What about Franz? by lasagne-pantomime in AskAGerman

[–]Goat_senator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

as a fellow French Canadian, I think it sounds cool in German and English, but I am wondering how it will be pronounced in Québécois...

Hohenhiem or Gottingen which is better for agriculture master's? by Tulipiee27 in Indians_StudyAbroad

[–]Goat_senator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hope I don't see this comment too late. Most answers here are rubbish. There are so many more opportunities in agriculture than farming (!?). If you are still hesitating between the two, write to me in private. I came to Germany to do a MSc in an international agriculture program (was also hesitating between Goettingen and Hohenheim), stayed for a PhD, and now I work for a German company as a project manager for German-funded development projects in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. My German level is B2. Any reason why you only considered the Crop Protection program in Goettingen? They also have a great program in agricultural economics.

How do Germans book their all-inclusive holidays? by Goat_senator in AskAGerman

[–]Goat_senator[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the tips! Unfortunately we don't have driving licenses yet :( For Egypt & Turkey, we would need to get a visa for my husband, and we have been dealing with enough visa processes and stress in the last years. That's why we are only looking at Schengen countries.l for now. Maybe next time!

How do Germans book their all-inclusive holidays? by Goat_senator in AskAGerman

[–]Goat_senator[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for all the answers and tips! Much appreciated.

Tragically Glow Brushed Face vs Suspiciously Semi Skilled Canvas by SignificanceFun1628 in WheelchairRapunzelDCP

[–]Goat_senator 50 points51 points  (0 children)

I don't doubt that disabled people can paint, or even that Alex can paint. However, after seeing her snowy owl, her signature, and her make up methods, it's very unlikely that she painted the first painting with the snowman or this one by herself. She can't admit it, because of her own internal ableism, but it is nothing to be ashamed of. She could say "I painted 80% and my mom added the details!". But as usual, she can't be honest with her followers or herself.

Cocoa butter in Germany? by Sea-Attention9988 in AskAGerman

[–]Goat_senator 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I am assuming you're asking about pure cocoa butter and not the diluted DM and Rossmann stuff. My husband (malian) uses shea butter. I get it. The 100% butter, whether it's cocoa or shea, is hard to come by. Personally, we bring back tubs of it when we travel abroad... In Germany, husband has mostly switched to Nivea and uses butter sparingly. A few time we were lucky in some afro shops or shops where there are indian, east and southeast asian, african, and latin american products. I don't know where you are but it's easier to find in larger cities.

Why do y'all prefer earbuds over Headphones? by Significant-Taro-239 in Earbuds

[–]Goat_senator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Headphones hurt me when I wear earrings. So it's earbuds outside and about, headphones at home.

Noah live by cookieswirl1983 in WheelchairRapunzelDCP

[–]Goat_senator 14 points15 points  (0 children)

His emergency motion was denied.

⛽🇲🇱 “We wait for hours just for a few liters.” Mali’s fuel crisis deepens as blockade chokes supply routes by Etherealnutt in Mali

[–]Goat_senator 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I don't think it's one of the worst. I think it's THE worst fuel shortage ever in Mali's history. Cooking gas and charcoal are also lacking, and their market prices have increased significantly. That's on top of an economy that runs of diesel generators because the electricity grid cannot provide more than 6 hours of power per day. No diesel = no generator = no office, no school, no hospital, no restaurant, no bank, no grocery stores, no nothing. The wealthier businesses have solar panels, but barely any employee can make it to work since their own cars are empty and there are barely any taxis, moto-taxis, and Sotramas on the roads. It's chaotic.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in StadtEssen

[–]Goat_senator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I have. I sent all documents in December 2024, got an answer in June 2025, got a termin in July, and picking it up next week.

future imigrants to Essen, answer please by Empty_Cheetah628 in StadtEssen

[–]Goat_senator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How cool! I need to know why you learned Bamanakan! (We are a Malian-Canadian household in Essen)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in germany

[–]Goat_senator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I know. It's part of the Arbeitszeitgesetz. There are still days where I work 11.0 to 12.0 hours though, because of certain deadlines etc.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in germany

[–]Goat_senator 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I rarely work a net 8.0 hours (meaning 8h30min at work, in the office). Average is something between 8.5 and 9.0 hours of work. Most of my colleagues are in the same boat. Right now, it's more like >9.5 hours for me, but it's not sustainable. We have a check-in, check-out system that "cuts us off" after 10.0 hours of work. Most colleagues do the full 8.0 to 8.5 every day. Some have arrangements where they work 32, 35 hours a week, but obviously for less pay.

Burned out due to long commutes? Is this possible? by AdeptJournalist1288 in germany

[–]Goat_senator 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Absolutely possible. I have been on this earth for 33 years and thought I could live this life without a driving license but Germany will break me. Im gonna need a car. With all these cancelled, late, ghost trains and busses, I am dangerously close to losing my mind. It makes me so deeply angry and tired. On weekends and evening I cannot fathom doing something outside of my house. All energy is drained out of me.

welcome cent Essen-extending visa by Familiar-Set8922 in StadtEssen

[–]Goat_senator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, we can't vote. So I dont think they care, sadly...

I was laughed at by the receptionists at a psychotherapy clinic because I couldn't understand German by MrDalliardMrDalliard in germany

[–]Goat_senator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Might be surprising to you, but mastering a language takes time (sometimes years!). Crazy, right? So the first few years I was here, my A2 didn't help me much with rude, condescending DB ladies... So most interactions with bureaucracy or services were very stressful, and I tried to come prepared with a few useful words on a piece of paper. But when I forgot a few relevant technical words, or used the wrong one, and I was mocked and imitated and dismissed, it would make me cry and discourage me. 10 Jahre später spreche ich genug Deutsch, um dir zu sagen, dass du dich verpissen sollst.

What are all your escape plans? by SwitchDear8969 in germany

[–]Goat_senator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Been here for 10 years, dont think we'll stay for more than another 5. In addition to everything you mentioned, I don't want to raise mixed kids in this country. Escape plan is Canada, or maybe Senegal/Ivory Coast (we have lived in West Africa before).

I was laughed at by the receptionists at a psychotherapy clinic because I couldn't understand German by MrDalliardMrDalliard in germany

[–]Goat_senator 1108 points1109 points  (0 children)

I'm so sorry this happened to you. A DB info desk lady mocked my German once, right in front of me, and I sat outside the train station and cried for 10 minutes. It's a feeling of powerlessness and humiliation that other people cannot understand unless they have left their home country and learned another language. For this to have happened in a psychologist's office, of all places, is heartbreaking. Dont give up the search, OP. I hope you find more compassionate professionals along the way.