Germany is not as good as you think...

I have been living in Munich, Germany and even though I like a lot of things about this country, nothing is perfect :/
That is why in this video I talk about the things I hate and also give you tips on how you can navigate this problem when you move here or if you are already living here.
Hope you like the video and all the best!
0:00 Life in Germany
0:18 No Small Talk!
1:19 Making Friends
2:38 Trains in Germany...
3:34 Stock in the Past?
4:25 Apartments
5:51 Supermarkets
8:21 Fernando vs Fernando
8:27 Final Thoughts
#germany #life #expat

[@fernandotabora]

Part II ?

[@eme981]

yes pls

[@tonymonson3022]

Ayy great work on this video! The part with Hans Sprinting to the front of the line cracked me up 😂

[@fernandotabora]

Awesome mate! So happy you enjoyed it 💪🏻

[@tonymonson3022]

Also very helpful info to consider before moving to Germany 🙌🏼

[@BeMC10]

Amazing overview❤❤

[@341SAHIL]

You are an amazing creator! Really had fun while watching this video while gaining important insights regarding surviving in Germany.

[@fernandotabora]

Thank you man! Really happy that you liked it 🙏🏻

[@mortezasabri]

OMG! 🤣 You explain things that are sad, very funny 😂. That was awesome!

[@fernandotabora]

🤣🙌🏻

[@BeMC10]

Yeeeesssss. Finally. I was waiting for a new video from you🎉

[@fernandotabora]

Thank you! for watching

[@qwertz46444]

The supermarket queue thing made me (a German) laugh a lot😄 didn’t know it’s such a German specialty but now that you point it out I get how weird we act haha

[@fernandotabora]

It is! 🤣 it gets my passive aggressiveness out

[@Alem0na]

You’re videos are always good and really clear to understand!😂❤

[@fernandotabora]

Thank you mate 🔥🙌🏻

[@BambooMusicAcademy]

Grande bro!

[@fernandotabora]

Graciasss brou

[@Fliptheonly]

I think you nailed it. Just last week i visited Frankfurt and asked a random stranger if i was at the right subway station. Turns out he was american, and after already taking longer than expected to tell me "yes", he started asking me where i was from and obviously tried to strike up a conversation after i told him. Wich is really nice if you think about it but it caught me so off guard that i just pretended to be in a rush to get away :D That really sat with me for a bit, because it was actually nice to have some friendly small talk, and i even felt bad for cutting him off, but it was just so unexpected. Oh and 100% the supermarket thing, that started annoying me a while ago and i always make an effort to wait for the person in front to go first.

[@fernandotabora]

It's a small thing, I am not like: "it has to be all the time" but just sometimes it changes the vibe of the city or country in general

[@rajveer3024]

For me, what I found odd here in Germany is Germans (those who I have interacted with maybe 3-4 times) don't really make conscious efforts to meet you (like maybe inviting you somewhere or making any plans to meet you in person) but when you are going out somewhere and that same person sees you (from like 100m away but I haven't see that person) then they definitely let you know that they are there somehow, by maybe saying hello and after that they just go away. I find this behaviour a bit weird😅.

[@blubberu]

I love your editing! Especially the bits where you cut yourself into other scenes😂 Like, did you really just stab yourself and got punched by a tennis racket?!😂

[@fernandotabora]

🤣 I did hahhahahah

[@Yuri-55555]

As a German, the supermarket complain was actually interesting cuz it’s so normal for me that I never really thought about it 😂 like yea ppl racing to literally be the first in the new line is hilarious and kinda stupid but if I happen to see a new cashier being opened and I just go there in normal speed I would let other ppl who stood in the other line already go first but then it’s also kinda like we just rearrange each other again. So it might happen that some will enter first but I am coming so others will stand behind me although they might’ve already waited in the other line 😂 idk probably rare but definitely happens 🤣🤣 and then sometimes i would should feel stupid leaving my own line so I just stand there and wait although the other line would’ve probably been faster 😂😂 anyway loved the video and def agree with all of your points 🙊

[@fernandotabora]

I am telling you, it's not worth it 🤣 we have time. But they hack is using the self service machines. So many Germans don't use them ❤️ I guess that works for me now the best

[@Yuri-55555]

@@fernandotabora I went grocery shopping with my dad a few weeks ago and there was NO ONE at self check out and he went to the cashier line and I told him “we could’ve just done self-checkout” and he told me “I don’t know how that works” and I was just like “but I do 😭😭😭” 😂😂😂

[@AEscentionSS]

Manooo, no me la creoo un Venezolano en Alemania!!! Super bueno el contenido que fino que estés allá!!!🤩🥳😄

[@fernandotabora]

Hahhahaha graciass brou! Aquí representing 🙌🏻

[@Terialey]

Smalltalk happens in villages alot. You also say hello or Guten Tag to everyone.

