Get a Grip, Stop Griping

The German economy is in a slump; unemployment has reached astronomical heights; the social welfare system is breaking down; the environment has been destroyed. In short, the sky is falling.

Given all that negative news that's constantly being bandied around by the media these days, Germans have taken to indulging in their favorite pastime - complaining or "jammern" as it's called in German - with a vengeance.

Whether it's a podium discussion, a media talkshow or a

a conversation overheard at the local supermarket, it's hard to miss the unmistakable whining tone as Germans grumble about everything from tax hikes to growing unemployment to price rises in the railway system.

There is, however, some hope in this scenario of gloom and doom that has seized Germany.

Some Germans, fed up with the constant carping, are mobilizing against the lament of their fellow countrymen and women.

On Sunday President Johannes Rau said in an interview that his compatriots moan too much for their own good, despite living in one of the wealthiest and safest countries in the world.

No "valley of tears"

“We live in a world of split reality,” Rau (left) said of Germany. “There is an enormous number of booked holidays, and retailers report rising turnover ahead of Christmas -- so you see that we are not living in a valley of tears.”

Early this month President Rau, whose position is largely ceremonial, criticized Germany for being the most self-absorbed country in the world. He was responding to an outpouring of discontent from thousands of Germans who sent shirts to the Federal Chancellery in December. The protest was meant to symbolize government tax increases taking the very shirts off people’s backs.

But Rau also appealed to the media and political elites not to take advantage of the negative atmosphere. He criticized the main political parties, in particular, for continually squabbling with each other since the September election rather than taking on their proper roles. “What I’m not seeing is the government governing and the opposition acting as opposition,” he pointed out.

Enough hysteria

To counter the malaise in German society, future scientist Matthias Horx has launched the Anti-Moan Manifesto, calling for an “enlightened, sceptical optimism that takes a sober but open approach to the country’s current problems.” Over a thousand supporters, including prominent Germans from politics and business, have already signed the manifesto, which is available online.

“What we don’t need is the moaning of functionaries, trade unionists, unsuccessful managers and ideological gamblers,” admonishes Porsche boss Wendelin Wiedeking, one of Germany’s most prominent anti-complainers.

The head of the car rental company Sixt too, has had it with the moaners: “I criticize the government too, but at some point the complaining has to end,” Erich Sixt says.

Matthias Horx has an explanation for Germans’ behavior: “Complaining pays off in our luxuriantly giving social state.” If you cry loud enough you can expect increases in subsidies, he believes.

Risky business

But there are real dangers to such behavior.

According to economic experts, Germans’ negativity can have an effect on the economy. “The current pessimism is as contagious as the optimism of the New Economy a few years ago,” analyst Joachim Goldberg told the German Financial Times.

Germans may think things look bad now, but financial analysts worry that if they don’t start looking on the bright side the disaster that prophets of doom predict may become a self-fulfilling prophecy.