How I See Germany After Living in the USA for 8 Years | Feli from Germany

[@FelifromGermany]

learn.lingopie.com/germanyfeli ▸Try Lingopie for FREE (7-day trial) and get an exclusive discount! *Yes, I mispronounced stinginess! Sorry about that!* 😅 If you wanna hear the perspective of an *American who's been living in Germany for 8 years* , be sure to check out NALF's video ▸kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXm1koFnbtF7oM0si=e048jkJZ4kGXtoUK (Yes, we both moved abroad in 2016 )

[@NetflixForeign]

Any good unknown new novels you can recommend? Many good German movies tend to get a shot at export, not so much for books.

[@marklohmann6267]

Didn’t notice. Your English is better than most US born citizens.

[@FreezyAbitKT7A]

Do you prefer American support undergarments or European?

[@RogerBlancoNYC]

Yeah, I know him. He lives in Schwäbisch Hall, I am in Ansbach, not too far...

[@RogerBlancoNYC]

OMG! Thank you so much for replying to me.... You actually read this, wow!

[@binkybombastic6200]

I am German and I just started a job in public service (öffentlicher Dienst) and I realized what the bureaucracy looks like for people in those jobs. It’s application forms for EVERYTHING! You can’t do anything without a permit. Last night my cat was sleeping on my chest and subconsciously I knew I wanted to turn around in bed but weirdly I couldn’t (because he’s a heavy boy). In my dreams I was like „oooh I guess I have to fill out an application form and wait for the permit until I can turn around!“ 😂 I think that says a lot about German bureaucracy!

[@MCArt25]

Same in Austria, except here you just call your friend from the Amt who can "fix things" for you.

[@bjscharf]

LOL! As an exchange student at Universität Heidelberg, I had to register, re-register, and deregister at 13 offices. I don't even know how to translate "ummelden", which I was told was the process to register once, then come back later and re-register. The offices were all over Heidelberg and had unique hours. At my University here, it was maybe 2 offices, a 2 minute walk from each other. But I love and miss Germany!

[@Adonnus100]

Oi m8 you got a permit for that comment??

[@omsi-fanmark]

Yes, if we are good at anyrhing in Germany, it's bureaucracy. It used to be cars as well, but we tend to fall behind Tesla, Kia and Hyundai nowadays, not to mention upcoming car manufacturers from China.

[@rancosteel]

The USA is no different. Every DMV in the USA has the same bureaucratic mentality and has no desire to change. The paper shuffling keeps them employed.

[@user-lu7gh3vx5q]

You are the happiest German I have ever seen.

[@shaunsteele6926]

because she's been in America for 8 years lol

[@janchovanec8624]

That's not how you spell "fake".

[@keegster7167]

you should watch TrixieRabbit!

[@Racko.]

Lmfao literally

[@martyjoness2396]

me too...and I actually live in Germany LOL

[@17cmmittlererminenwerfer81]

Your mastery of American culture and language is very impressive. As a former exchange student who went in the opposite direction, I can say that very few Americans understand just what an enormous challenge it can be to truly immerse yourself in a foreign language & culture in your 20s, especially when you go solo as a student who doesn't know what to expect.

[@annarold1709]

In your 20’s and in any age it is difficult to migrate. Especially to a country with an unwelcoming culture . That’s not the case in America, the whole continent . There people are in general friendly

[@Ryan88881]

It's not really that foreign of a language.

[@InfiniteDeckhand]

''Your mastery of American culture and language is very impressive.'' That's really nothing to be impressed about. Neither the language nor the ''culture'' in America are that hard to grasp.

[@JohnDlugosz]

@@InfiniteDeckhand Most people who make such a migration will forever speak with an accent. She sounds like she lived in Cincinnati when she was *10* . (of course I simplify. A trained ear can tell she was born in Germany, and once had a layover in a Japanese airport when she was little. )

[@InfiniteDeckhand]

@@JohnDlugosz You do realize that that only proves my point, yes?

[@BoxerRick]

I was stationed in Germany during the 80s. I loved the people and still have a good friend whos a corrections officer. My Mom was born in Coblenz so I always wanted to see her home country. God bless you from Ky 🇺🇸

[@Carlsimpso1952]

Feli, you really get it. I lived twice in Germany for a total of 7 years. I learned the language quite well and loved the people and the country. You are the best English speaker that I have ever heard. I'm a Medical Doctor with a lot of English education. I am amazed at, not only your English abilities, but your incredible social/societal skills. Please stay with us .. WELCOME

[@stevenjohnson7086]

She blathers on like a fun-loving girl from the States. 😊 I would challenge anyone that doesn’t know her background to take a guess where she was born and raised. Sounds native Yank to me. 😅

[@raymonddrake3675]

Agreed - the only minor error was "stinginess" - the "g" is pronounced like a "j". It sounded like she was describing a bee hive - lol.

