What exactly is a Beamter ?

[eitze]

Dear Gentlemen,

I am a "Beamter" with the Police Administration in the State of Nordrhein-Westfalen.

For me that means a lifetime job without the risk of becoming unemployed

On the other hand for Beamte it`s forbidden to participate on a strike, even if the Government decide`s that you have to work longer for less money, as happened last year

Unfortunately nowadays there is no Beamten-Uniform or -Dagger (if you?re not a member of the uniformed services)

Greetings

eitze

[Chris Boonzaier]

Best to differentiate with "Beamter" in the form interesting for collectors... and EVERYTHING that falls under the term as understood by the rest of Germany.

Nowdays when you say "Beamter" you include Teachers, the taxman, Policemen, People who work for local govt as officials etc. etc.

I dont know if those who qualify has changed over the decades....

[Paul R]

Best to differentiate with "Beamter" in the form interesting for collectors... and EVERYTHING that falls under the term as understood by the rest of Germany.

Nowdays when you say "Beamter" you include Teachers, the taxman, Policemen, People who work for local govt as officials etc. etc.

I dont know if those who qualify has changed over the decades....

I have learned a lot since my last entry onto this thread. Basically, a Beamter is a broad description of a non military government servant... right?

[speedytop]

Paul,

you have some time ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beamter

Uwe

[Chip]

I could only stand it for a few minutes! :D

[Paul H1]

Best to differentiate with "Beamter" in the form interesting for collectors... and EVERYTHING that falls under the term as understood by the rest of Germany.

Nowdays when you say "Beamter" you include Teachers, the taxman, Policemen, People who work for local govt as officials etc. etc.

I dont know if those who qualify has changed over the decades....

Chris is absoultely right. It's an interesting term, and one that can cause confusion even today.

A Beamter is as Chris described, but can have the somewhat negative connotation of someone who sits on his arse and get's paid to make your life difficult. I asked this in Austria as well, and was told the same thing.

When I told a good German friend I was a "Beamter" (I'm a government employee) he laughed and said, "Jetzt muss' ich zweimal "Sie" sagen!" That gave me a good laugh.

edit: Wanted to add, that I think the perfect example of a Beamter is the old position of "Bezirkshauptmann" in Austria.

Paul

Edited February 16, 2009 by Paul H1

[Chris Boonzaier]

Of course... in Germany there are hundreds of Beamter jokes...., mostly revolve around them sitting on their butts...

Why do Beamte wear glasses... so when they fall asleep at their desks they dont poke themselves in the eye with a pencil...