[@fernandotabora]

100% but yeah big city life. That's why I like to go to small towns here and there

[@Terialey]

@@fernandotabora yeah i understand your struggle there. Australians chat alot more but you still have way less smalltalk than villages. (german in australia here :) Watching your videos to link them to my husband when we move to germany in 3 years :D

[@fernandotabora]

Wao all the way from Australia 🙌🏻❤️

[@ANNKOR-tc3gv]

Aldi and Lidl supermarkets are all over Europe and even in the US. In Poland they're nice but it depends on the location. They have usually really good deals. Also, there's great pastry in Lidl ☺️ Personally I liked Kaufland hypermarkets, they have more variety and good quality.

[@fernandotabora]

They do man! But I guess you have to come here and live this experience 🤣

[@bradfordhovinen6604]

After years of careful training, one learns how to pack one's bags at the same speed the Aldi and Lidl cashiers scan the products. This involves carefully optimising the placement of each item on the belt so that they land at exactly the right place in the shopping bag. Efficiency!😂

[@fernandotabora]

😂😂😂

[@felix-hoffmann]

Grew up in the Cologne area where people actually talk to each other. When I moved to Hamburg, everyone I talked to looked at me funny. Became completely anti-social over time :D

[@fernandotabora]

Hahahahhaha the Anti-social process

[@pedrocavalcante5822]

What is your camcorder and camera?

[@fernandotabora]

Lumix s5ii, rode mic A1 I think, the new one

[@Qwertworks]

Regarding the supermarkets, I personally hate Aldi. Less so because of Aldi but more so because of the people that go there. They are kinda rude xD Regarding checkout I usually put things back in my cart or basket and then pack it in one of the packing areas afterwards. This has worked very well for me and was rather chill :D Also if a new line is gonna be opened people see it as just that: a new line. So the slate is wiped clean and whoever is first is first. I personally don’t get why people are this much in a rush to save maybe 5 minutes. My mum does just what you said with already rubber necking and then being annoyed if she made the wrong choice and her line is going slower. She also does that in traffic. I just don’t get it xD Those 5 minutes aren’t worth the stress

[@fernandotabora]

That's the way! But still in other ones there is no space and that's where the tactic fails :/ It's everyone by themselves 🤣

[@westiger1199]

you didnt mention that at the checkout, people (many older) count to the penny and scrounge around looking for the exact change to give them and holding everyone up. Drives me nuts!

[@fernandotabora]

I now about that but, I just have a bit more empathy, but......I hate the boomers that complained about stupid stuff for no reason and then hate the workers or something

[@chandanchowdhury1818]

I am a doctor in India, with government salary of nearly 1100 euro… should I move to Germany? How difficult is learning German and how much time needed

[@fernandotabora]

Probably you would need to revalidate your degree here. You would need to check that. And german takes 2 intensive years for b2 level. But do some research. Not fully an expert when it comes to that part of work process

[@Dav-jj2jb]

I only worked in Germany for a few years, good memories, but don't miss it. My biggest issues were high costs of living, high taxes, ugly cities, bureaucracy. People weren't so bad, just awkward.

[@user-xb7ko5vt4y]

What about the taxes and how much money you have in your pocket after freaking taxes/rent/food?

[@fernandotabora]

Well taxes in Texas are like 17% but there are a lot of negatives. I think way way more than in germany. But I love texas equally.

[@moos5221]

German1: Hier ist das Paket, ich will das verschicken. German2: Okay, tschüß. American1: How are you doing? I want to ship this parcel. American2: How are you doing? Okay. Nice to meet you! American1: Nice to meet you, bye. (I know you're not US american, it's just the kind of small talk that came to my mind from living in the USA that I really don't need at all. I'd rather have real talk with people I care about then meaningless small talk with strangers just to appear polite. I really laughed about your view on the supermarket line when another register opens up, quite funny and accurate. Germans have a tendancy to cheat in lines, which is quite funny because I think usually most of us try to avoid conflict but skipping the line is a kind of non verbal conflict that most don't seem to mind...just like placing a towel on a beach chair that they aren't using...

