Ever received a gift so quirky that it left you both amused and puzzled? Chances are, you’ve encountered kitsch.

Remember those shiny plastic figurines your aunt gave you for Christmas? You thought they were kitsch.

Yes, we use the German word “kitsch” in English, too. It’s like that cheesy and cheap stuff you see in some places. You know, those dashboard hula dancers, glittery unicorns, inflatable palm trees, or those overly sweet pictures (think of those big-eyed puppy paintings).

Kitsch is stuff that’s trying too hard to be fancy or cute but ends up looking silly. For instance, imagine someone wearing too much glitter—it’s just too much. Yet, this exaggerated style is exactly what some people find charming. For some, kitsch offers a playful journey back to childhood memories and carefree fun, while others view it as an excessive and tasteless attempt at decoration.

So, is kitsch good or bad? Well, that’s up to you. It’s all about personal taste, isn’t it?

By the way, we can also say something is “kitschy” (pronounced kit-shee). It’s like when something is so over-the-top that it’s almost funny.

Let’s look at some example sentences:

• The living room was decorated with kitschy items, including lava lamps, velvet paintings, and a collection of ceramic poodles.
• She adored the kitschy charm of her grandmother’s house, filled with porcelain dolls and gaudy floral wallpaper.
• The tourist shop was overflowing with kitschy souvenirs, from snow globes to miniature Eiffel Towers.
• Her collection of kitschy Christmas ornaments included glittery reindeer and a Santa Claus in a Hawaiian shirt.

Think about your home—do you have any kitschy items that make you smile or cringe? 

Ever found yourself lost in a foreign city, wondering where all the famous sights have gone? 

Picture this: You’re in London, excited to see Big Ben and all the iconic landmarks. You ask a friendly local, “How do I get to the city?” They smile and give you directions.

Twenty minutes later, you’re scratching your head, surrounded by towering office buildings. No Big Ben, no shops, no cafés—just lots of briefcases and serious faces. Oops! What happened?

In German, “die City” means the busy centre, the “Innenstadt.” You thought it would be the same in English. But surprise! It’s not. In English, we say “city centre” (or “city center” if you’re in America, or even “downtown“) for the bustling middle part.

“The City” with a capital ‘C’? That’s London’s business and financial area—full of banks, not tourist spots. And watch out for “town centre” too. Smaller places often use “town centre” instead of “city centre.” But don’t worry, they mean the same thing—the busy middle bit.

So, next time you’re in an English-speaking country, remember to ask for the “city centre” if you want to find the heart of the action. Unless you really do want to see a bunch of banks. In that case, “The City” in London is your place. And if all else fails, just follow the crowd. They’re probably heading to where all the fun stuff is anyway!

Have you ever made the same mistake and ended up in the wrong part of town? Tell me about your adventures!

Freunde haben mich heute gefragt, warum ich mein Englisch auf Vordermann bringe. Ich hab’ mir das gut überlegt, und mir fielen folgende Punkte ein:

Ich möchte:

• Quatschen wie ein Pro: Verstehen und verstanden werden – egal wo und mit wem.
• Klartext reden: Sagen, was ich meine, ohne ins Stottern zu kommen.
• Mitmischen, wo’s spannend wird: Meine Ideen in den Ring werfen und die richtigen Fragen stellen.
• Alle vom Hocker hauen: Meine Punkte klar rüberbringen und die Kunden spielend leicht um den Finger wickeln.
• Smalltalken ohne Schweißausbrüche: Locker plaudern mit internationalen Kunden und Connections aufbauen.
• Improvisieren wie ein Ass: Cool in jeder Lage reagieren, ohne mich zu verbiegen.

Wenn ich Englisch quatschen könnte, als wär’s meine Muttersprache. Das wäre mein größter Traum.

Bis dahin mache ich einfach brav weiter.

Deine Greta

PS Gestern habe ich wieder einen englischen Podcast gehört und dabei gemerkt, wie schnell die Sprecher reden. Ich fühle mich manchmal so, als ob sie eine ganz andere Sprache sprechen. Aber ich gebe nicht auf!

