You never truly know a place until you know the mindset of the people who live there, and one of the best ways to do that is to look at their customs. There are many weird and wonderful German traditions that you might encounter during a river cruise there – from reading your fortune in molten lead, to leaving your shoes out for Santa.
Schultüte
Literally “school cone”, a schultüte is a huge plastic or cardboard cone given to German, Austrian and Czech kids on their first day of school – packed with sweets, crayons, books, clothes and the like to soften the blow of their first day. Although the cones are a way to make sure kids (and even university freshers now) have everything they need to make a good start, this German tradition has much more enchanting roots. Back in the early 19th century, the cones weren’t given to children to take to school themselves; rather, their parents would show up in ceremonial fashion to hang the cones from the Schultüten-Baum (school-cone tree). The children were told a tale that at every school there grew a spectacular tree, filled with fruit holding sweets and chocolate just for them – and when the fruit was ripe, it was time for them to start school.
Melting lead for the New Year
One of those German traditions that have been maintained for several centuries, both in the home country and amongst German-heritage families overseas, this practice is kind of like industrialist cloud-gazing. Lead is heated in a spoon over a candle and then poured by each person into cold water to see in, and see into, the new year. The hissing noise supposedly keeps evil spirits at bay, while the lead cools into solid, twisted blobs and shapes. People could read anything into the shapes, seeing a love heart, a fishing rod or anything in-between – and although the superstitious element has all but disappeared, many still see it as a great way to read what might be going on in their own subconscious.
Mannertag
The German version of Fathers’ Day, or Vatertag, also goes by the name of Mannertag – Man Day. Forget a pair of socks or breakfast in bed – this German tradition is the day for Dad to gather his brothers, sons, nephews and any other male he knows and drink beer, in the wilds. The focus of the man-hike is the Bollerwagen, a cart filled with beer which the fellowship take in turns to pull up hills, through forests and over fields on their quest. The aim is simple – set off with a heavy cart full of beer, and try to find your way back home later with a light cart full of air and empty bottles. Mannertag accomplished.
The handshake
On 5th December, German kids put out their boots for Nikolaus to fill with treats. At Easter, it’s customary hang countless coloured eggs from trees and roll a giant wheel of fire through a field to welcome back the Sun. Visitors on river cruises may find that knocking takes the place of clapping sometimes; applause being reserved for the politeness of concerts and the theatre.
But there’s one of these German traditions that you’ll find it much easier to join in with, anywhere on your travels in Germany and at any time of year – Germans love the handshake. While some of we more intimophobic Brits may dread the thought of giving a continental kiss in Italy or France, it’s generally customary in Germany to greet someone you don’t know too well with a good shake of the hand. Times and traditions change all the time, though, and you’ll more than likely find a mixed bag of greetings, from a good old American hug to a distant wave. But with a handshake you can’t go wrong, and much of Germany likes it as much as we do. Unless you do get a continental kiss of course, in which case you’ll know you’ve made a friend.
Article images courtesy of Xiphophilos and L.Rizzi, PhotoPin & WikiCommons.
