7 Ridiculously Random Things are Just SO TYPICALLY GERMAN 😂

If you’re here for my top 10 stereotypical culture shocks, then you’ve come to the wrong place! After 8 years living in Germany, there are some super tiny and super random things that I find so typical German that might just make you giggle too!
Follow me on Instagram: lifeingermany_ and lifeindus
Follow me on Instagram for more: / lifeingermany_ and / lifeindus
---------------------
MOVING TO GERMANY? Get your FREE step-by-step checklist here ➡️ lifeingermany.com/checklist/
AND JOIN US IN THE [Life in Germany Welcome Program] ➡️ www.lifeingermany.com
QUESTIONS? [e-mail]
#expats #germany #lifeingermany #expatsingermany #expattips
---------------------
MY TIPS FOR LIVING IN GERMANY ✅
💵 My Bank: bit.ly/3JczUH7
📱My Phone Plan: bit.ly/3ykBSPr
💡My Electricity Plan: bit.ly/3J5idcp
🏠My Liability & Contents Insurance: bit.ly/42Plnsr
🏥 My Health Insurance: bit.ly/306x1jZ
📚How I Learn German: bit.ly/3XtuwmL
DISCLAIMER: Links included in my descriptions are sometimes affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission - which helps me continue to build the platform & community. There is no additional charge to you!
---------------------
00:00 - I’m giving you a sneak peek into the Welcome Program
00:18 - Intro chats
01:21 - Typisch Deutsch #1
02:21 - Typisch Deutsch #2
03:20 - Typisch Deutsch #3
04:06 - Typisch Deutsch #4
05:30 - Typisch Deutsch #5
06:20 - Typisch Deutsch #6
07:09 - Typisch Deutsch #7
08:33 - Outro chats
---------------------
ABOUT ME
Hey there, I’m Jenna! A Canadian who has been living in Germany since 2014 and sharing my experiences ever since. 🇩🇪
Like many, I had a difficult time relocating - all the paperwork, making sure I wasn’t getting scammed, finding a flat, a phone plan, a job, etc. So, I took it slowly, documented all my learnings along the way, and partnered up with experts in every field to help others avoid making the same mistakes I did.
Let’s look at it as… PAVING THE WAY FOR NEW EXPATS TO SAVE TIME & MONEY! I built up www.lifeinduesseldorf.com to help ALL expats living in Düsseldorf make the best out of their lives, and then soon realized a lot of the content I was sharing was helpful for all expats living in Germany.
So I built an entirely online program that helps expats from ALL OVER THE WORLD relocate to Germany easily - while also helping them save thousands of euros!
... and now I’m bringing it all to KZbin! ♥️
DISCLAIMER: Links included in my descriptions are sometimes affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission - which helps me continue to build the platform & community. There is no additional charge to you!

[@Utubemop]

The clips in the binders help to prevent the holes from being torn out so easily, which makes pages less likely to fall out.

[@HotelPapa100]

That's compensating for the weakness of the 80 mm spaced holes. If there's one American standard I wish Europe would adopt it's the three ring binder. Large holes for easy leafing through, large spacing to not put a lot of load on the holes. Four ring binders with the tight holes are fiddly.

[@maxbarko8717]

@@HotelPapa100 after knowing both systems, I prefer the German binder.

[@katharinar.4463]

@@maxbarko8717 me too, I lived in New Zealand as a student, and they got the American kind. My school papers got ripped so easily and then they fell out, without me noticing. After that happening a couple of times, I ordered a German binder via Amazon, and it never happened again 😀

[@crunchyscorpio9186]

The first thing, the hausschuhe, those are actually essential for all parents with little kids... beware the lego landmines.

[@hendriksander6570]

Damn true! Nothing hurts as much as a piece of LEGO under your bare foot.

[@hmpeter]

Well, Canada has roughly half of Germanys population, bur about 28 times the area. Also, Germany is surrounded by other nations that trade with it or use pass it to transit to other countries. So yeah, sadly the truck density over here can be pretty high. Those binder claps are absolutely essential. Without them, the binders would look not neat and orderly, but messy, And we don't like that, do we? *speaks in stern but friendly German parental voice* 😂

[@manub.3847]

And if you work in a place where there are still hundreds of file folders, you'll be really happy if everything doesn't fall apart when you pull out a folder;) -> even if the folder is only needed to digitize the files.:)

[@Rick2010100]

Canada and the United States use a three, or even four-ring system for binder. Germany uses the 2 ring system (Leitz) wich is much quicker to operate. But to keep the papers in place the clip is needed, esp. if the binder is less filled.

[@martinv.352]

The only two holes of the paper get ruined if you don't use the clip. If they do anyway, you can buy self-adhesive hole reinforcers ("Lochverstärker").

[@roelkomduur8073]

(Don't tell her, but it is that way in the whole of Europe...nothing wrong with a Leitz ordner.)

[@sheyna6963]

In my Family the Mum or Grandma who is cooking most often has the seat wich is the nearest to the kitchen, because she has to stand up all the time. Of course we are all helping if needed but some people might stand in the way. Exept that one seat for the cook seats are free to choose by the guests. :)

[@kw1761]

Same here

[@LaureninGermany]

Yes, accidentally choosing the wrong seat as a guest can feel really awkward! But normally I wait until told where to sit, or I ask, so my British reticence saves me usually!

[@leonie.christina6767]

Didn't think that the binder thing was typically German😂 You even get a fine if you don't do the "Rettungsgasse" so because Germans love to stick to rules it works so well🤓

[@Utubemop]

I wish German drivers would adapt the "Reißverschlußsystem" finally as well, which is law but almost nobody cares.

