Guest: Alysia Tofflemire - Germany's First Certified Matchmaker

Connect with Alysia here: https://www.altomatchmaking.com/discover

EPISODE SUMMARY

Dating in Germany as an expat is complicated. You're navigating a new culture, possibly a new language, and trying to build something real when your own life might feel temporary. In this episode, Christine sits down with Alysia Tofflemire—a matchmaker who works exclusively with internationally-minded English speakers—to talk about why dating here feels so different, what actually works, and how to find connection when you're still figuring out where home is.

Topics covered:

• Why dating in Germany feels harder for expats
• The challenge of being "internationally-minded" in relationships
• German dating culture vs. other countries
• Values-based matching vs. superficial compatibility
• Building community before finding romance
• Third culture identity and what it means for relationships
• Practical advice for exhausted expats navigating dating

ABOUT ALYSIA TOFFLEMIRE

Alysia has been an expat since age 17, moving from Canada to Belgium, then England, and finally settling in Berlin. With a diverse background in environmental science, aviation (Boeing), and nonprofit leadership, she founded her matchmaking business to help internationally-minded professionals find lasting relationships in Germany. She's certified by the Matchmaking Institute in New York and works "analog"—meeting people in person at events rather than relying on algorithms.

She's also raising a multilingual daughter in Berlin and knows firsthand the challenges of building a life across cultures.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Resources for Expats:

• IHK (Industrie- und Handelskammer) - free business consultation services in English
• Gründungszuschuss - German startup grant for entrepreneurs
• Berlin founders groups and startup communities

Dating & Relationship Topics:

• Values-based matching methodology
• Third culture identity
• Reverse culture shock
• German dating culture and directness
• Vereinsleben (club life) as foundation for dating

CONNECT WITH CHRISTINE

🎧 Subscribe: Life, Just in German podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen

📧 Newsletter: Get weekly insights on language, culture, and belonging in Germany

🌐 Website: [NextLevelGerman.com]

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this resonated with you, share it with another expat navigating dating in Germany. And if you've got a dating story—awkward, beautiful, or somewhere in between—DM Christine on Instagram.

Leave a review! It helps other expats find this podcast when they need it most.

This is Life, Just in German—real talk about language, culture, and building a life you love in Germany.

Thoughts?

🎆 Your First January First  in Germany (Part 2)

Still reeling from your first Silvester experience? Wondering what Silvester is really about in Germany — and why  it feels so intense, overwhelming, or even unsettling?

In Part 2 of this New Year special, Christine goes deeper into what German New Year’s Eve actually means — beyond the fireworks, smoke, and chaos. This episode explores:

• Why Silvester isn’t random chaos, but a cultural pressure valve
• What this night reveals about German order, rules, and release
• How January in Germany is shaped by this explosive reset
• And what understanding (not necessarily liking) German traditions does for your sense of belonging and calm

If your first German New Year left you wondering what you just lived through, this episode helps you make sense of it — culturally and emotionally.

Insight into understanding Germany well enough to live well inside it.

Get the complete program by signing up for the free companion newsletter also called Life, Just In German: https://www.nextlevelgerman.com/newsletter_opt-in

🎧 Topics: Silvester in Germany, German culture, expat life in Germany, culture shock, life in Germany, living abroad, understanding Germans

Connect with Life, Just in German:
🎙️ Listen to the full Silvester episode
📧 Forward this to a fellow overwhelmed expat
💬 Join the conversation on Instagram

Thoughts?

January in Germany means official letters — from health insurance, tax offices, utilities, and contracts — and sooner or later, a phone call you don’t want to make.

In this episode, Christine Taylor breaks down why phone calls in German feel so much harder than face-to-face conversations, what’s actually happening on a structural and emotional level, and how to stay calm, clear, and in control when you have to call. You’ll hear real-life examples, essential German phone phrases, and practical strategies for slowing things down, asking for clarification, and getting the information you need — without panic or shame.

This episode is about survivability, not fluency: one letter, one call, one clear outcome at a time.

Resources Mentioned:

📄 Free Phone Call Phrase Sheet
 👉https://www.nextlevelgerman.com/offers/TketV3M5/checkout

📞 Phone Confidence – 4-Session Live Focus Series
👉 [ENROLL – Phone Confidence Focus Series]

☕ 50/50 Meet-Ups (German / English conversation practice)
👉 [ENROLL – 50/50 Meet-Ups]

Hosted by Christine Taylor
Real-life German · Cultural context · Practical confidence
Because language is lived, not memorized.

Stay Connected!

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Thoughts?

