Evidence of cultural differences No. 353.

The Birthday...

Today the Caspi-Man is staying home from Kindergarten. He will be tomorrow too. Although the Caspi-Man feels fine - the doctor says that he's contagious and should be quarantined for at least 3 days. Given that Friday is a public holiday (Re-unification day) this effectively means the Caspi-Man is not back at Kindergarten til next Monday. The Caspi-Man is sorely disappointed - as today it is his favourite teacher's birthday and she was bringing in treats for morning tea.

Birthdays are celebrated somewhat differently here in Germany - as an Australian friend of mine learnt in her first year here. Keen to assimilate - and potentially extend her social network - she decided to invite a bunch of (10, or so) "workmates" to a nearby restaurant the following day to help celebrate her first birthday in Deutschland. She was anticipating the Aussie deal, you know - where everyone comes along, springs for their own meal and usually throws in a bit extra so that the guests collectively contribute enough to cover the birthday girl/boy's evening. She was thrilled when everyone accepted her invitation (so much popularity in such a short time!) that is, until she got home that night and told her (German) hubby.

"You do know," her told her, "That you'll be footing the bill for everyone."

Er.... no... She didn't know.

Yep, here in Deutschland, if it's your birthday - it's your shout. (But guests are obligated to bring pressies, and sing "Zum Geburtstag viel Glueck" and often also the english "Happy Birthday" song - but sans the Hip hip horays.) There is no culture of BYO (either in restaurants or privately) and so, for fiscal reasons, many birthdays go widely uncelebrated.

There is also a superstitious taboo about celebrating early. If your birthday falls on a Monday - there's no option to celebrate it on the preceding weekend. It's considered to be an extremely bad omen. And, what if some horrid misfortune (ie. death) befalls you BEFORE your actual birthday, and you've celebrated something that hasn't actually happened?
("Well," my mother said on hearing this, "At least you've had a good party before signing out.")

In the Caspi-Man's kindergarten - the parents are expected to provide morning tea for the entire group on their child's birthday (or on the following Monday if it has fallen on the weekend). I was quite touched that the teachers also observe this custom. (Although I don't really believe that Frau Lehrerin's mama & papa will be there - doing the catering...)