„The Dangers of Coming Together“

What are the dangers of coming together? How do we survive meetings? Who are they dangerous for?

As children, we first learn of physical dangers. As adults, we are faced with social dangers. First meetings can make people anxious. All the things which can go wrong! All the potential misunderstandings! Even names can be dangerous. Then intercultural dangers! How can cultures misunderstand each other? What are the dangers of British irony meeting German literal-mindedness ("wörtliche Interpretation")!?

There are even the dangers of ALMOST coming together! Neighbouring countries traditionally have a wary ("vorsichtige/misstrauische") attitude to each other (England/Scotland - Canada/USA - Barmbek-Nord/Barmbek-Süd)!