Silvester in Germany doesn’t ease you into the new year. It explodes — loudly, collectively, and without much warning. If you experienced New Year’s Eve here and thought “I wasn’t prepared for that”, this episode is for you.

Get the REST of this training by getting the written version plus all other audio resources - join the Life, Just in German Newsletter - GET THE NEWSLETTER HERE

In the first episode of 2026, Christine reflects on her earliest Silvester experiences in Germany — from rooftops and city centers to quiet villages — and explores why this night can feel overwhelming, confusing, fascinating, or even unsettling for expats. Rather than explaining rules or telling you how to feel, this episode offers **orientation**: What’s happening socially, why the chaos feels “normal” to many Germans the next day, and how understanding the rhythm of Silvester can change how you carry the experience — even if your preferences never change.

In this episode, we explore:

* Why Silvester in Germany feels so different from New Year’s Eve elsewhere

* What it’s like when fireworks are in people’s hands, not controlled displays

* The tension between protectiveness and fascination — especially as a parent

* Why January 1st often feels calm after an intense night

* How Germans relate to rules, risk, and release in practice

* Why “nothing went wrong — it simply ran its course” can be a helpful reframe

German In Real Life

You’ll hear everyday post-Silvester language in context, including:

*Frohes Neues*,

*Ganz schön laut gestern, oder?*,

*Wie jedes Jahr*, and

*Das geht vielen so* — with attention to who says what, and why it fits.

You don’t have to love Silvester in Germany. You don’t even have to participate. But understanding what’s happening — culturally, emotionally, and linguistically — can bring calm. Christine invites listeners to reflect on their own Silvester experience and share what surprised them, unsettled them, or stayed with them as things quieted down.

And wherever we meet again this year: Frohes Neues!

Thoughts?

SHOW NOTES — Week 52

Zwischen den Jahren: The Magic of Germany’s “Nothing Week”

🎧 Episode Overview

The days between Christmas and New Year feel strange for many newcomers to Germany. Offices are quiet, emails go unanswered, and time itself seems to slow down.

In this episode of Life, Just in German, Christine explains the uniquely German concept of Zwischen den Jahren — the in-between time when the old year hasn’t fully ended and the new one hasn’t begun. You’ll learn why this pause exists, how Germans relate to it culturally and emotionally, and how embracing it can change the way you experience time, rest, and belonging.

🇩🇪  German from the Episode

🔹 Core Concepts & Seasonal Terms

Zwischen den Jahren
between the years
👉 TSVI-shen den YAH-ren
(The quiet days between Christmas and New Year)

die Raunächte
the “rough” or sacred nights around the year’s end
👉 ROW-nuh-nehk-teh
(Traditional nights associated with reflection and transition)

der Jahreswechsel
the turn of the year
👉 YAH-res-VEK-sel

Silvester
New Year’s Eve
👉 ZIL-ves-ter

zweiter Weihnachtstag
Second Christmas Day (Dec 26)
👉 TSVAI-ter VY-nakts-tahk

🔹 Greetings & Social Phrases

Guten Rutsch
literally: “good slide”; meaning: have a good transition into the new year
👉 GOO-ten ROOTCH

einen guten Rutsch
a good slide / wishing someone a good transition
👉 EYE-nen GOO-ten ROOTCH

Frohes neues Jahr
Happy New Year
👉 FROH-es NOI-es YAR
(not used before Jan 1 in Germany)

Wir wünschen einen guten Rutsch!
We wish you a good transition into the new year!
👉 VEER VUEN-shen EYE-nen GOO-ten ROOTCH

Nichts Besonderes
nothing special
👉 NIKTS beh-ZON-der-es

Tschüss
bye
👉 CHOOS

🔹 Daily Life & Institutions

der Amt
(government office; often said as das Amt)
👉 AHMT

Betriebsferien
company holidays / business shutdown
👉 beh-TREEBS-fee-ree-en

Verdauungsspaziergang
digestion walk (after eating)
👉 fer-DOW-oong-shpaht-see-er-gang

🔹 Reflection & Emotional Vocabulary

nachdenken
to reflect / think deeply
👉 NAHKH-den-ken

loslassen
to let go
👉 LOHS-lah-sen

sich zurückziehen
to withdraw / step back
👉 zikh tsoo-ROOK-tsi-en

der Jahresrückblick
looking back over the year
👉 YAH-res-ROOK-blik

der Neuanfang
a new beginning
👉 NOI-an-fang

Jahresabschluss
year-end closing (literal or symbolic)
👉 YAH-res-OWS-shloos

Jahresendstimmung
year-end mood
👉 YAH-res-ent-SHTIM-oong

🔹 Food & Seasonal Culture

Raclette
melted-cheese meal shared at the table
👉 ra-KLET

Fondue
communal melted cheese or oil meal
👉 fon-DOO

Lebkuchen
German spiced Christmas cookies
👉 LAYB-koo-ken

Stollen
traditional German Christmas bread
👉 SHTOL-len

Rotkohl
red cabbage
👉 ROHT-kohl

Weihnachtsgans
Christmas goose
👉 VY-nakts-gans

🔹 Traditions & Media

Dinner for One
British sket

Thoughts?

