Germans, as a rule, are not grouchy, but they can be quite serious. But once you get to know them, they are warm, friendly and fun people. However, some of their customs and manners might take some getting used to...
Everything is bigger in the US than it is in Germany: people, meal portions, refrigerators, washing machines, coffee cups, cars, houses, beds, even squirrels.
In Germany you count with the fingers like this: 1-thumb, 2-index finger, 3-middle finger, 4-ring finger, 5-pinky.
What is called "erstes Obergeschoss" (abbreviated OG) in Germany is called "second floor" in the US. Zweites Obergeschoss (2OG) is the third floor. The US ground or "first floor" is das Erdgeschoss (EG), translated means Earth Floor.
In the US, when you enter a restaurant, you have to wait for a hostess/host to seat you; generally you cannot freely choose your table. In Germany, you just sit down wherever you want. Sometimes you find yourself sharing a large table with people you have never met.
In Germany, TV shows start at varying, strange times, 8:13PM for example. In the US, shows start on the full or half hour. Primetime shows are often shown without commercial interruption in Germany. The commercials are played between shows.
In the US, prices are always stated without sales tax. In Europe the posted price includes tax.
German highway signs are unusable for foreigners. They ignore points of the compass entirely. In order to navigate on German Autobahnen, you need to know the relative locations of all cities in Germany. The signs won't say "B1 East" and "B1 West", but instead "B1 Richtung Bochum" and "B1 Richtung Unna" and you are supposed to know that Unna is East of Bochum.
Water ordered in a European restaurant is bottled, and the default is fizzy. You must ask for still water. Also, drinks such as cola, tea, etc. are served without ice. If you ask for ice be prepared for the server to arrive at the table with a small cup of ice and then proudly and delicately spoon 1 or 2 cubes into your glass. Until just recently, icy cold drinks were thought to be unhealthy.
There are no doggie bags in German restaurants. Asking to take leftovers is frowned upon. However, many bars and restaurants allow dogs inside.
Napkins are often available at your place at the table, but Germans rarely use them. They almost never eat foods without utensils. Even street vendors serve french fries with little wooden forks. It’s more common for a German to go to the washroom to wash hands then for them to wipe them off with a napkin.
In the US the left hand is in the lap while eating. This is bad manners in Gemany where one must keep the hand (but not the elbows) on the table.
Europeans wait until everyone has their plate and the host says Guten Appetit before anyone begins to eat. However, in restaurants, food is often served as each plate is ready. In this case, if one person has a meal while the others do not, the host of the table will insist the person go ahead and eat since the food will get cold. Meals for the entire table are not saved under heat lamps until all can be served at once.
Europeans remain seated at the dining table until everyone is finished eating. It is considered very rude to get up while someone is still eating their meal.
In Germany, you must ask for your bill at a restaurant. Waiters do not try to rush you from the table - it is yours for the evening.
Restrooms have attendants and tips are expected, even in highway rest areas. Fifty eurocents is the usual tip so be sure to have some coins in your pocket. A few locations have a coin operated turnstile so you must pay to enter the restroom.
Men are requested to sit when peeing - Das Sitzpinkler Manifest, if you will.
Unless you are given permission to address someone by their first name, always call a person Herr [Smith] or Frau [Smith] in Germany.
German houses are compartmentalized. Every room has a door and the doors are often kept closed. There are no “open plan” houses in Germany. Whether this comes from Germans fear of drafts, fear of open spaces, or simply to conserve heat is a matter of debate.
Window screens are extremely rare in Germany, as is air conditioning. Few homes, public buildings, shops, or department stores are air conditioned.
Recycling is very important in Germany. Even bins at the airport are divided for recycling. But they do some amazing things with recycled items!
Contrary to popular belief, Germans DO have a sense of humor.
*Different countries, different manners
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