7 Restaurant Differences! (USA vs Germany)

[@DeanaandPhil]

There are a lot of similarities when it comes to customs in USA and Germany, yet it's also interesting how many small differences we notice in these normal situations. We aren't sure exactly when we'll be in a sit down restaurant again, but here are some interesting differences to know and discuss! Let us know some of the things you notice when eating at a sit down restaurant!

[@pippylongstockings8600]

Deana and Phil there are a lot of German ancestries here in the USA 🇺🇸

[@michaelgrabner8977]

Busy restaurants usually place you..even on already occupied tables if there is a free place left... In Vienna where I´m coming from you usually get a glas of free (plain) water when you order a coffee or a glas of wine at good restaurants or Cafés respectively sometimes you have to ask for while ordering but those glases of plain water are not reckoned up in combination with coffee or wine because it is part of our drinking culture of drinking wine or coffee for 2 reasons a glas of wine with a glas of water is more digestable and you are able to drink more wine which is besides that "wine + water" is part of wine culture obviously also in the interest of the restaurant to make you able to order more glases of wine... and "coffee with water" is part of our coffee culture because just drinking coffee dehydrates you. BUT when you just order water then you get charged.

[@silkwesir1444]

regarding #4, do you know the Loriot sketch "Schmeckt's?" if you don't you should probably watch it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYKoZWewlqdniJY

[@MrPip9999]

The reason why in the US you have to wait for the waiter to come and find you a place to sit even though there are plenty of free, empty tables for you to choose is that in the US and also Canada, this is called social engineering. The waiter comes and asks you to follow him/her to a table where there are people of your type next to your table, culturally speaking and skin colour wise. Ever since the abolition of the Segregation law in the USA, in social gathering, be it a end of year party or a graduation party, you will be seated next to people of your own skin colour unless you tell the organizer of the party that you want to be seated to your best white friend. When you look for a home to buy it is also the same. The real estate agent will social engineer you to a home where there are people of your own type first if possible.

[@jdmagicmusic]

just seeing this now, thumbs up, of course, i defo prefer still water! in Thailand, there would usually be free drinking water, self service... here in Germany, often i exchange 1 side or ingredient for another, or ask to omit one altogether... at a Vietnamese restaurant in St Pauli (Hamburg), the pho was horrible, inauthetntic, and with no basil, mung bean sprouts or hoisin on the side; i complained, although the owner offered the dish for free, i insisted on paying (but never returned)... i don't waste food, it's a sin, oftentimes here in Hamburg, a nice German meal will be pretty large, w/healthy portion of leftovers which i always take home with me

[@forkless]

The biggest difference for me is the cultural difference in spending time at a restaurant. In Europe in general when you go to a restaurant it is an event that can take up to several hours, whereas in the US it's getting seated, served and get the death stare of "why haven't you left yet?"

[@erickoehler4798]

Yes, I noticed that too at one place in Hamburg, they weren't in a hurry to kick us out or even bring the check. Maybe they thought we would order more?

[@forkless]

@@erickoehler4798 It's not that, they just value their customers not feeling rushed out rather than making a few extra tables in revenue a day. Dining out is just as much a social event as it is a functional one.

[@sqjam]

LOL Even if you to just to coffee place you can spend 3 hours there without problems. It's the whole EU I think :)

[@abalamdepaimon6891]

In the US after you had desert (or declined having one) the server will just automatically bring the final bill. In Switzerland you have to like desperately beg the waiter to bring you the check. Also standard european etiquette is to wait until the last person at a table finished their meal before taking away the plates etc. In the US i many times witnessed server staff picking up empty plates while some of us at the table were still eating. It stresses the slow eaters and is considered rude towards still eating customers.

[@holger_p]

I sometimes feel like in jail, from my wish "I want to pay" up to having actually done it, it's very common it takes 15-20 minutes, and the waiter has to come about 3 times. First, you tell them you want the check; second they bring it, run away immediatly to serve somebody else, next time they take the money .. or the card. That's oughful.

[@kathrinschmidt-ks-wohndesi584]

Coming from southern Germany i look at the "return" point from another side. When there is a real Problem with the Food i believe in telling them (still very friendly) what´s wrong, because if they don´t know about how can they fix it. I don´t feel bad about telling them when i think there was a real mistake happening (not just little things that maybe are only personal preference related. I mean serious things for example when there is Pork or Chicken-Meat that isn´t cooked enough). And i´m sure there is a very polite way to tell that. In the few cases i needed to return something they where really thankful. And for me a good Service includes good problem solving. They get a bigger tip from me when they act professional in these situations.

