As if the horror start at the World Cup wasn’t enough: After the rude awakening after the bankruptcy in Japan, the Germans also scored zero points in the big style check in Qatar. You don’t even want to talk about celebrating. But other nations don’t just cover themselves with glory.
Was that just a bad dream? With a good Qatari mood (harr, harr) you and the mean German peel themselves out of bed this morning. No, it really happened. nightmare nothing against it. The DFB-Elf broke up within a few minutes in the second half against Japan, conceded two goals and now – since the game against the 7-0 Spaniards on Sunday – already has one leg on the plane back to Frankfurt.
Uff. It’s hard to take, but the defeat was somehow deserved. Because the Japanese just coldly scored exactly the goals that Hansi Flick’s men couldn’t score despite countless chances. So you need light food the next day. Something relaxed to take your mind off things. What’s a better distraction than people watching and gossiping? And what can we humans do if not chat, gossip, chat about others? If you believe the evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar, our language only really developed with “Gossip” anyway.
In Qatar you now have the extremely rare opportunity to target people from (almost) all parts of the world at once. Great fun. There are the Qatari women and men in their traditional clothes, but also fans from at least the 32 participating nations. But after the Japan shock, the World Cup horror for the Germans continues: They also go home with zero points in the style ranking.
Beware, so much warning should be given if someone feels offended: not everything in this text should be taken seriously and it sometimes overflows with stereotypes. Especially German fans don’t do well, but the author is also German. Since – so he thinks – he can do that. And it is about observations of the past week that were experienced in exactly the same way.
Of course, Germany was never really known for fashion awareness. Sandals with white, pulled-up tennis socks have long been considered sin number one. In the meantime, however, hipsters from Neukölln to Brooklyn to Addis Ababa have turned this style into something cool. But don’t worry, the Germans will find their way. In Qatar, they particularly impress with outfits that make climbing the Brocken as well as a spontaneous half marathon possible at any time. Because of course: The practical always comes before the fashionable. You never know what’s coming. Always be well prepared. You have to save money when it comes to style.
Light hiking shoes (type: city to trail) or running shoes from the Swiss brand “On” are particularly popular as shoes. Of course, while cool is relative, they all definitely aren’t. But at least no bubbles form during the many wanderings through metal grid labyrinths. The legs are adorned, of course, with practical cargo trousers (very important: lots of pockets) in matt gray or beige. Detachable at the knees. Logo, because how should the Annettes, Yvonnes or Brittas (sorry Annette, Yvonne and Britta) and Hermanns, Dietmars or Alfreds (sorry Hermann, Dietmar and Alfred) know when it’s warm enough for a short one or just cold enough for a long one pants should be. Although the women sometimes have to be protected here, they also like to wear white summer trousers (Capri style or airy and slouchy). It’s vacation after all.
In addition, there are often huge backpacks. After all, the sweater, scarf and butter sandwiches in Tupperware and around 384 liters of water in reusable containers have to find somewhere for a five-minute trip on the subway or air-conditioned bus. But interesting: When it comes to water bottles, the Germans are at the forefront of fashion. Always chic black, cool design – and even with cooling-insulating high-tech material. 1A status symbol. The Ecuadorian peeks over secretly with his plastic bottle with envy.
Also always in trend with Germans: partner look. And where can you find the best tandem outfits? Right, at Tchibo. Since there is no need for partner bike helmets or hiking jackets in Qatar, the partner jersey is used. Marina and Marco have their years of birth printed on the back of their Germany jerseys. But still: Marina (year of birth 1973) wears fashionable sandals with the white Capri trousers and Marco (year of birth 1970) wears normal black jeans with his city walkers.
Of course not all other nations shine with perfect style. Britons and Americans like to be just as insecure in style – but always recognizable, regardless of the jersey. The English are convincing with their reddish facial complexion, a slightly stocky gait (if they were dialect gaits, they would walk with a Cockney accent) and typical sports shorts, plus white sneakers with short socks. Americans with loud conversations and at least one item of clothing from some university team.
Germans can also learn from other nations when it comes to lightness and letting go. While Spanish, Ghanaian and Tunisian fans drum, horn and dance in the subway, the Annettes, Yvonnes or Brittas (sorry Annette, Yvonne and Britta) and Hermanns, Dietmars or Alfreds (sorry Hermann, Dietmar and Alfred) worry that but please FIRST get out and THEN get in.
Dancing and partying is one of those things anyway. Tunisian women and men throw a wild impromptu party with a few Saudis at the old market, the Souq Waqif in the heart of Doha, letting their hips, hands and legs swing and gyrate. Spaniards hop rhythmically through the streets after their 7-0 victory. Senegalese fans pause at every little sound and then happily indulge in the music. (In any case, there is no need to say a word about the people from South America on this subject, since they were born dancing – sorry for this bad stereotype.) The Germans, however, mostly only stand by with interested observation and perhaps a little shamed. Sometimes a head nods and – if things get really wild – someone even moves from one leg to the other. Well, but what is not, can still be. So far, the DFB fans haven’t had much to celebrate.
However, the number one among the fans is clearly the Iranians. Always top styled, women and men, but there is absolutely nothing to complain about. There is always dancing, singing and smiling, and friendliness and cordiality are free in conversations. Added to this is the incredible courage that many of them muster because they openly and loudly protest against the brutal mullah regime not only in their homeland but also in Qatar. And this despite the fact that they risk punishment, beatings or worse when entering the country. A journalist from Iran tells colleague Stephan Uersfeld in line at the Khalifa Stadium that he has no plans to return home.
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the World Cup and want to see some really chic outfits, you can flee to the Doha Golf Club tonight. Latino superstar J Balvin plays, DJ legend Paul van Dyke DJs. The alcohol flows until 3 a.m. VIP tables are $400, premium VIP tables are $600. Unfortunately, they’re all sold out. Too bad. But regular tickets for only $125 are still available. Let’s go there.
Qatar is crazy sometimes. Although, sometimes that can safely be deleted. The monthly wage of the migrant workers here is 275 US dollars.
