British and German Kids Struggle with Clichés
July 29, 2004
In Berlin on Thursday, the British Council and the German Goethe Institute presented a new study which looks at what young people in the UK and Germany think about each other’s countries. The survey, conducted among people aged between 16 and 25, investigates to what extent outmoded, stereotypical thought is still current among the younger generations in both lands.
The study aims to provide insights into the perceptions and attitudes of Germans towards the UK and vice versa. Those polled were young people from the two countries, who were of particular interest for both the cultural institutions involved in the project.
Germans think UK is modern and multi-cultural
The study shows that of all the young Germans polled, over 50 percent have visited the UK. A whopping 97 percent have at least a basic knowledge of the English language. Britain is only second to the USA when it comes to being the most popular country for studies abroad. All in all, young Germans view the UK as a successful multi-cultural society which is modern and future-oriented.
Britain is also considered to be a country where important trends are set, for instance in the art and music scenes. It’s not perceived as a country committed to the ideals of the European Union. On the other hand, only 37 percent of the young Britons polled have been to Germany.
Brit kids think "Krauts" are not trendy
Germany is not really a country they tend to think of in terms of studying there. It’s not seen to be trendy, but most young Britons mention Germany’s technological capabilities and its drive for perfection and precision, as, for instance, in the car industry.
The struggle against stereotypes is a hard one. Many young Britons still believe that Germans are not open-minded and – even worse – without any sense of humor. But according to the study, the overall rating of Germans among young Britons is slowly but surely improving. Or, as one of those polled put it: “The Krauts are okay!”