How do you distinguish Germans from other Europeans? (physical, features, ethnic)

[meowool]

Yes I love the language! (I has a weird accent though!) I kinda wish I was a native speaker cos then I'd be able to speak English well, probably another language depending on where I lived too! And I'd have an amazing excuse for having failed Eng Lang at GCSE twice. (One of my friend's Greek, and she's better at it than me! XD)

[dub dub II]

Their lack of humor and their stoic faces.
Accompanied by their violent sounding language.

[NCTarheels]

Originally Posted by Lizita

There is no real difference between Germans and other northern Europeans, either in appearance or mannerism. It's kind of like asking what the difference is between an Iowan and a Virginian. European countries are really just a bunch of land divided up by arbitrary borders. That's all it is. There may be some minor cultural differences, just like between Iowa and Virginia, but there no way to tell that someone is German, or Dutch, or French or Danish just by looking at them.
[/i]

Germans are not Northern Europeans, much less so the French, they are Central Europeans.

German people are a very mixed bunch, my dad is Swiss German and his father looked Sicilian, brown skin, black hair and dark eyes.

Northern Germans tend to be blonder with blue eyes while southern Germans, especially Swiss and Austrians can look more Italian. Romans (As well as the Mongols) have been all around south Germany throughout history, people often look very different for this reason.

[bjh]

You can tell when they click their heels and say, "Jawohl!"

[Neuling]

Originally Posted by bjh

You can tell when they click their heels and say, "Jawohl!"

I don't know any German that uses that word, I guess foreigners tend to think otherwise because of some old Nazi movies...

[bjh]

^
That's the point.

[Neuling]

Well, since people like to believe whatever fits their stereotypes, I thought it made sense to point that out

[bjh]

^
Well, since people sometimes don't get sarcasm, I thought it made sense to point that out.

[Neuling]

I know you were being sarcastic. But obviously many people still believe Germans use that word, else they would not keep repeating such things, be it seriously or sarcastically A self-perpetuating stereotype Just like Germans wearing Lederhosen, eating sausages/sauerkraut and drinking beer

[GER308]

Just like Germans wearing Lederhosen, eating sausages/sauerkraut and drinking beer

Hmmm..... just back from Bayerische Wald, south of the Weiß Wurst Equator the stereotypical German is alive and well .

That said the most stereotypical German Person I ever met was an ex Girlfriend (Living in Germany to long, I capitalize all Nouns even in english) in San Diego who was of german decent. Her parents would go to German American fests and as kids they had Lederhosen and all. I think she was more german than anyone I have met here.