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Culture Germany At the turn of the 20th century and the collapse of the Spanish Empire, Spain’s leading philosopher José Ortega y Gasset called for the Germanization of his country – he had studied in Germany and saw what he envisioned as a more advanced society; a people who were cosmopolitan, sensitive and open minded, with an intense, profound interest in the rest of the world. While he thought of his countrymen as intrinsically superficial, he saw Germans as deep, and hoped for the Spanish to open their eyes and wake up to the world, like the Germans had.
Nevertheless to this day Germany – and Germans – are often unjustly cast into the shadow of other European countries who flaunt their culture, fashion and supposedly superior friendliness over the frigid folk to the north. The truth, however, lies somewhere in between. True, Germans may not typically be the best flamenco dancers, but their hospitality is exceptional, and their good manners and intrinsic friendliness makes Germany one of the most welcoming countries in Europe, according to many travelers.
Add to this the rich cultural history and dynamic society which is at a cross-roads and an upturn, a very exciting time for Germany. The more than eighty million people have put their shoulders to the wheel since the wall came down, pushing their country to the top of list of global exporters. Enjoying a red-hot economy powered by industrial technology and home appliances, German engineering has laid the groundwork for a diverse and booming economy. Tourists, expats and longtime residents find time here works miracles for their careers.
Germany has made impressive use of limited coastline in fashioning a leading world economy. Employing one of the world’s best air transport networks, Germany is a massive shipping center. Tourism has benefited from the country’s investment, as most major airports can connect to Frankfurt with one or no layovers. Regular rail service—serving both international and domestic destinations—makes business in Germany a snap.
Germany has recently regained a prominent leadership role within Europe. In addition to its powerful economy, its participation has been instrumental in the success of the European Union. On the world stage, Germans are making their voices heard on a variety of environmental and political issues. Both scholars and businesspeople find visits to Germany to be instructive—with many parsing data for the secret to its success.
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