[@lautrufend]

I’m totally in agreement with Phil about the tipping culture in the USA. Most restaurants don’t even have a profit margin in the single digit percentages, and with 20% tipping (and the percentage keeps going up year after year!) the imbalance is still getting worse. Restaurants should just increase their menu prices by 20% and actually pay a decent salary. People can always still give a little bit more if the service was great. Also, on the sparkling water question, I don’t know if this is true or not, but my German host said that this was a habit that started after the end of World War II. As the infrastructure was being rebuilt, water supplies were not safe to drink. So ordering a bottle of sparkling water was your assurance that the water was fresh, sealed, and untampered with, whereas someone pouring a glass of still water didn’t have that same confidence. I haven’t been able to verify that separately but it made sense at the time.

[@pwp8737]

paying a decent salary in a restaurant would require way more that increasing prices by 20%. As someone who works in this industry, I can guarantee that no one, and I mean no one would do this for less that $70-$80/hr for an average 4-5 hour shift. The stress and demanding nature of serving Americans would never work with a $25/hr wage rate; keeping in mind most restaurant shifts usually last 5 hrs and leave you physically and emotionally exhausted. The rates of alcoholism and smoking combined with poor diets due to the crazy hours, and not being able to go for a bathroom break because it's too busy takes its toll on the body. It's not a great system, and could definitely use some gov't protections for workers, but the tipping culture evolved because Americans will not tolerate European levels of service.

[@maryburger1232]

@@pwp8737 minimum wage in France is €10.58 an hour , that is what waiters/waitresses get payed and the cooks in the kitchen.

[@PaulaBean]

Somebody with a Sodastream could infuse some infected water with CO2 and sell it as 'untampered'.

[@Kathii100797]

I actually prefer the European Waiter standards - I just want to eat in peace and have a nice conversation and not being interrupted every 5min

[@passingthroughtime3033]

False! They don't come over every 5 minutes

[@juanfran579]

@@passingthroughtime3033 Rather every 30 seconds.

[@kiddracoify]

I was an assistant cook and dish washer in a very small german resturant during high school. it was so small that the head chef was also the only waitor. Since was the only one who was able to get a tip, he shared 50:50 with me. I came before him on the weekends for the breakfast and preperation and so he saw it as fit. ^^

[@PhotogNT]

In Australia restaurants supply free refillable bottles of chilled still water. I totally agree with you Phil regarding tax and tipping. In Australia taxes are included in the menu price, as for tipping this not the custom in Australia as staff are paid a full wage, tipping is voluntary for exceptional service.

[@formundinhalt1885]

In US you get your "free" tab water from lead old pipes. In Germany you can choose from still or bubbly MINERAL WATER.

[@shirleywest9402]

One difference I experienced in German restaurants was that food was brought to the table when the dish was ready and not when all the food for the whole table was ready. In the USA we expect that all the food for the people at the table will come at the same time. In Germany, the food came when the kitchen got it ready and you ate your food while it was hot, even if not everybody at the table had been served. The only exception I saw was you didn't takr a drink from your beer or mixed drink until everybody at the table had theirs (non-alcoholic drinks did not matter). Another thing that was different in German restaurants was the length of time you could spend at a table. In the USA restaurants expect to turn over a table at least once an hour during dinner service but in Germany you can relax and enjoy conversation and not feel like you need to get out quickly. I got to live in Germany for three years and it was a wonderful experience!

[@ella4ka756]

I'm from Germany and I only drink still water.. I don't like the sparkling one 😄 I try to drink 2 Liter a day.. I couldn't do this with sparkling water 🙄

[@red_dolphin468]

I am also a German i liked in my childhood the sparkling water. Later i was not able to drink it whole day and switched to still water - now i drink medium sparkled ... e.g. Vio Medium - the green coloured thats perfect

[@Reticulon]

I need the sparkling water, it kind of refreshes better even if not refrigerated. US tap water tastes chlorine containing and so do the ice cubes.

[@Nicoleosuna617]

We been living in California for 5 years now and still don’t like the tax situation, but you get use to it, and love the free water. Great videos guys

[@titokccaa9498]

Phil took the words right out of my mouth...about everything!!! Couldn't agree more!!!

[@dennisbroos77]

I totally understand what you mean by ‘the waiter is my new friend’ thing. The first time I went to the US, I was like omg he/she is so nice to me and really cares about me. But after paying the bill, they are totally ingnoring you. Everytime that happened it felt like a tiny breakup 💔😂.

[@DeanaandPhil]

lol that's true. Very short relationship. :D

[@kathrinschmidt-ks-wohndesi584]

To me that sounds very stupid because as a waiter you would asure the customer is visiting again. And ignoring them after check would mean i never visit that restaurant again for sure. So not much intelligent forward thinking there i would asume.

[@dennisbroos77]

Kathrin Schmidt I totally agree! I guess they know that you won’t be back soon being a tourist.

[@virginiav.1172]

Americans understand that it is a short and functional relationship that you have with the waiter and not meant to go beyond one meal, so don't expect them to really care about you. You guys seem to think it signifies a REAL friendship.