[@leonie.christina6767]

@@Utubemop haha true. Some people still don't get it which is quite annoying

[@LaureninGermany]

Lol I thought you were going to say you get a fine if you don’t use the clip!

[@leonie.christina6767]

@@LaureninGermany well you never know hahaha

[@frisco1968]

Hmm. The Rettungsgasse (Rescue lane) now only works because of the high fines. So people don’t always follow the rules - only if there are fines. 🤷‍♂️ And there are a lot of people out there that still don’t know how it works. 🙄

[@mewtje3095]

Those binders are the same everywhere in Europe. Its so you fit more documents into a single binder and to not have them flop around in your bag (theyre also used by university students).

[@witty2u]

Well Jenna... When formally invited to dinner, it is rude to just sit down where you want. - Even when someone says to please take a seat, it is expected to ask where to sit, or to say whether it is OK to take a seat there. 🙂

[@lifeingermany_]

haha, I'm learning every day! In Canada, we may occasionally ask, but not typically

[@witty2u]

@@lifeingermany_ PS .... Therefore saying a nation is rude just because of cultural differences is not the right take, which I learned while I lived in the States. - I believe there is no rude nation, just certain things that are rude in one natjon, due to cultural differences. - There are many things that Americans do, that Germans consider as rude, and many things, that Americans take as impolite, that are meant friendly over here, and will surprise a German, why it was not appreciated.

[@Daneelro]

Watching this as a non-German European (who has also lived in Germany for some time): 1. Slippers: we have those, too. Slippers _are_ preferable to walking around in socks on cold surfaces with no carpet, but I also prefer them so that my socks don't collect dirt with fibers (hair, feathers, dust bunnies). 2. Taken seats: this is really interesting, I was never conscious about this, but thinking about it, we automatically ask the host or wait for him/her to point us to a seat, so we don't have to be asked to take another seat. I do have a preferred seat at home, and I do take it even when we have guests. Thinking more about it, it did happen that a guest child took my seat without asking first, and then it was his parents who told him to take another seat. 3. Highways packed with trucks: yes, this is an all-European thing, unfortunately, but also yes, worst in Germany as the crossroads for the biggest Transeuropean traffic routes. I would force hauliers onto railroads. 4. Cars parting in a traffic jam on the highway for emergency services: now I believe this is mostly a German, not European thing (I may err though as I very rarely experience it, as I usually ride a train long-distance and don't have a car). Also the custom to get in line one-by-one like a zipper when two lanes merge, instead of trying to get ahead or honk a lot as in other European countries. But the other thing you mentioned, driving on the outside lane unless you overtake, is the law everywhere in Europe, and enforced to various degrees. 5. As a non-smoking European, I HATE public smoking. But I know people who roll their own cigarette do so for three reasons: either there is less tax on it, or they hope it will reduce their frequency of smoking (it doesn't for most), or they don't like the taste of the paper of a normal cigarette. 6. Globally, people usually start smoking in their early teens. Because they think it's mature & cool and rebellious. Because tobacco giants advertise it like that, directly or indirectly, very much knowing that addiction develops more effectively in younger people. 7. Binder with holder: this one baffled me the most. You really don't have this in North America?... This is at least European but probably global. The use is that if you have thin sheets of paper in the binder and it is not full and put the binder standing on a shelf, the sheets of paper will spread out and bend under their own weight, and it will all become ugly and spoilt. (I have experience with this in my office where the holder failed in some older binders.)

[@Kordanor]

Also Tobacco Lobby has been strong. Advert Laws against Cigarettes in Germany were implemented quite late.

[@katjabaark3863]

Point 3) I totally agree with you. But fact is, Germany closed many railroad passages to force trucks onto the road. This was done on purpose. Politics no one understands... Just-in-time delivery is, of course, faster if you don't have to switch from rail to truck and time is money.

[@thegeml]

To your binder point...if the binder itself fails you have to buy another other. There's no profit for binder making companies if your binder lasts forever. Not saying it's right, buts that might be the reasoning in the states.

[@bluebell7152]

I cannot remember ever having been asked or having asked anybody to move because the "usual" seat of a family member was taken by a guest. That said, it often takes some time to negotiate who sits where if there are several guests. It's rare that people just sit down wherever they like. Usually they would ask, like, "Can I sit here?" Or, "Where do you want me to sit?" So, yes there is definitely a high awareness in Germany of the seating arrangements. With the houseshoes it's a similar thing. My first impulse upon entering someone else's house is always to take my shoes off and often that is just taken as normal by the hosts. But it also happens a lot more often than with my parent's generation that the hosts would just tell me to leave the shoes on. Offering the "guest-" houseshoes ist still an important thing, though. And we have a whole box of those in our house.

[@Cowboy-in-a-Pink-Stetson]

"a high awareness in Germany of the seating arrangements" Dang right. Someone sits in my chair at the table, that's the atmo for the evening screwed!!

[@PalmyraSchwarz]

Hi Jenna, even as a German I find it a little strange asking my guests to sit somewhere else when I think someone is sitting in "my" seat. I'm wearing slippers because I ran into something without them and broke my pinky toe. It just feels safer. The so-called clip in folders is used to fix loose sheets. If a folder is used frequently, the perforated edges of the perforated pages usually suffer and can tear in extreme cases. This happens less often when the loose pages are fixed with the clamp.

[@cinemaatrium3863]

It just shows once again hiw arrogant people in south germany are. Apparently they are all petty Sheldons.

