A few weeks at a stretch of summer heat and already many people in Germany are groaning.

But what should the inhabitants of regions of the world say where such periods of heat are longer and more severe?

They have often developed their own strategies for dealing with the excessive heat.

A selection from around the globe:

Bulgaria

When the summers get really hot, people in Bulgaria like to refresh themselves with cool local yoghurt.

For breakfast, in between meals or in the evening, hardly anyone in the Balkan country wants to do without the thick "kisselo mljako" (sour milk) with the unique Bulgarian original bacterial strain Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

Likewise not on ayran made of yoghurt, water and salt.

This soft drink from the Near East is also said to lower high blood pressure.

The cold cucumber soup “tarator”, which is prepared with yoghurt, dill, garlic, olive oil and chopped walnuts, is also very popular as a starter on hot summer days.

Iraq

The Iraqis are familiar with the heat: temperatures above 40 degrees are part of everyday life in summer.

However, because the power is constantly out due to the weak infrastructure, air conditioning systems cannot be relied on.

That's why many traders set up showers on the sidewalks in the summer, under which the Iraqis can shower their heads with water to refresh themselves.

Towels are also available.

If that's not enough for you, jump into the Tigris River to cool off.

Others take refuge in shopping malls where the air conditioning is always on thanks to generators.

India

In many parts of the subcontinent, temperatures just under 50 degrees are not uncommon in May and June.

In the monsoon season from July to September it is a little less hot, but very humid.

For those who can afford it, the air conditioners run non-stop.

A cheaper alternative are devices that pump water vapor through mats of sweet grass.

But for countless Indians they are also too expensive.

Your only option is to sleep outdoors.

Bars with roof terraces that spray cold water through fans are popular in summer.

To cool off further, guests order lime juice with soda water or the lassi yoghurt drink.

Gulf States

The best recipe against the heat in the desert states of the Gulf is: do not go outside during the day.

The sidewalks are therefore almost deserted in summer.

Anyone who has to get from one place to another only moves in an air-conditioned vehicle.

As in Iraq, air-conditioned shopping centers are popular meeting points and centers of public life.

Only after sunrise do the streets fill up again.

United States of America

In the American east coast metropolis of New York, only firefighters are supposed to put their hands on hydrants.

On hot days, however, they are opened without permission by local residents and children who want to cool off in the jet of water.

Up to 3800 liters per minute then shoot into the air.

Free fun in the water is now only permitted with fire brigade spray attachments – around 100 liters are still gushing out every minute.

Italy

The motto in Italy during the heat months is: go on vacation.

In August, public life across the country largely comes to a standstill, with many offices and shops in the major cities closing for the entire month.

The Italians are drawn en masse to the sea or the mountains.

At midday, people usually retire to dark houses in order to stroll along the beach again in the evening.

Those who are unlucky and have to stay in cities like Rome or Milan often look in vain for affordable outdoor pools.

You can then emulate the sweaty tourists and sit in a restaurant with fans that promise cooling with spray mist.

Otherwise you have only one choice: Back to the air-conditioned office.

Thailand

In Thailand, temperatures of more than 30 degrees are not unusual, but rather the rule - all year round.

That's why the dress code isn't as strict as elsewhere: shirts over trousers and flip-flops are completely normal here.

You can overlook sweat stains here.

There's not much you can do about the heat.

Most Thais consider things like jogging or cycling superfluous.

Overall, they move more slowly than Europeans.

And in Bangkok, the capital city dwellers like to flee to the large shopping malls, which – with the help of gigantic air conditioning systems – are kept at a very low temperature.

Sweater recommended.

Mexico

In Mexico, which was also suffering from a heat wave in the north this week with temperatures up to 40 degrees, one thing above all must not be missing against the sun: the sombrero.

But that doesn't mean the oversized headgear that cliche Mexicans wear in comics.

"Sombrero" simply means hat - and hats are sold on every second street corner in the Latin American country.

In Mexico City it is particularly important.

Since the city is at an altitude of 2250 meters, the sun is particularly intense there.

A tropical climate prevails on the coasts of Mexico.

To stay relatively cool in the humid heat, people in the state of Veracruz, for example, wear traditional white linen clothing.

Japan

Many Japanese try to defy the heat with resourceful technology: Drugstores and department stores offer a wide variety of products to protect against the heat.

The spectrum ranges from cooling wet wipes and fans to soft cooling pads for the neck and modern clothing with fibers that provide a cooling effect.

Some Japanese are also acquiring small, portable, battery-operated fans.

The inventiveness knows no bounds: Jackets for construction workers with built-in fans, cooling mats for baby carts or pets, and trailers that emit a shrill warning tone when the temperature is high.

Japan's police force introduced a vest for patrol officers, made of breathable material with pockets under the sleeves and on the back for cooling units.

France

Locals and tourists alike can use their smartphones to learn about cool places in Paris.

According to the operator, the "Extrema Paris" app also shows cool public facilities.

Extreme heat temperatures of up to 37 degrees prevailed in the French capital this week, which is why cooled rooms in 32 town halls and public facilities are released to the public in the afternoon.

And those who use the app can also choose whether they would rather cool off in a church, a museum, a park or on the banks of a watercourse - 1000 Parisian "islands of freshness" are programmed.

If you don't mind getting wet, you can simply use one of the public (fountain) fountains.

Incidentally, Paris has a special service for older people: they can register with the city for the summer months.

Spain

The people of Spain are used to the summer heat.

It's only when the thermometer hits 40 degrees that the people of Madrilene start to moan on the street.

When the sun is particularly hot, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., you simply withdraw.

The siesta, the "afternoon nap", belongs to Spain like paella, bullfighting and flamenco.

Offices are taking longer breaks, and most stores are posting "Closed" signs outside.

However, very few Spaniards take a nap during the siesta.

You go to the gym or the swimming pool or simply have longer lunches with family and colleagues.

There is air conditioning almost everywhere in Spain.

Eating habits are also adapted to the climate.