My junior year of high school, I was fortunate to have an exchange student from Germany in my study hall. His name was Janik (pronounced, YAWN-ee) and he was incredibly intriguing to me in my quest to learn all there is to learn about the European way of life. Even then I was dying to know if Europeans were all the American media made them out to be. So digging through his thick accent, I got answers to a lot of my questions about the way his culture works.
My main concern at the time, for whatever reason, was whether or not Germans ate sauerkraut and beer 24/7 as I thought they did. He insisted they didn't, that sauerkraut was mainly considered a "poor man's meal" or something of tradition. I told him I loved those sausages you could get with sauerkraut at the Kentucky State Fair. He just stared at me and told me again that they didn't eat that all the time. I demanded to know (jokingly, of course) what on Earth they really did eat! So he said he'd show me. We went to a local restaurant that has the most authentic German food around. The family who owns the restaurant is from Germany, and they are determined to keep the look of their restaurant, the atmosphere of their restaurant, and most importantly, the food of their restaurant, as authentic as possible to their homeland.
So Janik, myself, and a few of our friends ventured into the realm of German-style cooking. I let Janik order my food, telling him to knock my socks off. He threatened to order sauerkraut, but didn't. We had a great time eating some of the most delicious food I have ever had! No sauerkraut and no beer in sight. I felt bad for Janik because he wanted a beer, which he was used to, but he wasn't old enough according to the law of the United States to have one with his meal. So I guess that part is true, this particular German truly liked beer.
Beyond dietary differences, I learned a lot about the German sense of humor. First of all, that it does exist. Janik was one of the most hilarious people I have ever met of any nationality, and he was great fun to be around. The stereotype for Germans is that they are quite stoic and reserved. And when dealing with authority, Janik seemed to be that way. But behind the teacher's backs and among friends and peers, he was really humorous and relaxed.
When Janik saw my last name for the first time, he thought I was actually German, too. But I'm not, because my last name is not my biological one. I was adopted at the age of seven. But I think my last name helped Janik to warm up to me so soon, and for our friendship to be so easygoing. It was a little piece of home when he was far from home. And that had to be a comfort. I was also devastatingly curious about his country and his culture, and I think he enjoyed answering all of my questions, even the silly ones, because its flattering to find someone who wants to know about your country instead of instantly assuming they know everything about you because of where you are from.
So what have I learned from being friends with Janik? That its a lot more educational, beneficial, and worthwhile to explore, learn, and ask about someone and their culture before just assuming you know who they are and what they are about because of their country of origin. So ask questions. Once you get on friendly terms, you'll learn a whole lot, and it could change your life. Don't ever assume. Set out with an open mind and realize that you don't know until you ask!
