2022 was the year of monkeypox and a turning point (read: Mpox and Russia’s war of aggression), highly controversial climate protests, courageous demos in Iran, Queen’s death and Sisi hype.
The year also brought mainstream themes of nonbinarity (book award for Kim de l’Horizon) and bisexuality (Netflix series Heartstopper), the Twitter furore surrounding Elon Musk, the drifting away of Kanye West, the glaring trial surrounding Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, the slap in the face at the Oscars, the world hit “Unholy” for the German singer Kim Petras, the hit Netflix series “Wednesday” by Tim Burton with Jenna Ortega and the end of the telephone booth and the final end of studiVZ.
There was a constant debate about public service broadcasting, alleged dwindling audiences in cinemas and theaters, controversy over the dying of department stores and a mobile home hype. It was the year of the early death of ex-child star Aaron Carter, the depression bestseller “You Must Not Believe Everything You Think” by Kurt Krömer and Jan Böhmermann’s disenchantment with DIY influencer Fynn Kliemann.
What else could dominate the attitude to life in 2022 – and what will probably keep us busy in 2023. From A to Z:
A for bucket hat
In 2018, people still laughed about the fishing hat of a Pegida demonstrator in Dresden, known as a “hat citizen” (“they filmed my face”). Meanwhile, fisherman hats, also known as bucket hats, are very trendy. Eurovision Song Contest winner Oleh Psjuk from Ukraine also wears one. Fashion prediction: Will still be a bit hip in 2023.
B like Bush, Kate
The Netflix series “Stranger Things” uses the song “Running Up That Hill” and takes Kate Bush’s song to the top of the UK charts after 37 years. The song from 1985 became a cult worldwide. The trend that old songs become hits thanks to series, films or use in social media will remain a phenomenon in 2023.
C like the computer game character Huggy Wuggy
The horror plush monster with a laughing mouth full of large, pointed teeth comes from the video game “Poppy Playtime” and is scarily popular with children. Many teachers and parents are appalled. The debate could go on.
D for showers
Energy-saving bathing tips from Greens like Winfried Kretschmann (“washcloths are a useful invention”) or Robert Habeck (take a shorter shower!) annoy some. FDP man Wolfgang Kubicki (FDP) showers, in his own words, “predominantly cold”, but Habeck also says via “Bild”: “I shower until I’m done.”
E for eFoil
From the shore it often looks like people are flying over the water. Electric hydrofoils (eFoils) are hydrofoil, i.e. underwater wing surfboards with an electric drive. With a certain skill and above a certain speed, they climb up to 80 centimeters out of the water. It’s kind of the next big water thing after stand-up paddling. Prognosis: Continues to take off in 2023.
F for football fatigue
Rarely has professional football with FIFA and their so-called desert World Cup in Qatar been as controversial as it will be in 2022. The damage could remain for a long time.
G as in gender pronouns
In social media or e-mail signatures, it is a trend to use personal pronouns. The movement originated in the USA. Gender designates the social sex – in contrast to the biological sex. If, for example, influencers put “she/her” (or “sie/ihr” and the like after their name in brackets), they show solidarity with transgender and non-binary people who should not declare themselves big for pronouns like “they/them”. must. Prognosis: Should remain popular as a sign of respect.
H like oat milk
Cow’s milk is becoming less popular with many for a variety of reasons. Plant-based milk, for example made from soya or almonds, is popular. Many enemies of this development see oat milk as the main enemy (that is “broth made of grains and water”). Conclusion: Kulturkampf, which is a lot of fun for many and will continue in 2023.
I like inflation
High energy prices, fear of money and debates such as the 10-euro doner kebab determine many conversations. The question of all questions is probably also in 2023: Is inflation simply part of the 20s?
J for youth word “smash”
Doing young always goes with the youth word, to which “Smash” will be chosen in 2022, which can stand for an object of desire or a tryst. As a verb “smashen” it means “to pick someone up” or “to have sex with someone”.
