German habits revealed
August 12, 2015
Unsurprisingly, the majority of Germans love their cars, describe themselves as punctual and conscientious, and prefer sex in the missionary position. Prudish? This is how one in five Germans feel.
However, only three percent would call themselves formal or prudish. Although more than half of Germans have worked for the same employer for six years, only 10 percent are friends with their boss on Facebook.
Market research institute YouGov has taken the country's pulse in a new book called "What makes us Germans Tick" by Christoph Dösser, and the results are as fascinating as they are revealing. Across more than 80 surveys, researchers interviewed 1,000 Germans about their attitudes, mindsets and behaviors.
The surveys uncovered a few encouraging facts: 82 percent of Germans change their underwear daily. And 96 percent take a bath or shower at least once every three days.
Curiously, there has been an interesting trend regarding body hair across the country: 71 percent of 18-24-year-olds shave their genital area, while for the over-55 group, it is only 23 percent.
Party preferences
It's the cliché image the world loves to love: glowing Germans dressed up traditional dirndl and lederhosen at the famed Oktoberfest. But in fact the survey revealed most Germans prefer to celebrate in private amongst family and friends…although at least they do it properly!
Indeed, one in four admitted to not knowing how they got home from a party. And every person surveyed in his or her twenties reported waking up next to someone whose name they had forgotten (or didn't know to begin with).
Even in club culture the Germans haven't lived up to the clichés: More than half have no interest in joining a sports or social club.
Wine or beer, veggies or meat?
When it comes to their national drink of choice, 57 percent opt for a wine over a beer.
"I would not say that Germany is a country of wine drinkers, but in terms of preferences wine has the edge," says author Holger Geissler.
Only six percent of Germans are vegetarians - and the number of vegans is even scarcer, coming in at two percent. When it comes to meat, 81 percent of people eat it, three percent less than those who enjoy fish.
However, when it comes to snacking there is a clear north-south divide: The North likes salty, and the South sweet - though the central Germans have the biggest sweet tooth.
Fear and loathing
Fear is at the forefront of most Germans' minds - widely known as "German angst." However, rather than specifically deriving from the country's history of war and disaster, it's more founded in individual strokes of fate.
Almost three quarters of the population fear the misfortune of a family member, 65 percent are afraid of cancer and 42 percent fear death. Fear of a major accident registers high, at 60 percent.
Shedding light on a myth
Despite their reputation, 71 percent of Germans profess they would pass through a red traffic light - and one in every five cyclists actively does.
However, among drivers, 14 percent confess to reversing back when accidently straying across a red light. The Germans may be a disciplined, punctual and orderly nation, but 39 percent reported dark moments at some stage in their lives.
States of embarrassment
When it comes to the natural act of passing wind, 68 percent find the practice embarrassing. And when it comes to movies and music, 50 percent of people confess to enjoy songs or films they would never reveal in public.
Artists such as folk pop stars Helene Fischer and Heino are thus greatly adored, but locked safe behind closed doors or on headphones.
Interestingly, Germany's favorite pet is not the dog…but the cat. According to the survey, 28 percent of people own a cat, while only 23 percent have a dog. This may or may not have something to do with the fact German citizens don't need to pay taxes on cats, but do on dogs.
Toilet manners
Folding or scrunching? When it comes to toilet paper Germans meet all the stereotypes, folding their paper neatly. Unlike Americans, who allegedly like to scrunch, 78 percent of Germans fold their paper.
Although German men prefer to pee standing up, two thirds claim to have been "domesticated" and sit down at home. It seems, when it comes to toilet behavior at least, Germans may indeed live up to the prudish clichés.
"What Makes Us Germans Tick" by Christoph Dösser is a project by market research firm You.Gov, utilizing numerous surveys. The resulting book takes a light-hearted look at the psyche of the Germans, and was released in German this week.