[@kathrinschmidt-ks-wohndesi584]

@@virginiav.1172 no not by any means is there a friendship asumption. This has to do with general kindness and not fake enthusiasm for as long as money is involved. In Germany the waiters know their responsibility for creating a good corporate image for their workplace and not every customer is a tourist. And even when they are tourists and maybe never visit again, they talk to other people. And this will effect other peoples choices where to go and where to avoid. So ignoring someone is never acceptable for someone working in service asuming that they like to keep their job. There are miles between a frinedship and simply beeing friendly.

[@08wildhoney]

The thing about the taxes is that different areas of the country and provinces (I'm Canadian) have different tax rates. Sometimes that also depends on the items bought. They will have different or no taxes than other items. That is why tax isn't included in the price.

[@imrehundertwasser7094]

You mean that's the excuse. They obviously _know_ how much tax to charge for each item, because they tell you at the cash register (in a supermarket) or when they bring you the check (in a restaurant). So if they wanted, they _could_ display the prices including all taxes.

[@holger_p]

That does not make any sense, since a restaurant is not moving. IT's one place in one province and the tax-rates do not change that often. Yes, in case of tax change they had to re-print, but who hadn't got a printer in he back-office ? Everybody. It might be a habit from ancient times. It's bad service to leave the duty to know the tax rates and to compute the prices, to the customer.

[@jestemola810]

hi :) I’m a polish waitress and in my coutry: * most of the people pay by card or phone * you can tip the waiter for good service but you don’t have to * sometimes there are lines to good restaurants so customers have to wait and they do it * waiters are usually students and the are paid minimum wage and the tips are mostly for them * signs „please wait to be seated” are getting more and more popular

[@meredith18352]

I agree with Phil, I'm an Aussie and I freaking hate tipping, it causes me so much stress in the US. I don't want to give someone a dollar or 2 just because they pick up my bag. Our wait staff in restaurants make reasonable money (our minimum wage is over $19/hour for an adult, my 16 year old niece makes $16/hour in a supermarket), our food may look expensive but you don't tip and tax is included. If you leave money on your bed in a motel for the cleaning staff, you will come back to your room to find it on the bedside table. Tipping culture is the worst.

[@virginiav.1172]

I agree and it is very expensive in the long run. If a haircut in a salon costs $100 you are expected to tip another 15-20% on top of that as well as tipping cab drivers, waiters, hotel maids, spa attendants, personal shoppers, airport attendants, the list goes on and on...

[@pwp8737]

Keep in mind that most waiters only work 4-5 hrs shifts, and if they come in and it's slow, they will be told to leave and make nothing that day. If you want someone to fawn all over you, cater to your whims and be taken care of, pay up. There is no free lunch!

[@passingthroughtime3033]

That's because you're cheap

[@Teresa-dg7rl]

I am from Austria and I take my leftovers always home! I think there are more restaurants now, that offer this service ☺️

[@sagichdirdochnicht4653]

Yeah, I'm from south Germany, and taking leftovers home is very common here. You just ask the waiter if they got some boxes or something, and they'll either bring something, or package it for you. And I haven't been to any restaurant, that wouldn't offer that, if you ask. The only exception to this would be All you can Eat stuff. Which is understandable. But yeah, my family would have otherwise never let food go to the bin, that we have payed for in a restaurant. Not really a thing. Here. I was even working in a Restaurant for a year and if I would have to guess, I'd say like 80+% of people would take their leftovers. On the other hand, Bavaria (me) and Austria are pretty similar in culture (we are honestly way closer to Austria, then to the entire rest of Germany). So that may be different in middle or North Germany.

[@reinhard8053]

I have also seen that the waiter asks if you want to take leftovers with you or you are offered aluminium foil to wrap up your stuff.

[@MickeyKnox]

Ihr habt eine Sache bei Punkt 6 vergessen ... Zusammen oder getrennt? :-)

[@drinnennurTassen]

Antwort: Fickbeziehung

[@peterrabbitn787]

We do have buzzers in a few restaurants in order just to sit down. But a few "fast food chains" have a buzzer when your food is ready

[@danreedy7200]

Really enjoy your videos. I spent 28 years in military service. Several tours in Norway, and one in Bad Tolz. This December(2022) I am taking my wife to Europe. I have been showing her your videos. We will spend Christmas in Trier, the New Years in Berlin; with time in Munchen, and Koln, and Aachen. Thank for such engaging fun videos.

[@Hendrik2112]

When my exes brother invited the family (7peps) out to dinner, we had a bill of 180€, he gave a tip of 2€ everyone he invited was embarrassed of how cheap he was, even though Germans aren't big tippers. If you got a table of 180€ though you should at least tip like 10€ I think, especially when food/drinks came fast and the waiter was nice.

[@jounge1793]

I had my practical training as a waitress in a 4 Stars Hotel in Austria...no joke on my first i had a guest who complained because the suger for tea was to coase...

[@ungeimpfterrusslandtroll7155]

What's coese?