[@B.A.B.G.]

Unless they have a specific situation like having a Eckbank and maybe the hostess needs to have space while feeding the baby and hence sends maybe the kids of the guest family to sit on the o.g. Eckbank there are very few good reasons, culturally to tell the guest where to sit. Maybe the host needs to have easy access to the stove etc. or someone's to big to sit somewhere squeezed in with others. I can't think of another thing. And yes Hausschuhe are there for a reason, I see even Spaniards wearing them.

[@naxett_6951]

I was trying to remember if I was ever asked to sit elsewhere but I couldn't think about this ever happened to me. But then I realized that, when I am the guest, I always ask where I can sit before sitting down. So I think that is kind of the same..😂

[@ReinholdOtto]

The trucks deliver just in time, so the companies can save on warehouse space.

[@lyndaf.6329]

Another light hearted entertaining video, thanks. However I often think that these videos posted by North Americans/ New Zealanders etc. often fail to recognise that most of the things referred to as "typical German" are in fact generally found throughout Europe. Slippers aren't typically German, I grew up in England and always had slippers and I believe many other European countries do as well. What I would say is typical German is wearing Birkenstock ( or similar) in the home and I've adopted this since living here. I've lived in Germany 37 years and have never been kicked out of someones seat, maybe because I always ask where shall I sit or wait to be given a seat. Again this is something I grew up with in England as well.As for the binders, I honestly can't remember if we have those clip things in English binders but I do find them useful. Maybe in a city like Düsseldorf you find kids smoking younger but in the small town where I live you don't really see it and on the whole you see less people smoking than say 20 years ago.

[@lifeingermany_]

I think you're definitely right! I really only have Thailand, India, and Canada to compare to Germany when I make these comparison videos. Even though I've traveled around 50+ countries, you really don't get the essence of a country while just traveling through it, you know? That's why I love YT comments! This is where I learn whether things are REALLY stereotypical German for others OR sometimes it's just a regional thing too. 🙃

[@gerdhohenecker6001]

Der Ordner ist eine deutsche Erfindung erfunden hat es 1886 Friedrich Soenecken aus Bonn und den dazu gehörigen Locher auch .

[@AKAHEIZER]

We have invented the Leitz "Ordner, so it is like it always was, everything is fine.

[@martinbraun1211]

Für mich ist eine "Schultüte", die man zur Einschulung bekommt, typisch deutsch. Ich glaube das gibt es in keinem anderen Land. Vielleicht noch in ein paar Teilen von Österreich und der Schweiz, aber die haben es von Deutschland übernommen.

[@swanpride]

Mmm...die Schultüte, Maibowle (Waldmeister im allgemeinen), Fasching, ein großteil der Weihnachtstraditionen, das ist typisch deutsch.

[@tormentinhell]

In oberschlesien-jetzt ist es Polen gibt's immer noch Schultüte beim Einschulung. Rest Polen kennt das nicht aber in oberschlesien kennt man diese Tradition noch.

[@visnjas.9461]

@@swanpride Fasching is a big thing in some other countries as well. Croatia for example.

[@swanpride]

@@visnjas.9461 Yeah, but the method of celebration is different.

[@rumpeldrump]

Ich denke eher, dass Du noch nie einen Ordner in deinem Ranzen herumgetragen hast und später die herausgerissen Blätter wieder einsortieren musstest :-D, vorher hab ich die auch weggeschmissen ;-).

[@martinv.352]

There are two reasons why there are less trucks in USA and Canada. First, railway companies are owned by states and not private, so they work much less efficient. Second, the average transport distances are less than in North America. The less the distances are, the more trucks are efficient. In the former decades, a lot of siding tracks of companies were cut back, so they have no possibility anymore. Only the combinated transport with containers will be possible in the future.

[@lajoyalobos2009]

Here in the US, at least in my house, we take off our shoes too. Well, at least for upstairs where we have carpet, downstairs is hard flooring and we have flip flops or slippers at the bottom of the stairs to walk around downstairs or to step outside quickly if needed. Otherwise, no shoes upstairs, especially on the beds, that's just crazy.

[@sidoniel.8304]

actually not all trucks don't drive at sunday. For some trucks it's legal to drive on sunday because their load goes bad, but you need an autorisation of course ;)

[@pebo8306]

Nope!If you have essential or easily perishable goods,you don't need autorisation!Cooling trucks/tankers mostly are considered within that category automatically!

[@lifeingermany_]

very true! I totally forgot to mention that!

[@juricarmichael2534]

The clip is a : "Lochimpapierausnudelungsverhinderer" Very plain and simple! 🤣🤣🤣 Cause if the hole in the paper "noodles out" or, worst case, tears open, you have to buy "Lochimpapierreparaturaufkleber"! 🤣🤣 Round stickers with a hole in the middle. Look like self-adhesive washers made of paper. To keep the sheets of paper inside. Think i'm not typical german and old, old school. Only socks and the guest is first and free to choose the seat and what to eat. Cause it's my pleasure to have this person as a guest, that i serve. And yes, female before male and old before young. Only exception: kids! They need their habits and place at the table. 😉🤣 Ah, a correct hole, to jump innnnnnnn.......🕳

[@alexradojkovic9671]

And here I am thinking it was just called a binder clip. I do however remember having to stick paper arse holes onto damaged binder leaves at work many years ago.

