Health Care and Transportation in Germany from a Cultural Perspective - Research Paper Example

Health Care and Transportation in Germany from a Cultural PerspectiveBeing the 5th largest global economy and first in Europe, the job market is fairly diverse and provides opportunities to many. However, from a cultural viewpoint, it can be problematic working in Germany considering how different its health care and transportation sectors are as compared to the same sectors in the U.S. From a cultural perspective, Germans view ailments as a result of normal scientific phenomena. Consequently, when in Germany, one must support the idea that combating diseases is through use of sophisticated technologies the fight microorganisms or through consumption of preventive foods.

Moreover, the elderly are given preference when it comes to treatment as they are they perceived to be more delicate. They believe that an individual’s health is of utter importance and paramedics must be professional enough in handling health related cases. What’s more, a Drogerie or “drug store” does not sell medicines or drugs; it is more of a mart for detergents, toiletries, and beauty products. Since Germans are heath conscious and value prevention more than cure, consumption of biskost (biologically-grown foods), natural foods, vitamins, herbal teas and health foods is encouraged (Wiltenburg, 182).

They can be purchased from a Bioladen (small shops that stock highly nutritious foods rich in vitamins and other minerals) at reasonable prices. When one is in need of cure, recovery, or preventive medicine, they should visit a Kurort (a pharmacy in the American context; it stocks common drugs but prescription is given).Germany enjoys a high level of health care with high life expectancy and low infant mortality rates. While working in Germany, one must comprehend the mix of the private and public health insurance (Expatica, N. pg). Employees are allowed to hold both private and public health insurance covers, but must display the aptitude and capability to meet the cost of both covers.

To obtain a residence visa, foreign inhabitants must provide substantiation of being under a public health insurance coverage. Noteworthy, Germany operates a government-sponsored “sickness fund” called Krankenkasse which provides coverage against most predominant ailments in the country, and employees are expected to subscribe to this fund and contribute accordingly (Herb, 2). All employees, whether insiders or outsiders are expected to honor contributions since violation is criminalized and indictable.

Similarly, while Americans are familiar with pharmacies, managers in Germany are required to operate or be linked to an Apotheker which does not only provide drugs such as aspirin, but also provides a considerable help to employees with a disorder (Herb, 2). It offers pharmacological advice and avoid a trip to the doctor by giving appropriate salve, pill or ointment. Some designated Apothekes stay open all night, and one can easily know those that will be open throughout the night by reading the German daily newspapers.

Moreover, employers or managers, workers, and taxes all pay for health care insurance. On average, employees are expected to contribute 15.5% of their salary towards health care insurance and the insurance covers family members as first class beneficiaries (Herb, 2). Non-German residents can only be covered by the Krankenkasse upon entering the scheme through a German employer. For a hospital visit, the patient pays a modest share of approximately 10 euros a day; in case of treatment, the patient presents an insurance card, Versicherungskarte.

It is, therefore, imperative that as a manager, you ensure your employees are subscribed to the Krankenkasse and hold a Versicherungskarte as this greatly plummets the cost of medication in case an employee falls sick due to the risks presented by working in a new environment as well as the culture shock which often bears heavily on unprepared managers. Germans are car lovers. While the country has an exceptionally well-developed road network, all bigger cities experience the problem of congestion (Eric, N.pg). It is challenging to secure a parking space and if one is fortunate to obtain a parking space, they will have to part with several euros.

One way streets are common and one is expected to observe all road use policies for safety of other road users. The country also has public procedures designed to dispirit car ownership by making sure that fuel prices are extremely high. While transit fares are high in the countries, employees are encouraged not to use personal vehicles since German transit authorities have organized great discounts for employees, students, and the elderly. Americans must observe all the aforementioned issues since it is through observation of the divergent cultural practices that managers and employees can thrive in the international arena (Rodrigues, 258).

Works CitedEric Jaffe. "5 Reasons Germans Ride 5 Times More Mass Transit Than Americans." CityLab. N.p., 2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. .Expatica. "Work in Germany: Finding a Job in Germany | Working in Germany | Expatica Germany." Gateway | Expatica. N.p., 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. .Herb Kernecker. N.p., 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. .Rodrigues, Carl. International Management: A Cultural Approach. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, 2009. Print.Wiltenburg, Joy. Crime and Culture in Early Modern Germany.

Charlottesville: U of Virginia P, 2012. Print.