[@w.hewitt559]

@@ungeimpfterrusslandtroll7155 coarse?

[@BuffaloC305]

In Buenos Aires, it's "sin gas" (seen gahz - without 'gas' or plain water) or "gas" - the sparkling stuff.

[@rocior3484]

Lots of Latin American countries it's like that. I laugh every time I hear it.

[@imrehundertwasser7094]

It's similar in French: eau gazeuse, sparkling water. Still water is eau plate, which literally means flat water.

[@ruthelisabeth9670]

When I was in US Florida the still water smelled and tasted like there is a lot of chlorate inside. I didn‘t liked it. I always was drinking orange juice 😂🍊🍊 it was the best orange juice ever.

[@monakey2450]

I am not sure why tax isn’t included in the price in the U.S. My guess is that it is because each state has different types of taxes, we like transparency, and it can be deducted if it’s a business expense or a non profit entity expense.

[@Flykilla86]

Regarding water, I also prefer sparkling water but I live in Austria and you usually get still water for free if you order "Leitung". This is tap water, which has better quality than any sparkling water. Even at home we only drink tap water because it's so good quality!

[@Elrusoargentino]

Hi, Deana and Phil. I just found your channel yesterday. I already saw some of the videos. Very interesting this one, analyzing the differences between US and German restaurants. Regarding the taxes and tips: I'm a bit Socialist here, and I'm completely on Phil's side. The taxes should be included and (more important!) restaurants should pay good wages, good salaries to their employees!

[@tammeraheiberger5003]

I used to be a waitress and I made like 2. dollars and hour. Also what i hated was having to put all my tips in with everyone else's tips and then divide them at the end of our shift. that was not fair at all. I do agree that a tip should not be expected or included. The wage should be a living wage. I love the idea that taxes be included in the price that is on whatever is advertised. It would make life so much easier!!!!!!

[@nataliajimenez1870]

We've seen also many restaurants where people pay with credit cards and the restaurant takes a big chunk of the tips from waiters. That's why I always have cash to pay for tips even if I pay the meal with a card. I do this also for delivery

[@maxmevissen3816]

We have the buzzer things in some places in Australia too, and we normally seat ourselves as well unless there is a big party or something and you have to make a reservation.

[@michaelamccracken1285]

Some bigger chain restaurants in the us have the kiosk that is on the table that has games and things on it so you can pay and order more things to your table.

[@juliannewithers3472]

I always thought that German tap water was considered to be very good. I like it.

[@ericamunson226]

1. When I have gone to restaurants in Germany, where it is a full night (when there are many reservations, and maybe just a few tables that do not have reservations), if there is someone at the entrance, they just say "no". No tables, not 'it will be a 30 minute / 1 hour wait', just no. 2. Still water only for me. 3. One time, we went into a restaurant in Cologne that we frequent. My coworker wanted schnitzel, but wanted the sauce that was usually served with the Schweinehaxe. The waiter refused - 'you can't do this'. (They CAN do this, he HAS gotten the schweinehaxe sauce with his schnitzel before, but that time... it was just a no. This can't be done. You can only have the sauces that are allowed for schnitzel.) 4. You haven't commented on this yet, but in Germany, I have ALWAYS (unless staying until the establishment closes), had to ask for the check. The waiters NEVER ask if you want the check [implying "please leave"].

[@florianfischer7395]

I'd recommend you to order tap water in Germany which is almost everywhere for free!

[@kimc555]

Canadian and all these things - Canada is somewhere in the middle between Germany and USA. Most ppl pay with cards, restaurants use wireless pin pads for card payments, we have lots of chain restaurants, and ppl don’t usually seat themselves, tap water is always free.

[@eileenhildreth8355]

In New Zealand the culture is no tipping and by law tax is included in menu price. To pay you go up to the service desk and pay there...not to your waiter at all.

[@Henning_Rech]

Modifying orders: any reasonable German restaurant will allow you to modify the proposed side order according to your taste, and normally free of charge (those who charge you extra for "Umbestellung" fall into my category "unreasonable" :-) - something like rice instead of potatoes.

[@erickoehler4798]

I am from America and glad I speak German too. I love visiting those small city/small restaurants in Germany where you get the good local cuisine and the staff speaks only German. They are awesome!

[@holger_p]

you would have to go to real rural ares. In cities you had to search for long. Cause Germans like to eat in Restaurant something different from home. What you are able to cook youself you don't need a restaurant for.

[@snowflakejester2035]

Im from australia, and most people drink still water here, which is great, because sparkling water tastes like what static sounds like

[@nataliajimenez1870]

Also it doesn't quench thirst as well as still water

[@000CherryBlossom000]

I´m from germany and I have seen these buzzer-things. Usually in a cantine or `Imbiss`. They ring as soon as your orders done and you can get it. Returning food is definitely not the norm in germany. Still, if something is not edible, e.g. way to much salt or sour milk, I was taught to give it back and order a new one. If it is just not my taste, then I still eat it or leave it, but would never complain. And always stay polite!

