According to the survey, traditional widespread prejudices about Poland are gradually fading. When asked what they associate their eastern neighbors with, Germans do, however, continue to name subjects such as "crime," "car theft," "illegal employment" and "the Eastern bloc. Yet positive associations now dominate, especially when it comes to subjects such as Poland's natural landscapes, successful athletes, hospitality and well-functioning economy. Above all, the characteristics attributed to Poles have improved significantly since 2006. Much more than in the past, Germans now tend to see their eastern neighbors as friendly (+33 percent), entrepreneurial (+15 percent), educated (+14 percent), modern (+8 percent) and religious (+7 percent). Many fewer Germans today consider Poles to be backward, poorly organized, irresponsible, intolerant, impassive or unfriendly.
At the same time, these changes are occurring only gradually. They have even slowed in recent years and are most prevalent among Germany's elite, who view, in particular, the development of Poland's economy and of German-Polish relations much more positively than in the past. Conversely, the broader German population is only gradually letting go of common stereotypes. Other national groups are therefore significantly more popular among Germans than Poles; these include the Dutch, French, Americans, British and Greeks.
For Cornelius Ochmann, Eastern Europe expert at the Bertelsmann Stiftung, the findings are neither very surprising nor disappointing. "We must remember that the prejudices Germans have of Poles have been actively propagated for more than 250 years," he says. "They are therefore deeply rooted, and anti-Polish rhetoric was widespread until just recently."
According to Ochmann, one example is publishing and the media. The stereotype of Poles as car thieves is especially common in western Germany, where print and other media made extensive use of this image in the 1990s. In contrast, people in eastern Germany generally have a more positive image. Above all, Germans who have visited Poland or had personal contact with Poles since 1989 tend to see the country and its people in a much more positive light: When asked about relations between the two countries, the response given by Germans who have been to Poland at least once exceeds the average value by 20 percent.
As a result of these findings, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is calling for increased contact between Poles and Germans in the form of student exchanges and city partnerships, and through tourism. In addition, Ochmann points to the role the media have to play. "In terms of mutual perceptions, the significance of TV and press reports cannot at all be underestimated, which means media representatives have a great responsibility when it comes to this topic," he says. "At the same time, Germany's elites cannot assume that their attitudes will spread to the broader population either automatically or quickly. Instead they must work proactively to reduce stereotypes and promote a positive image of their neighbors to the east." One effective method would be to increase the number of joint German-Polish partnerships, Ochmann says. According to the Eastern Europe expert, major athletic events such as soccer's European Cup, recently held in Poland and Ukraine, have improved the situation, while research projects and other initiatives are particularly well suited to the extent that they are based on sound data and facts.
The think tanks carrying out the study also see the positive perceptions of both peoples as having great political and economic significance. "What might seem to be important only in theoretical terms does in fact have great material value," Ochmann says. One reason is that Poland is now becoming a more established member of the EU thanks to the improved psychological perceptions. According to Ochmann, the country's partnership with Germany is therefore becoming more robust in many areas and is benefitting both sides, especially in light of the current crisis. Germany's security (e.g. issues relating to crime) also benefits from joint trust-building endeavors, he adds. "Even economic prosperity increases as a result of real, on-the-ground encounters between people that give rise to positive attitudes – something that is advantageous to all parties," he explains. "People have already come to understand this quite clearly when it comes to pocketbook issues, among others."
One convincing piece of evidence offered by the researchers is the study concurrently being carried out on Germans' attitudes toward Russians. Here, opinions are much more mixed. When queried, people in Germany tend to more quickly offer up negative associations such as "vodka drinkers," "oppression," "dictatorship," "corruption" and "violence." Regardless of the subject – personal qualities, political relations or perceptions of business, government and society at large – when asked about Russia and the Russians, the answers Germans give are 30 to 50 percent more negative than those for Poland and the Poles. The reasons for the difference can be traced to political and economic events and the media.
In conclusion, the study's authors write: "Germans continue to find their western neighbors more likeable. Reconciliation processes with the Dutch and French are complete. People in the US and UK are also part of the 'western' circle. People in the 'south' are not yet seen in the same light, and those in the 'east' remain the least known among Germany's neighbors."
The study's findings (in English and Polish) are available for download on the right.