[@fernandotabora]

Yeah man I agree, it's just I guess a more personal thing. But wait until part II...I went soft on this one 🤣

[@bobbysanderz6769]

Germany is not for sensitive people to move I don't have any problem with that if you want a private calm life with fewer people in it to annoying you it will be a very good place

[@anzhelaopanasenko5843]

I feel like the situation with grocery stores much better in Berlin. Especially in Edeka and Rewe. But it was funny anyway 😂 about long line behaviour, it's same in Ukraine. 😄

[@Indianingermanyvlogs]

I have been travelling to different countries, every time i come back Germany(where i live) , i am somehow automatically frustrated upset and sad 😅 (Generally i am a positive Happy person and always motivated , but Germany breaks me down every time) Anyone, pls Share your positive stories please 👇

[@fernandotabora]

You just need to balance it. Like go out experience the beautiful things about Germany. Is clearly not your culture but you can also have german and international friends as well ❤️

[@Indianingermanyvlogs]

yes I do go out and enjoy the country's beauty 😊 that's the only thing that keeps me going 👍

[@fernandotabora]

And coffee! Hahhaha very important

[@H0t.5tuff]

spot on!!!

[@brandonkim76]

I traveled many countries. Lived couple of countries other than mine, America. I tell you one thing. At last, it is all about people you interface and Germans are rude in general.

[@ageoflove1980]

What are you talking about? 49 Euro for an entire month of public transportation... ok except IC and ICE's but id murder to have that kind of deal in The Netherlands. And its not just for train but all the busses, trams, metro's... And the network is so dense and trains run very frequent. Sure I can respect that the infrastructure is abit older and delays are a thing, but dude... for that amazing value, how can you complain about that? Just spend 3 weeks hiking in Germany all across the country and I literally only spend 49 euro in total on my transportation. Its actually insane good value. And the trains are a lot cleaner than in The Netherlands too, especially the windows.

[@fernandotabora]

Dude...just stay here longer and you will see what I mean. It takes time but after living here 9 years you will see it. Trains get delayed and sometimes the change the trains departure to another platform and then you have to run, just to see how another train that arrived later goes first. It will get in your skin

[@arnodobler1096]

We Germans complain at a pretty high level, okay Switzerland and Japan do it better, but who else? The railroads were supposed to be privatized and were therefore cut to death, which is why there is an investment backlog. That's why there are construction sites on tracks and stations everywhere. Staff are also always in short supply on the railroads. So there are problems. But at least we have an infrastructure that many other developed countries (🙋‍♂USA) don't have (apart from roads, which are often miserable and overcrowded). Germany has pretty much the densest road and rail network in the world. You Dutch are doing even better than us when it comes to the cycle path network, but we are catching up. We're also tops when it comes to hiking trails. When I plan a train journey, I simply factor in more time. Less stress than taking the car. Long live the €49 ticket, okay the €9 ticket was even better. 😂

[@ageoflove1980]

@@fernandotabora Dude... just look up prices in neighbouring countries. A day pass in The Netherlands will cost you 58 euro... A DAY pass for a country a fraction of the size of Germany. A reduction DAY pass in Switzerland will cost you 78 Francs.... And... this is just for the train.... So on top of that add your bus or tram ticket to get where you need to go. And your goverment managed to secure for you guys that you can use Germany's complete gigantic network for 49 euro a MONTH... And you are still complaining about how inconvenient it is that once in while a train departs from a different platform? Something that didnt happen to me once during 3 weeks of non-stop travel? Wow... special. You are literally getting a much larger network for 30 to 60 TIMES CHEAPER than neighbouring countries and you are still complaining it isnt perfect... Bro... You need to take a few steps back here and take a good hard look at what you have.

[@fernandotabora]

Move here so that you can get the 49 euros Ticket ❤️

[@ageoflove1980]

@@fernandotabora No need, everyone can buy it, not just Germans. Problem is, is that its not valid on NS trains :) . But yeah, Im actually considering moving to Germany since I work from home anyway and cost of living in Germany is way lower than in The Netherlands.

[@japanesegirl_1998]

Omg 😂 I especially agreed about the supermarkets 🛒🥒🥔🍅🥩🥐 I don't like German's supermarkets too. In Japan, everyone will give priority to the people in line in the front. So I was shocked that German people don't care at all 😹 Furthermore you don't have to take groceries out of the basket 👍🏻🇯🇵

[@fernandotabora]

Its horrible hahahahah

[@Genesius-vc1vk]

It's certainly horrible, but if you really want to be shocked by line buckling you need to come to Paraguay. At least traffic is quite humane in Germany imho, while in Paraguay people (who otherwise are very social and friendly) behave like wolves.