[@jabba6552]

Í don't mind paying with cards ("Würden Sie mir bitte zum Gerät folgen") but I pay the correct amount there and do the tipping in cash to the server directly because I had to learn that German (and other) restaurant owners sometimes keep the tips instead of giving them to their employees. In Germany paying (at leas) minimum wages is mandatory and keeping the tip as a restaurant is illigal, on the other hand taking all tips and dividing them (by some key) by all employees is ok (also for me, because I can't tip the cook)

[@susanholl5994]

From US. Any water is good to me. Still, sparkling, lemon slices floating, etc. all fine.

[@tonyyero7231]

I am American and the TIP culture here in the USA is insane!

[@em0_tion]

It doesn't feel like a "well done" tip, it feels like a mandatory tax.

[@LionsGateCorp]

In essence, they shop, cook, and clean for me. I appreciate the effort enough to conduct myself in the following manner. If a new server, I'll greet them and explain how I'm the easiest type of customer and if I need help, I'll get their attention. After dining, I'll offer thanks for their great service and slip a twenty dollar bill. Then I'll pay with plastic and fill in a 20% tip. At places I frequent, I'm treated like family, and am honored to enjoy their delicious foods and service. Plus, it is my pleasure to share that fact with the owner/manager. Be real with people, be good to them and they will happily be the same with you. And yes, that does include money. It's my desire to be generous and brighten up a many times hectic and thankless job. To answer your fair question, water is life, and bubbles or not, I'll take it any way offered.

[@evilmike74]

There is a big difference in water quality between Germany and US. In Germany I used to get bottled water, and even the tap water is better than in the US. The soda is not from syrup and tap water either. And if I go daily for lunch in Germany (to the same restaurant) the tip I gave is even smaller, just around 2 to 3 EUR, mostly rounding and adding one or two for good service.

[@passingthroughtime3033]

False! Parts of the United States has the best water in the world.

[@Mu93508]

I do feel the same way. I do not tip badd servers. And sometimes they include the tip and to the price of your meal so you're forced to paid anyway. So what I do is I go to the manager until among this pleased with the service to remove the tip

[@robt5818]

I'm an American and I agree that sometimes servers check in too often. I think an important distinction is if you're having a conversation or if you're dining alone. Sometimes, especially if you've eaten at a certain restaurant before, it is nice to chat with the server a bit (if you're by yourself). The tax thing doesn't bother me because I've always experienced it.

[@klamin_original]

To be honest I almost never seat myself in Germany, I always ask the staff something like do you have a table for two and then they lead me to a table

[@brandonaston301]

The main reasons restaurants have assigned seating is 1. The restaurant closes off sections of the restaurant when they aren’t busy and 2. The hostess is supposed to evenly divide people between the servers sections so each server gets the same amount of customers

[@ryannebergsteijn5573]

I worked in horeca just on the border between the Netherlands and Germany (Vaals). When we were supposed to get a German-party we always stocked up on 'sprudelwasser'(Spa rood) while Dutch people drink more stilles wasser (Spa blauw).

[@2RANbit]

Oh yeah - I almost forgot Va Piano. That would also be interesting to try out. Good you mentioned it.

[@MrsKreativity]

The „free things“ thing definitely depends on the restaurant in germany. I know many restaurants that serve free bread or appetizers in the beginning, especially italian, spanish ones. An you get a free grappa in every good greek restaurant after eating.

[@guidofietz]

Never a Grappa, that's italian, but an Ouzo.

[@vickyburton2434]

Good day! I enjoy your videos so much. My husband was born in Eschwege and I in Arizona (US). So, we can relate in the reverse. 😀. It is interesting to see the differences from then and now because we were married in 1985. My mother was German, so I speak German and that makes things easier. Love from Texas!

[@table8491]

I want to Go to America... its my biggest Dream. Even just for vacation it would be Great

[@stpaley]

I never understood and maybe someone here can explain it to me, why would anyone be rude to someone who handles their food?

[@Ashley-jp4nn]

stpaley some people are very entitled. I worked as a bartender and waiter for years and will never complain unless my food is actually cold/undercooked. If my order is different than what I expected I usually just eat it and say thank you 😋

[@usulsk]

Being rude is bad, but what is wrong with pointing out if the food is really bad? For example if it is burned, or if the chicken is not cooked through (which is dangerous for health)? I once hat Spaghetti Bolognese, where most of the Spaghetti was still hard. So I just point it out, in a matter of fact ton. So when something is objectivly bad (not talking about taste here, but real obvious quality issues) then, yes you ARE entitled to complain because you are paying for it.

[@stpaley]

@@usulsk there is a difference in legitimate criticizing and miserably complaining to get something, there are many people who lives a miserable life and tries to spread that all around

[@ralfhtg1056]

Fellow German here. Sparkling water ONLY! It quenches the thirst far better than still water. Not including taxes in the price tag is illegal in Germany and i wonder why it is not illegal in other countries.

