Topic: Why do people keep staring at me in Berlin?
Anonymous A started this discussion 15 years ago#13,315
Haven't they ever seen black Americans before?
I have been living in Berlin for 3 weeks now. I have heard that Berlin is an "international" city, so why is it that every time I leave the house there is someone staring at me? This has happened every single day, any time I am out, to the point that I'm getting a bit freaked out about it. I had experienced this when I lived in Munich in 2005, but not half as much as I do here in Berlin.
Physically:
I dress pretty conservative and I do not wear any "bling" really, but I do wear stud earrings. I don't go for the "housecoat" or "grunge" look, but I do wear nicer clothes and always dress smart. I'm pretty polished, as I do wear makeup.
This is 2011 and I am wondering if it is because I am black (which I haven't really seen very many of since I've arrived, they've gotta be around here somewhere) or if it is because I am their physical perception of an American. (which doesn't make sense to me because, but perhaps to some one else)
I am guaranteed to hear 2 things on any occasion that I leave the house, "schwarze" and "Amerikänerin".
I am stared at by many people (not just one) all the time, this s$%t is freaking me out!
hamfist !!snnYcROO9 joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 1 minute later[^][v]#239,139
Sup henn
Anonymous C joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 12 seconds later, 1 minute after the original post[^][v]#239,140
look at it this way
have you ever seen another black american in berlin
dreamworks !AUIkTW/L46 joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 25 seconds later, 2 minutes after the original post[^][v]#239,141
i love berlin
also copypasta
Falco !PZmcClOUDk joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 27 seconds later, 2 minutes after the original post[^][v]#239,142
brb faxing berlin
floorboard !hbZVTk6JYc joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 9 seconds later, 3 minutes after the original post[^][v]#239,143
Mark of Cain
dreamworks !AUIkTW/L46 replied with this 15 years ago, 21 seconds later, 3 minutes after the original post[^][v]#239,144
inb4 fuchs
name !3GqYIJ3Obs joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 3 minutes later, 6 minutes after the original post[^][v]#239,146
inb4 Fuchs
inb4 Walter
in after dreamworks
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 15 years ago, 40 seconds later, 7 minutes after the original post[^][v]#239,149
It just smacks me as strange to hear clearly "american" or "black" in german- every single time I am out. This is no exaggeration, that is why I am actively replying. That is strange to me or maybe it is me that is strange...
Anonymous C replied with this 15 years ago, 5 minutes later, 12 minutes after the original post[^][v]#239,154
Staring isn't considered as impolite in Germany as in America. I lived there for 2 years, and even though I'm white and unremarkable enough to be mistaken for German until I opened my mouth, people stared at me.
dreamworks !AUIkTW/L46 replied with this 15 years ago, 3 minutes later, 16 minutes after the original post[^][v]#239,158
fao everyone itt
this is copypasta
Anonymous H joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 7 minutes later, 23 minutes after the original post[^][v]#239,165