In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Steve Deck, Pittsburgh, PA — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:37:43 GMT

i found this article very interesting, especially after studying abroad in Lueneburg, Germany last semester. i had to "learn" how to recycle from my German roommates, which entailed the plastic, paper, regular, and bio. regarding the point about the older man becoming enraged over something that wasnt "alles in Ordnung" according to German society, was difficult to comprehend for my American mentality. i also think as an American abroad, these were some of the larger culture shocks for me, and it was enjoyable to read this article concerning similar experiences and perspectives.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

April F. Oregon — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:45:32 GMT

I am an American, Oregonian, currently living in Germany and was raised to recycle and I love the recycling here! We as Americans could stand to learn a thing or two about Waste Management! I agree some of their rules are a little bizarre but you get used to them as for their side walks, yards, and houses, you can tell the German from the American. The Germans take great pride in the environment and the hard work it takes to keep it beautiful and clean. As for parking on the sidewalk take note it is permitted only in certain areas.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Hans Jsler — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:15:47 GMT

I lived in the German speaking part of Europe many years and I tell you it is warped when one see people bundling and wrapping garbage much prettier than most people's presents.

There are automated methods that have this kind of work quickly, cheaply, and efficiently.

This is not a sign of order this is proof the the Germans has still boxed about the ears by control freaks although nowadays they are of the worst San Franciscan liberal type.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Mike Aman, El Paso, Texas — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:41:13 GMT

I was born and raised in Germany, and lived there for almost 30 years. Seventeen years ago, I decided to immigrate into the United States and become an American. There are a few things about Germany that I miss every once in a while, mostly personal stuff related to a happy childhood. German "Ordnungswahn" (fanaticism about orderliness) is definitely NOT one of them. Their environmental policies border on totalitarianism, and their Green Party are nothing but Marxist fascists in disguise.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Mary — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:12:12 GMT

I am happy to learn Germany has not changed in 30 years, which was the last time I lived there. How I loved the clean villages and roadsides. The forests were kept clean of fallen limbs/branches, the walking paths so pleasent. How I wish the US could see the benefit of this. To put it bluntly, I wish the US citizens were not such pigs who do not care.
I was also there 50 years ago when there was little to recycle. Everything was used, nothing wasted, no plastics, the hausfraus carried string bags to market.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Shannon, Fort Worth, Texas — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:46:42 GMT

Wow Mary - I'll also be blunt - if we're all such pigs who don't care, maybe you should move back to Germany and get away from us.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Abel Koahou, Jr. — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:20:09 GMT

Maybe a litte "Ordnungswahn" would benefit all of us in the states, a great deal. Germany is beautiful country, and I believe we "talk" a good game, hen it comes to be good stewards of the earth, but the Germans actually live it and it shows, visting Germany, really opens your eyes, the difference in cites (Frankfurt,Berlin), compared to LA, New York is not even close.

I know more than a handful of people, that would definitly move to Europe tommorow, if Life presented the oppurtunity (including me).

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

John Kleeberg, New York, New York — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:10:16 GMT

This article is superficial. The author should look beyond the cliches.

German sidewalks are not as clean as the author says. He is misled by the orderly pattern of the paving stones. If you look closely at a German street, you will see countless vomit stains - the result of a beerdrinking society. If the author were to use the men's rooms in a train station in any large German city, he would soon be disabused of the idea that Germany is so "clean." A large number of young people regularly overdose in the toilets at the main station in Frankfurt am Main.

And yes, Germany does have a lot of recycling regulations - but so do many other countries, including New York City. Germans are not as green as they claim to be. They refuse to set an auto limit on the autobahns - even though that would save energy and many lives. And they are obsessed with their cars, even though the public transportation system, although far from perfect (yes, the trains regularly run late), is of remarkably high quality.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Doris Enow — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:35:27 GMT

This story hits home , because I grew up in Germany. We need to understand that Germany is a small country compared to the US. So space for clutter isn't widely available. Besides clutter begets clutter. I love this country very much, but sometimes it gets so frustrating, because people leave a picknick area without cleaning up after themselves, or just throw trash out of the car. My husband's american mother who I love dearly , always told her children, it's ok to be poor, but it's not ok to be dirty. To hike over a country side that is clean and neat is nature at it's best. The country I like best for cleanliness is Switzerland. You could eat of the floor of their hostels, that's how clean they are. Well that's a little exaggerated, but almost . LOL