[@ar7e8P]

Greetings from Greece. Here water is free almost everywhere. Sparkling water it's a thing but as beverage not as a substitute of mineral water

[@banicata]

Many states, such as California, have mandatory minimum wage for servers and the tips are on top. People still tip just the same

[@kellycail1024]

The line in the glasses to fill with no ice anywhere was odd to me.We visit family in Munchberg Germany.

[@PaulaBean]

14:15 Here in The Netherlands we pay with debit cards. It's called a 'pin pas'.

[@lauriea2971]

Hi guys love from Kanada(Canada). In my early 20s I worked in nightclubs as a bartender and waiter. My wage as 8.00 per hour. I worked 6 days a week on 12 hours a day. I was known as the dancing bartender like Tom cruises in cocktail the movie. I made between 200.00 to 400.00 a night in tips. I made great money as a bartender.

[@yuliaeroshina3123]

If they bring an overcooked (and expensive) steak, definately sending it back but ask nicely

[@ikw6262]

But, correct me if I´m wrong, you can order "Leitugswasser" for free in germany too!? Don´t know what kind of restaurants you prefer, there are quite big differences. Some of them are just for getting full, but when I personally go to a restaurant it´s less the "intake of food", So we differ "Nahrungsaufnahme" from "Essen gehen".

[@FelifromGermany]

Gibt auch einige sit down Restaurants, die einer Kette angehören :) Wie Hans im Glück, L'Osteria, Asado oder einige andere steakhouses

[@devoosewalder]

5:04 Phil go to the men's room you have all the free water you want and it's no different than the water you get in the US restaurants. ;-)

[@klausschumacher7126]

If you ask the waiters for tap water l am sure that they will serve it to you. If not leave the restaurant Ice cold is another question because only in the US they drink everything ice cold because beer or other beverage's under normal temperature in the US task very bad.

[@rain999wi6]

I live in Canada and here is like in US, tipping, taxes, overly attentive staff... I much more prefere european style of dining.

[@Blessi85]

i think the tipping system is really strange in the us ( also very unfair ) but i actually really like being treated that nicely and been taken care of cuz in german restaurants the waiters are often bored and unfriendly i feel like. i remember my first time in the us in a mexican restaurant: super nice waiter whenever my cup was empty its been refilled immediaetly sometimes i didnt even notice :D also the waiter must have heard how much i loved the drink ( it was homemade watermelon lemaonde which i never had before ) that he even got me a cup of it to go when we left and it really made my day :)

Blessi85 Tipping motivates good service.

[@maryburger1232]

Here in France you pay for every drink you order ( NO free refills) so I wouldn't want a waiter refilling my glass !

[@timothystahl4096]

When it comes to tipping in the US, I absolutely disagree with Phil(and any other German tourists who like to get upset about that). Andere Länder, andere Sitten, sag ich da nur. Und wenn mir die Sitten in einem Land partout nicht gefallen, dann geh ich da halt nicht hin. Because by not tipping the common way you're only hurting the wrong people. Natürlich finde ich auch, dass das Servicepersonal in der Gastronomie von Haus so bezahlt werden sollte, dass es auf Trinkgelder nicht angewiesen ist. Aber liegt das in meiner Hand? Nein. Also ... when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

[@Carol_65]

1) We live in Schwabenland. If a bill is 47€, my husband will give 48€. 2) I feel that in the U.S. the servers will constantly be scanning the patrons to see if anyone needs them. In Germany, I feel like most of the time, the servers purposely look down and avoid eye contact in order to not get sidetracked. 3) I haven‘t had it happen in awhile, but being seated at a table with complete strangers is something that I had to get used to when I moved to Germany.

[@dern3ro]

Maybe it depends on where in Germany you live. I am from Saarbrücken (a city with a big French influence) and here it is common you get seated. Also when I am in an other part of Germany I always ask a waiter for a table. I never take a seat in restaurants of my own :D

[@evilmike74]

But the free water in the US is often of such poor quality, much worse than German tap water.

[@diverjohn489]

I also notice that a menu is posted outside the restaurant so you can have an idea of what you want and the prices before you enter.

[@suveemi60]

Ich finde stilles wasser null erfrisched und es wirkt dickflüssiger und schwerer zu trinken

[@leDespicable]

Die Kohlensäure in Sprudelwasser sticht mir immer im Hals. Ich kann den Scheiß nicht gut trinken...

[@Hanmacx]

In Dresden you have multiple corners with +10 restaurants in one place I would only wait if I already have an reservation and then even not that long

[@BeliaLastes]

I agree with you on the credit card details because this waiter I knew bragged one day that he had a magnet he would use on credit cards that if he had rude customers he would run the credit card through and after the bill was payed (minus the tip) then he would purposely erase the card. Good video 👍👍

[@DeanaandPhil]

wow, that sounds bad :( He must have been pretty bitter about the job.

