Too Much Information?
Since I moved to Germany I noticed that many people here are keen to discuss their health issues. (Before I move on to the subject, I want to clarify that I'm not talking about complete strangers or close friends, but merely about acquaintances and co-workers)
So you may ask the most innocent question ever, like “How was your weekend?” and get a detailed (and unwelcome) report on someones digestion issues.
To me, this kind of information is very intimate and shouldn't be shared over a cup of coffee at the lunch break. I just scream internally every time it happens, but for the rest it seems to be ok. Or maybe they are also screaming internally, you never know.
I'm still not sure if it's a normal (ordinary?) topic for discussion in Germany or if it was just my bad luck to meet disproportionately many “open” people.
Another question I ask myself is if I'm being too squeamish and just overreacting?
Please correct my mistakes and (if you want) write your opinion on this subject matter :)
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Corrections · 7
1
Too Much Information?
Since I moved to Germany I noticed that many people here are keen to discuss their health issues. (Before I move on to the subject, I want to clarify that I'm not talking about complete strangers or close friends, but merely about acquaintances and co-workers)So you may ask the most innocent and simple question ever, like “How was your weekend?” and get a detailed (and unwelcome) report on someone's digestion issues.
To me, this kind of information is very personal and shouldn't be shared over a cup of coffee on lunch break. Every time this happens I just scream internally, but for the standard German worker, it seems to be commonplace. Or maybe they are also screaming internally, you never know.
I'm still not sure if it's a normal (ordinary?) topic for discussion in Germany or if it was just my bad luck to meet a disproportionately amount of “open” people.
Another question I ask myself is if I'm being too squeamish and just overreacting?
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It's a bit different question. Anyway I'd say that in Germany it's fifty-fifty.
Depending on how well you know the person, if you are on good/friendly terms etc. you can get the usual “fine” or an update on their life.
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In Germany it might be fine, in the UK asking "How are you?" does not mean we want to know.
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So in Vietnam it's not considered to be gross or disgusting and people usually talk without constraint about physical stuff?
I guess my issue is that I have a very vivid imagination and the moment I hear such stories I _involuntarily_ begin to imagine it :/
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^^ It's OK in my country. I mean I and my co-workers usually talking about something like that even some very personal things or they tell their stories themselves without asking. Of course it will not happen with newcomers.
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