How Germany Treats Foreigners

[@thomasalbrecht5914]

You’re an EU citizen, Nalf. If you get mail from The Man, relax. You’re an Italian, as far as the German government is concerned. You can choose your EU country of residence freely as long as you register, and pay your way and taxes.

[@nelsonvh3033]

the guys american….

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

@@nelsonvh3033 with an Italian passport as well as a US one.

[@aidasmatulaitis5175]

thats why Eu cool

[@Stephanthesearcher]

@@nelsonvh3033 je has an italian passport, its complicated.....

[@Sillyalways]

Look, I am going to be the a**hole here, but if you want to get an apartment in Germany without extreme effort, you need to communicate in German with the landlords. They can choose from a large pool of applicants, and they are going to choose people they can communicate easily with. A lot of the landlords are actually older folks that don't speak fluent English, and frankly, they will not bother with an applicant they can't talk to or an applicant that is not integrated. As a non-white foreigner in Germany, my apartment search has never been painful, and I attribute it that every form of communication I use with every landlord I had is in German.

[@lilawaffel186]

I mean the search for an apartment is painful for everyone here in germany, I live in Berlin and I am a born german and it's always rediciolous

[@evilrslade]

Outside of the big cities and in the old East, English is not commonly spoken by people over 35 which excludes most Landlords. It's harsh, but at least attempting to understand and speak German (even badly) will get you a huge amount of goodwill. A lot of Germans are aware that their language is not easy to learn for English speakers and a little effort goes a long way....

[@spargelzeit6364]

He’s never going to be fluent in German. After 8 years living in Germany he’s still bad at speaking German. His accent is terrible, unable to conjugate verbs, know noun genders, decline nouns or use cases correctly.

[@Sillyalways]

@@lilawaffel186 true, but Berlin is an special kind of hell, renting-wise

[@Sillyalways]

@@evilrslade Goodwill is the key word here. It doesn't matter that my German is far from perfect, I always get compliments on my efforts and I do feel it has earned me a lot of goodwill from landlords. My English is great, but nobody in Germany gives a shit about that, because younger people speak it so well... But speak German as a foreigner, older Germans, in my experience, are just happy to see people making an effort.

[@mistshaw]

I'm an American and I have visited Germany half a dozen times and my experience is that Germans are very friendly people. Germany has the best gothic and industrial music festivals in the world, and I never have a problem getting to know people as I usually travel by myself. I know living somewhere is different than being a tourist, but I hope to someday call Germany home.

[@mistshaw]

@@JU-pq6qu WGT is the one I was referring to. I'll be there again next month.

[@kingozymandias2988]

@J U Junge, auf diesen LGTV- kann man sich selbst doch nicht feiern🤦🏻‍♂️

[@rosauraestrada6071]

Friendly people? 😅 I live in Germany for 3 years and friendly is what they stand out the least. When you live here is totally different.

[@brinkiTOgo]

The friendlyness depends on the region as well 😂 Not that some regions are friendlier than others. The kind of friendlyness is just different. Where I live, we tend to be very direct and don't waist our time with friendly phrases. But people tend to be warm and sincere - and gruffly ;) I hope that you can call Germany home one day :) Where do you want to live?

[@PrivateAuskunft-wu1tb]

I’m German. There are friendly people and not so friendly just like everywhere I think.

[@kuni7284]

In Germany we say: "Wie man in den Wald rein ruft so schallt es zurück". Nette Menschen sind immer willkommen ❤

[@danielleswan3602]

I wish I lived in your city

[@OrangeTabbyCat]

Niemand ist immer nur nett. Mit sind ehrlich Menschen lieber, die dürfen auch mal Launen haben und nicht i mer nur positiv lächelnd rumlaufen.

[@siegbert_schnoesel]

Das sehen viele Menschen in unserem Land leider anders.

[@orientalboy86]

Stimmt leider nicht ganz. Es gibt Menschen, die unabhängig von Charakter und dem Wesen, Menschen einzig und allein nach der Herkunft oder äußeren Merkmalen beurteilen und in Schubladen stecken. Da wird viel pauschalisiert und mit stereotypen gearbeitet. Ist Gott sei Dank nicht bei allen so aber bei einigen.

[@JS-br7bo]

​@@notnolz haha troll

[@MarcLucksch]

3:33 that advice applies to Germans as well, join a club, a team, a gym, or even a Verein. Something that interests you and you will make friends in no time.

[@eriknelson5390]

I also lived in Germany while in the University. I never ran into the germans not opening up to me. But I lived with a German family while studying, so my german knowledge increase a lot. I also did not live in a major city which helped. My University in the U.S. also had an International Studies Program there for many years. So they were used to students coming each year. Ich vermiße Deutschland!

[@BlackSun404]

Hi! That's not how we write that anymore. We decided we'd spell it "vermisse" instead from now on! Mit freundlichen Grüßen -Germany =P

[@ShippingRandomness]

@@BlackSun404 I love how it says like "oh yeah, about that.. we decided to not write it like that anymore" xD I mean its technically true but it still sounds funny xD

[@lindaniedringhaus8790]

I spent some time in Great Britain and thought its people where unfriendly. I discovered they were being polite and did not want to impinge on others. Beneath the reserve was real integrity!

[@snoepnr1]

Oh same experience! I started working for a London based company and i could not understand why people in shops did not ask you if you needed help. or co workers that saw issues but did not say anything and than said, its rude to mingle in the situation ....

[@DieNona82]

Danke für deine Videos ! Ich bin uralt, freue mich aber immer riesig über deine lustigen Beiträge !! Ich finde es großartig, wenn z.B. Amerikaner nach De. kommen und sich auch noch WOHLFÜHLEN !!!