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Michelle, Conroe, TX — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:57:26 GMT

How I wish Americans would take responsibility for taking better care of our environment. I believe many Americans are ungrateful for what they have, and over time, we will reap the consequences of what our thankless society has sown.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Camille, High Springs, FL — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:59:20 GMT

I was in German this past summer for vacation. I agree, Americans can learn a lot from Germans on recycling and environmental protection. I grew up in NH and moved to FL for college. Florida has terrible recycling policies. The rules to German society generally didn't bother me, but then again I had a native as a guide. I really liked that you could recycle packaging right at the grocery store. The hard part for me was remembering my own bags to carry my purchases home.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Jane — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:58:58 GMT

I am of German decent and grew up in a small farming community in the Midwest. We to were taught to clean up, put away, and generally take care of our possessions so that they would last and could be used for years to come. I see that Germans take pride in how their towns and properties look. I too like to pull in my driveway and see a nice looking home that has been well taken care of.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Rick Burwen — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:29:14 GMT

I was born and raised in the United States. Americans are pigs and if there was anything I could do to stop it, it would already have happened. If you are German and you do love your country, don’t live among us pigs. And send out invitations to the few clean Americans who beleive in Ordnungswahn to come join you.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

steve velez — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:37:40 GMT

I'm an American in my 6th year of living in Germany. The "green craze" is not based in reality. It's a knee jerk response gone awry. The energy used is greater than just burying ALL the trash/garbage You will see a greater carbon footprint related to the associated activities e.g. the homeowner purchasing cans,bags and driving to pickup sites, govt. now has to spend energy regulating it, companies are now formed to manufacture metal/ plastic bins and pickup the material, factories are built to sort and dispose of it-just to give you a rough idea!

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Trent, Atlanta, Georgia — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:44:19 GMT

I have to agree with Mike. There are wonderful things I remember about Germany (Weihnachtsmarkt!), but the fascism of Greens is not one of them. It's amazing to have someone chewing you out about your polluting car all the while chain smoking in your face! It all smacks of Euro-hypocrisy.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Mark Moore, Amberg, Germany — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:54:11 GMT

It is against the law in Germany to wash your car on a public street.
You may not cut grass, run chain saws, or make any other loud noises between the hours of 1 and 3 PM in most German communities because that is when most elderly are napping. The same rules generally apply for the entire day of Sunday.
You may be cited if your TV or stereo (in your home)can be heard from the street by passersby.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Frank Silbermann — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:09:16 GMT

Do the attitudes gradually change as you go from Germany, through Austria, Tyrolia, Italy and finally into Sicily? Or is there a huge amount of tension in Tyrolia -- which falls at the junction of German and Italian speaking communities?

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Marina Straight Phoenix Arizona — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:10:40 GMT

I am a German Citizen that has lived in the US for the last 23 years. During my last visit to Germany, I was shocked. My parents do no longer have a dining area in the kitchen like we used to when I was growing up. The area is filled with 7 containers for different recycle items. When my 9 year old "american" son through some stuff in the regular trash, my mother corrected right behind him and said this goes in this recycle bin. We were all so confused and were afraid to through anything away.
We have recycling in Phoenix and I participate all the time. However all recycle items are placed in one bin and the waste disposal plant seperates the items. Why can they not simplify the process and create more jobs in the high unemployment enviroment.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Ray West, Viernheim, Germany — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:17:09 GMT

I live in a small town in Germany. We have separate containers for clear, green and brown glass. Some people will study the containers trying to figure out where to put blue glass. Every Thursday a large truck comes to collect the glass. Guess what ? The containers get dumped into the same place. Separating the glass by color seems to be only some PR gimmick. I wonder where the glass eventually ends up.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Michael A, Bakersfield CA — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:20:23 GMT

Perhaps we should take more time to pay attention to our recycling efforts, but as far as our country being pigs well, your comparing apples and oranges there, Germany is quite small in comparison. It is easy for them to keep thier areas neat as there are masses of people in small areas to handle the efforts.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Bernadette Marcum, Philadelphia, PA — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:09:27 GMT

This is so funny! My conservative sisters think Germany is great becsuse of their "rules" But, other people think that clean streets and responsible recycling is liberal!! Perception is everything!!!

