Security

Germans like to feel secure. Police officers are a common and comforting sight around German cities, but security impacts other areas as well. For the individual, that may mean studying for a dozen years instead of learning-by-doing in a full-time job they feel unprepared for. It also means that everyone buys personal liability insurance -- and would insure the hairs on their head if they could. In the case of misfortune -- unemployment, health care bills, loss from natural disaster -- remedies are expected from the state. According to the German Union of Public Officials (DBB), nearly 6 percent of Germans work for the state, which offers special benefits like restricted dismissal policies. Since September 11, terrorism concerns have put a new twist in the German preference for security. Anti-terror laws were implemented in early 2002 and parliament is considering toughening them up. Due to high-quality police enforcement, but also to the social state and strict employment laws, Germany is a very secure place to live -- whether that means traveling alone, being able to pay your bills or getting your money back on a faulty product.