Kultur 6, Chloe Nolingberg

The one online reading from this chapter's culture readings that I found most interesting is "Division Hell: Worshiping the Garbage Gods." I think it's really neat that the Germans are so conscious about recycling and separating their garbage. Of course, it's a little intense and may seem to the extreme, but I feel like if the Germans just make up an easier, more understandable system more people would be less critical of the recycling. The idea is great and so is the result, but so many people find it hard to decipher what classifies as "waste" or under other categories and the idea of recycling soon becomes difficult and a burden. Once the German government designs a system that is easier to understand, it is possible even more people will begin contributing and may enjoy recycling a little more. I also really like that similar to almost all other businesses, recycling is closed on Sundays. Although many people might see this as a burden, and I might also if I had to deal with everything being closed on Sundays, I respect that Germany sees Sunday as a day to relax, spend with the family, and take off from work. I have heard that this is slowly changing and some businesses are staying open on Sundays, but for the most part I think the world could really use one day a week to slow down and breathe and I love that Germany does that.

One other thing I learned from the Kultur sections in the book was that Tübingen has a partnership with Ann Arbor. I think that that is so neat and I would really like to learn more about the partnership between the two cities! The partnership would probably make traveling to Tübingen less difficult and a possibility for me in the future :)