sunday, and stood next to Ben Affleck while I was buying persimmons at the farmer’s market.
From a business point of view, I have found networking much easier here. Whereas Germans are often distant with new acquaintances, Americans are extremely friendly and are almost always at a first name basis. The Public Relations world is thriving in the US, and it is thrilling to be a part of what’s happening — news, fashion, entertainment — and not having to get up at 3 a.m. to watch the Golden Globes is great! This experience has proven to be very instructive and exciting, and I am continually impressed by the work ethic of my American colleagues.