Little did I know…

I founded the Bostoner Stammtisch in May of 1995 after returning to Boston after a four year absence. I was a member of Stammtisch way back when I was a student at the Goethe Institut but during that four year absence that Tisch had died and I decided I would try to revive it.

Its been eleven years since my return and little did I know when I started it what it would lead to.

I’ve met hundreds of people this way, some of whom I am still in contact with because they still live here locally, others I am less frequently in touch with but thanks to the Internet have not lost contact with. 

Former Stammtisch members are to be found mostly Germany, Austria or Switzerland. Israel and Vietnam are also on this list.

I have, in the process, found people jobs, helped them find apartments, make business and social connections, even facilitate one marriage.

We meet weekly in the Cambridge-Somerville area and our main objective is to facilitate cross cultural exchange and to promote use of the German language.

Our members come from all walks of life, are of different age groups, practice different professions.

The only requirement we have is that English is not allowed at the Tuesday evening events. English is otherwise allowed at weekend events which we have occasionally.

Our largest social events are at Easter and at Thanksgiving when we have a Gefluegelfest. Then we eat any and all flying animals (other than bats) in roasted form.

If you speak German or have attained a level of fluency equivalent to at least the Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache of the Goethe Institut, you are more welcome to attend.

Please do let me know in advance you are coming though.