Dear diary,
One of the biggest things that has interested me is the cultural communication, here in Germany. Not only in speaking German, but also in what is considered ok to demonstrate or speak about. In the U.S. There are various rules about what can be advertised and demonstrated to the people. One of the most interesting things here, at least for me is the presence of cigaret and alcohol advertisements. I know that in America there are so many rules and regulations in regards to cigaret and alcohol ads that it makes it difficult for people to see them.
I remember in one of my business classes last semester, specifically discussing the fact about how alcohol ads can’t demonstrate a. Individual consuming alcohol. Yet the advertisement can demonstrate all the events prior and post the drinking of alcohol. So after all of this I was amazed to see a alcohol television ad where an actor consumed the alcohol. At first I taught that this is just a cultural difference that is a little more liberal. To something Germany is famous for, making quality beer.
However as I was choosing a topic for my blog post I think that this is the greatest cultural gap the United States and Germany have. Communication is an important thing in many aspects of life. Work, relationships, family, and advertisements all convey how a nation or culture conveys problems, wants, and needs. In America we don’t display cigaret ads because they will inspire young people to pick up a life long habit, and in America we don’t display the consumption of alcohol in ads because they will inspire people to drink more. I find this aspect of American communication incompetent. Instead of tackling a social or any problem for that matter, we sometimes prefer to just put it to the side. This out of sight out of mind mentality doesn’t really work in life. When problems happen they have to be fixed no matter how awkward they may be.