Pückler was always appearing in new roles. The script of his life was full of absurd and even macabre scenes: "For me it is not a question of 'What will people say?', but of 'Will people say anything?'"

As the son of an aristocrat, Pückler had a certain degree of licence and was often the subject of discussion, thanks to his brawling and duelling. His reputation accompanied him throughout his life and provided material for many popular anecdotes. One of the stories demonstrates that Pückler had a taste for nasty jokes even as a child.

Pückler was at home everywhere, whether in the Orient or the Occident. Ever restless, he fled humdrum daily life in Muskau for years at a time, saying: “How much more one experiences while travelling!“ He was particularly fascinated by eastern habits and customs.