Differences in mentality

Differences in mentality between Britons and Germans

English people are, unsurprisingly as subjects in a kingdom, polite people. This may be a prejudice, but it describes the mentality very well. They are, on average, compassionate and listen when you come to them with problems. For example, even when it comes to hire cars. On the other hand, they are talkative. You should not put every word they say on the famous gold scale. They like to use empty phrases and can forget promises. But they are also curious and interested. If they have to deal with Germans, they will most likely ask interested questions, possibly in a cheerful, relaxed, open manner. English people are also considered tolerant. Which means they’ll forgive you if you’re a bit upset, for example after an incident, and in turn lack politeness at first. Let’s say there was a problem with a hire car booking: it can be assumed that English people understand the customer’s anger, especially if it is a foreigner. The service person has her title for a reason and will try to help find a solution. English people are generally spontaneous and flexible, which will help to deal with an annoying situation. However, they are stereotypes, of course. Not all English people are as described. It’s also quite possible that you’ll end up with a Scotsman, who are supposed to be stingy. Or a Welshman, who are hardly all nature boys. Nor are all Irish prone to drunkenness. After all, not all Englishmen drink their tea at five in the afternoon. Which already says that not all Brits can be lumped together. But that there are types like those described here is also beyond question. Roughly summarized, Englishmen are not infrequently a sort of chum type. They are up for any kind of fun. After all, the English sense of humour is known all over the world. By the way, you can also hope for punctuality in Great Britain just like in Germany. Here the Anglo-Saxons are like the Teutons.

A bigger problem than the mentality of the English, Scots or Welsh (and also the Irish, even if they are a completely different tribe) or a possible problem with a hire car company, is the left-hand traffic. It is unusual for Central Europeans. It is no longer right before left but left before right. The change is difficult for many drivers. Some of the motorways and especially the traffic in the metropolis London are anything but easy to bear for drivers who are not used to it. By the way, there is a speciality in England concerning the liability insurance, a thing that should be considered especially when booking a hire car. This insurance is obligatory, but in England it can only be taken out and used in combination with others. This has to be considered. As far as the performance and service of a hire car company is concerned, no problems are to be expected. All the big names in the industry operate in the UK. They offer their usual international service.

That the English also maintain expectations and prejudices against Germans will come as little surprise. There may also still be some who “remember” the Second World War, usually without having experienced it. What many dislike about Germans is their sometimes rude, often tense, dogged, stressful and even reserved manner. Their reliability, on the other hand, is admired. And German cars anyway.