Ask rothaer anything

[rothaer]

Ask me anything and be aware of that I may answer with „I prefer not to comment.“ and „I prefer not to answer.“ if this is the case. The reasons may then be pretty varying, all the way from an expected political (criminal) persecution in my home land (who really wants can easily identify me) till personal reasons that may be the wish not to expose others and finally, but to a very minor degree, myself. I will likely also be brief and strict in my answers for efficiency reasons, so simply go on like in a criminal interrogation if you like to know more.

You don't have to be friendly and all my "enemies" are invited as well. Feel free and uninhibited in asking. And I’m free in answering or not.

But what I do tell, will be the truth and nothing but the truth.

So let's have fun!

[dviz]

What's your perspective on re-unification? To what degree are the East Germans happy with it? In hindsight, what should have been done for it to work better?

[rothaer]

What's your perspective on re-unification? To what degree are the East Germans happy with it? In hindsight, what should have been done for it to work better?

I appreciate much the re-unification. We all act not perfectly and you can always find a lot of wrongs. To my perception things could have been made differently to some degree, but essentially it's all fine and I would not complain. I'm thankful. A number of Eastern Germans do complain, but actually not about the reunification per se but about other things that they do not agree with. This is sometimes confused.

EDIT: I did not live in the GDR but I knew it well.

[dviz]

I appreciate much the re-unification. We all act not perfectly and you can always find a lot of wrongs. To my perception things could have been made differently to some degree, but essentially it's okay and I would not complain. I'm thankful. A number of Eastern Germans do complain, but actually not about the reunification per se but about other things that they do not agree with. This is sometimes confused.

What parts of the East German industry survived and thrived after re-unification? Can you name some successful brands, I'm actually very curious. They can be companies that are not consumer-facing too.

For me re-unification is interesting because it also includes the transition back to capitalism.

[InmostLight]

What is it like having eight children? What are the best and worst parts?

[Blondie]

Do you agree that danube swabians are the most conservative germans? Followed by germans from DDR.

[Rumata]

During and after Perestroika many Russian Germans moved to Germany.

How many of them consider themselves Germans?

And how many German Germans consider those of repatriates who think of themselves as Germans to be Germans equal to German Germans?
What are the most common conditions for such repatriates to be considered by locals as Germans?

[Jana]

How did growing up in Sweden made you person you are today, and how do you think it impacted you comapred to average Germans who grew up in Germany?
When and why you decided to move back to Germany?
How do you feel about Sweden overall?
What are your favorite German traditions and values?
Northern German foods you'd reccomend to a foreigner?

[rothaer]

What is it like having eight children? What are the best and worst parts?

I was myself one out of 4 siblings and before I met my first wife I thought of only having a wife that would, however, not exclude wanting to have 4 children. Whether that would be the outcome is another story that can not well be determined in advance. Eventually it ended up with 8 from two spouses. This said, I always wanted some children and this is very satisfactory to me. This is actually the main outcome of having them. Maybe you're a bit limited in what else you can do, but I've always tried not to refrain from something just because there were children around. Because this state was self-determined, it never became too much for me.

Actually it's even somewhat easy if you have a number of them. If one temporarily makes any problems you mentally don't focus on that one just.

[rothaer]

Do you agree that danube swabians are the most conservative germans? Followed by germans from DDR.

Honestly I don't know enough Danube Swabians for being able to assess that. Also, you have various religious German groups around the world that are pretty conservative. Regarding GDR Germans the question of conservatism is hard to say as it depends on the topic. In the matter of wokeness and national consciousness they are conservative but as for family conditions with many couples not marrying, quite all women working and giving babies in the kindergarten at the age of one, Western Germany is likely more conservative.