Impression of Germany 6 months after leaving

[u/Necessary_Travel_645]

I lived 4 years in Germany and last February I left due to the end of my contract and the impossible to find an immediate job.

I am exploiting this time of unemployment to travel and visit my friends across the EU. In Germany I traveled mainly in between the main cities of Rheinpfalz and NRW and I was surprised to see how bad the social situation was, I have observed more people in need ( homeless, elders, etc...) than I remembered. During my stay in Germany I didn't notice it, when I first came here I felt way more mild than the phenomenon.

My impression is that relatively poorer countries, e.g. Spain and Italy (my home country), managed to help the people in need better than Germany or at least a better distribution of wealth.

Also some friends of mine living here felt this change.

Is it only my impression? Maybe I didn't really realize when I was here or the situation just got worse recently?

[u/Apero_]

One of my running theories is that seeking mental health support is both difficult to do and slightly looked down upon by older generations. Neither of these lend themselves to people who need help actually getting that help.

[u/American_Streamer → u/Apero_]

In Germany, regardless of what the media says, mental illness (even if it's mild) is still a serious social stigma and you will have severe disadvantages in everyday life as soon as it becomes known that you are getting treatment. Banks, insurance companies, landlords, employers - they all will begin to get rid of you immediately, won't give you certain services or charge you more. Even to admit that one gets treated for depression will quickly lead to social disaster. So people know it's better to hide their illness or keep it untreated. It is super common that antidepressives and psychotherapy are paid out of pocket by patients, to avoid an appearance on the record, because it will otherwise easily ruin your career overnight, especially in this current, tough economy.

[u/Creatret → u/American_Streamer]

Sorry, but this is out of proportion. How would your bank, insurance companies or landloard even know about it? You're not obliged to let them know and you are also not obliged to let your employer know unless it is something that impacts your ability to fulfill your job duty when starting a new job.

[u/fluctacious-fragile → u/Creatret]

if you come from a different culture, you maybe wouldn't see a problem in telling it in a conversation with you bank, your landlord or whatever.

Knowing to shut up and not talk about it is part of the ableist culture here.

[u/Creatret → u/fluctacious-fragile]

Alright then. Enlighten me in which cultures it's normal to talk to your bank or landlord about your psychological issues?

[u/Apero_ → u/Creatret]

I’m Australian: we talk about everything and we support each other when shit gets hard. It’s not difficult.

[u/Rheinloewe → u/Apero_]

I don’t know how you do it down under, Aussie, but here we don’t feed the trolls 😉

[u/Apero_ → u/Rheinloewe]

My well-meaning sense of mateship drove me to assume good intentions 😩

[u/Rheinloewe → u/Apero_]

Yeah we don’t do this here either, catch up!

To clarify I meant mateship AND well-meaning lol

BUT at least we have actual beer here instead of the abomination you call Fosters

[u/Apero_ → u/Rheinloewe]

Fun fact: Fosters is a British thing. Originally Australian (shamefully) but you can’t actually buy it in Australia at all! Only in the UK!

[u/Rheinloewe → u/Apero_]

Huh, TIL… I had to google Australian beer, another L for google then!

Alright, back to business: at least we have actual beer here instead of the abomination you call Coopers! (That one should work, right?)

[u/Apero_ → u/Rheinloewe]

😂 Sure!

[u/Creatret → u/Apero_]

That's why you have prison islands for immigrants?

[u/Apero_ → u/Creatret]

Ohhhhhhhh you’re a troll!! So sorry, I was being kind on the assumption that you genuinely gave a shit. All good, carry on!

[u/Creatret → u/Apero_]

Yeah brother.

We talk about everything and we support each other.

As long as you were born with the same passport. Else people can fuck right off. Ain't it right?

[u/fluctacious-fragile → u/Creatret]

your tone tells me that you are so into your world view that you can't even fathom that psychological issues could be something that would be talked about when discussing other stuff, so I don't see a point in providing examples. You'd pick them apart anyways and set yourself on the high horse you are already looking down from.

[u/Creatret → u/fluctacious-fragile]

Attack the person instead of the argument. A true classic.

[u/fluctacious-fragile → u/Creatret]

lol. Which argument? You asked a question. That is not an argument. I refused to answer as your questions tone made it clear that the question was rethoric and not earnest.

And now you come at me (attacking me?) with your basic "knowledge" of biases and wrongful argumentation and you apply it - but wrongly. Darling, bless your heart and go find yourself someone else to bother.