A good friend of mine was married a German man and they had three children. The two boys became engineers, each specialising in a different branch of engineering. She is very fond and proud of her sons. They treat her very well indeed. Her daughter studied Science and is now happily married with two daughters. All is well for that family. I recall her daughter as she was a student at the school in which I taught. She was a challenge at school for all the teachers.
She separated from her husband. He was a self-made "engineer" and was envious of his sons. Life with him was hard as he was a perfectionist and, although my friend was an immaculate housekeeper, nothing was ever good enough for him. Never praised her. Always demeaned her. When her children became independent, she packed up a few basic belongings and quietly walked out the door. She has never ever regretted her decision. Her personality was expressed in all its fullness. No longer, expecting to hear a growl when she went to get inside her car and she heard at the back of her, "and where do you think you are going?" Even writing this story makes me feel bad. She is a clever, quiet and compassionate wise woman who moved to Australia from Scotland where she was born.
I've always thought German men and Scottish women are not good matches. Talk about making generalisations from one case but I can't avoid doing so, even now.
