Bochum Local Customs

Ok, so Bochum may not be Germany's most beautiful, most interesting, most whatever city (although it really isn't ugly or boring either), but I simply like it there. I find it combines friendly, down-to-earth people with a huge cultural aspect. There are always interesting exhibitions, concerts, readings, plays, movies etc.
I was surprised at the friendliness of the people there. Perhaps that is because the people from my area are known for being a bit stiff, not very talkative and pretty stubborn. Everywhere in Bochum I felt very welcome and was treated friendly. They say "du" a lot instead of "Sie". In cafes and shops the staff was great. They took some time, they smiled, perhaps even chatted a bit - I think the good feeling that sort of treatment gave me is an indicator for how much people must have gotten used to dealing with unfriendly, ***y, hurried and unpersonal service!

Well, like in any other German city,
When the sun is shining, it’s the time
for the terrace and a beer.
There are many good places to sit and having a beer. In the centre the pedestrian street but in many local bars too.

This his the famous local musiker HERBERT GRÖNBEMEYER with his homage on his HOMETOWN BOCHUM and the SOCCERCLUB Vfl Bochum

Bochum
Groenemeyer Herbert

tief im westen
wo die sonne verstaubt
ist es besser
viel besser, als man glaubt
tief im westen
du bist keine schönheit
vor arbeit ganz grau
du liebst dich one schminke
bist'ne ehliche haut
leider total verbaut
aber gerade das macht dich aus
du hast'n pulsschlag aus stahl
man hört ihn laut in der nacht
du bist einfach zu beascheiden
dein grubengold
hat uns wieder hochgeholt
du blume im revier
bochum
ich komm' aus dir
bochum
ich häng' an dir
glück auf, bochum
du bist keine weltstadt
auf deiner königsalle
finden keine modenschaun statt
hier, wo das herz noch zählt
nicht das gorße geld
wer wohnt schon in düsseldorf
bochum........
du bist das himmelbett für tauben
und ständig auf koks
hast im schrebergarten deine laube
machst mit 'nem doppelpaß
jeden gegner naß
du und dein vfl
bochum........

English Version

BOCHUM
sun still fighting
through smoke and steam
life here's better
than you could ever dream
life here's better
life here's better
i know you're no beauty
for work's lined your face
you don't like wearing make-up
you're an honest place
where the human race
isn't always in competition

your heartbeat's of metal
it hammers out through the night
the foundation of prosperity
you're a working town
don't let them put you down
you bloom in your own way

bochum i call you home
bochum you're in my bones
oh, glück auf - my home

you're not a neon playground
there are no fashion shows here
you're not a postcard for the tourists
here it's the heart that counts
not the size of bank accounts
you've never sold yourself away

bochum...

may your smile shine on forever
through the cold dust it gleams
be proud of your tiny gardens
proud of your traffic lights
proud of your chimney-stacks
proud of your football team!

bochum ...

oh, glück auf
oh, glück auf
oh, glück auf - my home

Bochum has its own song. The writer and singer is Herbert Grönemeyer - some might know him as Lieutenant Werner the correspondent appearing in the famous film 'Das Boot'. But his real profession is musician. The song 'Bochum' is widely known in Germany and loads of people can sing along, especially here in the Ruhrpott.

So here are the infamous lyrics:

BOCHUM

Tief im Westen, wo die Sonne verstaubt
Deep down in the West, where the sun gets dusty
Ist es besser, viel besser als man glaubt
It is better, much better than you think
Tief im Westen - tief im Westen
Deep down in the West...

Du bist keine Schönheit, vor Arbeit ganz grau
You're no beauty, all grey from working
Du liebst Dich ohne Schminke, bist ne ehrliche Haut
You love yourself without make-up, you're a plain skin
Leider total verbaut, aber gerade das macht Dich aus
Unfortunately utterly messed, but that's exactly what makes you yourself

Du hast´n Pulsschlag aus Stahl, man hört ihn laut in der Nacht
You've got a pulse beat of steel, you hear it loud in the night
Du bist einfach zu bescheiden
You're simply too modest
Dein Grubengold hat uns wieder hochgeholt
Your pit gold hauled us up again
Du Blume im Revier
You're the flower of the 'Revier'

Bochum, ich komm aus Dir
Bochum, I come from you
Bochum, ich häng an Dir
Bochum, I cling to you
Glück auf, Bochum
Luck up, Bochum (Glück auf is a traditional miner's greeting)

Du bist keine Weltstadt, auf Deiner Königsallee
You're not a cosmopolitan city, on your King's Avenue
Finden keine Modenschauen statt, hier wo das Herz noch zählt
No fashion parades take place, here's where the heart still counts
Nicht das große Geld - Wer wohnt schon in Düsseldorf?
Not the big money - Who'd live in Düsseldorf anyway?

Bochum, ich komm aus Dir
Bochum, ich häng an Dir
Glück auf, Bochum

Du bist das Himmelbett für Tauben - und ständig auf Koks
You're the canopy bed for pigeons - and always on coke
Hast im Schrebergarten Deine Laube
Got your bower in the allotment
Machst mit ´nem Doppelpaß jeden Gegner naß
You wet every rival with your one-two
Du und Dein VfL
You and your VfL (local soccer club)

Bochum, ich komm aus Dir
Bochum, ich häng an Dir
Glück auf, Bochum

Yeah, Glück auf, everybody ;o)

Fiege is the local pilsner beer, when you order beer, check out that they serve you this one, you can get it almost anywhere and it is just wonderful on a hot summer day.

Every summer there is the Bochum Total festival of beer and music. (and more)

Check the link for the programme details.