How the British see us Germans ...

Dear students,
   stereotypes have helped mankind for hundreds of years to identify with a group or nation. Especially WW II. has brought Germany a rather negative image across the channel. No wonder, as many cities on the British Isles and its citizens had to suffer from the German Blitzkrieg. For generations we were reduced by the media and by many politicians to being the ferocious Germans, the teutonic savages. However, this has changed in the last years. I think a trigger moment for that change was the football worldcup 2006 in Germany where thousands of football fans actually came to Germany and realized that many of those old stereotypes they were used to were not fitting anymore. I can remember one gutter press headline in particular that read "The war is over!"
    "Congratulations" I tought back then "that was quick". To me it seems as if certain British journalists & Politicians had been so keen on focussing especially on Germany's Nazi-past that they had completely forgotten that their former enemy has developed and has come to terms with its past. Germany today cannot be compared to the Germany 60 years ago, which - by the way -  is true for Britain as well.
    To my mind only one thing helps to overcome old prejudices: getting to know each other. How do British people see the Germans and vice versa. After all, it should become clear that we - no matter whether we live in Germany or Britain - are human beings and more alike than we might expect!
      
Anyway, enjoy those links to find out why it has become a bit trendy lately to show a teutonic approach in GB ... some things here are really hilarious ...

Make me a German, documentary by the BBC