[@nomeansno2335]

Jedes deiner Videos ist eine Liebeserklärung an Schwäbisch Hall. Kein Wunder, dass du die Wohnung bekommen hast 🙂

[@einwitzigenname585]

Ist ja auch eine tolle Stadt. Ich würde gerne dort leben.

[@barfuss2007]

@@einwitzigenname585 Das Besondere an Schwäbisch Hall ist, dass diese Stadt über die Jahrhunderte in keinem Krieg zerstört wurde, auch nicht im 2. Weltkrieg. Das macht das besondere Flair aus, es ist ein geschlossener Stadtkörper, erbaut nach dem menschlichen Maß und nicht für den Straßenverkehr mit Autos. Und vom vielen unvermeidlichen Treppensteigen bekommt man mit der Zeit nen hübschen Hintern ;-)

[@LaureninGermany]

I agree, it’s simply a fabulous country to live in. I‘ve been here for a while and fall in love with Germany over and over. The making friends part was difficult as I couldn’t ever join a club, as I travel a lot for work. But- man sieht sich immer zweimal, and that helps, too.

[@elipa3]

We have our problems too. Es ist nicht alles Gold, was glänzt.

[@Julkijussi]

yellow envelope ist important, because that means you get a deadline. You have to react fast or the problem stays with you.

[@bcool9104]

I lived in Germany seven years and my wife is German and I can't remember one German person being negative towards me for being American. Of course I was in the military and most of the Germans lived around the base and saw Americans as neighbors and not just "foreigners" like NALF. Even when I traveled around Germany I was treated real well as an American. Of course I wasn't filming them all the time and taking my shirt off in front of them NALF style. 😝😝

[@holger_p]

Actually, I cannot imagine this to be different anywhere else in Europe. Is it already an American fear not to be loved ? Americans in Europe are just treated like anybody else, like fellow people.

[@musicofnote1]

My experience as a naturalised Swiss originally from the US: people in Switzerland as well as in Germany may have their disagreements with America concerning politics, sociology, economics, BUT they do not confuse America with Americans. They allow the American to kind of identify him/herself as to their own qualities and accept (or not, as the case may be) according to those qualities. I've had many, many discussions on this side of the pond concerning America, so in agreement with my Gesprächspartner, some not. But they never devolved into a lack of respect for the other individual - something (here it comes) I cannot say about conversations with Americans. This ability to agree to disagree is something I greatly appreciate here. And now, looking forward to my next trip from Switzerland (my home) to the Odenwald area of Germany in a couple of weeks.

[@patrickspendrin3107]

@@holger_p Indeed, we Germans don't love other Germans either, we hate us with a passion!!!1 ;-)

[@jallen69]

Get a dog and walk it 3 times a day, you will meet a lot of other dog owners really fast.

[@gunterhagendorf8318]

I'm a German living since over 25 years in France and I can tell you that administrative and bureaucracy hassles in Germany are a piece of cake against the french habits. At least bureaucracy is a word with french roots and they know how to do it. As France is the country of egality they treat the native french and foreigners the same bad way. Also the French are quite reserved and stay with familiy or very, very close friends. You can be neighbor for 10 or more years on a very good relationship and you will meet with them in a Bistro or a Restaurant but they will never invite you to their home.

[@tnit7554]

@gunter hagendorf. 👍

[@lannifincoris6482]

Passierschein A-38

[@brigittelacour5055]

French from the east of France aren't so different from south German, the real north east french not the "new" french addition from an other part of France. In the mountains with a more hostile climat, people are very reserve because the new incomers could only stay some months, then no need to be less reserve. But in case of real bad time, they will be there, use to stay together towards adversity. If the new incomers stay some years, they will open their houses and tables and integrate you. Real coconut people ! South of France is more friendly but in fact after some years you will discover that you're not so integrated, more peach people !

[@E85stattElektro]

@@brigittelacour5055 I had multiple exchanges with France during school, but somehow never really connected with the people there.

[@brigittelacour5055]

@@E85stattElektro with school exchange you spend most of your time at school with your friends or on day trips with your teachers and school friends, not a lot of time only with your host family and alone with your french exchange friend. The exchange I made in my youth was during holidays with only 2 or 3 day trips or meeting, the other days of the fortnight was with the family. My family, my German family and my brother German family were a bit strict, we weren't allowed to meet the other of the exchange apart the organized activities, in order to create a link, to " bath" in the culture. The families have to integrate and "educate" the young foreigner. My brother and I were very happy with our families. That exchange turned to a school exchange, it wasn't the same. My kids did school exchange too, and we had the German kids home. As they left home early to go to school and came back around 17-18 :00 it was difficult to create a link and there was only 1 weekend free but with a party on Saturday, then Sunday was a rest day, they were to tired to do something. I was very frustrated, feeling to be only there to feed them and give them a bed ! And only during 2 years as the kids change schools for the 3 last year's in France ! I understand well why my kids didn't have a link with their exchange friends. I did 5 years of summer exchange plus continue to see my German friends after the baccalauréat.

[@umue11]

Believe me Nick, a Förmliche Zustellung in a yellow evelope is as unplesant to you as it is to us Germans. Keep up the good work. I love it.

[@Freakyboss]

Oh yeah, that's right. The most unpleasant thing that happened to me once was that I received a "Förmliche Zustellung" from my partner personally! Well, he works at the post office and our apartment is in his area. And he actually had to fulfill the protocol, ask me my full name (which came across as pretty weird) and then confirm that he personally delivered the letter to me. It really was the weirdest thing that ever happened to me.

[@augustiner3821]

@@Freakyboss but that's just the professional way to do it, finally the best way to do it for both of you.

