I want to travel to Germany one day. What should I know ?

[steve2470]

Besides German ?



Any mores/customs I should observe to avoid offense ? I'll do my best to speak German. Thanks.

[Aristus]

1. That right there. Speak a little German. They appreciate it.

The Germans are very polite and supportive of people making an effort to speak the language. No matter how badly you are stumbling and fumbling through a sentence, their response will likely be: "Oh you speak very well! Please continue."

If you ask a German if he or she speaks English (and they will likely speak superb, if not fluent, English), the response will be: "A little..."

Germans bring their dogs into restaurants, (usually small, family-owned restaurants) so don't freak out about it.

If you order water in a restaurant, you will be served mineral water and charged for it. Free refillable water is an American thing.

At McDonald's over there, they charge for each individual ketchup packet. Good policy, if you ask me. Discourages waste.

If you are in a bar, don't ask to run a tab. Pay for each individual drink.

If you go to a dance club, don't try to hook up with a woman. People go to dance clubs as couples.

Don't use first names with people on first acquaintance. Use 'Herr' or 'Frau' unless permitted to use first names.


That'll get you started. German is a wonderful country. Absolutely beautiful. And the Germans tend to transcend the stereotype of cold, polite and reserved. They can be very friendly.

[steve2470]

3. thanks for all that

The Herr and Frau thing is very important, I would have slipped and said Otto and Gretchen. Good advice. Germany is #1 on my travel list. I've been to many other countries but always missed Germany.

[jmowreader]

26. Also, don't tip unless the service was REALLY good

German restaurants and bars build the tip right into the price of the item you ordered...the phrase "inkl. Bedienung u. MwSt" on a menu means "tip & tax included." And it's on ALL menus.

Very important: near the door of any German restaurant is posted the menu. READ it before you go in; you will know from it whether you can afford to eat there and, more importantly, whether you want to in the first place.

Also, Germans don't go to the "bathroom" in restaurants. They take baths before they leave home. Ask for the "toilette."

[cliffordu]

2. Lotta Germans there.

loads of them.

[steve2470]

4. really ?

[rug]

5. The price of bier.

[steve2470]

6. always a good idea !

[Brother Buzz]

7. Don't order a dry martini....

Unless you're braced and ready to drink three of them

[steve2470]

8. good advice

I'm not a drinking man lately but I shall remember that in case I do, thank you.

[avebury]

9. I hope that you will be able travel throughout

Germany and not just focus on someplace like Munich. I definitely recommend visiting Postdam, Nuremberg, and Rothenberg (I loved Rothenberg, a really cool medieval town). Taking a day cruise on part of the Rhine is a great way to spend a day. It is really picturesque.

I don't know if you have ever been to Austria, but if you can squeeze a visit to Salzburg (which really is not that far from Munich), it is worth visiting.

Traffic can be pretty hectic and some of the larger cities so be mindful to room locations wherever you book rooms. Getting a room that is not directly on a busy street can make a difference in the noise volume at night.

If you go to Frankfurt there is a church that is located near the City Hall. For a small payment you can climb the tower and look at the panorama of the area. I don't know what it is like now a days but when I did it I discovered that there were no lights in the tower (which is pretty narrow) and I think that there might have been 1 small window along the way. In hindsight I realized that climbing the tower was not one of my brightest choices so I probably would not recommend doing that.

Now in Munich, the Rathaus-Glockenspiel in Marienplatz the heart of Munich. There is a tower that you can climb which gives a fabulous view of the chimes. It is well worth climbing that tower. The plus side of climbing the towers is that you can look downward at the chimes instead of getting a kink in your neck looking up.

[steve2470]

11. never been to Austria, good advice

When I'm ready I might rent a car there and drive around for a few weeks and live really cheaply. Thank you for the good advice.

[Ilsa]

24. If you have AXS TV channel, you might check out

a Sunday morning show about The Baltic Coasts. The northern coasts are different and interesting. You might check on whether you would want to visit especially if the weather is good.

[hobbit709]

10. Don't drink the beer like you do American beer.

[steve2470]

12. it is much stronger, yes ? nt

[hobbit709]

13. Yep. And much better.

[Ikonoklast]

15. Yes, the custom is to pour the first glass over your head, to honor your host.

Only then is it considered polite to imbibe.

Little known cultural fact, right there.


Oh, and "Scheisskopf!", said somewhat forcefully, is the proper response to "Guten Tag".