[@lifeingermany_]

😂🙏

[@madscientist8286]

I am a German expat in Switzerland. Here we also have the lock thingies for the binders. :) But Switzerland and Germany are quite similar in culture. :)

[@jackofalltrades-masterofso2038]

German Highway cop here...regarding 5:16 - not actively creating a rescue lane for police, ambulance or firefighters etc. AS SOON as there's a traffic jam is heavily fined. If nothing happened and you didn't facilitate a rescue lane, it's 200 Euros. If an accident happened because of you not doing the rescue lane thing - 320 Euros and one month of driving license bye-bye... Just remember: the ones on the outer left lane go left, and everybody else goes right.

[@lifeingermany_]

I think this is a fantastic rule and needs to be adopted in Canada too!! My parents are both police officers and loved this rule in Germany too!

[@anjas.2236]

When I enter any house visiting friends, I usually ask where I may sit. I think I'm the only person living in Spain who takes off her shoes at the door, and I really hate having to clean up after people :( And btw, I'm a super casual dresser too, yoga pants and shirts for any daily activities except work. I might be moving to Düsseldorf soon so I guess I have to wear make-up to get my brezel? ;p

[@ravenstormchild6491]

I live in Canada and I have that slipper bag at my front door right now…😅

[@lifeingermany_]

😂 yeeeessss!!

[@MyRetroJourney]

I have never seen those guest slippers in any German house during the 36 years of my life.

[@lifeingermany_]

Haha, I'm curious to know whereabouts in Germany you live? In NRW, it's SO common. I promised myself I would never get a pack of slippers like that in my house... and in the last 5 weeks, I have had 8 people ask for slippers when entering and now I'm finally considering investing in a pack. 😂

[@MyRetroJourney]

@@lifeingermany_ I am living near Hannover, so Niedersachsen ;-)

[@LJMahomes]

To be honest I‘m just worried about my socks getting dirty. I exclusively wear white tennis socks (just looks best with my shoes and with my trousers) and I really hate when they are not crystal clean, so I wear house shoes whenever they are available Also I think the truck problem is especially a NRW problem, more precisely a densely populated area problem, but your description was definitely fair and accurate haha

[@arnodobler1096]

7.25 Binders is also a German invention Leitz 1871 funny video Jenna viel ist natürlich auch Transitverkehr und "the just in time" Ding und Amazon & Co.

[@quecksilber457]

I never heard of guest house shoes and i have also never heard of telling a guest he or she can not sit where she wants. That is very strange and maybe a thing where you are in Germany.

[@dariuskonig8762]

I'm German and I have never, ever, seen a 12 year old smoking... Some will maybe start at 16 or in extreme cases 1-2 years earlier, but those are the absolute exception and definitely not the norm.

[@martinv.352]

Me, too. If I would, I would seriously talk with them. My childs are 9 and 11 years old. The time where childs were smoking and thaught that it will be cool is decades ago.

[@Al69BfR]

Houseshoes are not only about cold feet but also about me not vacuuming my floor every single day. 😉 And the Rettungsgasse has become less of an issue over the past decade. I was and still am driving often on the Autobahn to get to my destination. It was almost 300 to 500km a day. And I was in a lot of traffic jams where I was almost the only one who tried to set up a Rettungsgasse. Often in front of me no one was doing it but behind me many cars followed the example. Perhaps it was kind of unknown how to act accordingly in a Stau. But you‘re right, after a big campaign in the early 2010s and banners reminding of the Rettungsgasse hanging from almost every bridge over the Autobahn and finally a higher fine for not setting up a Rettungsgasse in a traffic jam it really got better and is almost smooth as you described it. 😊

[@stefanw7406]

1. Das mit den Hausschuhen höre ich in fast allen Videos Germany vs. ..... Ich wurde in Deutschland geboren und lebe hier jetzt seit fast 40 Jahren - ich kenne fast niemanden der Hausschuhe trägt. Ich muss aber auch dazu sagen, dass ich nur zwei KZbinrinnen kenne die in meiner Region (Nord-West-Deutschland) leben und ich nicht weiß ob die das jemals erwähnt haben - vielleicht ist es etwas Regionales. 2. Das mit den Sitzplätzen kenne ich nur bei sehr alten Leuten. Meine Oma ist über 90 und bekommt immer den gleichen Platz, weil sie da am besten sitzen kann. Da wird Besuch auch mal gebeten sich umzusetzen. 3. Ja, LKWs sind sehr präsent auf deutschen Autobahnen. Aber es hat tatsächlich unter anderem mit der Lage zu tun. Transporte von Polen nach Spanien laufen z.B. fast alle durch Deutschland. 4. Die Strafen für das Nichteinhalten einer Rettungsgasse wurden in den letzten Jahren noch erhöht und ich finde das auch eine sehr gute Sache. Wäre nur schöner wenn die Leute es verstehen würden ohne dass man mit Strafen drohen muss. 5. Und 6. Leider kann ich nur völlig zustimmen. Ich selber habe mit 15 angefangen und mit 20 wieder aufgehört. 7. Ich finde die Dinger einfach praktisch - besonders wenn der Ordner noch nicht voll ist reißen die Blätter nicht so leicht aus.

[@peterschmidt4348]

I think "Mülltrennung" is typically german. I wish other countries would do the same!

[@Unkreativer_Name]

Switzerland does it too. Sometimes I think even more than the germans.

[@amradzinovic4086]

You're so wrong.How much do you travel?

[@szeddezs]

They do.

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

That chart folder reminds me of my old job from 2000 printing up patient charts for da hospital I worked for back then ! Tollea video!

[@bimbsen]

There are many realy good explanations for the Clipper. BUT the real thing is, i gues, it´s so fckn satisfying to use the clip!