[@oldtop4682]

So, where you are living had a US Army presence for 40 years or so. Unlike the US where we have large bases, in Germany there are scattered kasernen (smaller bases or barracks). In that area these were deactivated in the 90s after the Gulf War. Schwabish Gmund also had US units, as did numerous other cities in Deutschland. Some reactions to Americans there could be based upon that past experience (good and bad) among middle aged to older Germans. Learn the language if you haven't. There are low cost classes available, so take advantage of them if time permits. You already know a lot of the words, as English has them as well. And yeah, Germans are slow to call you friend, but they are life-long when that does happen. I was stationed in Germany for 9 years, and LOVED it. I took German before I went the first time, and it really paid off for me. I made a lot of friends there - that are still friends from Berlin to Bayern. I consider it my second country.

[@viktorpenner]

Living in the U.S as a German - I can pretty much sign off of all the things you mentioned. 1. Getting things in the mail is usually negative (medical bills 🤯 etc) or an enormous waste of ads that I can’t cancel or stop 2. Probably the hardest thing is making actual friends in the States which in-Tales some sort of loyalty or is more in depth than a coffee grab once in a quarter 😅 Let’s go deep Americans, stop trading in shallow waters (I am a dual citizen by now) 3. Driving?….haha the rules are guidelines at best on the streets hahah - this German-Autobahn-using-paid-thousand-of-dollars-for-the-license is amazed why these people just get their license handed to them for $15… Lol, just a few - I command you being in Germany and dealing with all the good, bad and ugly. Your videos make me miss home a lot but thankful I have the opportunity to also live in this great country which has tones of things easier,faster and better than Germany when it comes to jobs etc. Keep up the good work.

[@brinkiTOgo]

Why do you get medical bills? O.o If you have a public health ensurance you only get bills if you stayed in hospital (10 € a day or so) and if you got special treatments not covered - but they inform you about the cost beforehand and you hqve to sign for it. So it can never happen to get medical bills without knowing about them and hoe much you have to pay beforehand.

[@monkeyboy275bobo8]

You probably just have an easy time getting jobs because of your german reputation.

[@stevensalinas6666]

I workout at a local deutsch gym and I find it is either they stare and keep distance once they smell the Ami on you or overly smile at you until i go up and talk with them 😂

[@Dr_Klops]

Yes, I thinks this was the best advice. Come here at least five years before seeking a place to sleep and everything will work out fine.

[@MrsInfamous22]

Hey Nalf,I am from Bamberg,Germany and live in the US for almost 14 years...thank you for loving my country like I love yours. ❤

[@Refused72]

...thank for Spezial. 😊

[@MrsInfamous22]

🥰Try a Zwergla,my favorite.

[@mitasol3864]

​@@MrsInfamous22 how about a Mahrs U 😋🍻

[@MrsInfamous22]

Mahr's U and Hefeweizen are delicious.

[@Refused72]

...so, now you made it... me having an appointment with Bamberg...big trunk included....greets from lower bavaria to world's #1 in beer... upper franconia! ;)

[@howierfs5471]

Nalf, language is a key factor. In case you intend to speak the country language it will open doors. Being part of the society of your town, village, yes, join the sports clubs or another "Verein" to get in closer contact with the people. On countryside its also good to know and to introduce yourself to the neighbourhood. If you want to stay for yourself, you will be alone. Of course, the nationality plays a role but this is also part in any other country.

[@njibra7666]

I don't about that I speak arguably better German than most natives but still know no one from the district I live in because 99.99% of locals are really incredibly reserved and generally to any creature that moves Even my neighbors told me to not bother them because they want to be alone....so I give up officially...best bet ist to live in a major city where u can befriend some niche foreigners espacially those from Asia and Latin america

[@liamkohler5641]

The advice with joining a club is the best advice you can get, it removes every cultural barrier and you instantly make friends

[@maryb.9463]

I was born and grew up in Germany and it was so terrible for me. I encountered so much racism. My family moved to Germany in the 60’s. Now I live for 18 years in California and the people were so kind and helpful to me even I couldn’t speak English. I am glad that you had a good experience. Maybe it changed.

[@MeptieGoEsTop]

Hat alles seinen Grund.

[@Hassundknausrig]

Changed meanwhile. Meanwhile there is so less tolerance for racism. 20% of Germany as immigrants history

[@horstborst]

mimimi bleib doch wo der pfeffer wächst

[@TheShieldery]

I am a Bavarian living in Germany, does that count?

[@101kurtj]

When I was in Berlin, I was treated very kindly. I had my host family, who were the most welcoming people I could have ever been placed with. All of the people I spoke with, whether I needed directions or was shopping, were kind. I went to a store with my host family and went to the deli. The dude behind the counter had impeccable manners and knew I was a foreigner with crap german. 😅 it was amazing in Berlin.

[@hendrx]

Berlin is like another country

[@mallorydeagan681]

Berlin was a fantastic social experiment. When the wall came down, Berlin was a beautiful broken toy. We had almost no infrastructure, so we opened stores in our ground floor apartments, and clubs in our basements. In any other country. leaving a city of that size 'unguarded' would have led to the military having to restore order. Only in Germany can you tell the people 'you're on your own... don't go too crazy', and they didn't. We did what we wanted. Empty apartments were everywhere. The atmosphere was the coolest thing I've ever experienced. We had 10+ years of more freedom than I thought possible. People are still moving here searching for that, though it's mostly just shadows and echoes now. Having lived all over the world, I choose to live here, and it's an informed decision. I'm glad your experience here was positive :)

[@kushagrasingh5551]

Not A Phobic But Is there a Islam Problem in Berlin or anything, I mean are Muslim immigrants increasing and causing problems/riots and any problem you faced, also Turkish & Syrian population is very much in Berlin. I will be Moving later this year or in start of 2024 to Berlin........