K for Cultural Appropriation
Cultural appropriation is the adoption of forms of expression from another culture, usually that of a minority. And quickly, with something like this, opponents are irreconcilable and insult each other as racists. That happens with dreadlocks, in the summer with “Winnetou” and will probably happen again in 2023.
L like Layla
Hotly discussed, often (in vain) banned at folk festivals, but also played a lot, the party hit “Layla” by DJ Robin und Schürze, which was also voted the official “Hit of the Year”, dominates the Mallorca scene, many parties and also brings the ZDF television garden in swing. Rarely has the excitement about a song been as great as with this summer hit that grew up on Ballermann. Mallorca hits will probably also be suitable for the masses in 2023.
M for fashion sins en vogue
Wearing sweatpants on the street, like shorts in summer, is no longer taboo for millions of people. Birkenstocks and slippers (slides) are also okay. Corona has pretty much turned the understanding of fashion and comfort inside out. At the same time, some present themselves on social media as particularly chic and aloof – under the hashtag
N like 9 euro ticket
Flat-rate travel by train is great fun for three months in the summer (or not – swearing at trains is a well-known hobby in Germany). The sequel, which is no longer quite so cheap and simple, should come in 2023.
O like topless
“Topless bathing for everyone” in swimming pools was a huge topic in summer, but then only a small phenomenon. Only a few women actually left the bikini top at home. Conclusion: Naked facts always work in theory, well in practice.
P for pearl necklace and men’s handbag
From the elevator boys to Harry Styles and teens and 20s on the streets. Blurring of gender roles. Many boys now carry a murse (from male purse), i.e. men’s handbag. And pearl necklaces also glitter on male necks. Why not? Will also arrive in remote corners of the republic in 2023.
Q wie Quiet Quitting
Also known as working your wage. Younger people in particular are only concerned with doing work to rule and saying goodbye to the idea of constantly OVER fulfilling all requirements in the job.
R for religion
After centuries, there will be a cultural upheaval on German soil in 2022: only a minority of the population is still religious. Three decades ago, around three quarters of the German population were still members of one of the major churches. Now it’s under 50 percent. strong downward trend. Conclusion: farewell to the churches, but believing in something still seems to be popular.
S for summer drink
The aperitif “Wildberry Lillet” conquers the charts with the song of the same name by singer Nina Chuba and is probably also the trend drink for 2022. It will probably stay cool in 2023 as well.
T like wedding on Sylt
The pompous celebrity wedding of journalist Franca Lehfeldt and Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner (FDP) – both without a religious denomination – in a Protestant church in Keitum caused quite a stir. Speaking of Sylt: Not only the rich are there in the summer, in Westerland punks also treat themselves to the North Sea island.
U like Ukraine
Many were too naïve to believe that a war of aggression like that of Russia and Vladimir Putin against Ukraine was possible. February 24 will go down in history as a date of horror. “We woke up in another world” (Annalena Baerbock). The resistance icon will be Volodymyr Selenskyj, who, according to his own statements on ZDF, has “about 20” of the green T-shirts in which he appears.
V wie Travel
Abba are again giving concerts as avatars under this title in London, pardon Abbatare. Fans and technology freaks are enthusiastic and will book tickets in the specially built concert hall in 2023 as well.
W wie Wordle
The game by software developer Josh Wardle will be available as a web application in October 2021 and will take the web by storm in early 2022. There are many variants, including German versions. The hype is already over for a bit. What’s next?
X like Xatar
One of the year’s sensational films is Fatih Akin’s “Rheingold” about rap star Xatar – starring Emilio Sakraya, to watch in 2023 and beyond.
Y for Yuzu
Asian and, above all, Japanese cuisine with trend foods such as sushi, ramen and katsu remain popular. The so-called Japanese lemon will appear in many supermarkets in 2022. The yuzu fruit is considered a hybrid of lemon and tangerine.
Z for future pink
After 14 years, Seeed singer Peter Fox is back with a new solo project. In dark times it becomes a positive hit: “Everyone paints black/I see the future pink/Everything will be fine my child.” Or: “Power to the people/women rule the world.” Also: “Black, white, straight, gay/love for everyone – and for myself”.