[@mizapf]

The clamp in the binder prevents the papers from moving, obviously. I think the main reason is that the punched holes in the papers start to wear out and even tear the more the paper is moved, which won't happen when you fix them with the clamp.

[@mizapf]

Concerning that clamp, another thought came to my mind: American binders often use a three ring system, while in Germany you have two (rarely four) rings. This may mean a harder strain on the two holes, where the paper weight will exert a pull in the upper hole towards the paper edge, and thus make it tear when the paper moves too often.

[@thegeml]

Loved the video! Good content. However, I would like to point out that the most German thing you addressed in this video is the 17 page step by step checklist to moving to Germany you talked about in the very beginning of the video. Ordnung ist das halbe Leben! Source... I married a German. 😁

[@MrRoztoc]

Okay I've just learned about those clamps in binders. I know that all my life but I didn't know it's a thing. A German thing? Then well done, fellas! :)

[@mizapf]

As for the crammed Autobahnen, a particular (non-)fun is when you drive on a long 2-lane section with lots of trucks on the right lane. You are told to only use the left lane for overtaking, but sometimes overtaking takes 20 min or longer, until you finished overtaking this endless chain of trucks. A good example is the A3 between Nuremberg and Würzburg.

[@fraeuleinsommer75]

The spot at the dinner table is a really funny observation and i am so guilty for it :-D If i can't sit in my usual spot, i feel kinda displaced....

[@thiloreichelt4199]

The usage or non-usage of "hausschuhe" and even removing shoes varies wildly by region, socio-economic status, personal preference and most important, age of the house owners. Families with small children are more likely to have them, because of Lego landmines and because children can bring a surprising amount of dirt into the house, so wearing shoes inside the house is impractical and wearing just socks may be even dangerous with parquet or stone floors. I grew up very near to where Jenna lives, Meerbusch, just on the other side of the Rhine. My parents always wore shoes inside the house, removing the shoes was odd to them. In other families some removed the shoes at home, some did not. To my mother, wearing shoes inside the home seemed more "higher class" and removing them "lower class", but that is probably specific to their generation. Nowadays, I simply ask what is expected, when I enter a home the first time.

[@knupelhodler4402]

Your Videos are sooo funny 🤣 thanks for that. 👍

[@Ralfissimo_Old]

There are two reasons for the large number of trucks in Germany: Firstly, it is strongly related to the port of Hamburg and secondly, to the fact that Germany is located in the middle of Europe and is therefore a transit country. Every truck that drives from France to Poland or Austria passes through Germany. Every truck that drives from Denmark to Austria also drives through Germany.

[@tinak.718]

I love the Tippklemmer.🥰

[@clausbleier3760]

Own seat - Greetings from Dr. Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory) 😀

[@Likr666]

In my family there a "fixed" spots, but depending on who is there. When I visit my parents there is one order, when my brother comes with his family, there's a completely different order. And when guests have free choice and a least people sit together, that like to talk with each other. There seems to be one unspoken rule, that the person(s) that get the drinks, food,... will have the seats next to the door.

[@MrEnterainment]

Cars moving in on the motorway for emergency service vehicles and the binder clip is, I think in most European countries, if not all European countries. I live in Ireland and we have both of those things and I've also noticed those things in other European countries.

[@Why-D]

It is a "Niederhalter" or "Tippklemmer". This is as normal for a binder as the "Betätigungshebel" or the "Raumsparschlitze". As if anyone could use a binder without this. 😉

[@martinstubs6203]

Actually, this Rettungsgasse thing is required by law and you can be fined quite heavily if you don't join in forming this passage way for ambulances, etc.

[@lifeingermany_]

I love this law! Although, not everyone abides by it, I think it’s a fantastic and effortless way to keep people safe!

[@FritzPinguin]

These clips in the binders are used here in Thailand, too.

[@murielnaumann931]

I am German and have never been kicked out of a seat or did this to my guests. Same in Spain!

[@marcelx174]

The Autobahn is so packed because the country is so packed. We have 236people/km2. Canada has 4,2people/km2. Alittle difference i guess 😆

[@ron_nor_]

Creating a rescue lane is mandatory, not only in Germany, but in other European countries as well. As soon as traffic significantly slows down on a high way, the outer left lane moves to the left, all other lanes move to the right. Failing to do so can have costly consequences. Like 200 to 300€ and in severe cases you can get a point on your drivers license. About designated spots at the dinner table - yes you do have those in most families I think. Usually as a guest you just ask, where to sit :) I personally couldn't care less, where everyone sits, as long as it is not on the table itself :)

[@joriskemper5392]

The binder clips are widespread and standard in Europe.

[@batonnetdecannelle]

Hausschuhe... they do make sense in a special setting: say, the 1970s: everyone is having fluffy carpets all over their homes, and we are in rural, southern Germany, where you get snow frequently from Novembre through April. In this setting, it would just be madness to keep your street shoes and spread this muddy melting snow all over the carpets. But let's switch now to the 2020s and to an urban environment in the milder regions of Germany. Say, Cologne, Hamburg, possibly even Berlin: we're getting currently maybe 5 days of snow each winter and in the rare event that it stays around for more than a week, it's something you will remember for years to come as a "really severe wintery spell". Most people now have flooden flooring, with a waterproof sealing finish, super easy to clean. Here, it will be considered as rather "spiessig" to ask your guest to put off their shoes and stick their feet into "guest slippers" of potentially doubtful microbial condition. So, I guess it's a regional and generational thing. Older people might have just kept the habit (and the carpets?).