[@eily_b]

You were treated nice in BERLIN! That must be a parallel universe Berlin. 😄 No one is treated nice in Berlin, not even Berliners.

[@hendrx]

@@eily_b I live in Berlin and this is FAR from accurate, it's the nicest people I've met in Germany.

[@Dahrenhorst]

I don't think "friendly" is the right term to describe the approach of Germans to foreigners. Germans are in fact quite friendly. The correct term would be "reserved" - and that's definitely true, Germans are quite reserved towards foreigners, especially when they are not coming from a so-called developed country. Calling someone a "friend" in Germany has nothing to do with Germans being friendly or not. Being friendly is a social skill, being a friend is a privilege to be earned. I worked with US-Americans for around 10 years in three different multinational settings, meaning 10 or more nationalities in a team. Each time the Americans were ranked the least like-able, when discussions came to this. By the way: all the time the Canadians ranked first.

[@mementomori5580]

"Germans are quite reserved towards foreigners"Eh, I would say that it's more of a "Germans are quite reserved towards anyone". At least for me that's the case...

[@indrinita]

Canadians are generally more used to working with people from different backgrounds than most of the world's citizens. That could partially be why (saying this as a Canadian in Germany myself).

[@elipa3]

Well, some americans behaving in a way.... hrmpf. Especially the people who voted or supported Trump or people like him. He did do a lot of damage to his country. The ugly american...

[@Justice55339h]

That's weird, Canadians are so boring and we Americans are so loving and fun. I think it's beyond what the world can understand or accept😂

[@tobiwan001]

As a foreigner in any country you always worry about mail from the government. It's never a discount voucher on your next income tax bill or something.

[@PascalGienger]

Same here in the US. You absolutely want to open letters from USCIS or court and tax (IRS) letters....

[@HelloOnepiece]

My first letter from the government was a survey in Germany

[@PascalGienger]

@@HelloOnepiece The small variant of Volkszählung? The Mikro-Stichprobe? it is like in the US, they do micro surveys on randomly selected residents for the census (called Micro-Census) and every X years they do a complete census.

[@HelloOnepiece]

@@PascalGienger I mean not unusual, but kinda weird/funny to ask someone who has been there circa a month, what do they think about the city and the criminality here

[@hieler-de]

Try to find an Appartment in the USA communicating in German...

[@Andreas_Cologne]

In some areas that shouldn't be a problem at all.

[@hieler-de]

@@Andreas_Cologne even so for english speaking people in Ramstein, Wiesbaden, Grafenwöhr, Ansbach and Kaiserslautern. ;-)

[@hieler-de]

@@Andreas_Cologne Dutch Texans don't understand modern German all to well...

[@hieler-de]

If you want to be guest anywhere you cant avoid local specialities incl language. Isnt that the point of travelling?

[@adrianaribeiromayer]

Thanks for the video! I am Brazilian living in Vienna for over twenty years married to an Austrian. When I came to live here, a Portuguese writer told me: you will understand the difference between the Old Continent and the New Continent. And so it is. Good luck!

[@villerat86]

Can't wait to be back in Stuttgart, had a fun time with the Mouth and a half I was there last holidays. Would like to move there in a few years or less.

[@gildetron2436]

Much luv to ya bro! THX 4 your entertainment, and or videos! I,m German, lived 25 years in Florida though, 10 growing up in Germany, and came back to the Frankfurt area 5 years ago. I once again appreciate your content of news, highlights, and plain ol U and Americans alike.... Unfortunately some Germans regarding Americans can be hard heads, some softer, I think all depending on unfortunately if Republican or Democrat... The ever revolving world.... I wish u the best bro, be good, und guten abend.

[@LJJ22]

The first 2 points were so true about the apartment search and joining a team. Joining a team/club, I would say is a good advice no matter where you go. When I was in China, doing sports with Chinese people was also excellent to get connections, otherwise I would have had no idea how to really approach strangers. I wonder, how is it with finding apartments as a foreigner in other countries, for example the USA? I would believe it is difficult in many countries, especially if you don't have a high income.

[@blessingsoutlaw]

Hi Nalf! Could you do some in-depth interviews of, say, a German bakery/baker, or a BMW salesperson or manufacturer, or the individual who organizes the beautiful Christmas markets…something inherently German which we hear about but don’t have a clue what goes on behind the scenes. Thanks so much - love ya! ❤

[@GilbMLRS]

What can be more boring than a car salesperson?

[@jlpack62]

those are really good video ideas!

[@chrisnemeth6121]

have to say, your ending credit music always makes me happy

[@toniderdon]

2:30 Having a KZbin channel is probably actually good advice because this way they can get to know you before giving you the apartment

[@johnofdebar4071]

I lived in Germany from 2002 until 2011 and more or less moved every 2 years (which is probably why I now totally hate moving and would rather compromise on other things than move, even if i don't necessarily like it very much where i live). But, I literally never had any problems in finding an apartment. I have lived in towns/cities of different size: less than 100k inhabitants (Gießen) less than 30k inhabitants (Usingen) and more than 500k inhabitants (Frankfurt)- never had a problem. You may argue, Gießen is a university town so very international, but Usingen was a provincial nest and I also didnt have any problems there. But yeah, polishing your image does help: I wrote that I have an academic background in my search add.

[@elipa3]

Greetings from Gießen.

