Greetings from the South!

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

Exactly. I'm actually happy that I found my way into this music in my youth. I constantly think: "wow, there's so much music out there to be discovered. I'm glad I have years to explore."

Hopefully!

Übrigens, Wurstwasser, das ist ein komischer Name. Ich kann nur an eine schmutzige Bedeutung denken... 

Dirty meaning - nonono. The german commedians "Mundstuhl" made a song named "Wurstwasser" (sausage water), a Rammstein parody. (click)
How come you speak/write such excellent german?

[pjme]

  Mundstuhl...! Ach, wie ist es möglich. ? Wirklich ....!

Wurstwasser kann Ich noch verstehen :

erst :


später:


Hmmmm!

aber ....Mundstuhl! Bah, bah,bah!

[Diletante]

Über Mundstuhl und (vor allem) Wurstwasser spreche ich nicht.  0:)

Den Wasserstuhl würde ich aber gerne im wahren Leben kennen lernen:

How come you speak/write such excellent german?

I learned German in school for a number of years and spent 6 months in "Schüleraustausch" in Germany. My German used to be somewhat decent, but it has become extremely rusty now that I'm out of school and have had no chance to practice it seriously for years. What a shame, I really like the language.

And you? Are you German or a learner of the language?

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

And you? Are you German or a learner of the language?

Your german is most likely better than the german of many germans. Yes, I'm german. I know the problem: Was 3 months amongst Brits/US/Australians/South Africans (terrible accent - the -to me- loveliest english is spoken in the north of England, Sheffield etc...), my english speaking was at least decent. This is ten years ago, today speaking english is ... ugh ... difficult. Same with french. I forgot everything due to no practise.
Hey interesting and OT question: Which accent is rather liked and disliked amongst the english speaking people?

As for german, the situation is probably clear: saxon accent is widely disliked - people are making jokes of the saxon accent. Personally I like the Hamburg/northern (also Mecklenburg) accent best.

[Dundonnell]

Your german is most likely better than the german of many germans. Yes, I'm german. I know the problem: Was 3 months amongst Brits/US/Australians/South Africans (terrible accent - the -to me- loveliest english is spoken in the north of England, Sheffield etc...), my english speaking was at least decent. This is ten years ago, today speaking english is ... ugh ... difficult. Same with french. I forgot everything due to no practise.
Hey interesting and OT question: Which accent is rather liked and disliked amongst the english speaking people?

As for german, the situation is probably clear: saxon accent is widely disliked - people are making jokes of the saxon accent. Personally I like the Hamburg/northern (also Mecklenburg) accent best.

A good friend of mine(British) lived in the Saarland while working at the University of Saarbrucken. He once took me with him while he was buying a second-hand car from a young(ish) German judge. The discussion was conducted in German which my friend did not speak very well. Afterwards I remarked that it would have been easier for my friend if English had been used and that it was surprising that a highly educated German did not speak English. He replied-"Of course he speaks English..perfect English...but he refuses to do so. His attitude is-you are in my country, you will speak my language!"

I understand that attitude perfectly but it is such a contrast with, say, the Dutch or the Scandinavians, who are perfectly happy to speak English! Is it therefore a lack of practice? Is it because English films/programmes are dubbed in Germany and France but subtitles are used in Scandinavia or the Netherlands?

The best English? Oh..that spoken in the Highlands of Scotland! A beautiful, lilting accent! I have great difficulty with Geordie(spoken in Newcastle) or Scouse(spoken in Liverpool) or Brummie(Birmingham) Nor am I keen on Cockney(London) It just varies from place to place

[Diletante]

As for german, the situation is probably clear: saxon accent is widely disliked - people are making jokes of the saxon accent. Personally I like the Hamburg/northern (also Mecklenburg) accent best.

Hm, now you left me wondering if my German has at least a trace of the accent of the zone I stayed in. I stayed, as I always say: "ganz im Süden, fast an der Grenze mit der Schweiz, in einem Kuhdorf namens Hänner". Beautiful zone...

I can't really differentiate between the many German accents, but I did found it funny when the Swiss talked in Hochdeutsch. 

[vandermolen]

Welcome from the cold North(Scotland)!

Your English is faultless btw

And welcome from the cold South! (East Sussex, England).