[@maxwilli3718]

Ich hefte manchmal auch einen Kassenbon in so einem Ordner ab Wenn Du aber den Bon lochst, sind die Zahlen weg, also klemme ich die mit dieser Klemme dort fest. Manch CD (Patientenuntersuchung) kann nicht gelocht werden, also ist das eine gute Sache.

[@meenakshi2583]

In India we use these binder since long

[@divyasanil7490]

The most strange thing for me for the need my colleagues had to open windows every few minutes while it was freezing outside. Until I figured out the "fresh air" thing

[@hinekde]

Never had the seat thing in Germany. Yes, within the family everyone has their typical seat, but I never was asked to move when I was guest somewhere, neither do we ask our guests. Weird, maybe a South German thing?

[@manub.3847]

Fixed seats at the table-> yes, but guests are usually told immediately which seats are freely selectable. At my parents' house, the ones who helped to serve the food sat closer to the door ;)

[@cccccc9929]

I'm from the North of Germany (Hamburg) and in my whole life I never experienced such case.

[@RalphConway]

Funny. I am a 60 year old German, but I did not see this "Gäste"-slipper example (bag) ever before . I think its not typical German. Of course I am using house shoes in winter. In summer I just use my socks like you do in Canada.

[@gigibenea3529]

Imaging being invited to the a Queen...and seat on her chair😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@kippen64]

Australians move out of the way for emergency vehicles too. That thing in the binder is normal. All of mine have that. Seriously weirded out by the fact that you find that strange. Am in Australia and have never been to Europe. Part of me is thinking that you can't be serious.

[@karinland8533]

They have three hole binders (top middle bottom) in the US, probably also in Canada. And I think they have a differnt size paper sheets. So that would be not necessary and strange to have a clip there. Maybe thats the only reason? I think Australia has the European paper sizes.

[@kippen64]

@@karinland8533 My two hole binders have them. Just grabbed one to look to make sure that I wasn't mistaken. My point was that it isn't purely a German thing. Am not even in Europe and I have them too.

[@lifeingermany_]

Well, then I guess Canada would weird you out entirely! 😂

[@kippen64]

@@lifeingermany_ Though possibly not as much as the USA.

[@mikeschubert4890]

I am German and you hit it right on the head :-)

[@grandmak.]

I live near a school and during long breaks there are always some kids hiding behind a hedge next to my house to smoke. Considering the price of cigarettes I'm really wondering how they can afford it but I guess appearing cool has its price...

[@lifeingermany_]

Kids still smoke in Canada too, unfortunately! But the price of cigarettes in Canada is 2-3 times more expensive! Crazy, huh?

[@grandmak.]

@@lifeingermany_ what ??? Wow, that's really crazy .

[@michele1491]

Where would I look to buy the house slippers to hang on the wall? I live in Munich.

[@lifeingermany_]

If you want a cute set, Otto has some nice ones 😝😝 www.otto.de/p/onvaya-abs-gaestepantoffel-fuchs-6er-set-antirutsch-sohle-hausschuhe-filzpantoffel-gr-36-45-gaestehausschuhe-pluesch-hausschuhe-S090X09L/#variationId=S090X09LND9R

[@atharvapote755]

Nice vid

[@manrom2101]

As a Portuguese living in Germany, I can say that many things on this list are also done in my home country, so it is inaccurate to attribute them to the German people only. Also, some things on this list may be correct in some German homes but not in other, so to call them typical, as if everyone does them, is also false. I would also add that to say that things that you are not used to are ridiculously random is misjudging; maybe if you first learn the reason behind certain procedures, then they will not seem so ridiculous after all.

[@janpracht6662]

Binders are totally old-fashioned (but I still use them at home, too!), in some years you will not find them any more. Every modern office in 2022 digitizes the documents and tries to avoid paper, still using binders is always like a time travel back to the 80s...

[@swanpride]

You would be surprised how previalent those things still are.

[@helischorsch9786]

Still have a lot documents like Rentenversicherungsnachweis (cool German word😂), Sozialversicherungskarte, mobile phone contract etc. 😉

[@Daneelro]

Oh, I wish that were true... In my company, there is still a lot of paper, I feel it is pretty pointless but the law-related departments insist.

[@janpracht6662]

@@helischorsch9786 The coolest German word is Oberweserdampfschifffahrtskapitän. I love it. 😂

[@janpracht6662]

@@Daneelro It depends on the company, young IT or Marketing start ups only work with their notebooks and smartphones. In established companies (where the boss is 50 or elder) they probably still work with binders, index cards and a fax...

[@kerstineisenhut8151]

Ich erlebe das mit den Hausschuhen immer nur in türkischen Familien. 🤷‍♀️Bei alle deutschen Familien, die ich kenne, darf man die Schuhe anbehalten.

[@Daneelro]

Wo in Deutschland lebst Du? Ich wohnte für zwei Jahre in der Nähe von Frankfurt/M, Hausschuhen waren dort normal. Zugegebenermaßen ist das schon lange her, vielleicht änderten sich die Sitten auch dort.

[@kerstineisenhut8151]

@@Daneelro Ich bin Ostwestfälin durch und durch. Kenne aber DE-weit keine Familien mit diesen Brauch. Aber naja, kenne ja halt auch nicht jede Familie.

