Charades

I have to say that after coming abroad, I have gotten really good at playing charades to communicate with other people who do not speak English very well. Most Berliners understand at least a little bit of the language so I have not run into any major problems, but ordering food is always a tough one. The first week we would all go to meals in larger groups so we could stumble through the menu together and we made it into a fun thing. The people behind the counter usually got pretty annoyed when we would try to sound out the ridiculously long german words that are actually three phrases smashed together.

By the second week I worked up a little more courage to order things on my own, but the one thing that has tripped me up every time is trying to order an iced coffee. In Germany, an ‘iced kaffee’ is a large cup of coffee, two huge scoops of ice cream, and a pile of whipped cream on top. Even though this root beer float kind of thing is really decadent and delicious, it just doesn’t cut it when compared to the good old Dunkin Donuts iced coffee on the way to class. The europeans and Berliners here have been drinking piping hot coffee in the sweltering morning heat while wearing a scarf and jeans. They make it look so effortless, but I just cannot do it.

I love picking up german words and quick phrases. The language is really beautiful and complicated and I am thinking of taking a german language class when I go back to the states. My favorite and most used word here is definitely ‘enschuligund’ which means ‘excuse me.’ On the UBahn, in line for a restaurant, or while walking around in a tour group, this word is essential. It helps you to blend in with everyone else so you are not immediately picked out as a confused or lost american tourist. It is also fun to say so it is the best of both worlds. Even if you are not sure exactly how to pronounce it, if you say it fast enough people accept it as a polite gesture. Politeness and directness are highly valued by the germans.