opinion
Column: This is the boomer speaking
How does this political Germany affect the rest of the world?
Clothing is secondary. At least in Germany. Like good food or good wine, it is one of the cultural achievements of mankind. According to our author, especially with people who want to represent our country.
From Frank Schmiechen
I just imagine that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are looking at this photo with important German politicians. How can political Germany affect these powerful state leaders? A little playful. A little coiled up. Perhaps they recognize a mixture of not seriousness and complacency. Are you going to take this Germany seriously?
Anyone who dresses well in Germany makes themselves suspicious. It has to be comfortable. And functional. That’s enough. Most Germans think so. With our brightly colored functional jackets made of various complicated layers, we are well prepared for the next snow storm in Alaska. Even if you only want to go to the shopping center in Hanover quickly. You never know.
Heiko Maas and Christian Lindner – the suits fit
Well-dressed politicians are viewed particularly critically and stand out in the crowd of smurfy gray coats. There is no article about Heiko Maas or Christian Lindner that does not mention that these men are wearing suits that fit. That stands out. It is not worth mentioning that the rest of them wear suits with trousers that are far too long or pathetic cuts.
It is much more difficult with the women. This week attracted attention to this photo that Claudia Roth published on Facebook (see above). No, we did not get into the eurythmy performance of a vegan Montessori school, in which the mothers are just happy about their offspring. We see the future Vice President of the 20th German Bundestag (2nd from left) with her green party friends Annalena Baerbock, Ricarda Lang and Katrin Göring-Eckardt (from right).
“Don’t do anything wrong” – the lowest common denominator
The entrepreneur, politician and journalist Maria-Theresia von Seidlein comments very kindly on the photo on Facebook: Göring-Eckardt. “The dress is clearly too wide and too long.” To Claudia Roth: “That is an overall statement. I am young (stayed), am alternative and a little bit ‘bluna’.” “Ricarda Lang – that is of course rather problematic in terms of style.” To Baerbock: “The choice of color is perfect – traffic light is neutral – and you can never go wrong with blue in Germany!”
“Don’t do anything wrong” is the lowest common denominator. You could also do something right. Like Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, for example. Or Margrethe Vestager, a politician from Denmark. But in Germany there is the erroneous assumption that clothing has something to do with superficiality. Most of the time, what is inside is reflected on the surface. If you don’t care about your appearance, you probably don’t care about all the rest. Clothing is a cultural achievement. Just like music, good food or wine. But obviously not so many people in Germany have it with culture.