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

whocares about myname, USA — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:33:39 GMT

Good for Germany! It's about time someone did something drastic!

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Chris Smaling, Las Vegas, NV — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:46:25 GMT

I have lived in th US for 11 years now, coming from Europe. Yes, Germans are very regimental in their behavors, but it still is better than seeing all the mess in this country. Not far from me there is a nice custom home devolpment and right next to it are a few large house with big lots. These lot are filled with everything under the sun; rusty old cars, broken RVs, garden furniture etc. I feel sorry for the people that live next to messes like this. Please reclycle - don't leave it sitting around. Chris

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Mona Fowler, Tucson AZ — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:47:16 GMT

I grew up in Germany and moved to the United States 20 years ago. I remember how ugly and dirty the streets and yards seemed to me when I got here.
I so enjoy the drive from the Frankfurt airport to my hometown Ostheim/Rhoen everytime I go back. How beautiful the landscape is, not to mention the nicely decorated windows!

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Hohn Czech — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:50:33 GMT

The author seems to mix up waste and carelessness with freedom and a "kool" attitude. Does he prefer garbage-strewn sidewalks and highway embankments? In that case, he should move to New York.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Alison — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:15:38 GMT

I have to agree with Mary. We just returned from living in Germany for 3 years. How disheartening it has been to return to the littering, waste, and obesity of America. America has become slovenly. While the Germans do take their rules quite seriously, it is quite disappointing to see that we Americans do not seem to care to follow any, whether for consideration of others or because it is the law.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

EVK — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:33:05 GMT

Well, Mary, I think it very ignorant of you to blindly refer to an entire nation as "pigs who do not care." Many people in the USA, including myself, happen to care a great deal about a clean environment. I live in the eastern US and it's very common to have 3-4 separate cans for different types of waste. The area is also very clean and people like it that way.
If you're going to fire an anti-American statement, which is so fashionable nowadays, it shouldn't be an inaccurate generalization. Perhaps you should consider moving back, Hmm?

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

joanna — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:46:17 GMT

I've been living in Germany the past eight years and love the recycling programs and adhere to it vigilantly, its a pity a number of my German neighbors don't. Open the lid to the 'grey' garbage bin and you'll find recyclable plastic/tins and paper mixed in it. I've no doubt the "alles in ordnung" folks are laying blame to the sole american in the building. :-(

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Larissa Hamilton — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:06:24 GMT

I have a feeling that is a CRIME to be orderly ?
NOT only germans but Hungarians, Austrians, Swiss, Holland, Belgium DO NOT allow garbage and dirt around your house, in front OR side of your house ! In our usa is tolerated in tn the name of FREE COUNTRY beside other unpleasant thinks ! Europe was, is, will be ALLWAYS LOT STRICTER in "everything" ! I called CULTURE ! What else ? MORE POWER TO THEM ! They DON'T care about : Are religious NON believer, like red or white, their MOTTO is LIVE and LET LIVE ! Hier in our country ? OUR noses is all over where realy DON'T BELONG ! This time was clean streets of germany :O))
Don't forget, other european countries are VERY Clean too ! I wish that here in usa, we should clean first in front of our houses and then quietly can go look what others do care about their affairs ! Even IF we have NO RIGHTS to mouth up other countries ways of living ! Take care guys and mean your own bussiness :O))

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Mike Y — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:32:23 GMT

I noticed a bigger problem in German and Europe for that matter. GRAFFITI EVERYWHERE!!!! Not just big cities, EVERYWHERE. MOSTLY NON-SENSE NOT POLITICAL STUFF. Just "taggin" everywhere.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Sarah — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:45:19 GMT

I agree with Mary. I would love to see the US take better care of its environment. How I would love to walk down the road and not see trash lying everywhere! I think Germany has the right idea. So what if it's a bit strict, would it not be worth it to be able to live in such a clean place?

