Germans love trying out new sports. In doing so, they quickly become experts — or "let it slide". Here are some personal observations from our author, Lena Maurer.
Growing up in South Tyrol, it was only natural for me to go hiking with my family at the weekend. I soon became adept at recognising where other hikers were from — and therefore which language I should greet them in — by looking at their outfits. While South Tyroleans often climbed the mountain in trainers and with a fanny pack, German hikers had huge rucksacks, hydration bladders and foldable hiking poles. I could tell Italians who weren't from South Tyrol by their checked shirts, high socks and brown leather hiking boots.Even as a child, I was aware of these cultural differences. This is why I wasn't surprised later on by the Germans' tendency to kit themselves out with the most expensive outdoor gear. However, it was only in Germany that I learnt how these expensive items are justified, how money is generally spent freely when it comes to sport, and how the idea of performance characterises German sports culture. I don't want to withhold a few of my most amusing observations from you.
“I’ll Start Now With - Insert Any Sport -.”
Germans quickly become fascinated by all kinds of sports. Whether it's a TikTok video about climbing, meeting a racing cyclist, or simply seeing SUP boards at a quarry pond ('Stand Up Paddle' = surfboard-like inflatable boards that you move around on while standing up with a paddle in your hand), it's enough to inspire you to take up a new sport. So far, so understandable.However, the sport is then only tried out once before everything associated with it is bought: climbing shoes that are far too small (because the salesperson thought it was a good idea), chalk for a better grip on the wall, a chalk bag, and of course a monthly subscription to the nearest climbing hall. This is usually followed by the following justification:
“If I’m Going to Buy Something, It Should Be Decent.”
I've lost count of how many times I've heard this phrase. Germans always buy "something decent". But what does that mean? First, they find out about the sport they have just discovered online, watching YouTube videos and reading up on it. Then they realise that only the really expensive brands sell what meets their requirements. After all, they are serious about the sport they want to take up.“I’ve Let It Slide Recently.”
The initial excitement is often followed by disappointment. Somehow, you don't make it to the climbing hall as often as you initially planned; somehow, you've let it slide recently. You take off your rose-tinted sports glasses and your climbing shoes slowly gather dust in the cellar, alongside your SUP board and racing bike. However, the subscription for the climbing hall is kept for now — after all, you want to get back into the sport soon.Nerds Among Themselves
Of course, not every attempt at a new sport is unsuccessful. Sometimes, a new sport can become a true passion, and that passion needs to be shared with the outside world!Germans who take up a new sport quickly become the biggest nerds. They hype up the sport so much that they adapt their whole lifestyle to it. In the case of road cycling, for example, this means meeting like-minded people to chat about cycling. At the weekend, people watch the "Tour de France" on TV and look out for cycle cafés on Google Maps. And finally, of course, there's more shopping to be done.
A simple T-shirt and sunglasses are no longer enough when planning cycling trips with new friends. You need special cycling goggles, and in winter, you put a roller trainer in the living room so that you don't lose the fitness you've worked so hard to achieve. This quickly leads to the idea of performance.
The Idea of Performance: Faster, Higher, Further
In Germany, practising a sport for fun is not enough. You have to constantly improve, even if you don't intend to compete. This idea is often fuelled by like-minded individuals. When someone asks, "How fast are you?", the conversation in the bike café suddenly turns serious. If you beat the other person's time, you are praised; if the person asking is better, they will modestly brag about it. This is usually followed by the question, "How long have you been doing this sport?", because they want to understand the context in order to categorise the other person's performance.The best thing you can do in a situation like this is: Don't take yourself or anyone else too seriously. After all, you're standing in a trendy bike café wearing tight-fitting professional trousers and sipping an espresso made on a portafilter machine with like-minded people. It's somehow funny and strange, but also nice to suddenly know so many people who want to talk about the same things as you.
I can say for certain that I can't get enough of sharing my newfound love of climbing, and of ordering a cold drink in the bouldering café after a session. I'm probably much more German than I thought.
July 2025
