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I'm barred from voting in the German election - thank goodness

Our guest columnist explains why he's been bamboozled by the "fiendishly complicated, unimaginative and cringeworthy" general election campaign in Germany.

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Video blog: How the Oktoberfest taught me to love lederhosen

Brian Melican explains how he got over his suspicion of "oompah bands and sweaty Germans" and learned to embrace its world-famous October beer festival.

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How the Oktoberfest taught me to love lederhosen

Brian Melican explains how he got over his suspicion of "oompah bands and sweaty Germans" and learned to embrace its world-famous October beer festival.

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Don't panic! The Germans are forming yet another coalition

Our political observer Brian Melican is amazed by the lack of haste displayed in putting a new government together

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German money: even Granny Gerda has a mobster-style wad of cash

Our observer Brian Melican soon learnt to stop pulling out his credit card in Germany, where debt is frowned upon, and cash is king

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Why the green man is king in Germany

Jaywalking can lead to all sorts of trouble for the uninitiated expat in Germany - from yelling grannies to a fine, as Brian Melican discovered.

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Why do the baffling Germans bottle out of drinking tap water?

Our columnist explains why requesting a glass of nature's finest could land you in very hot water with your host

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The Germans love minced meat just a little too much

Our man in Hamburg (appropriately) is disturbed and amused in equal measure by the national obsession with shredded raw pork

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German Easter: chaos, acrid fumes and buns fried in butter

With choking palls of smoke and people stripping the supermarket shelves, you might think disaster was looming in Germany. But it's only Easter, as Brian Melican explains

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Train travel in Germany: I'm no fare-dodger but I am forgetful

Our columnist reports on the grey areas in the country's public transport ticket rules.

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Need a holiday? Move to Germany

Brian Melican explains why life can begin to feel like a permanent vacation in certain parts of the country

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Remembrance of the First World War is subdued in Germany

It's not that the nation is ignoring the centenary, but there are many reasons why the commemoration in more subdued than in Britain, reflects Brian Melican

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The need for speed in Germany

Don't dare stand between a German and his gas-guzzling car - for this is the aspect of life where moderation and concern for others fly out of the window

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Why Bavaria is Germany's Scotland

The independence referendum aroused similar feelings in another former ancient kingdom with mountains and its own national dress, says Brian Melican.

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Why no green bottle is ever left hanging on the wall in Germany

The professional bottle-deposit collector is a familiar figure in the environmentally-conscious country

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Germany, land of the cheerful chimney sweep

Growing up in the UK, the only sweep Brian Melican ever saw was Bert in Mary Poppins. But in Germany they are plentiful - and lucky with the ladies

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Germany: the country where renting is a dream

Forget the grasping landlords encountered in the UK - this Briton living in Germany discovered that tenants are treated like royalty

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Bizarre German birthday traditions explained

From tyrannical toddlers to men in drag kissing virgins - our man in Hamburg has a birthday headache and it's not caused by beer

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Food in Germany: a cult-like devotion to aphrodisiac asparagus

Wherever he goes, our columnist is served up with fat, juicy spears - he ponders on the reasons behind the national obsession with the stuff ...

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Brits just grin and bear bad dentistry

As a nation, we're stuck with the stereotype of the wonky, discoloured smile. And no wonder - just look at Germany's health service, argues one expat

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