In the words of my grandfather, he's 72 years old:
Tradition: To receive something that has existed for a long time and was and is lived by many people. Traditions begin with the transmission of experiences and developments. Good and bad experiences can be conveyed. The "good" ones are taken over because they are beneficial, the "bad" ones are conveyed in the expectation that mistakes made will not be repeated.
My grandfather answered my questions as written here:
1. Do you think the traditions have changed?
Yes, I think so because the role of the family in general has changed. The fast-moving times, the demands of daily life and work place higher demands on family schedules. Of course there are exceptions. One such exception is my family. Despite a lot of work, my parents have time for me (the interviewer). We live traditions by organizing family meetings, spend Christmas together, do something with my grandparents and help them when help is needed. That's what I mean by family tradition today.
2. If so, what is it? And in what way?
From my point of view, the traditions that have changed most are those that require a lot of time and money to maintain. This can be seen very clearly from country to country. Family traditions are still very strong in the Eastern European countries. The "head of the family is the man". He sometimes appears like a "Pasha". Or that a man can have several wives, or that adult men can marry children from a certain age. I think it's good that such "traditions" don't exist in Germany because our laws forbid them.
Or the tradition in our country that handicraft businesses such as bakers, butchers, carpenters, innkeepers are no longer passed on within the family is not so good. Because it can be seen that more and more craft businesses in the countryside and cities are disappearing, the master craftsman is partly "extinct". The large retail chains and construction companies dominate the market and I don't like that very much. With the loss of handicraft businesses, jobs are also lost. I don't think that's a good thing either, because this development could lead to more unemployed people.
3. Which traditions have changed the most?
- Family traditions
- Traditions of the continuation of family businesses, no matter whether large or small, as for example in craft businesses.
- Non-profit organizations such as volunteer fire brigades, technical relief organizations find less supporters.
Yes, changes are very important. No matter how old you are. Changes determine life. But, I only support those changes that are important and good for our country and my family. I reject changes that harm our development. I don't think it's good that Germany's "Pisa Studies" have fallen further in comparison with other countries. I don't like the fact that so much can be repaired in schools and that so many lessons are cancelled. I don't think it's good that our roads and motorways are so broken. I don't like the fact that there is so much crime and so few policemen.
5. In which countries have they changed the most?
- In terms of traditions, I would mention Dubai first. There they adjust to European living conditions. You can see that every day on the streets and in the shopping centres.
- Next I would name all European states that once existed in the "EEC" area. EWG = European Economic Community, until 1989/1990.
- Especially Germany's traditions have changed like the tradition of the German language and also the value of German culture in general.
6. Do you have family traditions? Which ones?
- Yes, according to our possibilities (age and income as a pensioner).
- We invite to family reunions or give suggestions.
- We help financially and ideally when our help is needed.
- We don’t let anyone dispute us our traditional holidays or commemoration days and live these, like Easter-Christmas and still some more.
- We cultivate homeland love by volunteering in our community, as long as our age and state of health allows it.
7. Do you think that traditions will change more in the future?
- Yes, I think so. Because time in daily life will become more and more tense and hectic. The fear for the workplace will take over. This leaves less time to cultivate traditions. Excluded are the traditions that people can afford who have the necessary money.
- In Germany, many people who have lived other traditions in their home countries will also change the old traditions in our homeland. This can be positive, but also negative. Our Christian traditions, such as Easter, Whitsun and Christmas, should be cultivated and defended against all other views.
8. Do you think that some traditions are unnecessary? Which ones?
- Yes, I do. I don't need traditions that are against family cohesion.
- Nor do I need traditions that are directed against the development of our country.
9. Can you identify traditions that did not exist in your youth?
- Yes, I can.
- Turning away from our classical German language.
- Turning away from the importance and responsibility of our teachers.
- Changing respect and esteem for the older generation.
- A departure from respect for the police officers who are jointly responsible for our security.
- Increasingly turning away from the obligation to perform daily tasks, such as going to school, completing apprenticeships or studies, at home supporting parents and siblings when help is needed.
- Help those who really need help. Do not give help to those who only want to live at the expense of others, e.g. if they do not have a regular job, although there is one.
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