[@BeliaLastes]

@@DeanaandPhil He probably was lol

[@nicktankard1244]

That pretty brutal but rude people are the worst. I just don't understand why people choose to be assholes. There is no need to be rude.

[@michaeltownsend2426]

I forgot about Germany with the sparkling water. If I go back now, I have to still have my stomach sleeve. I do remember if the place was crowded or complete, you could have people seated at your table, say if you are a couple at a table that seats 4. Another couple would sit at your table. I kind of Liked it you meet people that way.

[@purplespiritzone]

I am a Berliner and live in the US for more than 20 years. At home in Berlin my mom always used to drink mineral Wasser (bubbly water), I am not much of a plain water drinker and when I drink water then It is still water.

[@wtsalive8210]

A good service is a service you don’t remark, that is there, but you have all you want. Now I am over 60, but this I had twice time only.🙁

[@wonka6848]

I also hate tipping. If there's a very good service I'm willing to give some extra money, but in general I think restaurants and bars shall pay their service employees. A friend from NY told me, when we were in bars, we have to give a tip for every order we make at the bar, otherwise the service person behind the bar would serve us once, serve us twice but no third time and would just ignore us. What's that?

[@ld5677]

Yes, it's a free refill because more than half it's just ice. And we pay for it as a drink, taxes extra and high tips. Nothing is free, anywhere!

[@OceanluvOC]

I rarely eat at chain restaurants. Most restaurants I eat at require reservations and I normally get seated right away, sometimes we will wait 5 minutes but that’s it. I don’t like bubbly water give me still ice water. I’m very nice to waiters and waitresses and I tip well especially for excellent service 👍🏼 I actually pay cash about 75% of the time. I’ve never had issues with fraud paying via credit card at a restaurant. If I get bad service and a rude waiter I’ll complain to the manager and leave $1.00 tip 😂 I REFUSE to tip well with a shitty server!

[@shwms4646]

tipping is not required but is expected, unless there is a large party gratuity is automatic.

[@pjschmid2251]

The only thing I ever made a complaint about is an overdone steak. You’re paying a lot for that meal and properly cooking the steak is a reasonable expectation. If you order medium rare and get medium well that’s not acceptable.

[@silkwesir1444]

what if what to you is medium rare to them is medium well? That stuff it subjective, there's no way around it, no matter how much you try and formalize it.

[@pjschmid2251]

Silkwesir no it’s not subjective. There are standards and a restaurant should know those standards. www.certifiedangusbeef.com/kitchen/doneness.php

[@virginiav.1172]

@@pjschmid2251 Agreed.

[@SheshankReddyS]

Still water. Never with ice.

[@Yncipher]

4:50 ... I am German and I prefer still or few sparkling water. However it shall be pure water, not a chlorinated one. I prefer even can soft drinks (without chlorinated ice) over chlorinated water. Unfortunately it seems to be a thing in the US. Everywhere were you go you get chlorinated water, ore soft drinks with chlorinated ice, or even Tee made with chlorinated water. I can so not get used to it. :( ... Speaking about Ice. Beer and soft drinks are served to cold for my humble German taste and almost automatically with ice. I prefer to drink my "cold" drinks at 8 or 10 °C, not almost frozen.

[@bobbyhood101]

Treat the servers the way you would wish to be treated because your meal and your health depends on how much effort they put it into it!🤗

[@O2life]

In the beforetimes in my small city of the US, if you wanted to go to brunch on a weekend you would just have to wait because every brunch place has that long of a line.

[@dirkdemeirleir264]

Hi, I m from Belgium. Here you can get still water too in restaurants but it is paying (but most of the time you can get 1 liter bottles. But when travelling to southern countries I always order sparkling (mineral) water because is naturally germ free because of the added carbon gas

[@annavasilakopoulou5732]

i’m gonna make a confession here because she’s probably never gonna see it haha i went on an erasmus trip in italy and there were german and spanish students there as well (i’m greek) so the first day we met all together and i saw the most beautiful girl i’ve ever seen (she was from germany) i’ve had a huge crush on her since day one but was shy so didn’t really talk to her (i have never liked anyone that much 😬) i asked for her instagram and have been talking since then and even though we’re not talking romantically she’s a sweetheart and i’m just glad to be keeping in contact with her, she’s literally amazing :D and yeah, i’ve been binge watching your videos bc watching germany-related stuff reminds me of her hahaha i just hope we meet again at the future or at least keep contact bc she’s literally the nicest person and i miss talking to her in person :((

[@andreasbeck2143]

Das kostenlose Wasser in Amerika ist meistens eine Chlorbrühe, das Eis und die Getränke schmeckt auch nach Chlor. Würde dort lieber mehr bezahlen und auf Desinfektionsmittel im Getränk verzichten.