The German people love it when you reply correctly like that.

[steve2470]

16. also, schweinehund works well too I hear

[Ikonoklast]

17. Oh, I forgot! The girls there just love being called "Schweinchen".

Thanks for the reminder.

[MiddleFingerMom]

29. I listened to two obvious noobs coming back to the barracks after a night on the town.

.
.
.
One of them asked the other, "You were doing so WELL with that women and
all of a sudden she stormed off. What happened?"
.
"I called her my "little sweetheart" and it pissed her off."
.
OBVIOUSLY interested in THAT little phrase, the first man asked the second
how to say it.
.
"Mein kleine scheissie."
.
The young woman HAD to have had no sense of humor whatsoever. "My
little sweetheart is "Mein kleine Schatzie." When he said she was his
"kleine Scheissie", he was calling her his "little turd".
.
.
.
My buddy Tex and I, when bored once (and surprisingly sober) bet each other
that we wouldn't shave our heads. We were both 18 years old. Bald heads
were 25-30 years off from being trendy (there weren't even any skinheads
to speak of) -- so it was totally goofy and we could have even been charged
by the Army for sporting a "bizarre hairstyle". They loved it and thought we
were the sharpest troops ever.
.
The next time we went downtown, we were amazed and DEE-FUCKING-LIGHTED
to find that it was considered good luck to kiss a bald man on top of his head...
and German women NEVER had the opportunity before to, um -- you know...
get lucky with 18-year-old studs (at least not in THAT manner).
.
We never got kissed by so many wonderful strangers in our lives.
.
.
.
We were BOTH pretty sure that we were never EVER gonna grow our hair out
again.
.
.
.
.
.
.
To tell you the truth, we were DAMNED sure.
.
.
.
.
.
One last thing: I don't know if it's still the case, but if you brought out your
pack of cigarettes, it was customary to offer every person at the table one --
JUST the first time.
.
.
.

[Ikonoklast]

59. Well....at least he used the diminutive.

He could have called her a big turd.

[jmowreader]

27. Schwanzkopf is also a good one

[Jenoch]

14. If someone hands you a beer in a glass shaped like a boot,

turn the glass sideways so the toe is not facing straight up. Otherwise it will splash in your face.

[TheMightyFavog]

18. Always recite the following when meeting a German for the first time.

Fick mich, du miserabler hurensohn! Streck aus deinen heissen gelockten schwanz. Mach es sehr schnell, rein und raus bis es spritzt Feuer.

You won't regret it.

[steve2470]

20. I'm sure they would enjoy that

[Ilsa]

25. Now that's just mean!

[jmowreader]

28. Better that you sing it

And don't forget the most important part..."aber bekleber nicht am Sofa, Sofa."

[fizzgig]

19. the grocery stores charge for bags

and i'm pretty sure you bag your own.

also, schnitzel is a great hangover food.

[Locut0s]

32. Aren't they doing that in the US too?...

Many places here have been charging for bags for a while now. There still are some that don't but it's common enough that many many people now bring cloth or tarp bags of their own.

[fizzgig]

45. maybe in other places

but i don't know that i've heard anything about that. banning/eliminating plastic bags, yes, but i can't say i've heard about anywhere charging for bags. i bring mine anyway.

[Arctic Dave]

21. Be careful when you order three glasses. It will give you away.

[adirondacker]

22. Keep right except to Pass even if you're doing 120 mph!

Have fun on the Autobahn.

[Jenoch]

23. "I want to travel to Germany one day."

I've thought about thiszfor a while and I think you should extend your stay in Germany for longer than a day.

[steve2470]

31. oh I intend to, for 30 days if I can afford to :) nt

[Nye Bevan]

30. DON'T MENTION THE WAR!

[Locut0s]

33. I want to travel there too...

Actually I've driven through Germany with my parents but was only there for a day or so. I'd love to visit for several weeks to a month, great country! If you go please do post about it!!

[B Calm]

34. Warning: They use to serve beer at room temperature!

[DFW]

35. I live in the Düsseldorf area

What do you want to know?

[steve2470]

37. my question was really about how to make life as a tourist more pleasant

I think people have hit upon the major points. I know there's a lot to see and do in Germany, so I'd have to do my research based upon my budget and my itinerary.

[DFW]

43. Especially the itinerary

The big cities all have their own character with different styles and rhythms. The landscapes do, too, from the almost Cape Cod like areas on the North Sea and the Baltic to the Vermont-style Sauerland to the Alps down south.

