More than 6 hours behind…
#1&DONE, Uncategorized 4 CommentsAs I reintegrate back into my regular routine in the states, I have started solidifying my comparisons between this country and Germany. What I know for sure, is that we are more behind than we may think.
I have shared my experience visiting with the GWW Campus Mensch organization and witnessed the stunned reaction of my colleagues enough to say that Germany is ahead in practices of inclusivity. Since the 80s, the organization has been providing housing, food, and technical education to mentally disabled/handicapped populations. These individuals are taught by professionals that are trained to work with special needs populations and evaluate their skills at performing technical and mechanical tasks. The end result are thousands of small parts being manufactured domestically for international companies like Daimler and Porsche, and special needs populations having access to jobs, housing, and being taught invaluable life skills.
It seems common in the US to categorize technological advances in social media as “success” and “the way forward”; however, this was also disproved in Germany and generally abroad. A few days abroad was enough to acknowledge something very strange that occurred at every table, between every conversation, and with every person walking down the street. No one is on their phones. Phones are not kept out on dinner tables. They are not stared at while walking down the street and not even when waiting for the tram or metro. Instead, people are talking. Parents are talking to their children. Friends are talking to friends. Strangers are talking in restaurants to people next to them for hours about how their lives have been changed, and imparting words of wisdom and encouragement. This supersedes any Instagram or Facebook upgrade, as hiding behind a screen will never be able to replace the intrinsic and extrinsic value of personal connections… even for us introverts.
Grainne Murray
I think there would have to be a paradigm shift here in order for Americans to put their phones down. I wonder how that might happen or even if it’s possible!
Katherine Cassada
Noticed the same thing, Steven. And loved it! Andrew and I commented on it the very first evening we were in Stuttgart at the square with hundreds of people at pop up food carts. Then we took a pic at a dinner that Andrew, Tom, and I attended with some LUE faculty and the Provost – and my dang phone is on the table in the picture! In my defense, I didn’t use it except when we all shared family photos, but there it was, in the photo for all eternity. Grrrr….
Would love to see this come to Americans.
Katherine Cassada
Diakonie Stetten may also interest you. The organization’s motto translates as “Welcome to Life.” Amazing services and respect for humanity. https://www.diakonie-stetten.de/top-navigation-2017/die-diakonie-stetten/ueber-uns/
Yulia Kulay
Wow, Steven…this may be the most perfect and insightful title that I’ve seen so far. I too noticed the phoneless tables and the engaging conversations between friends and even strangers (and was lucky enough to be a part of one). This really makes you rethink your priorities and your life style. I believe we all learned something more than just global leadership concepts during this unforgettable trip.