[@johnofdebar4071]

@@elipa3 Grüße zurück :) Ich blicke mit Nostalgie zurück an meiner Studienzeit in Gießen. Was ich übrigens vergessen habe zu erwähnen in meinem Kommentar, wegen Freundschaften usw: Deutsch zu lernen ist natürlich sehr hilfreich und empfehlenswert. Ich habe immer noch sehr gute Freunde in Gießen, (u.a. auch meine ehemalige Vermieterin) und habe mich nie irgendwie benachteiligt gefüllt.

[@debikirch]

💘😻

[@eastfrisianguy]

Often there are also cultural aspects that lead to misunderstandings. We Germans are generally friendly and distant towards strangers and thus get to know the person first, while people from the US approach strangers much more openly and therefore the German behavior could be misunderstood as rejection. This reticence of ours can also be seen in comparison to supermarkets, while in US you are asked by salespeople if everything is okay, in Germany the motto is: "The customer will contact us if he wants something!" - It is the same with expats, many companies think "The employee will contact you if he has any questions" and in the end the expat is unhappy because he does not feel welcome.

[@JimBobele]

So true, this difference also exists in Germany itself. Just compare the Rheinland with people from Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg. In the Rheinland it's so easy to get in contact with other people but it's possible that they do not know you anymore the next day. On the other hand it's very hard to build up a relationship with the people from the south but if this has happened it can last forever.

[@michaelgentili1327]

its about time the dogs get some camera time

[@josechristianiniguezbonill5535]

„Complaining is a national pastime of Germany“ 😂😂

[@stefanus1968]

That's right - joining a club or team even opens doors you didn't even know about. 🛃

[@nl_rhein4886]

Hi Nick, thanks for reminding us how lucky we are to live here. Germans often tend to forget that as they are natural born complainers 😅.

[@sonjagatto9981]

No complains ... no positive change❣

[@peterkiefer8838]

Nice to see you’re having a great time on the right site of the Atlantic!!

[@rolandscherer1574]

In Bavaria, it's not only hard for expats to make local friends. Even other Germans have practically no chance. In the Rhineland it's easier for both groups, and in Berlin there are so many expats, you don't need Germans.

[@jallen69]

When i look for apartments here i have a prewritten short letter describing why i first moved to Germany 30 years ago, say a little about what i do for money and mention that i have kids here.

[@PADDYM962]

I agree with you on sports. I play in an Irish sports club in Hamburg. We attract not just Germans and Irish but also other nationalities. Great way to meet people

[@ronweasly4839]

Im from munich but traveled extensively so I love seeing how people experience the German culture 😊❤

[@nickie2011]

you should see foreigners "enjoy" German racism, that's a sight!

[@evamaria7298]

​@J U Ich bin aus Bayern und hab bisher nur Gutes über Köln und die netten zugänglichen Menschen dort gehört 👍🙂

[@evamaria7298]

@J U Hey, hmm ja kann sein, dass es allgemein etwas schwieriger ist in Bayern aufgenommen zu werden als anderswo, da hab ich jetzt keinen persönlichen Vergleich weil hier geboren und aufgewachsen. Aber ich hatte eigtl. schon immer das Gefühl, dass viele hier sehr offen sind. Es kommt wahrscheinlich stark drauf an wo man hinkommt. Hier in "meinem" ländlichen Gebiet sind die meisten heutzutage relativ aufgeschlossen, wenn das Gegenüber freundlich ist. Wir hatten aber auch immer schon Urlauber. Das Problem dürfte eher sein dass es in der Regel zuerst immer irgendeinen Grund braucht in Kontakt zu treten, das glaub ich ist aber in weiten Teilen Deutschlands sehr verbreitet... Also gut wer beruflich oder schulisch schonmal Anschluss hat... oder Club oder Verein... Ansonsten ist es vielleicht etwas schwieriger als beispielsweise in Köln... wie geasagt es kamen Leute begeistert wieder von dort zurück und sagten es wäre so leicht gewesen in Kneipen und Bars mit anderen ins Gespräch zu kommen und die Leute in Köln waren super nett. Hier kann einem das auch passieren, muss aber nicht... je nach Kneipe und Anlass... Von den schulischen Unterschieden hab ich auch schon gehört, die müssen gravierend sein. Ein Bekannter sagte er wäre in Berlin locker im Gymnasium mitgekommen, was hier undenkbar war und er musste die Schule wechseln. In der Realschule musste er sich dann anstrengen um im besseren Mittelfeld zu bleiben... kann man irgendwie kaum glauben solche Unterschiede in einem einzigen Land. Nun ja... so hat jede Region in Deutschland pro und contra denk ich... und wie gesagt, kommt es am Ende immer auf die genauen Umstände an, und auf etwas Glück wen man so trifft. 🙂

[@fannyriemath7044]

I lived in the Netherlands for 13 odd years and EVERYONE was scared of the royal blue envelopes from the tax department, not only foreigners! 😅 But nowadays, everything is digital, less scary! 😊

[@gulliverthegullible6667]

I much prefer Germans complaining about how awful everything is in their country to Americans and Australians who always tell you that their city or their country is the best. I live in Melbourne and it is quite annoying hearing all the time that this city is the best in the world. I prefer people being humble.

[@dinaAi-zn3gl]

❤

[@sikoyakoy2376]

People being happy with something isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm an Asian immigrant in Australia and Australians are quite humble people. Their pride for their country is quite a nice one and doesn't have the arrogance that some people like some Americans and Parisians seem to have. Parisians in particular even seem to have a bad reputation among other French people.

[@schtreg9140]

​​@@sikoyakoy2376on't know about that. Americans, Canadians and Australians always seem to have an inflated and most of the time unjustified sense of patriotism or pride for their city/region. I'm not German, but the mentality in my country is similar to the German one. People from New Zealand and the UK are a bit more similar to mainland Europe in that regard. At least in my experience. EDIT: Being happy with something is different from declaring it the best in the world. In my experience Australians aren't as humble as you make it sound like. Not even close actually. A bit better than North Americans tho, so if that's your main comparison, maybe that would explain it.