[@akhilmaru6999]

I moved to Canada after being in Germany for 3 years, man I miss Germany even with all these perks... North America is much more fucked up than Germany is... or so I feel... As much as DB was annoying, it still works and has infrastructure to transport people cheaply... Canada neither has the proper infrastructure for rails nor is cheap ( as much as flight tickets)... People make small talks here but then that's all there is, no real connection... Thinking of moving back to Germany once I finish my PhD in next 4 years!

[@fernandotabora]

On the spot! I get it man. There is no really perfect country, but that's the cool thing about getting to know a lot of cultures. You can grab the best out of them

[@mrbane2000]

Thing i hate about Germany is German language. But i really like their standard and way they think and no small talk BS, and i'm serbian, serbs love small talk, i do not. DB was good for me, there was protest although once or twice. I don't like returning bottles in Germany, i was working from 8-17h, and i only had 3 hours to get home and to go to shop before it closes and i couldn't explore the shop.... That's all, otherwise, their thinking, the discipline, standard, tech i liked it. Oh i couldn't find good non sparkling water... Oh also, most GYM's require 6 month contract and access to your bank account. But i found one that i could pay in cash. I was paying 100e a month for GYM. Oh one more thing, i don't like that movies are dubbed, and Tom Cruise speaks German, also some banks don't have people that speak English. I was in Munich city, Moosach region. Oh i like the part where i don't need to bother to get women, i earn enough to pay mhm mhm for fun with young student legally

[@arnodobler1096]

Bavaria has shorter store opening hours than the rest of the country. Here in Baden-Württemberg they are open until 10 p.m. and some until midnight, which I find excessive.

[@Meuchlor]

7:15 is annoying as hell for me as a German. But in my opinion, a lot of the things you experience are because you live in Munich.

[@fernandotabora]

Could be man, maybe in Berlin they are more chill?

[@Qwertworks]

@@fernandotabora as someone who has lived in Munich my entire life, there’s definitely “friendlier” cities xD At least from visits. But as always, there’s trade offs. Munich has other niceties that you don’t have there. First time I went to Berlin and I was told by the waiter to not leave my phone on the table because people have gotten theirs nabbed by passer-bys shocked me tbh 😅

[@eme981]

i want more negatives lol these are not a lot.. wanna prep myself before going there

[@fernandotabora]

Then like for part II 🚀💪🏻 thank you for watching ❤️

[@victortodoran1828]

Hearing ppl complain about DB is hilarious. For context, I live in Romania.

[@fernandotabora]

It suckssss

[@arnodobler1096]

Switzerland and Japan are doing better, but otherwise?

[@EuropezonUruguayo1]

Yeah bro, Ive never liked germany. It seems just like an inferior version of the UK

[@DenzelPF-jl4lj]

lol good one 🤭

[@fernandotabora]

Dude if the weather is bad here, I can't imagine in the UK 🤣

[@arnodobler1096]

Good thing I'm reading this on April 1 😂 😂

[@chillout914]

well you do not know the real hell here ! the real hell is studying in Germany ..... one of the worst choices i made in my life !

[@fernandotabora]

Hahahhahaha yep, but it will make you stronger dude, not a lot of people can do that

[@johansen4711]

The social anxiety and egoism are inversely related to the level of redistribution of income. Communism but still grumpy people.

[@arnodobler1096]

Communism? wtf

[@johansen4711]

@@arnodobler1096 tax rates for normal to better earners and business well above 50% plus VAT, the state interfering in every part of life (media, construction … Staatsquote höher 50%). What’s not communism about that? You can always go higher on the spectrum. But the only things that’s saving them is the industrial and academic success of decades past (long gone, no sign of that in any league table).

[@arnodobler1096]

@@johansen4711 Third largest world economy: Germany Some things are simply better state-run, see the USA and its infrastructure for example. Calling that communism is very stupid, your numbers are also wrong. Are you a Yank?

[@johansen4711]

That’s just a function of population. Scientific advances? Stopped in the 90s? Nobel prize winners? Patent registrations? Market cap? Yes, you can run things with tax payers money - but mostly at a loss.

[@arnodobler1096]

@@johansen4711 Local companies filed just under 26,000 patent applications for innovations, putting them in second place. The United States is the undisputed leader with more than 46,500 inventions, followed by Japan in third place with just under 22,000 applications.05.04.2022 FAZ USA has 4 times the population and Japan also has a higher one.