If you're going to Berlin or München, you'll be looking for different things from what you'd be looking for in Hamburg or Köln. Rheinlanders and Bavarians tend to be looser and less formal than the people of the north, east or southeast. If you'll be in Berlin for any length of time, do NOT miss taking a day to spend in Potsdam. It's a short half hour train ride and yet half a world away from Berlin.

Trains are THE way to get around here, but ALWAYS reserve a seat in advance if your are going between major cities in the morning (except Saturdays) or evening. It costs 4 euros or so, but it beats standing up for three hours in a crowded aisle.

[steve2470]

44. good info, thank you very much !

Now to save up money and plan

[DFW]

47. Saving up money should BE your plan

Life is not cheap here!

And makes sure you know what a Döner Kebap is!! Besides being among the healthiest and most generous fast food there is, it will spare your budget much pain. And remember to smile and say, "iyi günler," or, if it's evening, "iyi akşamlar". You'll never touch another sausage again.

And if you have reason to think the guy at the Döner stand is a Kurd instead of an ethnic Turk (or if he tells you--Kurds are a proud people), say "rož baž (stress on the "baž&quot ." The ž is pronounced like a French J or the s in "measure." You will get the best service at a fast food stand you ever got.

FYI--rož baž=iyi günler=guten Tag=good day

[steve2470]

48. danke schön :))

Hope I said that right

edited subject line.

[DFW]

49. You got it right

Bitte schön. Or, as they'll say at the Döner stands, "bir şey değil."

("beer shay day-EEL&quot

[Quantess]

36. Germans seem to hold direct eye contact and/or stare a second or 2 longer at passersby

when you're walking around town, and that's just what people do there. That is my own observation.

Also, you will gain weight if you don't watch it... delicious sausage, bier, brezeln (cheesy pretzels), and more.

[supernova]

38. Germans are wonderful! Go have a blast!

The formal forms of address are appreciated until you get to know others better. As everywhere else good manners go far. This is especially true of older folks. "Kennen wir 'Dutzen'?" is what you will hear, meaning "we're friends now, let's switch to informal "you." It's always a lovely moment.

If you travel on public transit it's good manners to give up your seat to an elderly person or pregnant woman. Especially the seats nearest the driver or the door. It's downright expected. When I was a young adult college student for a summer in Vienna, the older people were known to call out youngsters for not giving up their seats! LOL.

And they are right, the Germans and the Austrians appreciate anybody trying to speak and learn German. They encourage you, no matter how badly you think you're doing! An evening in a restaurant with locals can easily turn into an impromptu language lesson!

Restaurants: If you order water, you will get mineral water. And you will have to order ice. Ice is an American thing, not a European thing. If you go to a bar and don't feel like drinking, you can order "gespritzt" meaning juice and mineral water combo. For example "apfelsaft gespritzt" will get you apple juice and mineral water. The only place regular water is found is oddly in coffeehouses, especially Vienna: coffee automatically comes with a plain old glass of water. Go figure. But it makes sense, since coffee is a diuretic. I still drink water and coffee to this day.

[steve2470]

52. thanks for this info

I will try to speak German constantly, even if it's from a phrase book or some other crutch. If they speak decent English, wonderful. I think it's so important in foreign countries to speak the local language. I will never forget my trip to Moscow in 1989 with my dad. God bless him, he was a wonderful father but in Moscow..um....he expected the Russians to speak English. Wrong. Very few Russians back then spoke English. I took a phrase book and dictionary and saved our ass.

[HipChick]

39. Don't drive slow on the Autobahn..

[steve2470]

40. best excuse to drive fast ever :) nt

[HipChick]

41. Yor ever drive so fast that your steering wheel starts vibrating?

Scared the crap out of me..

[steve2470]

42. yes me also ! nt

[Major Nikon]

60. Driving on the autobahn is pretty intense

And it's not just because there are some areas with no speed limits, but rather because the Germans take driving very seriously. They obey the rules of the road without exception for the most part and they expect everyone else to as well. You don't see elderly people driving there. There's typically a lot of traffic and it moves very efficiently because the Germans expect everyone to drive with a high degree of predictability. The traffic is higher than in the US, and when it opens up, people haul ass. You can cruise 160kph+ on the autobahn in the left lane even with a solid line of cars in the right lane traveling at half that speed without the fear of some dumbass pulling right out in front of you without signaling. Anyone who does that wouldn't live very long there. If you do elect to rent a car and drive there, expect a driving experience that is unlike anything you've seen in the US.

