The Old-Germany Versus New-Germany Economy

 I sat and read this comment on German social media today:

"Old Germany was a rising society. You went to work, at some point you could afford a small house and support the family. The new Germany is a society of decline. You have 2 jobs and can barely pay for your apartment."

Generally, within a working-class situation....probably two-third's of German society believe in the statement.  In a group of journalists, politicians, or upper-end employed people....they won't agree with the idea.

When I made my first 'tour' of Germany in 1978 (two years in Frankfurt)....I generally saw a lot of people on the enthusiasm angle of life.  They had a job....a decent working wage...taking a vacation off to Italy or the north coast each year...had a Opel or VW in the garage, and felt like they were in a up and coming society.

You don't get that feeling today.  With the Covid-trend on business spiraling a bit....a fair number of Germans are now worried about their future, their stability, travel arrangements for a vacation in 2021, and generally whining about expectations lacking.

These 'tafel' operations (the food banks) that exist today?  In 1978, you just didn't see any existence of these around in Germany.  Today?  Most every city has a couple of them existing now, and a lot of the Germans on welfare will tell you that it's the only way that they get ahead.

The art of collecting returnable bottles?  You didn't see this in 1978.  Today?  Around a city like Mainz, I would take a guess that more than 100 folks will roam around and look for bottles on a daily basis....especially after a sports match or some public parade.  I watched a reality show from five years ago where some father-son team showed up after each soccer game in the city....picking up fifty to a hundred bottles (25 cent each on returns).  This was the only way to supplement their welfare situation.  

What happened over the past forty-odd years?  General expenses went up....wages stagnated. Most working class Germans will drag this topic up and talk about the trend stalling.

Along with this....German-manufactured goods declined (with production shifting to China).  

Any expectation of change coming?  No, and that's really the harsh part of this discussion.  Even with next year's national election coming....no  one really expects the economy to shift or improve.