10 quirky associations you can join in Germany
Looking for an unusual association? As a country renowned for its strong tradition of clubs, Germany has creative options for you.
A club for scythe enthusiasts
The members of this association, called "Sensenverein Deutschland e.V.," believe in the "revival of the scythe" as an environmentally-friendly alternative to the lawnmower. They say it's not only good exercise; there's also something meditative about this form of mowing. The club organizes classes to promote the proper use of the tool and events to get people scything as a group.
A club for tall people
The tallest living man, Sultan Kosen (pictured here with the world's shortest man), might be tempted to join this association: the "Klub langer Menschen" (Club of Tall People). Open to women at least 1.8 meters (5 feet, 11 inches) tall and men with a height of over 1.9 meters (6 feet, 3 inches), it organizes networking events throughout Europe and publishes a newspaper with tips for its members.
A club for sugar collectors
If you never add sugar to your coffee in a restaurant, it's a collection that's easy to start. Germany has some 150 sugar collectors, also known as sucrologists, as well as different associations allowing them to exchange their sugar packets. A German also holds the Guinness World Record: Boasting 14,502 different sugar packets, Ralf Schröder proved he had the world's largest collection in 2013.
A club for Bobby Car racers
Everyone knows that the classic toy, invented in Germany in 1972, was conceived for toddlers. But in the 1990s, extreme athletes started testing the sturdiness of the Bobby Car by holding races on steep roads. The current official speed record, reached in 2018, is 119 km/h. The association promoting this unusual hobby is the "Bobby-Car-Sport-Verband e.V."
A club for Pastafarians
Although not officially recognized in most countries, there are churches of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) throughout the world. One such church in Templin, north of Berlin, made international headlines by clashing with the city on the right to display street signs announcing the time of their service, as other churches are allowed to do. Posing here with the sign is chairman Rüdiger Weida.
A club for jugger players
Jugger, the brutal game played in the Australian post-apocalyptic film "The Blood of Heroes" (1989), inspired an actual sport whose goal is to get a dog skull — made of foam — into the opposing team's mound. Players are armed with various weapons. Germany led the way in organizing the first international jugger tournament. Teams often have gladiatorial names, such as the Hannover Living Undeads.
A club for eccentric beards and mustaches
With the world's various beard and mustache championships, it's no wonder that Germany also has a few associations celebrating the art of the spectacularly groomed beard. Jürgen Burkhardt (right), pictured here at a German competition held in Baden-Württemberg, was not only named world champion several times, he is also the founder of the club "Belle Moustache e.V."
A club for laughter yoga
Apparently the benefits of voluntary laughter are the same as spontaneous giggling, and forced laughter is highly contagious anyway. That's why people meet up to do it as a group — a practice known as laughter yoga. A list of associations in Germany can be found under www.lachclub.info.
A club for 'free farters'
Members of the club "Furz dich frei" (Fart Yourself Free) don't take their mission too seriously. It's a Carnival club, just for fun. Yet 20 years as the association's president didn't look so good on the resume of one county council politician in Rhineland-Palatinate. When they found out about it, citizens asked for his resignation.
A club for bikers dressed as pink bunnies
The Streetbunnycrew is the largest charity motorcyclist association in Germany. For their fundraising events, riders wear pink bunny costumes. The unusual combination increases their media visibility and lands them on lists like this one.