TILIG 17 Aug 17 - Birthdays

This year, I learned some things about having a birthday in Germany.

It turns out that there are responsibilities that, as the birthday boy, I didn’t know I had. Keep in mind that these things may be regional.



The rules

1. Nobody mentions your birthday until your birthday. Nor do they give you a present or wish you a Happy Birthday in advance. It’s bad luck.


2. You buy your own cake. When people come by your office to wish you Alles Gutes zum Geburtstag (All the best for your birthday), you MUST to have a cake ready for them. I failed this one. There were many disappointed people. Luckily Hannes and Steffen came to my office with these weird donut-shaped rolls of paper to help me celebrate.

3. Having the cake ready in the office seems to also alleviate the potential embarrassment when someone doesn’t KNOW it’s your birthday when they come to your office. It’s a great hint for them.

4. People will come to your desk (or office) and wish you all the best, and then want to sit around and talk. They expect to be eating cake while they talk. Again. Failure.

5. You plan and pay for your own party. I didn’t have a party, maybe this was a win.

6. We saw a group of partiers in downtown Karlsruhe over the weekend, and not only did the general public seem annoyed that they were having fun, half of the party goers seemed to be a bit annoyed too.

7. I read somewhere that if you’re single and turning 30, you need to advertise your housekeeping skills. Men are given a messy stairway to sweep, and women clean doorknobs with toothbrushes. Not 100% sure about this one.

8. If you don’t do much to celebrate your birthday and come to the office the next day with no stories to tell, many people are very disappointed in you.

9. If you are out with others on your birthday, the bill is on YOU.

I’m sure I’ve missed a ton of birthday traditions in Germany. Feel free to comment below with your favorites.