Episode Summary

If Advent in Germany has ever taken you by surprise, you’re not alone.
In this episode, Christine explores why Advent here feels so different — the quiet rhythm, the neighborhood gatherings, and the small seasonal moments newcomers can easily miss.

A1 Vocabulary

• der Stern — star
• die Kerze — candle
• der Markt — market
• die Suppe — soup
• der Glühwein — mulled wine
• die Plätzchen — Christmas cookies
• der Adventskranz — Advent wreath

A2 Vocabulary

• gemütlich — cozy, warm, inviting
• besinnlich — reflective, thoughtful
• ruhig — calm
• friedlich — peaceful
• feierlich — festive in a quiet, reverent way
• die Adventsstimmung — Advent mood / seasonal feeling
• die Adventsaktion — small community Advent event

Useful Phrases (Seasonal + Social)

Everyday Seasonal Greetings

• Schönen ersten Advent noch! — Happy first Advent!
• Schönen Advent noch! — Enjoy the rest of Advent!
• Eine schöne Adventszeit! — Wishing you a beautiful Advent season
• Schon in Adventsstimmung? — Are you in the Advent mood yet?
• Langsam, ja. — Slowly, yes.
• Ich arbeite dran. — I’m working on it.

Connecting With Others

• Wie macht ihr Advent zu Hause? — How do you do Advent at home?
• Alles gut bei dir? — Everything okay with you?
• Das klingt anstrengend. — That sounds exhausting.

Offering or Sharing Food

• Soll ich eine Suppe mitbringen? — Should I bring a soup?
• Die sind noch nicht perfekt, aber mit ganz viel Liebe gebacken.
  They’re not perfect yet, but baked with lots of love.

Curiosity About Local Events

• Gibt es hier im Viertel besondere Adventsaktionen?
  Are there any special Advent events in this neighborhood?

Topics We Touched On

• Growing up with Advent traditions that looked very different
• Germany’s quiet shift into the season
• Cultural signals that newcomers often miss
• Why small neighborhood gatherings matter more than big events
• Gentle integration without overwhelm

Mentioned in This Episode

• Abenteuerspielplatz / City Farms — kid-focused outdoor spaces run by pedagogical staff
• Vereinsleben — Germany’s “club life,” where much community activity happens
• Mini neighborhood markets
• Window stars (Sterne) and candle traditions
• Tiny, human-sized rituals that create seasonal belonging

Invitation

Pick one small thing to step into Advent this week — light a candle, visit a tiny market, ask someone about their traditions, or try one simple German phrase.

If you try something, Christine would love to hear how it felt.

Share your experience, message her, or pass this episode along to someone who might need a gentle way into the season.

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Next Week

Christmas music, cultural codes, and what people really mean when they ask:
“Kennst du das Lied?”

Meetcha back here for that one.
Bis bald.

Thoughts?

After the Relocation... You’ve unpacked, registered your address, and maybe even figured out the recycling system—so why does everyday life in Germany still feel so hard?

In this episode of Life, Just in German, Christine shares two raw, personal stories from her early days as a newcomer: a parking mishap that left her feeling powerless, and a train fine that showed her how invisible rules can derail even your best intentions.

Told with compassion and clarity, these tales are illustrations as to why traditional language courses and apps often fall short—and what actually helps when you want to move from surviving to truly settling in. You’ll leave with five practical steps to start feeling more at home, plus a new understanding of what belonging really takes.

Don 't miss your weekly Cafe Table Tips in the newsletter version of "Life, Just in German" - it's free!

Here's the LINK to join: https://www.nextlevelgerman.com/newsletter_opt-in

Vocab in this episode:

• Herbstblues = autumn blues
• Versicherung = insurance
• Strom = electricity (utilities)
• GEZ / Rundfunk = nationwide mandatory fee for public broadcasting
• Guten Tag! = Good day! / the universal greeting from noon to late afternoon
• Wie bitte? = How was that again? / Can you repeat that?
• Würzeln schlagen = to grow roots
• Du schlägst Würzeln = you grow roots
• Bis bald! = until soon!

Thoughts?

Thoughts?