Die große Unterschied?

I've been getting this question a lot. Everyone wants to know what the biggest difference is between Germany and America. Of course, there are obvious differences, like the way people dress, the setup of neighborhoods, the language, typical meals, etc., but the overarching social theme has been the level of reservation. People here are, in general, more cautious, and in America, more outgoing. At New Trier, everyone wanted to talk to the Germans. Linda even said that people she didn't know (that being friends of her American exchange student) would always come up to her and introduce themselves, asking about how she's doing and how she's liking America etc. whereas here, we have had a different experience. When you enter a room there is less of a warm welcome. That is NOT to say that people are in any way unkind. It's not a matter of being mean or anything of that sort. It is just that where, in America, the Americans were the ones being outgoing and trying to make the Germans feel welcome, the Germans kept more to themselves. If I was sitting in a group with other students, the task of getting rid of the elephant in the room, that I was obviously not from here and didn't go to their school, was left to me. Other Americans have noticed this too. Like I said, the Germans aren't being exclusive, they simply assume that we want to be left alone if we don't jump into the conversation ourselves. In their own way, they are trying to make us feel less awkward, but coming from a culture where if you are unacknowledged in a social setting, it is a sign that you are not wanted there or are intruding, it took some getting used to. Once you make the first move, however, people are as sweet as could be. They aren't cliquey, though. Back home, you don't just go up to people outside of your clique and strike up conversation, but be it because of the smaller size or just an overall absence of cliques, the whole class is friendly with each other. That being said, they have all known each other since they were in first grade and their class size is about 1/25 the size of my high school. Along with this attitude of caution there is also an obvious attention to self conservatism. For example, even on the hottest summer days, it is not acceptable to walk around in the oh-so-common tight/short jean cutoffs and crop tops that grace America in ninety-five degree weather. Rather, when it gets that hot here, people wear short sleeved or quarter sleeved shirts, skirts or loose shorts, and sometimes even other layers such as scarves or denim blouses. A very different environment than back home. There is less stylistic individuality, though. Everyone at their school tends to dress similarly to one another, which I found interesting because of the wide array of unique styles people at my high school come up with. I suppose that goes along with the idea of being conservative and fitting in. It takes an outgoing personality to come to school wearing whatever the heck you feel like, and it's more about keeping a low profile here. If I think of anything else, I'll be sure to mention it, but I think that pretty much covers the under-the-surface differences I've picked up on.

P.S. I'm not sure what the wifi situation will be like in Berlin so this may or may not be my last post for a while.

Bis später!