Results of interviews with grandparents in Babenhausen about traditions

1. Do you think the traditions have changed?    

•          A tradition that has changed is no longer a tradition. Maybe you should say that fewer people are interested in traditions.
  
• They have changed a lot.
• Many traditions have changed or evolved.

Many of the interviewees think that the traditions have changed a lot or have developed anew. The general interest in traditions has also decreased.


2. If so, which ones? And in what way?
      

•            Halloween is not a German tradition, but very popular with young people. On the other hand, Walpurgis Night is hardly known anymore.
• Christmas: It used to be a celebration where you pay tribute to God and Jesus - today most people are only interested in gifts.
• In the past, people often met in a restaurant to spend their time.
• In the past, people met from time to time in the "Alte Post".
• Everything becomes more modern. The young people hardly go to the pub to meet and do not help in the country or milk the cows.
• Back then, people always met in pubs.

Most often it was mentioned that the pub culture was lost - in former times one had met much more often in pubs to talk.  The meaning of Christmas becomes according to opinion of the asked ones also ever less important, usually it concerns only gifts. Other traditions are becoming more modern.


3. Which traditions have changed the most?

•          It is rather the traditions that have to do with family life. In the past, three to four generations lived in the same house, but today nobody wants to look after the elderly anymore.
• Nobody knows each other any more in the village - in the past everyone could know each other by name.
• You hardly know your neighbours - you used to know everyone.
•  Christmas has changed a lot and so have the acquaintances in the village.

Most of all, Christmas has changed and above all, that you no longer know your neighbours or the village. The relationships between the people have become more informal.


4 Do you like the changes?

•          Changes are normal and belong to further development. Sometimes you have to part with old traditions.
• I don't like the new traditions very much.
• I don't like them - it used to be better.

Most people don't like the changes, they say earlier everything was better. Some also think that changes are normal and have both good sides.


5) In which countries have they changed the most?

•          In those countries where prosperity is very high.
• In Turkey. Eid is no longer a family celebration.

6. Do you have family traditions? Which ones?

•          Christmas is celebrated with the whole family. We take turns with the organization of the celebration.
• At Christmas the gifts are always opened at 18:15.
• Yes, the family dinner on my grandfather's birthday.
• Every Christmas there is a big feast. They are all together.
• On all holidays the family meets and all are together.
• Christmas we all go to church together.
•  Eid is the tradition of our family.

Christmas is celebrated with the whole family and you go to church together, on holidays and birthdays there are family reunions.

7. Do you think that traditions will change in the future?

•          The traditions will change as time passes.
• They will certainly change through the many new people.
• Probably they will change through new traditions.
• Yes, if they change now, they will also change in the future.

The traditions will probably change over time. As new people move to Germany, new cultures and new traditions come to Germany.


8. Do you think that a few traditions are unnecessary? Which ones?

•          Those who have not grown up with traditions can more easily do without unknown traditions.
• Yes, Valentine's Day is just moneymaking.
• Carnival
• Oktoberfest and Halloween
• There are no unnecessary traditions.

The opinion if and which traditions are necessary or unnecessary is very different. Some say that no tradition is unnecessary, because every tradition has a meaning for you. Others say that they can do without traditions such as Halloween, carnival, Oktoberfest and Valentine's Day as well as traditions that reduce family cohesion or stop the development of the country.


9. Can you identify traditions that did not exist in your youth?


Not everyone can name traditions that did not exist in their youth. Those who name some mention Halloween and Black Friday.