Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might've missed. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.
It’s nearly the third Advent Sunday…have you started your holiday gift shopping yet?
If you’re looking for a gift for someone who is really into cosmetics, perhaps you’ve looked into some products from South Korea – Korean cosmetics and so-called K-beauty products have become super popular around the world in recent years as K-pop music and K-dramas and movies have also taken the world by storm.
But did you know that among Koreans themselves, Germany’s DM drugstore chain has increasingly become a go-to destination for quality, affordable beauty products and supplements.
On social media you can find a multitude of videos – like this one on Instagram or this one on Tiktok – by Koreans living in Germany sharing the kinds of things they like to buy at DM. Among the commonly recommended products are: Balea moisturizers, hand creams, vitamins and supplements (Orthomol Immunity supplements that you can find in German pharmacies are also very popular in South Korea) and bath salts packets.
Globally, German products maintain a positive reputation for being of high quality, and yet retail prices in the country are relatively cheap. So naturally DM’s offers have found a market in the beauty and health-obsessed Korean market.
READ ALSO: How does the cost of healthcare products in Germany compare to other countries?
But it’s not all good press for Germany’s largest drugstore brand. A couple weeks back, the German Business Association of Family Entrepreneurs had invited Alternative for Germany politicians to participate in an event. And while several other big brands immediately criticised the decision, the chairman of the management board of DM went the other way and said that he thought the "diabolisation" of the party was "not very helpful".
This resulted in online activists calling for a boycott of all DM stores. The DM chairman has since tried to walk those comments back, and also clarified that DM had in fact left the association of family entrepreneurs months prior to the scandal.Â
Seems like he could have avoided the whole mess had he simply said that from the beginning instead.
What do delivery workers wish for at Christmas?
While we're on the subject of shopping for Christmas, it's worth sparing a thought for the men and women tasked with delivering all our orders.Â
Yes, there are delays with parcels piling up in Berlin's late-night shops, but DHL staff in Germany are facing gruelling conditions in the pre-Christmas rush.
According to a report in Tagesspiegel, DHL drivers are often tasked with delivering about 500 packages on a single day in early December.
Unfortunately, thats about 400 more than could feasibly handled on most days, and the rest often end up right back at the depot to be delivered on subsequent days.
In a recent survey by the Verdi union, 89 percent of 1,900 delivery workers reported extreme time pressure, working longer than legally allowed, skipping breaks and being obliged to compromise on quality amid physical strains like heavy lifting and endless stairs.
Photo of the week:
If you find yourself out at night this weekend, don't forget to look up.
The Geminid meteor shower, which is known for a spectacular display of of up to 150 meteors per hour, is set to peak over Germany on December 13th and 14th.
To view the Geminids, you'll want to find a secluded spot away from city lights, and prepare yourself with warm clothes and ideally also a thermos with a warm drink. Of course, preparing for the event only really makes sense if there is a good chance of clear skies.
Unfortunately, this being the German winter, we may not be so lucky.
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