Berliner Schnauze (literally “Berlin Snout”) is a blunt, honest, and often flippant response to a question or situation given by a Berlin native. While “Berlinisch” is the colloquial language, speaking with Berliner Schnauze is the ability to take advantage of the potential for comedy in a situation and come back with a quick-witted response. Although born-and-bred Berliners sometimes come across as shockingly direct, underneath their irreverent exterior usually beats a big heart. Quintessential Berliners can speak Berlinisch on demand but will not always respond with Berliner Schnauze.
Example of Berlinisch spoken with Berliner Schnauze
A tourist asks,
“Excuse me, where is the Television Tower?“
A Berliner answers,
“Da wos jestern ooooch jestanden hat” (exactly where it stood yesterday).
The pronunciation is Berlinisch; the answer is given with Berliner Schnauze.
Another Example
The owner of a small neighborhood Bistro in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district is looking for someone to photograph the menu items on his establishment’s card du jour. He contacts a local photographer and writes,
Berliner Schnauze at its Best. Photo courtesy of Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay. www.walled-in-Berlin.com
Dear Sir,
I own a restaurant in the area and am looking for someone to take mouth-watering photos of the items on our card du jour. You were recommended by a colleague.
I want to make you a proposition that will benefit both of us. If you are willing to take the photos on a complimentary basis, I will give you credit underneath each picture. Since many patrons frequent the Bistro, our card du jour will be free advertising for your business. If the first set of photos meets my expectations, we can do it again with other menu items since I change our card du jour every month. If interested, please contact me by phone or online.”
Photographer responds with Berliner Schnauze
The photographer considers the offer and shoots back,
Dear Sir,
I am a photographer and have many friends who regularly stop by my studio. I am looking for a restaurant that will host these informal gatherings. I don’t expect to pay anything because my guests change frequently, and my get-togethers will be a great way for you to advertise your restaurant without paying anything. If the food is good, we’ll do it again. If interested, please contact me.”
That’s Berliner Schnauze.
For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic and current events, people, places and food.
Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall, and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.