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Margret, Houston, Tx. — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:56:42 GMT

I am a german living in the USA and wish that the united states would be cleaner. Americans are
trashy and they should learn more about the german
way of being clean and start to recycle.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

patrizia, middletown,RI — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:56:45 GMT

I am german and live here in the USA since 12 years. yes, the germans recycle almost everything. i wish some of that would come to the US like (buying soda.) you go to the store and buy a case of soda. you have to pay a deposit for the case and each bottle. when you return everything you receive you deposit back. that's less cans and plastic bottles for the trash.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

HornDawg, Austin TX — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:02:48 GMT

In general, we Americans are slobs. Recycling is slowly catching on - but only where they give you a bin and make it easy by picking it up along with the regular garbage. How many folks go out of their way to take their stuff to a recycling center? How many of us have compost bins? Have you ever been stopped a light by the Interstate and noticed how much trash blows around? I am going to visit over there this summer and will be on my guard to not be a messy American.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Gabriele Kahn, Germany — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:19:50 GMT

How funny - I am a German who lived in California and Oregon for eight years, and people over there seem to be so much more uptight! Often when I casually crossed a street as a pedestrian, people would get angry and shout "Jaywalker!" at me; I never found out what exactly it was I wasn't supposed to be doing. Walking, probably. Also, Germans are free to design their front yards any way they like. In America, you are forced to have a manicured front lawn, even during a drought, or all the neighbors will gang up on you, even call the police... in Germany, my front yard sported high grass and wildflowers, and nobody raised an eyebrow. And don't get me started on American kitsch... it's everywhere, and usually made of plastic! Actually, where I lived in Oregon everybody sorted their trash, just like in Germany. Only they had so much more of it... in a German supermarket, nobody will ever ask you "paper or plastic?", because people bring their own shopping bags, or just wheel the cart out to their car and put everything in a big box in the trunk.
And don't even get me started on obsessive cleaning and disinfecting... nobody in Germany uses bleach for household purposes, or adds chlorine (blechhh!) to drinking water.
I suppose you have laid-back people and neat freaks everywhere... they are just so much more obvious abroad.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Melani P., Herzogenaurach, Germany — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:20:25 GMT

As an American living in Germany, I am impressed with the pride Germans have for their homes and villages. It makes for a wonderful environment to live. As for the recycing, it takes a little getting used to, but aftrr a while, it becomes routine. What's a little inconvenience when it makes such an impact on our environment. I am enjoying living here and the experiencing the lovely pace and family oriented lifestyle Germany provides.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

MetraHarvard, Chicago, IL — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:47:58 GMT

I can still hear my Mother yelling at me about not cleaning my room--"Ordnung muss sein!!"
What a pain! Now that I'm all grown up, I enjoy frequent visits to Germany. I've learned that my Mom is not the only person out there with these ideas! Thank you for this article--I'll be sharing it with my parents...

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

T. Bouton, Pomona, NY 10970 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:32:42 GMT

I was born and raised in Germany and I do miss clean streets, beautiful parks. Everyone helps to keep it that way. Americans could learn an awful lot. People here have no respect for the environment, they throw trash out of the cars and then they complain when a lot of areas look just like slum. America wake up and respect your world.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

LaNell — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:38:33 GMT

A terrible trait I have noticed first hand, and been told by so many others, is that the Germans are NEVER happy. They argue with each other, they are condescending to Americans in particular. Ha! Even consultants that they repeatedly hire, and who, to avoid dealing with them, raise their fees hoping they will go away. When they can get away with it, they are just plain CHEAP~!
Did the world war losses do this to them??

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

l, ventura, californi — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:44:37 GMT

we moved to germany after living in spain for almost 4 years. talk about culture shock! i learned first hand why the spaniards call the germans "cabeza cuadrada". there are things i miss about both countries. the grouchy, neighborhood watchdogs that i encountered in both countries are not one of them! but guess what? they followed me to california!

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

John — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:45:18 GMT

I wish we had a little of that in the USA. I pick up litter along my street. In a half mile section, I pick up enough to fill a 33 gallon trash bag. That is every 10 days. I do rinse out bottles and cans. I also recycle any other things I find like scraps of metal. Please America, stop throwing trash out the windows. We have such a beautiful county. Why do you ruin it?

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Adela Rathdrum, Idaho — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:46:39 GMT

I also enjoyed living in Germany over 30 years ago as a military child bride from the US. I may have been only 16, but it didn't take me long to be ashamed of my countrymen; their filthy lifestyle, their behavior in public, their unruly, illmannered and unkempt children! I lived happily on the German economy. I never went near the Army base unless I had to, and I only went back to America by force. And I still miss Germany! You can laugh at the old man yelling about parking on the sidewalk but you know what? It's rude. It may be a small thing, but so is one little spot of spit on a sidewalk here in some people's eyes but it is so disgusting to others! I feel the Altmensch was right to gripe. If you are German and like dirt, fine, live here! If you are American and like neatness, hey, move to Germany! There is room somewhere for all! Prosit!

