Americans that have traveled to Germany?

Question

I'm going to Germany in the next upcoming months. I'm staying with my German freinds that I'm really close to. I've never traveled outside of Ohio. Even though I have already graduated from college. I was wondering what kind of culture difference is there? What kind of manners are different? edict? Things I need to know about Germany? I've never traveled much so I really don't know much. I've talked with this with my freinds but their details are usually not really descriptive.

Answer 1

I always wanted to go to Germany before I died so I went and found it was unbelievable.
Cleanliness is a big German thing which I learned from my Oma (grandmother). The subway stations in Munich are absolutely perfect, the roads and sidewalks don't have trash on them.
My family kind of prepared me for it, but you are still in a foreign country.
Guys who to someone's home, they are big on "sitzpissers"
they want you to sit down to pee, believe me they will tell you if you dont't!
Remember that most all Germans speak some English, but your accent will give you away when you first get there if you do speak German from school.
People are kind of in a hurry in the big cities, just like here, but most are willing to help if you find a kind face.
You will pay to get a shopping cart, and get your deposit back when you return it if it goes outside the store. Bring your own bags to the store as it is Earth friendly and they are very conservation minded.
My family that is there has a good saying "you may not have as many friends when you are in Germany, but they are really good friends. If somebody says come by my house this weekend, they mean it, not like the U.S. where someone may just be polite in saying it."
Shops close early in Germany except for convenience stores, etc. because of the laws there. It is hard to believe, but if you don't go shopping by late afternoon, it may be the next day before you get it.
All in all I love it there, but the people are different and have a great respect for the rules...
Kind of like the joke where heaven has british police, french chefs and german mechanics... Hell has british chefs, french mechanics and german police.
Oh yeah, one more thing.. in Germany you can take you dog almost anywhere, it's amazing... LIke to the mall, bank, etc. Germans love their dogs.

Answer 2

It depends on what you are interested in knowing. I am an American. I have lived here in Germany for over a year now. I'm originally from WV, so I think I know what you are feeling.

Things a little more expensive here. probably 30 percent more. Many of the younger generations...30 and younger look at Americans with a prejudice, mostly due to watching the news.



Their ways are similar to ours. The country looks very much like in the Ohio area. It will help drastically if you pick up some of the language. If you have some German friends, they are the best way to find out. I can go on and on, but it depends on what you are interested in knowing. You can email me if you have a question.

Answer 3

All the others have given you good advice. Shake hands when you enter a party or just a group or people. If everyone is going to have an alcoholic drink, do NOT drink yours until everyone has their drink and you all toast each other. You say what sounds like "brost" although it is actually "Prosit". It means cheers. Never offer to pay for someone unless you REALLY mean it because they will take you up on it. Germans are much more direct than Americans and believe what you say literally. They generally do not "get" sarcasm or irony so it is generally better to avoid it. They are not very good at standing in line so you have to be a bit pushier in that respect. When you enter a small store you should greet the people working there and when you leave you generally say Aufwiedersehen.

Answer 4

My uncle lives in the great city of Berlin and I went to visit him last summer (I am also going back again this summer). In most of the larger and more commerical cities, almost everyone talks English as a second language. Specifically in Berlin, most everyone is in their twenties or so and they are not many children. Berlin was a very laid-back and funky city where people would smoke and drink causually and party all night. One thing you might notice is that in Germany, people are more liable to go around without clothes. Not that it's a nudy-free-for-all, but body image is just not an issue there. There can be some rough characters like punks or skinheads in place, but most everyone is kind and good-natured. You might find some resentment for being a tourist, but besides that, if you are polite and have basic manners, you should do fine.

Answer 5

Well if u first get there and meet the Parents or someone older u should shake their Hands and tell them something like nice to meet u or what ever u want.U shouldnt talk to older ppl or ppl u dont know like u do or rude,here we talk different to older/ppl we dont know,like we have 2 types of 'you' one 'sie' to address ppl that I just said and 'du' ppl we know.Its more formal here.If they tell u something,its polite if u show them that u listening,could be by keeping eyecontact,by saying yes every so often.Alot of Americans I know dont do that and I had to get used to it.My Parents still take it as if they r not listening or have no Interest in what ever they r saying.If u go some were like the Bathroom just tell them,dont just leave the Room.No dirty Shoes in the House..makes u look like u dont respect their House.Dont just touch every Thing in ppls Houses.Oh some how Americans I know always slam the Car doors too hard,thats not good.Dont talk about how rich or poor u,ur Fam or anyone u know r..if u keep on saying how poor u or who ever is theyll think bad of u..no matter what anyone tells u,if u talk about how rich u r all the time they think u brag or wanna show them how much better u r then them.Thats the Way it is.Accept their Food,dont just order Burgers.Well that should do it.Oh of corse ull make them very happy if ull ask them to teach u some German words.

Answer 6

It's customary to bring a git when you are invited to someone's house. That's a biggy. I was recently at a party, all of the Germans arrived with a gift for the hosts and their kids, none of the Americans, myself included, thought to bring a gift. Never give red roses, they are for romantic relationships only. And basically, just be polite and courteous. When I first moved here I thought Germans were rude, but now I'm used to it. It can be a bit strange when you are walking down the street and people will look you right in the eye as you pass, but never smile or anything, even if you say hello to them or smile. Oh, and when eating in some restaurants, it's customary to let other people sit at your table if the place is busy.

Answer 7

Oh, and don't dress like for summer in winter. That's a dead giveaway for the Americans aound an Army Post,. Germans will look at them funny.

Yeah, and take the hat off while in a Restaurant. Not only Americans make that faux pas though, younger Germans do too.

Don't talk really loud in stores....

Answer 8

The best thing to do is to try to learn a little bit of German. Although a lot of people speak English, they always appreciate it when you try to speak German first. One thing you notice is that when eating the Germans keep the fork in their left had the whole time. They don't switch hands like many Americans. Yeah and two things to keep in mind = Never use the middle finger (it's a worse insult than in America), and DON'T make fun of Nazis! Have fun! Don't forget to try the bratwurst!

A little bit of German:
Hallo, Guten (goo-ten) Tag - both are common greetings
Auf Weidersehen (auf weederse-hen), Tshcus (like it's spelled schoo-oos) - both mean goodbye but the second one is less formal
Danke Tshchun (danke schoo-oon), danke- thank you
bitte Tschun (bi-te schoon) - you're welcome

Answer 9

I was there for 3 yrs while in the army. Most Germans take their shoes off when entering a home but you can see how your friends do it but that was my experience. They are a little more touchy and in your face but don't take offense, just their mannerisms. I saw a few guys get hit because they apologize by getting in your face and some of my friends failed to understand this. Besides that, i'm not really sure but, it may depend what part of germany as well. People up north near frankfurt or berlin for example acted way different than bavaria which is where i lived at.

Answer 10

Many Germans dont like Americans especially the 100 000 German Nationalists who are present in all of Germany. Thats only an opinion of mine,anybody is free to say what he wants to say.