[@Lara2516]

Sehe ich genauso. Das einzig gute daran ist, dass wir uns als low budget traveler uns wasser "bestellt" haben und dann ein anderes nicht chlorhaltiges Getränk als refill. Nicht ganz korrekt ich weiß, aber kann ich nach den paar Jahren auch nicht mehr ändern

[@Henning_Rech]

@Pustekuchen Das weisst Du noch nicht? - heisst Chloroquin - sagt der grosse Häuptling. Manche glauben's - Pech gehabt. arcdigital.media/how-much-is-trump-responsible-for-a-chloroquine-related-death-in-arizona-208868ec964

[@sandrac3113]

The free water you get in restaurants is tap water, it’s not chlorinated. Stop spreading hate.

[@andreasbeck2143]

@@sandrac3113 No hate, but the taste is awful. Better pay, for clean Water.

[@Henning_Rech]

Tap water often IS chlorinated in the USA. eu.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/02/03/tap-water-chlorine-may-have-cancer-link-johns-hopkins-study/2854631001/

[@humtidumty1]

When looking up the explanation of tipping, this is somethimg extra to show of your apreciation for the food or the service. So expecting a standard payment to overcome the superlow standard hour rate is a big sign on the value you rate your personel.

[@wolfetom10]

Free refills! When I was younger I did not realize this was a uniquely American thing. About 30 years ago I was on a flight to Asia and had a stopover in Frankfurt. The international terminal had a casual restaurant, kind of like an American diner. I ordered coffee even though it was something like $10 for a cup, because I figured I could make it last through the layover and get refills. The waitress came by and refilled me two or three times over the course of an hour or so, and when we got the bill to check out I was stunned to find I was billed separately for each refill, to the tune of around $40. As bad as that sounds now, consider that this was decades ago. Well, being a typical American I pitched a fit, because I really had no idea that free refills are not a thing in Europe. The manager did grudgingly let me off the hook, only to get rid of me. I did learn a valuable lesson though. Never assume anything when travelling overseas.

[@FluffyNicholas]

So on the queuing / line issue, just last month I visited east Berlin (super cool, SUPER hip) and the breakfast place we walked to was super busy! Queue was maybe 3 parties, but the thing is we were actually queueing for the hostess (yep) to take our name and tell us when to come back. Very american. the restaurant was called Silo. the hostess was Australian. Maybe this is just because we were in the capital in a super hip neighborhood?

[@simonab.242]

I totally agree that water should be free in a restaurant. I live in Switzerland and there you can order a big jug if "tafelwasser" ( tab water) and you only pay a fee which can be different depending on the restaurant.. but it's supposed to pay for the service of the waiter getting you this water and it is usually quite cheap

[@McGhinch]

I prefer still water, but I also prefer "still Coke". I'm not very fond of carbonated drinks. I also prefer Pils because of it having less CO2 than other beers -- unless I can pour it myself. Btw, I'm from Bavaria.

[@SomeRandomPerson]

Australian here: Still vs Sparkling, depends. If I'm just having water, then sparkling. If i'm having something else to drink, then the water is there just for added hydration. I think you missed talking about one other difference with drinks - Ice. It seems to be way less common in Europe than I'm used to here in Australia (and I believe the US is similar to us on this). Complaining about food or something - I only do it if it's completely inedible, or dangerous. For example: served a chicken schnitzel which was completely raw in the middle, or the meat in a sandwich was so completely tough and inedible. But in all of those cases, I don't want a replacement or refund, I just want them to get the message that it was wrong and to fix their processes.

[@lumixfreund7113]

always fun to hear you :-) das gilt für beide!

[@irenee3062]

In Aussie same as Germany seat yourself read menu and then go to counter and place order but meal will be served but more fancy wait to be seated because people have booked a table. Aussie can be the same don't want waiter constantly there. In Aussie you can go up and pay or like US you put your card in folder and its taken and charged. In Aussie you check the receipt and sometimes you will see a service charge so you have already paid for being serviced if you tip on top of that up to you.

[@jeromemckenna7102]

I used to go to an Asian restaurant in NJ and the owner would offer to replace items that weren't what was expected. Still in that restaurant over 7 years, I only saw one person request a replacement (and he was crazy angry and his wife or girlfriend looked embarrassed). Recently at a restaurant in MN, the waitress said that the chef wasn't happy with the dish I ordered and he would either not charge me or offer a replacement. I at the free entree and enjoyed it. I tipped the waitress as if I had been charged for the item. (I don't think waitresses should suffer.) Customer service is super important in US restaurants.

[@susankingcs]

The reason behind sparkling water in German and most of Europe is due to the WW2 it was the only way you knew that the water was clean. There are many articles and the newer generations are just not aware of all the was destroyed during both wars. That is also why you find still water in bottles as well. Truly enjoy your VLOG you due such a wonderful job. We are moving back to the states this summer and I will truly miss the German people and culture!