Ugly Tourists in Germany: How to Upset Germans

One of my friends who studied abroad in Germany put the whole "Germany =/= Bavaria" thing this way: Going to Berlin and expecting to see people day-to-day wearing lederhosen and drinking big tankards of beer is like going to NYC and expecting to see people in cowboy hats and boots doing cool lasso tricks

The only trouble I had in Germany was at the Mineralbad in Stuttgart. I am an older woman and have agility issues with my hands and I was having trouble inserting a ticket to go through the turnstile. The man behind me got upset and I hear the famous, "HALLO!!!". I turned around and politely asked if he could perhaps help me, while showing him my hands. His face turned red, put the ticket in the machine for me and then apologized. I have been all over Germany since then and have had nothing but kindness shown to me when asking for help.

I am German and I am so grateful how respectful you present this. Thanks for that. Great stuff👍👍🙏

Years ago I did the backpacking thing all over Europe and the Balkans. Germany and Austria were the only countries where people would literally see me with my backpack and walk up to me and say things like "Are you ok? Do you need a place to stay? How are you enjoying your trip?" Seems like amost every one of them had backpacked somewhere in the world before, and were literally genuinely trying to help. It was a big, big, BIG sigh of relief after leaving Italy, which I found to be quite the opposite.

I am German, I am always impressed Wolter, how good you capture the German behavior and thinking without getting into stereotypes. Well done!

Bavaria is the Texas of Germany.

I think I’m really going to LOVE visiting Germany! Everything you said that angers them angers me. I love punctuality, recycling and NOT sharing my food.

I was a foreign exchange student from the US when I was 16 and I was housed in Bavaria. I have never felt more comfortable and welcomed, the people were so friendly and helped me with my German, and were so patient and wonderful. I hope to make it back to Germany one day, it is fantastic!!

Here are a couple of things I learned when I lived in Germany. Avoid any “noisy” house chores on a Sunday, and avoid giving birthday wishes BEFORE the persons birthday.

As a German, I was taught that waiters in North America don't earn as much and need the tips, like the tips are expected and part of their income, whereas in Germany waiters earn more and a tip is always voluntary or polite and not expected as part of their income. As for sharing food at a restaurant with others, thank you for this explanation. I once was in a restaurant in Canada with a few people from all over the world, the plates were put on the table and everyone took whatever they wanted. I was greatly confused and overwhelmed, didn't know what I am supposed to eat or what was expected from me, and I also thought we should have agreed upon sharing the bill before ordering so much food. I'm not greedy, but I didn't have overflowing financial resources at the time and would have liked to know how much I would be supposed to pay in the end. I should have asked and shared my uncertainties, but for whatever reason I wasn't able to. So thanks again, this explanation helped.

Im autistic and have always done well in Germany ^_^ Thank you for your good content!

My wife and I just returned from three weeks driving through northern Germany. We set the navigation systen to avoid A-bahns (mostly). We were treated like guests by everyone we met. Without exception, every encounter was great. I spent my covid confinement studying German…every day. I practiced and listened and really worked at pronunciation. While there I spoke German at every opportunity. While some Germans recognized that I was not a native speaker, many continued the conversation in German and even helped me along. As you said, we did not cross the street without the permission of the ampelman and did drive fast but always to the right on the A-bahn and in general followed German rules of polite. While this was not my first time in Germany, it was my best!

Most of these also apply in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, in this sort of "Germanic influence-sphere" in Europe. There's also a pretty on-point satirical examination of the general mindset called "The Law of Jante" from a book by a Danish-Norwegian Author, Aksel Sandemose. To people from the outside these might seem like some oppressive social rules, but in reality they're all things people take great pride in. If you're punctual, direct but polite, and obey public rules, you're like the perfect citizen in any of these "Germanic influence-sphere" states.

Another important thing: Don't be too loud in restaurants and on public transportation. Some American tourists behave as if they were the only people in the restaurant or on the bus. Of course this doesn't mean that you must be silent, but just keep the volume of your voices normal. Another thing is: Don't let your children run around and climb on chairs and tables in restaurants. In the USA, this kind of behavior is tolerated, in Germany, it really can be a problem for other guests.

As a German, I can say that you absolutely nailed us (at least my parents and grandparents) and I loved the way you explained everything with examples. Dankeschön! And have fun in Germany. :)

My wife and I lived in Flörsheim, near Frankfurt for a couple of years and absolutely loved it. We've lived in Belgium, the Philippines, Panama, all over the U.S. and now Alaska. And we've subscribed to the old saying, "when in Rome, act like the Romans". and it works pretty well.

Great Video as always, Mark! I'm an American living in Germany the last 6 years and I'm with you on all points. Keep the great content coming, man.

Germany: I order my food I order my beer I drive my speed (within the rules) I come in time, so I can expect everyone in time sounds good to a finn, we have similar rules I must visit, I want to drink beer and see castles, churches and museums

The "don't be late" part is extremely important in case you have a job interview in Germany (native German here, born and grew up in Germany before moving to the US). When you get an invitation letter/notice for a job interview or a round of interviews starting at 10am (10 Uhr!), then be there at latest 9:45. You may have to get your visitor badge and escorted to the interview room etc. Offen they offer you water and coffee. But be IN THE ROOM at 10.If using public transit, take a connection earlier. When arriving by car know where you can park and do not try to save ten Euros for the parking garage to drive tens of minutes to find a free spot. No one will accept that excuse. Good employers will reimburse you all those fees for your application in Germany, included the parking ticket of the garage next to the employer's office.

Browse to your heart's content at the grocery store, but 1) stay outta people's way and 2) FOCUS when you get to the checkout line. No idle chatter, no gawking at the impulse-buy items, no small talk with the cashier. If they talk to you, it's to ask a question or convey important information. Watch what the (local) person ahead of you does, and do that. Put your stuff on the conveyor belt efficiently, have your bags ready, and be ready to bag everything quickly. German cashiers take pride in scanning things at warp speed, and both staff and shoppers expect everyone to do their part to keep things moving efficiently.