[@PowerControl]

Everyone knows Sydney is better! 😉 Been in both, liked both. Australians are nice people!

[@gulliverthegullible6667]

@@schtreg9140 totally agree with you. Australian patriotism can get quite sickening.

[@kg_sroberth2238]

7:45 I completely agree :D I'm always shivering looking into the Mail-Box xD

[@lannifincoris6482]

I wouldn't find an affortable flat here in Berlin now. And I am German and have a job with a limitedless contract.. but, my income is to low for most landlords to give me a chance. If I had a kid it would be even worse..

[@peakmiez7825]

Huh? I never send a motivational letter and a photo to a landlord, never heard of that! Maybe it's common in the south? Greetings from Berlin! (I also lived in Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Cologne..)

[@helgaioannidis9365]

Munich is insane. My parents own a flat in Munich and when they wanted to rent it out they were getting so many emails they couldn't even read them all. I think it depends on the city. I've heard crazy stuff about finding a place to rent in Munich.

[@peakmiez7825]

@@helgaioannidis9365 Well, the renting market in every big city is insane. Berlin is the biggest and most popular with a huge housing shortage. I rather think it has something to do with the mentality in the south.

[@elipa3]

It depends on the growth of a city, me thinks.

[@helgaioannidis9365]

When you say it's "the mentality in the south", what do you mean?

[@peakmiez7825]

@@helgaioannidis9365 The mentality of the south of Germany. Especially Bavaria is very different from other areas in every respect.

[@mr.copernicus8054]

Best “American in Germany” KZbinr out there. The one and only NALF!

[@mojojim6458]

At 1:15: "Finding housing in Germany is notoriously difficult. And it's especially difficult if..." you want screens on your windows. TSGO, A 2.

[@karinland8533]

Because you stick them in yourself

[@astridlung4162]

There is an easy way to get screens on your windows. Buy some mesh in your local hardware store, cut it to measure and install it on your windows. Where is the problem? Btw, I'm German.

[@mojojim6458]

@@astridlung4162 Of course you're German. You think having screens in your windows is a do-it-yourself project. German home builders don't builder homes for people, the build them for insects.

[@etherealicer]

Joing a club / team is also good to get an apartment. It is pretty much good for everything.

[@mementomori5580]

"This is one of the best countries to life in" As a German, all I have to say to that is: How dare you!

[@cathycooley2838]

We've been living in Germany for 9 months now, my husband's in the military. We live a ways from post, so there aren't other Americans in our town, but there are in the surrounding towns, and most Germans are use to it. I haven't had a negative experience yet. I wouldn't say Germans are friendly, but when you need help, they're willing to help and are very polite. I'm learning German and try to speak it as much as possible, the problem is, when people speak back to me, they speak so fast I have a hard time understanding them. They can usually tell by the blank look on my face and start speaking to me in English :) I was worried before moving here that Germans would resent the American military presence, but speaking to an older lady at church she said most Germans are glad we are, especially with what's happening in Ukraine.

[@Cairol58]

Your are right regarding everything you said Cathy and the older lady even more! 😀 As NALF pointed out it may take a little longer to get closer to the locals but in the end everything is well when people get to know each other. Making the effort to speak the local idiom helps a lot, but since most locals do know at least some English they sometimes get a little impatient in getting on in the conversation and will probably reply in to you in English (with the knowledge they themselves have which might in some situations get people into awkward situations ...😅Just give it time and everything will be fine.😀 Speaking as a local and native speaker (with no US military folks around me) 😅

[@barbarasalesch7051]

So it is! The majority is glad that you are here!

[@suedpflanze1042]

You and your family are very welcome but not because of what's happening in Ukraine. Russians aren't our enemies or at least weren't until our stupid/corrupt government decided to follow the US stretegy in trying to weaken Russia (read RAND Corporation).

[@venusflytrap2622]

I think the part of percieved as not friendly but polite boils down to the phrase "Live and let Live". Basically if we are not familiar someone and dont have any other points of contact be it work related or in the same club etc., asking questions how your day went/what you´re doing etc. is considered nosy and suspicious. For example if my Neighbour across the street asks me how I´m doing its basically a 3-4 sentence conversation, if a random storeclerk or someone else I dont know asks me the same question I consider it weird. So in short its our way of being friendly and polite by respecting your privacy/time and not bothering you with small talk that doesnt lead anywhere. :) Regarding speaking german, dont be afraid to ask if someone speaks too fast to repeat it to you in german as you are learning and want to practice. We germans know our language is hard to learn and are glad if we can teach/help someone learn it. I once had a colleague learning german and when she asked something where I answered too fast, slipping into dialect/accent or mumbling a bit too much she asked me if I could repeat it and I gladly did since I noticed it myself from her look :D

[@Cairol58]

Haha, another fun NALF video! Settling in also goes with some ranting ... Bravo, dear NALF! 👏😀

[@tillappelhans4985]

I was a foreigner in the US for a while and I as well had a constant fear of being kicked out of the country just because I had a beer, when I was 20 years old and been in the wrong place.

[@drau331]

To come to the point that you are thrown out by German Goverment there you have do much more worst things than flying a drone over a city or speeding, Nalf.

[@robbyh.8165]

People that dislike America here usually have never even been to the US and all they know about America is exactly that... stereotypes, not realizing how ignorant they actually are, considering it's a vast country with more than 340 million people. It's a shame. I love the US and I hope you still feel welcome here.

