In this crime series, a fictionalized Angela Merkel solves mysteries with the same patience and methodical questioning she was known for as chancellor. The show highlights her tendency to “wear down” suspects with persistent, careful interrogation, mirroring her real-life approach to political negotiations, where she was famous for her endurance and refusal to be rushed.
repetitive, patient, routine
With a Little Patience (Türelem, 2007). Although a short film and Hungarian by production, With a Little Patience has been recognized in German-speaking film circles for its meditative style and thematic resonance. The film’s narrative unfolds slowly, focusing on the repetitive, patient routine of an office clerk. The deliberate pacing and refusal to rush action or resolution underscore the virtue of patience, both in daily work and in facing larger, more dramatic events outside the office window. The film’s approach and critical acclaim highlight how patience and waiting can be central to both personal and collective outcomes.
Sitzfleisch
The German concept of Sitzfleisch (Sitz, to sit + Fleisch, flesh) the ability to endure and persist patiently, especially through long or challenging situations – is often reflected in German cultural productions, including film. While not always the direct subject of a specific movie, this value is evident in films that reward viewers’ patience through slow, thoughtful pacing and characters who achieve their goals through endurance and waiting rather than haste. This approach is sometimes referenced in discussions of German political leaders and is a recognizable motif in German storytelling.
Charité
A well-known German television series that illustrates the logic of allowing the nature of a decision to determine its timing-and not succumbing to internal or external pressures-is Charité. Set in Berlin’s renowned Charité hospital during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the series follows doctors, researchers, and nurses as they navigate medical, ethical, and personal dilemmas.
The show frequently depicts medical professionals taking the time necessary to thoroughly investigate symptoms, conduct research, and debate the best course of treatment, even when under pressure from hospital administration or societal expectations. Major decisions-such as adopting new treatments, responding to epidemics, or balancing innovation with patient safety-are portrayed as requiring patience, rigorous analysis, and collective deliberation.
The narrative often contrasts the careful, methodical approach of the Charité staff with the urgency of external crises, highlighting the belief that good outcomes depend on resisting haste and respecting the complexity of each decision. Charité exemplifies the German cultural value that patience and thoughtful timing are essential for sound decision-making, especially when the stakes are high and external pressures are strong.
Deutschland 83
This award-winning spy thriller follows a young East German soldier recruited as a spy in West Germany during the Cold War. The series highlights the slow, strategic nature of intelligence work, where decisions are made only after extensive analysis, weighing risks, and considering long-term consequences rather than yielding to immediate political or military pressures.
Babylon Berlin
Set in 1920s Berlin, this series depicts police and political officials navigating a turbulent era. The main characters often face high-stakes decisions and are shown taking time to gather information, consult with colleagues, and deliberate, even as external events create urgency. The show’s narrative structure rewards patience and careful planning.
Stasi
Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others, 2006): Context: Set in East Germany, this film follows a Stasi officer tasked with surveilling a playwright. Illustration: The Stasi’s internal culture is characterized by unemotional, objective reporting and evaluation. Feedback about performance is delivered in a cold, formal manner, with little regard for personal feelings. The film’s tone and dialogue reflect a clear separation between professional duty and personal emotion.
German Reunification (1989–1990)
The process of reunifying East and West Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall involved months of negotiations among German leaders and with international powers. Rather than rushing to immediate reunification, German officials and their allies took time to address legal, economic, and security concerns, ensuring a stable and lasting outcome.
Triple Alliance
Patience played a significant role in Germany’s decision to join and shape the Triple Alliance. German leadership, particularly under Bismarck, approached alliance-building with careful, deliberate diplomacy, allowing the nature and stakes of the decision to dictate the pace rather than succumbing to external pressures or hasty proposals.
Historical records show that German diplomats were wary of rushing into agreements, especially when approached by Britain about joining the alliance. The German government interpreted Britain’s urgency as a sign of British weakness and saw no reason to accelerate their own decision-making process. Instead, they used the opportunity to negotiate from a position of strength, raising their own terms and ensuring that any agreement would serve Germany’s long-term strategic interests.
Additionally, the process of forming and maintaining the Triple Alliance itself was marked by careful negotiation and patience. Germany prioritized frontier security and the stability of its alliances with Austria-Hungary and Italy, weighing the benefits and risks over time rather than making impulsive decisions based on immediate diplomatic overtures. German diplomats often delayed or slowed negotiations, insisting on clarity and thoroughness before committing to any binding agreements.
In summary, Germany’s approach to joining the Triple Alliance exemplified the national logic that the timing and nature of major decisions should be determined by strategic considerations and patience, not by the urgency of external actors or short-term pressures.
Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact
The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact exemplifies several core German decision-making strategies, particularly the emphasis on strategic patience, pragmatic calculation, and allowing the nature of the decision-not external pressures-to dictate timing and terms.
Deliberate Negotiation and Timing:
The pact was the result of extended negotiations between Germany and the Soviet Union, following the breakdown of talks between the Soviets, Britain, and France. German leaders did not rush into an agreement but instead waited for the optimal moment-after other diplomatic options had failed-to secure a deal that would best serve their interests. This patience allowed Germany to negotiate from a position of strength and maximize its strategic advantage.
Pragmatic, Interest-Driven Approach:
Despite deep ideological differences, Germany prioritized practical considerations over ideology, focusing on immediate military and territorial objectives. The pact included secret protocols dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, demonstrating a willingness to set aside personal or political animosities in favor of concrete, performance-based outcomes.
Control Over Decision Pace:
Germany resisted external pressures-such as the urgency from Britain and France to form an anti-German alliance-and instead set the tempo of negotiations to align with its own strategic timetable. This approach reflects the German logic that the time allotted to a decision should be determined by its complexity and importance, not by outside urgency.
Patience in Execution and Adjustment:
After the pact was signed, Germany continued to renegotiate and adjust its terms, as seen in subsequent agreements modifying borders and managing resource exchanges with the Soviet Union. This ongoing, patient adjustment process ensured that decisions remained aligned with evolving strategic needs.
In summary, the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact demonstrates German decision-making strategies through measured, pragmatic negotiation; patience in timing and execution; and a consistent focus on achieving well-defined, interest-driven objectives, regardless of external pressure or ideological differences.