Zero, the absence of value, has many different names in English. Here are some fun and interesting ways to say “zero”:

1. Nil – Often used in sports (especially in football), like “The score is two-nil.”
2. Nought – Commonly used in British English, especially in numbers, like “nought point five” (0.5).
3. Zilch – A slang term meaning nothing at all. “We had zilch results.”
4. Nada – Borrowed from Spanish, also means nothing. “It won’t cost you anything—nothing, nada.”
5. Goose Egg – Informal, often used in sports to indicate a score of zero. “His final score was a big goose egg.”
6. Oh – Used in telephone numbers, like “five-oh-five” or James Bond’s code number “double-oh-seven.”
7. Love – Used in tennis scoring, where “love” means zero.
8. Zip — Commonly used in American English. “I know zip about chemistry.”
9. Not a dicky bird — A lovely old-fashioned idiom meaning “nothing at all.”  “I’ve not heard a dicky bird from Simon lately.”

These different terms make the English language rich and interesting, don’t you think?

So next time you need to say “zero,” try using one of these alternatives. Or if you want to be easily understood, just stick to “zero.” It’s a safe choice!

Now I’m curious. What about your native language or other languages you’ve studied? Do you have different words for zero?

It’s the weekend, and you’ve decided to watch an American film your friend Peter recommended with your better half. You snuggle up on the sofa, switch the TV on, and then the big debate starts.

You want to watch the film in its original language. To you, the actors’ voices are an essential part of their performance, and you don’t want to lose the nuances.

But your better half has been looking forward to this moment. With a bowl of popcorn on their lap, they’re ready to relax and enjoy the film dubbed. They claim they’re allergic to subtitles.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve had this debate,” you think, sighing, “We always end up here.”

“Can’t we watch it with subtitles just this once?” you plead, hoping for a change.

“Come on, you know I can’t stand subtitles,” they reply, eyes glued to the TV. “I just want to relax.”

You glance at the remote, then at your partner’s determined face, and feel the familiar frustration bubbling up. But beneath it, there’s a hint of amusement. How did something so simple become your recurring debate?

With a dramatic sigh, you settle back into the cushions, your hand reaching into the popcorn bowl. “Okay, but next time, we watch it my way,” you declare, pointing a finger in mock seriousness.

They chuckle, “Deal.”

PS: While synchronisation means that two things happen at the same time (like synchronised swimmers), dubbing is about replacing the voice of one actor with that of another—in the case of films, usually in a different language.

Do you watch English films in the original language or dubbed in your native language?

When Catriona came to visit us from Scotland, she was brimming with excitement about something.

She had heard about our German “Kaffeetrinken” tradition and was eager to experience it. ☕️ She loved the idea of taking a break in the afternoon to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a slice of delicious cake.

“You mean you do this every afternoon?” Catriona asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Absolutely,” I replied, pouring her a cup of coffee (confessing that we often just have a biscuit on weekdays). “It’s our way of taking a break and enjoying life’s simple pleasures.”

Catriona’s eyes practically popped out of her head when she saw all the cakes. She went from being curious to fully committed after one bite. I swear, she was like a child in a sweet shop. From classic Black Forest gateau with its layers of rich dark chocolate cake, thick cream, and cherries to fruity apple strudel to the well-known Bienenstich (Bee Sting cake), she was on cloud nine.

By the end of her visit, Catriona had fallen in love with “Kaffeetrinken” and decided to take this lovely tradition back to Scotland. Who knew a cup of coffee and a slice of cake could be so life-changing, right?

So, next time you’re feeling stressed or need a little pick-me-up, why not try “Kaffeetrinken”?

Grab a cup of coffee and a slice of cake (or a biscuit — no judgments here), and give yourself permission to slow down and enjoy the moment. It’s a small step towards a more mindful and balanced life.

Trust me, it’s a tradition worth adopting.

Or is it something you do already?