He Learned The Hard Way What Germany Is Really Like.

Overview

The video features Jason, an almost-50 associate professor (English and business communication) born in Hong Kong who has lived in Germany for about 20 years. He explains that his early time in Germany felt manageable—less culture shock than expected—but things became more challenging after he settled in, especially during a demanding period balancing work (including freelance) and raising two children.

A recurring theme is how German/Austrian cultural norms differ from Hong Kong/Chinese norms, particularly in communication style, and how those differences affect relationships, work, and daily life.

Cultural communication: High-context vs. low-context

Jason teaches intercultural competence at work and draws on the framework of “high-context vs. low-context” communication:

• Hong Kong / Chinese norms: High-context—more meaning is implied, and people read between the lines.
• Germany / Austria norms: Low-context—more information is explicit, with “black-and-white” clarity in writing and direct statements.

He links these differences to friction in his marriage, describing how his wife can become annoyed when he:

• repeatedly asks for clarification, or
• reinterprets implied meanings rather than accepting direct phrasing.

Against simplistic cultural “do’s and don’ts”

Jason argues that overly simplistic “do’s and don’ts” guides are not enough. Instead, he says people should understand the motivations beneath behavior so they can respond with empathy rather than labeling others as “weird.”

Practical realities in Germany

Employment and work structure

Jason moved to Austria because obtaining permanent, full-time work in Germany in his field is difficult. He notes that many universities rely heavily on temporary contracts, which can result in short, limited paid teaching hours. He later accepted a permanent position in Innsbruck.

Parenting, pressure, and cultural expectations

As the primary caregiver, Jason raised his children with a more “tiger dad”/Asian approach. He says this created friction with his German wife and also contrasted with German schooling norms.

He also believes education-related competition and pressure can be higher in places like Canada (especially Toronto), but he cautions that education quality depends on the individual rather than on any single “better system.”

Language and bureaucracy

Jason warns Hong Kong newcomers not to assume English will be sufficient in Germany, saying he learned this “the hard way.”

He also discusses bureaucracy—such as citizenship processing—describing it as:

• slow at times,
• uncertain, especially in responsiveness,

but ultimately clearer and more reliable than systems where rules feel vague.

Discrimination and racism: frequency vs. perception

On racism, Jason distinguishes between perception and frequency. He says his first experience of what he considered racism occurred in Germany (unlike his earlier experience growing up in Canada), but he estimates it affected only about 1% of his time there.

He argues that the line between ignorance and racism can be thin, while still emphasizing that about 99% of interactions were positive.

He also pushes back on the claim that it is impossible to make friends in Germany, though he notes that it varies by region—he lives in Franconia, which he describes as challenging for friendships.

Politics and social attitudes

Jason takes a reflective, somewhat cautionary stance on politics. He cannot vote yet, but he believes the world—and Germany included—is moving to the right.

Rather than simply dismissing these trends, he urges people to examine:

• why these shifts happen, and
• avoid reacting impulsively.

He also supports the idea that Germany needs immigrants for pragmatic reasons, citing his view that the pension system would collapse without younger contributors.

Marriage and day-to-day navigation

Jason explains that his marriage helps him manage German life, especially in earlier stages—particularly for official situations, meetings, and translation support. He notes that taxes remain difficult for both of them, but he frames their partnership as a major support.

He plans to keep working rather than retire early, and says he may return to Asia only if a university job becomes available.

Presenters or contributors

• Jason — associate professor; interviewee and narrator