Indeed, the Germans have no touchy feely, don't hurt my feelings kind of policy.
It is all about learning and discipline.Discipline is the key word. Germans(at least the ol'timers including my generation)are very adamant about discipline and learning.
Nothing is tolerated in the classroom, except learning, listening and taking notes.The way should be!
Harshly?...hardly the case;...you disrupt or disrespect the teacher/professor, you are trown out the classroom. Three times of misbehaving and you are expelled for the rest of the school year.
That was the norm when I grew up!
" That was the norm when I grew up! "
That must have been in another century. LOL