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Sara — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:49:23 GMT

There's good and bad in everything. Good turns bad when it gets fanatical.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

RGA — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 03:24:50 GMT

I am a native farmboy from west Tennessee. I lived in Germany in 1971 & 1972(uncle sam's idea). One of the things I loved and still remember about Gremany is that it was CLEAN and almost no crime. I truly enjoyed the time I was there because I knew my family was safe at home when I traveled and they did not need a 357 magnum to walk down the streets to shop.
I lived in the village of "Gardenstadt" which won the coveted prize of Most beautiful Village in Europe for seven years in a row. if given a chance I would move back to Germany today. As a matter of fact I plan to move there when I retire because of the beauty and safety of that country.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

RGA — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 03:26:24 GMT

I am a native farm boy from west Tennessee. I lived in Germany in 1971 & 1972(uncle sam's idea). One of the things I loved and still remember about Gremany is that it was CLEAN and almost no crime. I truly enjoyed the time I was there because I knew my family was safe at home when I traveled and they did not need a 357 magnum to walk down the streets to shop.
I lived in the village of "Gardenstadt" which won the coveted prize of Most beautiful Village in Europe for seven years in a row. If given a chance I would move back to Germany today. As a matter of fact I plan to move there when I retire because of the beauty and safety of that country.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Alab Hill, Waikato,NZ — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:02:04 GMT

Clearly, not all Germans adhere to the "keep it as clean as God gave it" rule.
The New Zealasnd cops have just arrested a young German tourist for spraypainting--tagging-- the ice face and surrounding rocks of a major South Island glacier.
He was photographed in the act, picked up at the airport, and spent hours scrubbing away with a handbrush to restore the glacier and rocks to a semblance of their previously unblemished raw beauty.
Old Timer

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Brian Manke — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:04:47 GMT

My Father, born in the old town of Kohlberg, Germany traveled to the United States at 21 years of age.
He had instilled in me the proper ways of gardening and yard work. It is a pleasure reading this article as it reflects his life and my childhood memories of a picture perfect lawn and garden from good old fashioned hard work.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Marlene — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:27:04 GMT

Yes, Germany is clean and tidy. I'm a Brit, lived in Germany many years and now I'm in Louisville, Kentucky since five years. I am amazed, and yes, disgusted about the waste management here, and even more about how citizens dispose of their garbage: it's everywhere...on the streets, on the highways, it literally 'decorates' the whole Metro...and nobody seems to care. It'll be cleaned up and after a couple of weeks it looks the same. Pigs are cleaner.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Ron S — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:03:13 GMT

The northern continental european countries are all very clean thanks to their socially clean habits. I don't think it has much to do with laws. It has to do with societal order. While the US is industrialized, at times we have the habits of third world countries. Could you imagine if people cleaned up after themselves in New York City or San Francisco? Those cities would probably receive twice as many tourism $$$ as they do right now. So far the cleanest american town I have ever been in is Portland Oregon. Either the US starts producing products that erode quickly in landfills or we too will start seeing these anal laws inhabit our states.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Elisabeth, Poole, UK — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:41:00 GMT

With regards to the writer's views on clearing branches from forests: is this not recycling in its purest form or does present day German intellect know better than Mother Nature? It seems rather rather more to do with control than environment to me.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Kim Grzegorczyk, Niedermohr, Rhineland Pflaz — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:28:06 GMT

I have been in Germany for 4 mos and live in the Kaiserslautern area. It took a bit to get used to the recycling. My daughter is 4 yrs old and knows the recycling rules better than her 16 yr old brother. The Germans take much pride in their villages. I see people outside sweeping the sidewalks daily. This has got to be one of the most best kept countries in Europe. I love it and I think the U.S. should start to take some pride in how cities look there.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Jeff, Stuttgart — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:48:03 GMT

I have lived in Stuttgart for the past 3 years, and can't say the recycling is anything different from what we had in Sonoma County, CA where I come from. If anything the idealism is a bit useless, as after you sort everything, most of the garbage just ends up being incinerated in a thermal energy plant here in the region anyway. Sadly, I have seen things trending here to more packaging and less reuse as cheaper EU imports are now flooding the local markets, making the local grocery stores look more and more like Albertson's...