[@tasminoben686]

@@kerstineisenhut8151 Ostwestfalen woll? Bei meinen Schwiegereltern in Niederntudorf, Kreis Salzkotten, waren Hausschuhe schon vor 40 J, als ich der Freund ihrer Tochter wurde, schon angesagt. In meinem Elternhaus, in Hamburg auch. Nur, daß dort Gäste ihre Schuhe anbehalten durften. Nur bei Feiern im Haus haben wir unsere 'guten' Schuhe, frisch geputzt angezogen. LG

[@Andreas_Cologne]

Bei mir darfst du dich hinsetzen wohin auch immer du willst. 🤔Du musst nur meinen Platz am Kopf frei halten😝

[@Andreas_Cologne]

Danke für das Herzchen - schön, dass dir meine Regel gefällt.😆👋

[@vbvideo1669]

Prima Video! :)

[@andreasrehn7454]

You guys in NA use binders with three not two rings.. with those it is less of a problem, as the sheets wont move that much...

[@matreen427]

I’ve always thought having clips in binder files are normal (it’s the same everywhere in Asia and not just a German thing)

[@alexradojkovic9671]

I visited my mum in Cottbus in 2015 where it was insisted that I use her Gäste house shoes. I also visited my sister at that time and watched as she used a wooden contraption which helped her make her rollies. She has since told me that she's given up the fags (cigarettes). 🚬 I also found it funny that you didn't know what binder clips were for. 😁

[@all_in_for_JESUS]

I'm a Hausschuh-Hater. I never wear any kinds of shoes inside the house 🤣

[@EdgarRenje]

I don't know any other German, who wears house shoes. Maybe that's an elderly people's thing, but normally we also just wear socks. About the trucks: it depends on the region and highway you are. East Germany tends to be less crowded, but the most problems are around the big Western cities, which are very close to each other ("Ruhrpott"). Probably the Rettungsgasse works better (or even exists) than in other countries, but it is still a problem, because not everyone does it correctly. There is even a fee, if you don't separated for the ambulance and police. The rule says, you have to create this space, even if there is no accident at all, because you don't know, what is going on in the very front of the traffic jam. Once the traffic comes to stop, you have to separate. The other big problem are people who focuses on accidents and watch them - we call them "Gaffer". That's another fee you can get. It's not nice to watch hurt or even dying people, so yeah... People make their own cigarettes, not because it's fun, but because it's a little bit cheaper. That's the main reason ;'D I can't imagine living without those clips ;'D But that being said: they tend to get lose as well.

[@jupiter2668]

Waaaas ? Du musst in einem anderen Deutschland leben LOL! Ich kenne niemanden der KEINE Hausschuhe hat :P

[@lifeingermany_]

Hahaha my super young sister-in-law would be shocked if she read that mention about the slippers haha... here in Düsseldorf, I don't know anyone my age who doesn't wear slippers in their home! I think it's just different from city to city and friend group to friend group, perhaps.

[@rolandscherer1574]

I'm German, but I don't have "Hausschuhe", I go "barfuß". I don't like the trucks on the Autobahn either, but if you have 9 neighbours, they will transport their goods to other countries through your country. In Canada, you only have the traffic between USA and Alaska.

[@plusquamperfekt856]

I also go barfuß... ich h habe auch keine Hausschuhe :-D

[@steveschwartz2814]

As far as i understood, those Clips are, so the holes are not tearing out too much? But yeah... they are strange xD

[@dksilber9500]

I would never buy a binder without that "clip" - the holes of the sheets will torn out far easier because they are moving every time I take the binder... so, maybe that's the typical german in me...

[@joelex7966]

We roll our own here too but it's called a joint

[@malieba1443]

Die Klammern in den Ordnern könnten auch so lang sein wie die Blätter, um langfristig Hasenohren zu vermeiden

[@kenninast]

Ummm... I'm German and I've never seen the slippers hanging in a big slipper shaped bag next to the door. Never ever.

[@kenninast]

I live in Belgium now, we have those binder clips too. They are to fasten the pages tightly when not reading the pages of the binder. They protect both the binder from warping AND the pages from tearing. Not fool proof, obviously, but close enough. :)

[@swanpride]

@@kenninast Also the piece which usually breaks first.

[@Al69BfR]

I‘m German too, but where I grew up, guests could leave their shoes on when they visit their neighbors or family. But depending on the length of stay, I always brought my own houseshoes with me when I was on vaccation on grandmas house as a kid. But I also knew people in the neighborhood who required their guests to get of their shoes. Especially when we as kids came directly from the playground it was almost everywhere the case. But we just walked around in our socks and never had special houseshoes for guests.

[@andreamuller9009]

Meine Mutter hat so`n Ding .... Hausschuh für 5 Gäste und 1 einbeinigen Riesen 🙄

[@Mayagick]

Re smoking, give them some incentive. I passed two 12yro girls walking the dog sitting on stairs and secretly smoke. I asked them they should compare their 45-ish old aunts, one that smokes, with one that doesn't and what they notice, e.g. how are their skin like. "Now yours still look like peaches, but what's it gonna be if you continue with smoking/vaping/etc???"

[@lifeingermany_]

Haha, I think my mom told me something similar as well when I was young and I never picked up the habit!

[@matzeb6778]

About the seats at dinners. That`s more complicated. The "supeiror" will sit at the high end. Thats either the one inviting, the grandma or whoever is considered to be the most important person of the group. That ist really difficult sometimes but yes it is important because the one sitting in the end ist the most important person. Like in Dinners related in with the job it would be the boss who is taking the bill. In the familily we would place first the oldest family member in the head of the table sourounden by theyre (grownup) children. Seating is actually a tricky thing. But I guess this will be all over the world. I also see this in the US, that is no difference to germany. Like when I invite people to my place I will sit at the high end of the table but in cases my mother will attend although high demencia she will sit at the high end just to show our respect to her. But I think thats everywhere or is it not?

