They worry about refugees, terrorism and crime: A new study reveals that Germans are scared of criminals and have a pessimistic outlook on life.
Image: Reuters/M. Dalder
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It's no coincidence that the expression "German angst" is used to describe a certain sense of anguish, anxiety or fear: Germans are especially good at worrying. A new study by the Allensbach polling institute conducted for the Social Democrats in the Bundestag shows that Germans feel pretty secure economically - and yet have a pessimistic, anxious view of the future.
"Material satisfaction is growing," Spiegel Online writes, "but optimism concerning the future has dramatically decreased."
The perception of personal economic situations is more positive in 2016 than it has been in a long time. According to the Allensbach Institute, 54 percent of Germans say their economic situation is good or even very good. Only 9 percent perceive their situation as bad. Less than 20 percent of Germans worry about their jobs. Enough money, job security - sounds great, right?
Wrong.
Only 36 percent of the 1,431 people Allensbach polled are hopeful and optimistic about what the next year has in store for them. According to Spiegel Online, the last time so many people had a bleak outlook on life was at the start of the financial crisis in 2008. Before that, it was right after 9/11.
No. 1 fear
Thomas Feltes has one possible explanation for the chasm between perceived economic security and fear about the future. Feltes is professor of criminology and police science at the University of Bochum and told public broadcaster "Deutschlandfunk" that the seemingly counter-intuitive development actually makes sense.
The better off people are, the more they fear that something could happen to them or their possessions - "and many people in our society are indeed doing better today than they were in the past," Feltes said.
According to Allensbach's numbers, Germans really are most worried about their physical safety and that of their belongings. 84 percent of respondents are worried about the perceived increase in violence and crime in their society. This fear has grown substantially over the last few years. When asked in a different Allensbach poll whether they were scared of personally falling victim to a crime, 64 percent of respondents said yes in 2016. In 2011, this number was as low as 29 percent.
Terrorism comes in as a close second on the list of things that Germans worry about. Respondents were asked to check what scares them out of a long list of potential threats, and 74 percent marked terrorist attacks.
Danger of toasters
Some of these people might be afraid of crowds and public places and prefer to stay home, instead of going to a concert or an exhibition. Bad move.
"We criminologists know that your own home is the most unsafe place there is," Feltes said.
After all, most accidents happen at home. It's much more likely to be burnt by a malfunctioning toaster or knocked out by a collapsing bookshelf than to be killed in a terrorist attack. And yet, household appliances didn't make the list of Germans' biggest worries.
Uncertain times
Terrorist attacks with numerous victims have dramatic effects, of course, and deeply shake many people's beliefs in society. The high frequency of attacks and the heavy coverage in the media recently is probably one reason why so many respondents say they feel these are especially uncertain times.
In 2011, only 44 percent said they were doing well economically - a much lower number than in 2016. But people felt more secure back then as well. Only 44 percent of respondents in an Allensbach poll said they felt their times were especially uncertain. By 2016, that number had grown to 58 percent.
One potential factor contributing to those vaguely uncertain times: the huge number of immigrants coming to Germany. The increase in refugees takes third place in the list of things Germans are anxious about, with almost three quarters of respondents marking it as one of their top concerns.
What emergency supplies do you need?
Germany's government is mulling a plan requiring citizens to stock up on food and supplies in case of a natural disaster or armed attack. So what should you have in your pantry? Here's our comprehensive checklist.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/I. Kjer
Preparing for the worst
The stockpile plan outlined in the government’s "Concept for Civil Defense" paper obligates Germans to store 10 days' worth of food and five days' worth of drinking water. The idea is for people to have enough supplies - including cash and medicine - on hand to get them through an emergency situation before government assistance kicks in.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Ready for disaster
The level of preparedness proposed in the paper hasn't been seen since the end of the Cold War. The strategy was originally commissioned by a parliamentary committee in 2012, but its release now comes amid a raft of new security measures and heightened terror concerns. Still, its contents aren't new - German authorities have long urged households to store two weeks' worth of emergency supplies.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Baltagiannis
Enough to drink
The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, for example, has published a checklist online with recommended supplies for a 14-day period. The most important thing on the list is water - 28 liters per person for a fortnight, or around two liters per day. People can survive a few weeks without food, but only four days without liquid.
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Stocking the pantry
The Ministry of Food even has an online "calculator" to help you work out what kind of food - and how much - to stock up on. It recommends 4.9 kilograms of cereal-based products like rice, bread and noodles per person per fortnight. It also suggests 5.6kg of veggies, 3.7kg each of milk products and fruit and nuts, and 2.1kg of fish and meat. All food should be able to last without refrigeration.
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Hygiene is vital
While food and water are key to survival, hygiene is also important for preventing disease. Washing hands, showering and brushing teeth aren't so easy if there's no running water or electricity. If water is scarce, collect what is available in big containers or basins. And be sure to have enough soap, detergent, toothpaste, wet wipes, rubbish bags, hand sanitizer and toilet paper on hand.
Image: picture-alliance/Eibner-Pressefoto
Fully stocked medicine cabinet
The government also advises keeping a medicine cabinet stocked with supplies in case it's not possible to get to a hospital. That means, among other things, a first aid kit, the necessary personal prescription drugs, cold medicine, painkillers, anti-diarrhea and nausea medicine, electrolytes, a thermometer and disinfectant.
Image: picture-alliance/blickwinkel
When the lights go out
Power outages usually only last a few hours, but in emergency situations they could last days. That can mean no lights, no cell phones and no heating. To prepare for that eventuality, it's a good idea to have a supply of flashlights and candles handy, along with matches and batteries. If you have a fireplace, make sure you also have plenty of briquettes and wood.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Y. Badawi
Radio warning
Battery-powered radios can be a useful way to get information if the power network is down, according to the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance. In some cases these devices might be the only way to receive life-saving warnings in an emergency. Again, keep a supply of batteries and replace them regularly.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Endig
Stash of cash
A wad of cash is another important part of any household's emergency supplies. There may not be time to rush to a bank, and ATMs won't work if the power is out.
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Emergency bag
The idea of stocking up on supplies suggests being trapped at home, but sometimes emergencies force you to leave. That's why it's wise to have a bag already packed. According to government advice, it should contain: first aid materials, meals for two days, key personal documents, a water bottle, sleeping bag, protective clothing, plus many of the other items mentioned earlier in this checklist.