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Landeskunde und Kultur

Johannes Brahms: A German Requiem with the Bel Canto Chorus

Brahms-Requiem-Cover

For those of you who don't know yet, I (Frau Warner) am also a classical singer and I love the Germanic repertoire. The Bel Canto Chorus here in Milwaukee, along with the Kettle Moraine Symphony, is performing Johannes Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) on May 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm.

If you're unfamiliar with the text, or would simply like to enjoy getting to know the text before the concert (or maybe you simply love music, like I do?!), these videos are for you!

In each video, one …

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Sagt man «Viel Glück» oder «Viel Erfolg»?

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Wishing someone "good luck" in German often goes one of two ways--either "Viel Glück!" or "Viel Erfolg!" Which one you use depends on what you want to say. It's part of the entire cultural aspect of luck, and Germans have specific ways in which they try to find luck.

Today you'll learn how to give these wishes in German and what marzipan has to do with all of it.

How to find good luck in Germany

If you need some luck and you see a Schornsteinfeger (a chimney sweep), then do what I did the o…

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What is a Stammtisch?

what-is-a-Stammtisch

der Stammtisch

der Stammtisch – an inadequate translation is “group of regulars.”

der Stammtisch

Today you'll learn:

  • what a Stammtisch is in Germany and how it differs in the US,
  • what you need to know before you go,
  • how often to expect to attend a Stammtisch,
  • where they take place,
  • and something called Einmal ist keinmal.

Sind Sie bereit? Los geht's!

What is a Stammtisch?

A Stammtisch is different in Germany it is in the US, so let's start with the original Stammtisch:

  • a regu…

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Affordable Swiss Watches for Women and Men

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Die Uhr means "the watch."

Die Schweiz means Switzerland.

Coincidence?

I think not.

In seriousness, though, I grew up with the preconception that all Swiss watches were extraordinarily expensive. Sehr teuer.

Then I discovered this Swiss watch company and discovered that you CAN buy a high quality, Swiss watch for under $500.

Ausgezeichnet.

Jowissa is a Swiss watchmaking company

Jowissa is also an independent, family-owned business in its third generation. I grew up in a family-owned bu…

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How and How Much to Tip in Germany

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Giving a tip in German is ein Trinkgeld geben or simply Trinkgeld geben.

It's different from the US, and in this episode you'll learn:

  • how much to tip for a coffee
  • how much to tip for an inexpensive, sit-down lunch
  • how much to tip for a nicer dinner out

And you'll learn what to say when you give the tip.

A lot of people ask me this question, and if they have an idea of the answer, it's usually a vague "You round up, right?"

That's actually pretty close!

How to tip for coffee:

Let'…

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11 Interesting and Important Facts About Austria

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This month clients in the group classes and private lessons are learning about Austria. They have access to an online lesson with typical Austrian phrases and expressions and we also had a Konversationskurs, a Conversation Class, all about Austria.

Here you get to learn some of what my clients have learned about Austria this month, including how to pronounce Österreich.

Links:

Die Krimmler Wasserfälle (The Health Secret!) https://www.austria.info/en/wellbeing-nature/lakes-mountains/krimml-w…

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How do you "Tell your folks I says hi" in German?

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Ope! Almost forgot to tell you this important thing about greetings in the Germanic cultures.

Although we have loads of people with German heritage in Wisconsin, and Charlie Berens has taught us the brilliance of the phrase "Tell your folks I says hi," here, this custom doesn't require as many elements as in the Germanic countries.

There, in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, it's different. And it's important. It's an important cultural custom that gets overlooked frequently if you don't know…

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German Christmas Markets

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Visiting a German Christmas Market is a true feast for the senses. It may forever change your expectations of the holiday season.

In this episode you'll learn about:

  • the main point of the Weihnachtsmarkt

  • who to go with

  • the various beverages available

  • what you can eat there

  • what you can shop for there

I might not be able to bring you a Weihnachtsmarkt, but I can bring you an Adventskaffee (an Advent coffee hour) plus a booklet of holiday-themed puzzles for German le…

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7 Holiday Greetings in German, from Hanukkah through Christmas and into the New Year

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Holidays mean greetings.

In Germany that means many holiday greetings. For different people.

When do you say what to whom?

Learn in this episode of the GermanWithNicole.com Podcast:

  • How to wish someone a nice Advent in German

  • How to say Happy Hannukah in German

  • How to say Good Yule in German

  • How to say Happy Holidays in German

  • How to say Merry Christmas in German

  • How to say Happy New Year in German

  • and a couple more.

AND you'll learn when to say which g…

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How Does German Culture Compare to US Culture?

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Frequently, very frequently I find myself confused by living in the US again.

The culture is simply so different from German culture, which is where I began my post-grad school life.

I couldn't put words to all of it, but then a friend of mine asked me recently, "Of all the places you've been, where did you have the most culture shock?"

It took me weeks to sort out my answer.

After considering the 21 countries and perhaps 18 states I've visited, I've finally got my answer.

In this episode w…

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