[@whattheflyingfuck...]

if I invite others I like to have the seat nearest to the kitchen ... no guest needs to sit there if it is not the only spot with "a view" AND if I'm invited I wait to be seated by the host, I would never just pick a chair and sit down because this "opens the table" ... the hosts are the masters of ceremony, not the guests.

[@michele1491]

The US highways are jammed with trucks

[@mjmoonbow]

wah? You dont use clippers??? wtf??? how do your documents look like? Like from a trash bin? hahahaha

[@Kessina1989]

2:00 Wir haben eine Bodenheizung... 6:17 Ernsthaft? Bin so froh, dass wir eine Nichtraucher-Familie sind! Und damit wollen wir nix zu tun haben!

[@Zwoelfeline]

Slippers are a koren thing too.

[@chkoha6462]

Barefoot all day long thanks to underfloor heating:)

[@katsche69]

Dieses Hausschuh-Ding ist mir völlig fremd, habe ich noch nirgendwo gesehen

[@sylviagerritsen7975]

I think I would find Canada more weird, nothing to me is odd except the age of kids smoking. I had exactly the same binder clip all through high school.

[@lifeingermany_]

Right?! Haha I'm always looking for KZbinrs who are European living in Canada.. I think the perspective for me would be extremely interesting!

[@B.A.B.G.]

Yes number two has happened (sometimes NOT every time) to me when visiting people then again I am a German, so it doesn't bother me at all. But it happens to me at home to, when we have guests, depending on how many, I get booted from my usual place. So your son's gonna smoke? Why not make sure he never does?

[@Likr666]

How do you want to make sure the son never smokes? I think, the best way is to tell him, it's not cool, it tastes bad and it's unhealthy. But do you seriously think, this prevents him from smoking? Kids to stupid things. They try it and you can only hope, he doesn't like or doesn't take care if others think it's cool or not. I tried it with a friend at the age of 12, didn't like it that was is it. My friend started smoking and as an adult he regrets it, because it's a lot harder to stop smoking after years.

[@B.A.B.G.]

@@Likr666 I never smoked one cigarette in my life and a lot of other sins young people do (like pre and extramarital sex, sneaking out, stealing, destroy things, going to parties, drinking, running around of all sorts) I didn't do, not even once. I never had the least desire to drink, smoke or do any of these nasty things. A lot of it is to be attributed to my upbringing. The atmosphere I lived in wouldn't have allowed for this and I'm grateful for it. And I'm a millennial currently studying so this isn't coming from a senior citizen you'd write off as unrelatable or out of touch. If I could get through school, resist and overcome peer pressure then another child can do too.

[@Likr666]

@@B.A.B.G. First of all does your own experience not affect anything other people experience. Different countries, different mentality, different people, different environment, different scial experineces, different conditions for the family,... Everything influences the decisions. Self confidence, pressure,... And maybe you are happy with all the decisions you made, although I doubt it. But this doesn't mean you're right for everyone. Other people have other preferences and maybe you just don't know, because you haven't tried it. And as I wrote. We were 2 kids, trying the same and we came to different decisions. That's the real life.

[@B.A.B.G.]

@@Likr666 Why don't you convince me then to try Crocodile if they still sell it or Crystal Meth? I have a right to my opinion and to express it, also I know scores of other people who also never did any of these things. And if you so defend them, why don't you continue smoking and leave me alone? As for my happiness, you have a right to doubt it, but then again unless you're me you'll never know. Your opinion also doesn't affect me at all, if anything I'd be disgusted, but I'm a polite person, so of course you have a right to put yourself at risk and I have a right to avoid it. We'll see who has the last laugh, shall we?

[@lifeingermany_]

I think my moms method with me and my siblings was perfect, so I'll definitely follow what I learned as a kid. My mom taught me about everything and the pros and cons of them all. She also told me she understands if I feel the need to try it to understand, but that she wouldn't condone me picking it up as a regular thing. To be honest, after she told me that, I never ever had the urge to try drugs.. a couple cigarettes in university, but by then I already realized how much I hated smoking, haha.

[@amrimi8371]

The german warehouses are on wheels. 🙃

[@TheyCalledMeT]

it's illegal to sell tobacco to people under 18 but you know .. it's "cool" to do things you're not yet allowed to do (which is why the US is so crazy about alcohol before 21)

[@martinschombierski8131]

Who knows "ringlochverstärker" (Reinforcement washers)? Or are they typically German.

[@HuSanNiang]

You roll your own cigarettes because you then know what is in it. My husband only smokes 1 - 2 cigarettes a day . He uses paper for rolling, paper filter and tabacco without any additives. So first you dont have any more unhealthy stuff added , 2nd the Zigarettenstummel / cigarette butt is 100% compostable.

[@i_am_m3384]

Fun fact: These cigarette filters are classified as 'Vegan'.

[@alice922]

Mülltrennung should be made everywhere! There is no Planet B! Trucks are on all highways in Europe. Not nice....but .....how are all the things that are bought online supposed to reach their destination? Young kids smoking are not typical German. I have unfortunatly seen this in many big citys in Europe.

[@uschil228]

Most of these things aren't german but european. Yes I'm austrian and it's close to germany but I also know lots of these things are the same in other european countrys. Things we have the same in austria: Houseshoes, Binders with the clip thing, a lot of smoking people, I've been asked to sit on the guest seat. The "Rettungsgasse" is a law here, and you will get fined if you don't do it properly.