German Daily Life
A short look at the traditional food, clothing, housing, and occupations of German people.
Traditional Lifestyles of Germany
Germany is traditionally a land of farmers. Even as skilled trades thrived in the Middle Ages, the majority of its population lived in rural farming villages. Until the 19th century, most people of the Holy Roman Empire were serfs, or peasants without land or many freedoms. Landowners for the most part lived in large homes with thatched roofs and stone or timber frames. These houses were commonly divided into living spaces for families and their livestock. Those who could afford them, primarily the nobility, built defensive stone keeps and castles.
For the lower classes, medieval life tended to be short and hard. Serf families might instead share a single room with their animals. Farmers planted crops like barley, oats, rye, wheat, and vegetables. By the 16th century, the imported potato dramatically improved food stability. Despite its efficiency, or perhaps because of it, the root caused several famines due to blight.
The most famous German national outfit for men is lederhosen, or knee-length, suspended leather trousers for men. These are typically worn with a white shirt and vest or jacket. The dirndl dress hails from Bavaria and has since gained national popularity as a folk costume for women. These outfits, along with more regional apparel, are still commonly worn during celebrations and festivals.
Conditions among German peasants varied by region and time. While some states afforded more protections for the poor, others continued to practice serfdom well into the modern era. Those who could afford it sent their children to be educated in trades from an early age. This gave them a chance at guild membership and upward social mobility. Later, education at one of Germany’s major universities offered similar opportunities. Other poor farmers emigrated to find a fresh start in immigrant countries like the United States. The rise of Prussia’s military culture made enlistment another common option for young German men through World War II.
Modern Lifestyles of Germany
Today, about 75 percent of Germany’s population live in cities. Modern German life maintains many old customs while embracing modern styles, cuisines, and industries. Traditional foods like breads, cheeses, pork sausages, beer, and wine are all popular staples of the German diet. Stews, dumplings, and preserved foods like pickles or sauerkraut are also common. In addition, Germany is particularly known for its sweets, including a wide variety of cakes, pancakes, donuts, and cookies. The extent to which German people follow traditional lifestyles varies by region and individual. Rural areas are more likely to see agricultural work and skilled manual craftsmanship.
References
Bernstein, Eckhard. Culture and Customs of Germany. Greenwood Press. 2004.
Fullbrook, Mary. A Concise History of Germany. Cambridge University Press. 2004.
Music and German National Identity. Celia Applegate and Pamela Potter, eds. University of Chicago Press. 2002.
O'Connor, Liz, et al. “The Largest Ancestry Groups In The United States.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 13 Aug. 2013, www.businessinsider.com/largest-ethnic-groups-in-america-2013-8.
Sidgwick, Cecily Ullman. Home Life in Germany. MacMillan Company. 1912.
Simons, Gary F., and Charles D. Fennig. “Summary by Language Size.” Ethnologue, SIL International, www.ethnologue.com/statistics/size.
The Cambridge Companion to Modern German Culture. Eva Kolinsky and Wilfried van der Will, eds. Cambridge University Press. 2004.
“The World Factbook: Germany.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 15 May 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html.
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