Understanding Cultural Differences in Ventilation Practices: German Roommates’ Morning Routine Revealed
Different customs and etiquette can vary significantly around the world, leading to interesting observations when people from different countries live together. Recently, a British woman shared her confusion over her German roommate’s peculiar habit of opening all the windows early in the morning, even during the cold winter days.
According to the UK’s “Daily Express,” Juliette, a model scout, revealed on social media her bewilderment towards her German roommate’s behavior. She noticed that regardless of how cold the weather was, the large windows in their shared living room and kitchen were always wide open early in the morning, a practice attributed to her German roommate.
She asked, “Is this a German thing? My model roommate from Germany always opens all the windows early in the morning, even when it’s freezing outside.”
Some netizens commented that Germans indeed follow this practice. They explained that Germans typically sit down for a morning coffee at 6:30 with the windows open.
Another netizen added, “Yes! This is essential in winter because we need air circulation and fresh air. German households lack air circulation, especially in winter when it’s only blowing heat.”
It was highlighted that this practice is called “Lüften” in German, which translates to “ventilation.” A commenter stated, “I usually do this in the morning to freshen up the room.” Another person shared, “I enjoy ‘Lüften,’ I like to air out my bedding layer by layer slowly.”
The UK-based renovation company Timberwise explained on its website that “Lüften” refers to the concept and practice of removing stale, dirty, and humid air from inside the house while introducing fresh air. This practice is highly emphasized in Germany and even mentioned in rental agreements.
Ventilating the house has several benefits. Firstly, it reduces the likelihood of water condensation and mold growth. Secondly, it improves the air quality inside the house.
To achieve proper ventilation, it is recommended to open all windows for a few minutes. Opening windows every morning or evening (sometimes both) allows for sufficient air circulation.
As for why ventilation is crucial for Germans, the company stated that German housing construction principles focus on retaining heat indoors as much as possible, particularly in winter. This leads to poor ventilation inside houses, making it challenging for air to circulate smoothly.
Opening windows for a few minutes daily effectively promotes ventilation. In normal conditions, this has minimal impact on indoor temperature and heating because the house’s insulating layers retain most of the heat. Therefore, timely window opening is crucial to facilitate air circulation.
It is not exclusive to Germans; people in the UK or other countries can also adopt this practice as increasing air circulation in the house is beneficial, especially after showering, cooking, or waking up in the morning.