German Culture: More Than the Chicken Dance! Quiz

Answer: Cuckoo clock

A cuckoo clock is a pendulum time keeping device that, every hour, makes a sound like a cuckoo call and has an automated bird that moves. Some feature simple movements and others have very intricate patterns. The cuckoo clock is a German icon and almost all of the models are produced in the Black Forest region by several different workshops.

These are true artisans and it takes years to lean how to treat the wood, carve the various pieces, and integrate the mechanical innerworkings. This craft has been handled down through the generations and is a large part of that area's culture.

Answer: Tea

East Frisia is in the northwest corner of Germany across from the Netherlands. In the 1600s, the Dutch East India company introduced tea to this part of the world and the locals grew to love it. It was cheaper than beer and warm on a cold day. During WWII, the culture here was the only one in Germany given a tea ration.

The tea is very strong and comes with its own ritual. Boiled water is poured over tea leaves and allowed to steep. Then it is strained into a special tea pot. A special sugar cube that looks like rock candy is added and followed by a spoonful of real cream.

It is not stirred and served immediately, giving the user a taste of cream, bitter, then sweet.

Answer: Leather

Lederhosen is translated into English as "leather breeches". Germany and Austria are the primary geographic areas where these clothes originated. They came into being out of necessity to aid the poorer laborer in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

The pants are cut short, above the knee, and it made it easy for the workers to move around and less material was more affordable. The leather of which they are made was easy to clean after working. In later years, the lederhosen has been tied to the culture around yodellers and dancers.

Answer: Christmas tree

Christmas, or Weihnachten, is a major holiday in Germany. Preparations begin at the beginning of December as baked goods and decorations are made. The season officially begins with the first Sunday of Advent when a special wreath with candles is hung. By Christmas Eve, a tree is set up in the home.

This practice originated in Germany in the 16th century and by the 1800s German settlers had spread it to America. Even today, the German custom is to gather around the tree on Christmas Eve, to partake of a large evening meal and share songs and gifts.

Answer: False

An important thing to keep in mind is the German's very relaxed attitude toward nudity. There is, however, etiquette involved in visiting these spas. The saunas, steam baths, massage areas, and many natural hot baths are towel-only. Showering before entering is required and a person must always recline on a towel.

The Germans adopted the spa culture from the Roman empire when bathing was used by soldiers as a form of hydrotherapy. Royalty from around Europe has been known to meet at popular German spa resort areas. Today, most citizens can take advantage of these amazing and restful locales.

Answer: Sausage

A typical German breakfast consists of bread, or buns, served with spreads like cheese, ham, or jam. Lunch is called "Mittagessen" and is a filling warm meal. It is a type of meat with side dish of either potatoes or spatzle (noodles). Bread is very important to the German food culture and their dinner is called "Abendbrot" which means "evening bread".

It often consists of a baked bread along with one of a vast variety of worst, or sausages. There are over 1,000 types of wurst and they can be served grilled, in a roll with mustard, cooked in beer, and many more delicious, inventive ways.

Answer: Dachau

The Holocaust is one of the most important, significant events of the 1900s and Germany has dedicated itself to highlighting the victims and to encourage people to tour and learn about the atrocities. There is a five acre site in Berlin dedicated to murdered Jews, small paving stones in the German cities commemorating victims of concentration camps, museums, and sites were Hitler made plans. Finally, there are numerous concentration camps that allow visitors. Dachau is 10 miles northwest of Munich and guests follow the "path of the prisoner" where they walk the way prisoners were forced to upon arrival.

They see the baths, the barracks, and the crematorium.

Answer: The Brothers Grimm

The Grimm brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm, were born in the 1780s in Hesse, Germany. The two brothers suffered through poverty and spent time learning German folklore and history. After graduation, they travelled the country transcribing and writing local lore.

They published a volume in 1812 which contained stories like "Cinderella" and "Hansel and Gretel". The brothers made the stories, many of which were gruesome, into ones compatible with children. The Grimm brothers' work is known throughout the world and is bound to the German cultural heritage.

Answer: Football (soccer)

The Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. It is their primary football competition and has been in existence since 1963. A total of 12 clubs have been crowned champion with Bayern Munich leading the way with an incredible 30 titles. Other teams, such as Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen, and Hamburg have lifted the Meisterschale trophy several times.

Answer: A wedding celebration

Oktoberfest is held every year for two weeks in Munich, Germany during the start of October. The festival started in 1810 in celebration of the wedding of the crown prince of Bavaria, later King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

It, at the time, lasted five days and included a horse race. As the years progressed, beer halls and entertainment were added. There are parades sponsored by beer companies featuring people in folk dress. Over six million people travel to Munich for this event every year and many cities around the world have their own version as people laugh and dance to German culture.