Stoßlüften - Hardcore Airing

“Stoßlüften.”

Anyone who has spent any time in Germany will know the meaning of this word. For the benefit of everyone else, it means to hardcore air or to ventilate.  Run a quick search of “lüften” in Google Germany and the association the Germans have with this word will become clear. “Richtiges Heizen und Lüften”, “Tipps fürs richtige Lüften,” and of course, “Lüftungsleitfaden” are top of the list. Run a similar search in Google UK and the output is totally different.  We all know the Germans like their rules. And believe me there are rules. Even on airing flats. Rules on temperature of flats, how long to ventilate during different kinds of weather, when you have washing hanging up, when you have done the ironing, the distance you should keep your cupboards from external walls. You name it, there is a rule.