Strange but true: Birthday Customs in Germany

Read here for a description of some interesting birthday celebration customs in Germany or Austria.  Here's one that stands out: 

• The first German birthday tradition I’d like to share, serves as a warning as well: Never wish a German a happy birthday before their birthday. It is considered bad luck to do so. There are no well-wishes, cards or presents given before a German’s birthday. Period.

And about that Happy Birthday song: 

 The good news about learning a birthday song sung in Germany is that it is not hard at all. The reason is the bad news: The English version of 'Happy Birthday' is what is mostly sung at German partys now. Nevertheless, on occasion you will hear it sung in German and so here is the German version:

Zum Geburtstag viel Glück,Zum Geburtstag viel Glück,Zum Geburtstag alles Gute,Zum Geburtstag viel Glück. 


One traditional birthday song where sometimes the chair is being lifted up as everybody sings along isHoch soll er/sie leben. However it is being taken over by 'Happy Birthday' and is not so popular anymore.:


Hoch soll sie/er leben! (Long may she/he live!)
Hoch soll sie/er leben! 
Dreimal hoch! (Three cheers!)

Another birthday song that you will hear at times, expecially at children's birthday partys is the one penned by Germany's favorite children's singer, Rolf Zuckowski: Wie schön, dass du geboren bist.