On the internet, forums, and casual conversations, you can sometimes hear a surprising claim: in Germany, it is supposedly considered normal to fart at the dinner table. Even more, it is sometimes elevated to the status of a compliment to the cook — a way for guests to show that the meal was tasty and well-digested. How true is this claim? Where did this myth come from, and what is the actual state of German table etiquette? Let's sort it out step by step. Where did this myth come from? The myth about German tolerance for intestinal gas at the table is one of many persistent stereotypes about Germany, on par with "Germans have no sense of humor" or "Germans wear leather pants every day." Like any stereotype, it has some basis in reality — but that basis lies more in history and folklore than in modern everyday life. The historical source of this belief is often traced to a phrase attributed to Martin Luther, the great church reformer. According to legend, after a hearty meal, Luther asked his fellow diners: "Warum pfurzet und ruelpset ihr nicht, hat es euch nicht geschmecket?" — that is, "Why are you not farting and burping? Did you not enjoy the meal?" This phrase, despite its dubious historical status, became firmly embedded in German folklore and was passed down through generations as an example of coarse but sincere folk humor. However, it is important to understand that this is not an instruction on etiquette, but a curious historical anecdote. Only someone completely outside the norms of propriety could afford such a liberty at the table — similar to how today, only an outrageous blogger might belch loudly in a restaurant, but not an ordinary guest. How bodily functions were viewed in different eras Attitudes toward farting and other natural functions have indeed changed throughout history — and not only in Germany but across Europe. In the Middle Ages, etiquette norms were noticeably more relaxed. For example, in many European countries, burping after a ... Read more