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Amy, Naples Italy — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:28:43 GMT

As an American currently living in Naples Italy, but having lived in Germany for 9 years, I long for the "Ordnung" that is omnipresent in Germany. To those who consider such control overbearing, try living in a city where the garbage piles up, nobody takes care of common spaces, and the citizens regard the whole out-of-doors as their wastebasket. You'd be glad of some organization and common sense of order. Guess this just shows that either extreme has its detractors. Moderation in all things, including moderation.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Deborah Crouse-Rhudy, Crestwood, KY — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:11:43 GMT

Week after week I have to go to the front of my property that borders the highway for a couple hundred feet and pick garbage. Some weeks its only a few pieces, some weeks a half a bag full.

Maybe the Germans take it to extremes sometimes, but I could sure use a little of that ordnungswahn here in Kentucky. Why do Americans think its okay to toss trash out their car windows?

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Boca Raton, Florida — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:23:05 GMT

I am all for enivormenatlism, but this article explains why the Germans cannot tolerate people who are differing ethnicities than themselves. It is Ordnungswahn which leads to ethnic cleansing and Nazism. I would rather have a mess with multi-culturalism than the measure, toenail cliped lawns of Germany.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Joseph Paul, Basel, Switzerland — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:23:24 GMT

Like in all things, moderation and balance is usually best. This German mentality which I am all too familiar with, since I live in the German part of Europe, is not reasonable and its inflexibility leads to injustice and empowers the nosy and the know-it-alls. Moreover, it leads not to respect but rather to gratuitously judging and loathing your neighbors. And worse, as to not leaving a twig on the ground, this compulsive orderliness and cleanliness has cause the extinction of countless local species that needed a brushy environment. General tolerance for petty rules creates a predisposition for fascism on a grand scale, as recent history bears witness. A little disorder is a good thing after all.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Anon in Georgia — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:47:06 GMT

I think we as American's could learn something from the Germans as well. We may not have to take it to the extreme that the Germans have but it would certainly make an impact on this filthy place we call home.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

ace ventura — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:48:22 GMT

sounds like a good place for monk

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:00:24 GMT

Mary- Perhaps you could refrain from lumping all US citizens into one big piggish basket. Some of us do take pride in our surroundings, but when the government does not make policies to fix the neighbor's trashiness, there is very little recourse to those who want things clean.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

John Carter, Pickerington, OH — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:10:36 GMT

I was stationed in Germany in the U.S.A.F. from 1964 to 1968. We didn't see much of the recycling then, but I can attest that if a German threw something away, it wasn't worth anything!

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

JCD Benson, Boston Mass — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:13:32 GMT

Has anyone ever thought of the fact that in Germany an awful lot of people sit on a small piece of real estate - something that leads to the absolute necessity of cleanliness and order? Paired with the "stern earnestness" of the Germans - which has evolved over hundreds of years of Kings Kaisers and Dictators, it does come off, often enough, as scurrile and ridiculous. BUT a shot of orderliness wouldn't sit too badly with our rubbish littered parks, beaches and mall parking lots here in the states.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Lisa, Pennsylvania — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:20:12 GMT

I lived in Germany in the 80's and early 90's, and while no place is utopia, there were many things I thought made good sense and could be beneficial to those of us in the USA. Recycling is one of those things. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to see my neighbors and colleagues tossing cans and plastic bottles into regular garbage, when it is so easy to sort and recycle! I understand cleaning out a peanut butter jar might be a chore - but a water bottle?
I agree that recycling may have gone too far in some parts of the world, but many Americans act lazy and spoiled when it comes to cleaning up our environment even a little bit.

As I read these blogs, I smiled, remembering being scolded by an old German man over letting my car warm up in the morning. When I looked confused, he pointed to the exhaust and plugged his nose to help me get the picture. Apparently I had broken a law about idling a car, but in hindsight, I understand.

I'm sure I was considered a slob by the locals for not sweeping my sidewalks and washing my windows more than twice a year. They worked hard to keep their villages clean and, while I didn't do such a good job, I have to admit: the neighborhoods were lovely!