[hankthecrank]

46. Do not walk on railroad tracks

Trains are on time and very quite

Enjoy being on public transport

Ride bicycle there you people watch out for you not like in the states

Enjoy the little shops (pens, meat, sweets,hobby's)

Eat pretzels from vendors on the streets and in train stations

Clear the passing lane in your rear view mirror way way back, cars move very fast

Go into small towns and sit still see how quite they are

[Revanchist]

50. Don't forget to dress appropriately

After all, you want to properly represent your country and not be an embarrassment.

[steve2470]

51. I'm sure they will appreciate that ! nt

[JCMach1]

53. I go to fulfill one of my bucket list items- driving over 200kph on the Autobahn

... in a Mercedes

[CTyankee]

54. One experience I had (which you should avoid)...not specific to Germany...

I went to Portugal on a museum tour with 5 other friends. Because we arrived in Lisbon early and our rooms weren't available til later, the concierge at the hotel recommended we take one of the city's colorful trolleys that made a circuitous trip from the hotel and back. We could see Lisbon and experience the people! What could possibly go wrong?

So we stashed our bags at the hotel desk and took the trolley. Halfway through the trip the driver's supervisor got on and evidently dressed him down right there for some infraction of the rules. The driver resumed driving but was steaming mad and finally stopped dead, took the keys out of the ignition and ordered everybody off the trolley. Then he stormed off.

We found ourselves in the middle of a city whose language we did not know and we had no idea of where we were. Anybody have a map? No. Anybody remember the name of the hotel? Nope. Anybody speak a word of Portuguese? Uh,uh.

Great.

As sheer luck would have it, I had my trip itinerary, which listed the name of the hotel, in my handbag, not my backpack which was back at the hotel. We walked until we found ourselves at a large public park where taxis were stationed and took two taxis back to the hotel.

Upon retrospect, I guess we could have gone to the U.S. Embassy (luckily we were in a capital city!) and pieced it all together somehow, while feeling like idiots.

Lesson: carry itinerary listing everywhere you will be staying with you in your travel bag or backpack. You never know...

[steve2470]

55. that really sucked, good advice nt

[CTyankee]

56. You probably won't have that language problem in Germany, tho...

we had wanted to experience the "people" of Lisbon, which was a great thing, but there you have it...

[CTyankee]

57. Another thing: use your hotel room safe (if you are in a hotel) for your passport and money.

Carry a copy of your passport ID page of course but don't have a lot of Euros on you all the time. Just what you need every day. Ditto credit cards (I take 2). Also have the cards' overseas emergency phone numbers somewhere safe in case you lose one. I travel to Europe once, sometimes twice a year, and had my passport stolen in Turin, Italy.I had to bring $100 U.S. dollars with me to the consulate in Milan to get an emergency passport. So I now bring at least that much in U.S. cash with me, too...

It was a sobering experience...

[steve2470]

58. more good advice, thank you nt

[MissHoneychurch]

61. It is hilarious to read all your advice

as a German in Germany. Interesting to know how you see Germany

[Major Nikon]

62. I never understood why the Germans couldn't manage to make two toilets that flush the same way

When you go to a public toilet you spend 10 minutes trying to figure out how to flush the damn thing, and you don't really miss the water in the bowl till it comes time to do the #2 and it's then you realize what a great idea having water in the bowl is. Meanwhile the guy in the stall next to you is banging on the wall yelling and the best you can tell he's pleading for a courtesy flush.

[steve2470]

63. do you have any advice for this American ?

I'll do my best in Deutschland to avoid the ugly American stereotype

[MissHoneychurch]

65. That will help

Otherwise just enjoy your time over here. And say hello, when you are in Frankfurt

[Demo_Chris]

64. NEVER pass on the right. nt

[SwissTony]

66. There's already a couple of posts about driving on the autobahn.

It's quite an experience. Get up to speed as you approach on the lane that merges into the autobahn, line yourself up with a "gap" in the traffic (it won't be large!) and gently ease onto the autobahn. They'll let you in.

I've driven at 160 km/h (100 mph) in the SLOW lane and pulled out to overtake a truck. A car quite some way behind me immediately flashed his headlights. I moved back in to the slow lane. A few seconds later, a big Merc passed me like I was standing still.

Enjoy it. it's a wonderful country.