[@m.s.8927]

I was there and it is very different from location to location and even at the same location. I have had both, the best and the worst experiences in my life with people. The countryside and landscapes are beautiful, the cities were not my thing and the differences between rich and poor where unimaginably big. Also you really have to get the drug problem under control. But as I said, stay in the countryside or selected parts of certain cities and I will agree, you will have a good time.

[@Upuauta]

There is one point you´re missing in regards we germans cope with foreigners. And that is where they come from and their culture. Most germans will have no issues with foreigners from a "similar" western culture as all the western european cultures or western cultures in general which include the american culture. Where it get´s difficult is the more and more different the foreign culture is. Like it can be really difficult for arabian and north african cultures here in Germany. Their values and cultural habits are far too different (not even saying theirs is worse then ours or anything like that - just different) to get easily and peaceful along. But that´s not just a german issue. It is and was in all history that cultures that are/were similar to each other could get along well, but the farther away and different a culture is the more conflict resulted. That´s why multi-cultural will always cause trubble in the long run. History proves it.

[@heinerlanvers]

I fully agree with you...a good workout changes the mood for the better

[@carolinbetz5188]

Being a volunteer fire fighter is a great way to meet people and learn about the German culture. Almost every small village and small town has its own fire fighters. Most of them really need new members. This means you will be very welcome. There is regular training and frequent barbeque with lots of beer.

[@Labroidas]

One important tip: if you plan to live in Germany or Austria (or any foreign country) for more than a year, learn the language. You don't need to be perfect, people will be understanding. But if you live here for a long time and show no interest in somewhat participating in the culture, it gives a bad impression because it makes you seem ignorant or even arrogant.

[@heribertfassbender5759]

PREACH!

[@tolipp509]

As someone who’s lived half his life in both, the US and Germany, I can’t quite agree with all the agreements/points made in this video. Germans aren’t as bad when it comes to foreigners, at least not the

[@etmindr4328]

6:50 ... the leftover of our cultur - the parts that were not destroyed

[@PascalGienger]

If you think Germany was difficult to get in touch with people - try German speaking Switzerland.... I tried 5 years until realizing - that does not work out for me. ;-)

[@aritakalo8011]

Having complaining as national pass time is how countries improve. To complain is to identify problems to be fixed. You can identify the state of the nation about how serious issue people complain about. At least here in Finland there is saying "Well the country isn't doing too badly at the moment, since *that* is what people complain about". Assumption is people will always complain, but when *that* is some minor issue it means no more major issue is taking precedence as matter of worry and complaint.

[@HitokiriDeDo]

Hey if you complain about Germans complaining... I mean you already learned how to be German to the core :D

[@hellboystein2926]

They just served you the beer in plastic?! OH-OH-....🤣

[@tommay6590]

9:28 what the heck are you doing??? Aren’t the pentagon leaks bad enough…keep the secret 🤐 😅😅😅

[@shellsbellswac1]

We just got back from our first trip to Germany and I have nothing but amazing things to say about our experience with the German public. I've been taking German language lessons so I tried my best to speak German as often as I was able. As soon as we landed and got a rental car, we went to the gas station and when observing our struggle, a local woman came over and helped my Dad with the gas pump and when to pay. She also helped us change the indicators in the car to English - just out of kindness, seeing we were visitors. I have been absorbing as much as I can about how to behave in Germany as an American and I also have to say the hospitality is not nearly as terrible as it is reported. We had an amazing time and I hope to go back again very soon! Ich vermisse Deutschland

[@MsTachke]

I'm from Belgium and I'm living since 9 months in Germany I found easily a room in a living comunity (Wohngemeinschaft) I have communicated all the time in German. Making friends is still for me the most difficult part. I have a job after searching 4 months and a half and I'm having a German boyfriend.

[@barbarasalesch7051]

Your videos are so good, both, from a technical and a content-related point of view. As a German, I also think that your observations are generally true. But I can reassure you about one thing: Letters, especially yellow ones, from the state or the municipality are mostly unpleasant, even for Germans ;-) And you will like Mettbrötchen when they are made in a good beer-pub.

[@glockenrein]

It’s true, we are reserved. But if we see you’re putting real effort into learning the language, that you’re joining the social life and that you’re actively trying to make a life here and to contribute to society - we’ll thaw so fast. 😄

[@3.k]

I tried to read the red writing on the envelope in the thumbnail, and for 30 seconds or so, it looked like "HELLRAISER" 😂

[@m42ears]

The question: "How Germany treats Foreigners" is like sitting on a horse upside down and asking why horses are always upside down. It always comes down to people first. What experiences has he made, what is his character like and of course also to the person opposite and the respective situation. And of course it also plays a role where I grew up. But my behavior towards others only reflects what kind of person I am. And what kind of person I am is partly influenced by where I come from. But my background does not determine what kind of person I am

[@nilsbauer6994]

Thanks for this video. It's always so interesting to get outside perspective on things that are not al to me as a native here. I love your content and I am happy that u decided to stay here even after your active career ended. Welcome, we're glad to have u

[@-Christoph]

4:33 As an austrian I pay for your "free formula 1 experience" with my taxes. You're welcome. 🙂

[@roynoi4662]

Not true. If you live near a US Base (Sindelfingen, Stuttgart, Böblingen, ...), the land lords are seeking for US citizens, as they pay double the price of the normal rent. Locals don't like that AT ALL, to be honest... The way NALF is reacting is based on 60-80km outside hot zones... In his case Schwäbisch Hall... NALF I like you a lot, but this is partially an issue.

[@anarac4445]

what would a visiting tourist expect to experience vs. someone who is moving there to live?

[@hape3862]

Nothing bad, don't worry. Germany is the #8 of the most visited countries in the world, just behind Mexico and ahead of Thailand. We are used to tourists!

