I still swoon every time I drive through a small village with quaint houses, a market square and a stone church with an onion dome.

“What a cute little town!” I say, triggering dramatic eye-rolling from my teenage daughters. “Stop saying that,” they plead. “We’re from here!”

But since I’m not from here, I see things with different, foreign eyes. That’s what this blog is all about: seeing Bavaria through Midwestern American tinted glasses. It’s an adventure that never stops!

Blutenburg tower with "Expat Chatter" text

Latest In

German and English languages Uncategorized

Spicing up an e-mail is as easy as 1-2-3

Every language has its peculiarities, which should be respected. But when you translate into another....

More

German culture Uncategorized

The tiniest stars of the Oktoberfest live in a drawer

The Oktoberfest is synonymous with beer for most people. Yet half of the fairgrounds consists....

More

Crazy cultural confrontations

Get those escargots out of my lawnmower

You know Fall has arrived when the leafblowers start blasting through the open window. But....

More

German culture

Protesting technology by battling bikes and coning cars

Munich had a run-in with e-bikes once a few years ago. They successfully battled the....

More

German and English languages German culture German-American cultural divide Uncategorized

Not teaching foreign languages will make America more insular

Do you speak English? This question is often answered with “Yes” all around the world.....

More

German culture German history German-American cultural divide

What’s in a name? More than you think

People’s identities are tied up closely with their names. But even when you are careful....

More

German-American cultural divide Relationships and family Uncategorized

Getting lost the old-fashioned way

Those of us who predate GPS know how to get around without using technology. Knowing....

More

German culture German-American cultural divide Relationships and family Uncategorized

Germans delight in overengineering, taking helicopter mothering to new heights 

Any foreigner in Germany knows all about the country’s love of overengineering. All it takes....

More