For me too, but I was already 21 and had developed a political mindset, and I was a citizen of West Germany. For my generation, the Wall and the existence of two German states was chiseled in stone. If somebody had told me on November 8, 1989 that one day later the Wall would peacefully fall and that we’d have reunification fewer than 11 months later, I would have thought they were crazy. Every German would have.
This. I remember that very clearly. In Holland we had the same feeling I guess. It’s funny when you realize it’s been away for longer now than it ever stood. I daily speak to people who have no active memory of the Cold War or even memories at all. I actually have to explain that there used to be a wall, and an Iron Curtain, and that was just the way it was. I’m getting old 
It was a very live issue* and no doubt still reverberates - see Anna Fulder’s Stasiland and Timothy Garton Ash’s The File. It wasn’t just neighbours - it was family members, or friends and fellow members of social groups (particularly any that looked non-conformist or potentially/actually dissident). People could be pressed into informing by threatening to make life difficult for them or their families (“Your daughter wants to study at [prestigious university]/compete in [this or that sport]? That won’t be possible unless…”), so could also be seen as victims, except of course by their own victims.
*A number of people who came to political prominence as free political parties and elections got under way were exposed when the Stasi files became accessible.
[sidetrack] On the way to reunification, German politicians and diplomats had to overcome some deep mistrust from close allies, especially France and the UK, who feared that a too powerful Germany would dominate the continent, economically and militarily. How was the public opinion in the Netherlands about German reunification? The Dutch people had very good reasons to fear their big neighbor after all the crimes Germans had committed during the occupation in WWII. [/s]
I was still a kid, so my memories aren’t really detailed in the political stuff I’m afraid. We probably joked about bicycles, wanting them back and such, but I can’t remember any serious opposition to German reunification. I still cry when I see the images of november 9th, everyone was so happy and hopeful. I think we thought it was time. Plus , the BRD had done an impressive amount of Vergangenheitsbewältigung, the likes of which the Dutch can only admire IMHO. I can’t remember being scared or anything. I do remember the distrust from France, but that animosity goes way back further than WWII I think. What I also remember, and this was confirmed by my husband (who had postwar Germany as his specialty when studying history), is that Kohl left room for negotiation with regard to the Eastern border (the Oder-Neisse). At least our prime minister at the time was not amused. But that didn’t lead to any withdrawal of support or anything. You’ve been a good big brother 
See, I don’t remember that. I always thought that the Oder-Neisse-Linie was nonnegotiable and that a requirement for reunification was the German acceptance of the German borders as existent in 1990 (DDR and BRD combined).
I’m really happy to hear that. Thanks! 
Perhaps, but Kohl did make a stink over it in March 1990, so 6 months before the Wiedervereinigung.
What puzzles me is that after skimming the wiki article on the Oder-Neiße linie in three languages (Dutch, English and German), the German article seems to omit this episode. The Dutch and English both have it. IDK, perhaps the “all’s well that ends well” is deemed more important. But as far as I can glean from the English piece he made a few nasty remarks about the war as well, wrt Poland. Of course ,when the treaty was signed any claim was abandoned.
Though I don’t remember it, I would give it to Kohl. He was an asshole all his career. And there used to be influential interest groups and organizations of representatives of former German territories (Vertriebenenverbände) lost after WWII that were CDU-leaning (Kohl’s party) and fought tooth and nail against the acceptance of the Oder-Neisse-Linie. I just didn’t remember that Kohl initially supported their case. In the end, it was all realpolitik in the best sense of the word.
We’re still looking to avenge the Weltmeisterschaft of 1974, though 
That’s what my husband just explained to me. CDU and particularly CSU leaning, because a lot of these people ended up in Bayern.
Well, maybe this year. A final NL-Germany hasn’t happened in a long time, in fact this year is the 50th anniversary of the Munich final.
Would be nice. At the same time the Mannschaft will remain the Mannschaft. As Gary Lineker once said: 22 guys chasing a ball and in the end the Germans win
Oooh, now I have lost my dibs on matters regarding football, of course the Munich final was in 1974, so 48 years ago. I confused it with the 1972 Olympics in Munich, that’s my sad excuse.
It’s ok. I’m not exactly into sports myself. I DO remember 1988 though 
Let’s not talk about the Euro 1988… 