[@Orbitalbomb]

Nalf, what do you need to understand is that you are a foreigner with a first class passport. this is unfortunately still a big difference compared to someone coming from let’s say Malaysia, or no mostly any other part of the world, other than Europe, and do US.

[@CesarGarcia-nd5xz]

Germans: VERY good and friendly 😊 German Bees 🇩🇪🐝: .... well, they just believe in attack.

[@LeeBross-r7r]

I worked in Germany for 3 months and thought I would improve on my limited German. Unfortunately my co workers only used English to improve their language skills and even the gas station workers would speak English to me with excitement and the checker at the Lidl grocery store struck up a conversation with me which is unheard of and my German co worker who was with me was stunned. "Glenn she spoke to you, this is not normally done here in Germany!"

[@Why-D]

Nice advice to get a flat, but may be, sometimes you just have to find the right place, where there are free appartments, as some regions have only few free spaces. And try different web pages and may be local newspapers. but yes, best option is to have your ear around.

[@ritschieee]

I somehow miss the acapella outro music 😟🫣

[@Kokuswolf]

9:20 I just wanted to say that you are already a full German like how you complain in this video. But then you said this. Nice trick! 😜

[@sabinekrummer4011]

Für ein paar Jahre lebte ich in Frankreich. Wenn man nur ein paar Worte in Französisch spricht, hat man gewonnen. Ein amerikanischer Arbeitskollege wurde von französischen Beamten aber abgestraft, weil er nicht mal ein freundliches "Bonjour" hinbekam. Und versuche mal, auch als Einheimischer einen Schwarzwälder als Freund zu gewinnen. :-) Dafür muss man hart arbeiten!

[@frank4u2dayn8]

Da ich selbst in Frankreich lebe und vorher kurz in Baden-Württemberg lebte, kann ich nur zustimmen. Manchmal ist es sogar gut, wenn man nicht dauernd auf Menschen trifft, die einem sofort Freundschaft anbieten, obwohl man sich im Prinzip überhaupt nicht kennt. Echte Freundschaften beruhen immer auf Vertrauen, gegenseitigem Respekt und einer gewissen Liebe im platonischem Sinne. Unechte Freunde erkennt man immer daran, dass sie sich selbst einladen, Geschenke mitbringen aber im Gegenzug ebenfalls Geschenke erwarten und fast nie zu erreichen sind, wenn man tatsächlich mal ihre Hilfe benötigt.

[@prieten49]

In the former East Germany it is often easier to find an apartment. Apartments are also more reasonable than in the West. You can root for American football teams there! The East Germans are really friendly too.

[@ghlscitel6714]

Is "NALF" the short for Not Alien Life Form?

[@lohikarhu734]

lived in Finland 6+ years...easier to make friends, but pretty reserved, although that depends on beer, too....food is more expensive than Germany, salaries lower, but, Finns find satisfaction in life, in other ways. very, very calm place, except Helsinki, but compared to USA, positively glacial. no tire screeching, no horn honking, but, fast driving folks, too...very direct people, even more than Germans...btw, no "pronoun" issues, since they have no gendered words, and no gendered pronouns! "Han" works for anyone.

[@uliwehner]

same in the US. "Hon" short for honey, works for everyone :)

[@cosmos60]

Oh, these yellow letters are not for foreigners only😅

[@Oneofakind123]

Lol. So true about the mail. 😂 What was the mahnung for?

[@davidcharnes9161]

I am American and live in Italy. Here it is the registered mail that is terrifying. Signing for that envelope is the worst. Chances are it is going to cost you, and chances are you didn’t see it coming.

[@hape3862]

The yellow envelope he showed was exactly such an official letter. (I think it was the one when he got fined for flying a drone where it isn't allowed.)

[@fredmidtgaard5487]

Renting out to foreigners can be a pain. My grandparents rented out their villa to a New Zealand family and it got trashed. I have rented out too (because I'm most of the time in Africa on wildlife work) and got my house trashed by non-Europeans.

[@Martin-ip4hj]

getting mail in germany is also negative for locals. when I get mail, 90% of the time I have to pay something haha

[@chrisdouglass313]

ich wohne seit mehr als 32 Jahre in Deutschland, und habe nur positive Erfahrungen gemacht. Solang als Du bereit bist alles zu tun um Dich zu integrieren, dann ist nichts negatives zu erwarten. Aber die Sprache ist ein Muß, und wenn Du kein Deutsch lernen willst, dann bleib lieber in Dein Land.

[@autisticguitar666]

I have applied to over 50 rooms in the town I'm going to study in. Heard back from 2 got denied by all of them. Not quite sure what I'm going to do now...

[@bramscheDave]

A German friend found me my first flat, my wife's sister my second - she works in a bank and met somebody who was about to put their flat up for rent. I moved to Germany because of my friends. I was in an international biking club and met several Germans whilst doing tours in France and Austria. I've never joined a club in Germany, but it is a good idea. I've been lucky, I've never had problems with Germans and me being British. It seems, I am the "right kind" of foreigner. I was in a language school and the teacher went off on a tirade about how bad Chinese students are, how lazy they are, when the sun comes out, they don't turn up, they just go out and sun themselves... The student in question had gone to the University on that day to talk to his professor. Although the teacher had been a friend, I was horrified and went with the other students to the Principal to complain. But it does seem, if you come from North or West of Germany, you are welcome, if you come from countries East or South of Germany, you aren't as welcome. As a foreigner, I see all other foreigners as equal, regardless of where they come from, but it is difficult sometimes to see the attitudes of some Germans to foreigners.

[@dmbfantony]

What was inside the yellow envelope?????