BERLIN YOUNG GUNS

Lula 15 years, Sara and Julia 20, Marcel 23, Tomas 19.

Lifestyles for young Berliners

Lula, who is 15 years old explains that it is a lot of different groups in her school who are influenced by various styles. The “Emo’s” are listening to a lot of modern punk rock, like My Chemical Romance, that are just a little bit revolutionary and don’t want to grow up to an establishment. They wear black clothes and can be considered as a “nice and pretty” type of punk’s. They are the new trendy gothics.

The “macho’s” wear a lot of pink and white clothes. They are influenced by the gangster culture from USA and often think that life is tough in Berlin. They listen a lot to Hip hop. This group also continues being like this

There is also a group of skaters who of course skates in baggy trousers and a group of reggae people, who smokes weed and listens to reggae and dancehall music.

Our teenagers don’t consider themselves to be a part of any specific groups and they mostly like alternative electronic and rock music.

How does your future look like?

In common for all our teenagers except from Lula is that everyone wants to go abroad and live there, if not for their whole lifetime, at least for the experience. They would like to go to countries far away. They don’t think it’s anything wrong with Germany, nut as one of the newly moved youth to Berlin put’s it; “I’ve made it to Berlin already, why stop here?”

They mention how easy it is to go abroad now compared to when their parents was younger. A lot of stipendiums is easily accessible and the youngsters feel like they are a part of a global community. Marcel says “ Life is to short to only live in one country.”

Tomas wants to move to California, have a lot of money and constantly be exposed to sunshine.

Mostly our teenagers wants to wait until after their thirties to get family and children. Travelling, studying and building a career is far more appealing between 20-30. Lula don’t totally agree, she would like to study, but in Berlin and she would like to have a family in her early 20’s.

Here are the answers to our questions asked to our young people

1000 Euro (Travel, mobile phone, shopping)

1. Really special travelling far far away. Back packer way. Overseas travelling; Japan, New Zealand, Australien, USA.
2. Newest mobile phone nice and different from others.
3. Saving some money – to feel safe.
4. Clothes.

A day off (friends, experinces, make the most of it, live online)

1. Experiences. As much as possible. Waiste no time. Bigger event in the evening
2. Relax (sleeping). “I work 9 hours a day 5 days a week. On my day off I will sleep long.”
3. Hang out with friends (bars, café, shopping)
4. Absolutely not visiting internet cafés. “what should we do there?”. We chat and are online ALL DAY LONG”.
5. Hang out online ;Lokalisten.de (PRO 7). Tv channel behind a big social network. Schuelervz.de – they all use it.Youtube.com, Facebook.com
6. “I was without internet for 1 week when I moved to Berlin – it was terrible. I couldn’t get in touch with anybody”…
7. Observation: Web is for free. Mobile expensive
8. Poker
9. Chatting with friends about: last week, apartments, funny news, latest event
10. Music: Dance Hall, Electro, Indipop, Reagge, Country
11. Motto: “I google it”, I live online

Worst case scenario in 10 years (no changes)

1. Stay in the same city, same job, same rutines
2. No personal development
3. Stay home and take care of others (haus frau)
4. Waiste their time

Greatest fear (the close things vs. war & terrorism)

1. Loose contact with friends (be alone no friends)

2. Loose your job

3. Become very ill

4. Loosing what you have built up (what you have)

Observation: No fear or worry on a daily basis regarding war, terrorism nor natural disasters etc. We even needed to ask directly! No interest in politics nor the world around them (is there to explore in a positive way.)

What makes you happy (Live in the present)

1. Successful in what I do
2. Accomblish and implement what is planned
3. Really LIVE & DO things
4. Spend time with friends (and family second)
5. Professional success
6. Graduation from school
7. Do your own things (what is interesting for me)
8. Job & girlfriend
9. Observation: They do not care about carrer as in high level jobs nor prestige. It is more important that what they do is right for them!

Live in the present as much as possible is crucial for them.

Which countries to visit/live in (move TO vs. not AWAY from)

1. America, New Zealand, Australia
2. Everywhere – “we are international!”

Observation: They want to move TO a new place. NOT away from Germany.