In this Halloween special of Better English, Better Business, Daniel and Patric explore Halloween's cultural and economic impact in Germany, from its American roots to its rising popularity and unique traditions.

This week, Daniel and Patric explore the evolving landscape of Halloween celebrations in Germany. They discuss the cultural acceptance of this once foreign holiday, its economic implications, and how American traditions have influenced German festivities. From the world's largest pumpkin festival in Ludwigsburg to the surge in Halloween-related spending, they cover the nuances of how Halloween is celebrated today. The episode wraps up with a fun vocabulary segment and a special Halloween poem that captures the spirit of the season.

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POEM: "A German Halloween Eve."

It was the night of Halloween when all through the town

Pumpkins were grinning, not a face wore a frown.

Cobwebs were hung on each window with care

In hopes that dear spookiness soon would be there.

The children were nestled in costumes so grand

As zombies and vampires took over the land

With witches and goblins that shrieked in the night

The Germans all wondered, did Halloween take flight?

For once Halloween was quite spooky and strange

Now thanks to the States, there's been quite a change.

Costumes and candies all marked down in stores

Making the new season much more than just chores.

So up went the banners, the pumpkins galore

With the squishy fake spiders, there's always room for more.

A whisper went round, sußes oder saures

While cash registers rang like they do on all hours.

And I heard them exclaim as they spent through the eve

Thank you, America, for this night of make-believe.

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