Improving the World... One Interaction At A Time.
A Performers Guide to Cultural Interactions
By William Draven
As an actor at a major motion picture studio, and theme park in Hollywood, as well as a magician I frequently get the opportunity to entertain for from all over the world. A year ago or so a document was released within our entertainment department that outlined different countries, and some good information you can use to create meaningful, lasting encounters with their people.
I immediately saw the advantage of this information for the magician community because what are we if not entertainers? We can use just about any tool at our disposal to help create that one magic moment with our audience that can make it even that much more memorable. So I got permission to share the information with you. Of course this project will take some time to post up, so I'll be updating this based upon two factors. The first being how well received, and appreciated it is from you the community, and the second how relevant the community feels this information is as applied to their lives. That is to say if not encouraged, I won't keep it up. Otherwise, I'll post new threads titled: "Improving The World: {country name}" that that specific file relates to.
Without any further delay, I bring you our next country: Germany
Country: Germany
Continental Location: Central Europe
What They Call Themselves: Germans
Primary Language: German
Prominent Cities: Berlin [capital], Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Cologne, Essen, Frankfurt.
Famous/ Historical Sites: Cologne Cathedral; European Central Bank (Frankfurt).
Currency: The Euro
Starter Phrases:
Hello: Hallo
Good Morning: Guten Morgen (GOO-ten MORE-gun)
Good Afternoon: Guten Tag (GOO-ten TOCK)
Goodbye: Auf Wiedersehen (OW-FEE-tah-zane)
Yes: Ja (Yah)
No: Nein (Nine)
Thank you: Danke (Don-kuh)
You’re Welcome: Bitte (BIT-uh)
Cultural Notes:
Prominent People/ Celebrities: Albert Einstein; Kraftwerk (pioneering electronic band, 1970’s & 80’s); Ludwig van Beethoven; Michael Schumacher (Formula One champion race car driver); Claudia Schiffer (supermodel); Heidi Klum (supermodel, “Project Runway”).
-Germany was divided into two separate countries following World War II, East & West Germany reunified on October 3rd, 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It is currently comprised of 16 states.
-The Autobahn is the high-speed highway that runs through Germany. “Recommended” speed limit is 80 mph; although there is no actual limit for most cars.
-Several famous rivers run through the country, they are the Rhine, Danube and Elbe.
-Well known German global brands are Mercedes Benz, BMW, Adidas, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Hugo Boss, and Nivea.
-The University of Heidelberg was founded in 1386, it is the oldest university in Germany and was the third university established in the Holy Roman Empire. It is also featured in the Academy Award-winning 2008 film “The Reader,” starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes.
-Germany hosted the FIFA (Soccer) World Cup in 1974 & 2006. The national team won the tournament in 1954, 1974, and 1990.
-Germany has also hosted the Olympics; Summer & Winter 1936 & Summer 1972.
-The Beatles frequently performed in the seedy clubs of Hamburg before reaching wold wide popularity.
-Oktoberfest is a sixteen-day festival held each year in Munich, Germany during late September (and running into early October.) Founded in 1810, it is one of the most famous events in Germany and the world’s largest fair, with some six million people attending every year. Beer (the national alcoholic beverage), pretzels, sausages & sauerkraut are traditional foods associated with Germany & Oktoberfest.
What To Avoid:
WWII. Confusion with Austrians. The terrorist activity at Munich Olympics in 1972.
A Performers Guide to Cultural Interactions
By William Draven
As an actor at a major motion picture studio, and theme park in Hollywood, as well as a magician I frequently get the opportunity to entertain for from all over the world. A year ago or so a document was released within our entertainment department that outlined different countries, and some good information you can use to create meaningful, lasting encounters with their people.
I immediately saw the advantage of this information for the magician community because what are we if not entertainers? We can use just about any tool at our disposal to help create that one magic moment with our audience that can make it even that much more memorable. So I got permission to share the information with you. Of course this project will take some time to post up, so I'll be updating this based upon two factors. The first being how well received, and appreciated it is from you the community, and the second how relevant the community feels this information is as applied to their lives. That is to say if not encouraged, I won't keep it up. Otherwise, I'll post new threads titled: "Improving The World: {country name}" that that specific file relates to.
Without any further delay, I bring you our next country: Germany
Country: Germany
Continental Location: Central Europe
What They Call Themselves: Germans
Primary Language: German
Prominent Cities: Berlin [capital], Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Cologne, Essen, Frankfurt.
Famous/ Historical Sites: Cologne Cathedral; European Central Bank (Frankfurt).
Currency: The Euro
Starter Phrases:
Hello: Hallo
Good Morning: Guten Morgen (GOO-ten MORE-gun)
Good Afternoon: Guten Tag (GOO-ten TOCK)
Goodbye: Auf Wiedersehen (OW-FEE-tah-zane)
Yes: Ja (Yah)
No: Nein (Nine)
Thank you: Danke (Don-kuh)
You’re Welcome: Bitte (BIT-uh)
Cultural Notes:
Prominent People/ Celebrities: Albert Einstein; Kraftwerk (pioneering electronic band, 1970’s & 80’s); Ludwig van Beethoven; Michael Schumacher (Formula One champion race car driver); Claudia Schiffer (supermodel); Heidi Klum (supermodel, “Project Runway”).
-Germany was divided into two separate countries following World War II, East & West Germany reunified on October 3rd, 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It is currently comprised of 16 states.
-The Autobahn is the high-speed highway that runs through Germany. “Recommended” speed limit is 80 mph; although there is no actual limit for most cars.
-Several famous rivers run through the country, they are the Rhine, Danube and Elbe.
-Well known German global brands are Mercedes Benz, BMW, Adidas, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Hugo Boss, and Nivea.
-The University of Heidelberg was founded in 1386, it is the oldest university in Germany and was the third university established in the Holy Roman Empire. It is also featured in the Academy Award-winning 2008 film “The Reader,” starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes.
-Germany hosted the FIFA (Soccer) World Cup in 1974 & 2006. The national team won the tournament in 1954, 1974, and 1990.
-Germany has also hosted the Olympics; Summer & Winter 1936 & Summer 1972.
-The Beatles frequently performed in the seedy clubs of Hamburg before reaching wold wide popularity.
-Oktoberfest is a sixteen-day festival held each year in Munich, Germany during late September (and running into early October.) Founded in 1810, it is one of the most famous events in Germany and the world’s largest fair, with some six million people attending every year. Beer (the national alcoholic beverage), pretzels, sausages & sauerkraut are traditional foods associated with Germany & Oktoberfest.
What To Avoid:
WWII. Confusion with Austrians. The terrorist activity at Munich Olympics in 1972.