Utopia? It is no where... But adopting good ideas from other countries can sometimes make nice places even better! Recycling is one of those ideas, and it doesn't have to be extreme or complicated to be benefincial to our world. After all, we are all on this planet together, and we all share the air, and even the water eventually.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Dave Stork, New York — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:56:03 GMT

I'm originally from Ridgewood, Queens--which, when it was a predominantly German neighborhood, was famous (or infamous) citywide for its extreme cleanliness and orderliness. The Hausfraus used to scrub their stoops every week, and you were expected to keep your trash cans in your cellar until garbage pickup day.

This was during my father's time; the neighborhood was already in transition by the time I came along. But anyway... yes, the Germans seem to have a thing for orderliness!

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

walter schuette, Raleigh, NC — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:05:52 GMT

Well my friends I am a German living in the US and
sometimes I am appalled at how dirty the country in many areas is ,how carelessly people especially younger people just trash everything.Would it not be better , if you 'd show a little respect for your country? Everybody is moaning here they how much they love their country . . . Talk and the flag is cheap my friend . !!! Trash goes to trash in life, I miss the German cleanliness here and America would do well if they ' d learn quickly from those Germans.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Sarah P, Fleming Island , FL — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:09:21 GMT

Boy, do I miss Germany. I was stationed in Augsburg and LOVED it. There was some culture shock for a 19 year old girl raised in the south - but recycling became a norm for me - and I took it back with me. We are HUGE recyclers here and can only hope that it will catch on here in the states.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

JDI — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:33:25 GMT

I recently moved back to the US after living in Germany for four years. I loved the fact that we recycled so much and weren't adding anymore to the landfills. The US could learn a little bit about taking better care of our resources. It was a large learning curve at first but the benefits outweigh the senseless complaints.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Chas Escalante,Long Beach,Ca — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:41:23 GMT

I lived in Germany for 8 years and I'm American. There are several regulations that Germany wants to impose on its citizen to keep a sense of control and to keep there country looking its best. These regulations work. Because no one is prepared to look like a fool in thier community not being in compliance. There could be nothing worse than not obeying the law and you will always be corrected if spotted not observing them by anyone that notices the infraction. I'm glad I'm back in California. But, I still look forward to traveling back Germay. Even if they seem to lack a bit of indivdualism. They must think we all beat to our own drum when they vist here. Some people obey the laws and some don't. I'm glad that we are a melting pot that is what makes America so interesting to me. Now where's the remote. Just kidding.... Germans really do relax more when they leave the country and travel. But as you know if you have lived there they will always be right and if you give them this and not to get defensive. You'll understand there point of view. That dose not mean that they will understand yours. Take the higher ground. We can travel 3000 miles by plane and still we are in the same country we border two oceans and have some of the most amazing national parks in the world should I mention some world class cities. Besides the control issues they have to live with, Germans need all the vaccation so they can get to recharge their batteries. They live in a country that is almost land locked and for the most part everyone lives in apartments that are about 900 sq ft. and its cloudy most of the year also its not common to just strike up a conversation with somone you do not know.

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Rose, austin,TX. — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:51:01 GMT

I agree with Mary and April, Americans can learn a thing or two from Germans about recycling and cleanliness. My Mom is from Germany and I've had no problem with recycling except to do so here in Texas is hard. Some of or recycling units don't have the proper machines to recycle most things plastics and certainly no differnce for us in green, brown or white glass. I would love to see seperate recyling bins for glass just like I've seen in Germany. We're on this earth as "visitors" and I believe we should work harder on keeping it "greener". "alles in ordnung" is not so happily or so easily embraced but would so benefit us in Texas, in America!

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Jane, Cleveland — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:07:13 GMT

It's all about perception - some people that are comfortable with the German way of doing things may think that America is a filthy country - but they should try visiting someplace like Mexico City, or Amman Jordan. I realize that we Americans could do a lot more for the environment, but at least we generally agree that it is a bad idea to burn tires in the back yard, toss bags of garbage on the side of the road at a downtown stop light, and throw leftovers [and other trash] out of the kitchen window. Sure we can improve the way we do things - but it could be worse...

In Germany, ‘green’ and kitsch don’t always mix

Janice Jones, Memphis, TN. — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:14:52 GMT

I am a Soldier living in Germany, this is my second tour, I have been here this time since 2005, Germany is a beautiful country. I love it here, I was here in 1998-1991; yes the forests was very clean, it has changed some, but it is still clean, and crime is not bad here. If I could retire here I would.