[@triunnbjorn3610]

​@raymonddrake3675 there's other obvious examples. Like s9me of her "so" sound like "zo". She does an amazing job though. My German is atrocious either way

[@Sergio-sr5wf]

I just went to Germany in August and I loved it so much I’m going back in October. The driving was an absolute joy, because people do follow the rules. The food is amazing, the markets are fantastic. I gonna keep going back every chance I get. Maybe because I’m an introvert, I really appreciate people keeping to themselves. Thanks for the wonderful video. Tschüss ✌️

[@zaram131]

Same with me and Switzerland. I’m going back asap.

[@jcheck6]

@@zaram131 The Lauterbrunnen Valley is the most beautiful place in the world.

[@MegasSalavatis]

When you said that the food in Germany is amazing, you lost all credibility. I cannot take anything seriously after that.

[@grysufeuermelder9602]

@@MegasSalavatis You don't have much experience with american food, do ya?

[@andyx6827]

​@@MegasSalavatis Germany is the country with the 4th highest amount of Michelin 3 star restaurants. It comfortably beats countries like Spain etc. If you think Germany has bad food, you're just a brainwashed person stuck in the 1950s.

[@ericcousino2068]

My mother is from Germany. When I was a kid we literally had the same conversation you just did about McDonalds. Literally. :)

[@jonok42]

You and about 70% of families in the US. We aren't all taught that debt is okay, nor are we all okay with being wasteful. Many of us were raised in harder times and we didn't run out for fast food every meal. My family eats fast food maybe once a week, and go out for a nice restaurant meal around once a week also. The rest of the time we eat at home.

[@jenniferlorence185]

@@jonok42 With these PRICES these Days; I Consider Your Family RICH, I haven't been able to Afford a McDonald's Meal here in the USA for YEARS.

[@wrayzur]

I would say the biggest thing I’ve noticed here in the US, as an American, is that different parts of the country are in fact, different. Like Cincinnati is gonna be different than a small rural town in Kentucky for example. The people are different, the language, the everyday life, the struggles. It’s all different. Each state is different and I find that very interesting about the US

[@johnphelan4215]

Yes. The way Feli talks about crowded stores, not being able to turn around in a fitting room, etc. in Germany is the way people from California talk about living in New York City.

[@BP-or2iu]

@@johnphelan4215Even NYC isn’t all like that.

[@sheaholloway9537]

Agreed, but sadly, that uniqueness is becoming homogenized and I hate it. Thus, try to keep local culture alive from food and architecture, to language and education.

[@DennisfromMunich]

I grew up in a small village in the German countryside and regarding behavior in stores and in public I was raised differently. For me it is the norm to smile, talk to employees and excuse myself when I want to reach over someone at a store. Small talk in the countryside used to be the norm because you kind of knew people so it would be even more rude to just ignore them. The same translates into traffic. If someone’s letting you through and stops you wave to thank them. After moving to Munich I realized how little of this basic politeness is part of city life and when I can I try to make a difference. Employees are surprised and often very happy about the smallest of interactions. However I also noticed how the indifference of the city will change my behavior as well.

[@bradleyheck7204]

That's just small town versus big city stuff. It happens everywhere.

[@feststelltastecapslock9869]

I keep noticing that whenever I am in Munich (which is like every other year) and sometimes when I interact with people from there. People in the pedestrian zone will just barrel through you, retail employees can be rude, etc. This is not what its like in other big cities, least of all in Hamburg that many people perceive to be the antipode of Munich.

[@aethden]

I have the same experience. I also grew up in the countryside, and it's normal for us to greet people and be friendly. So is the customer service, at least that's how I see it. So I'm always confused when she says that people are rude, but maybe it's part of living in a german city.

[@jonok42]

Everything you stated about the countryside or rural Germany is exactly what it's like in small city, town, or rural USA. Only the big cities are like Munich. The crime rate is also very low in small town USA. It's a big place and lumping us all together is like saying that all of Europe is the same. It's obviously not.

[@jamespatrick1548]

Hello Dennis, I find in my travels (approx 33 countries so far) that once you get out of the large main cities (Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles) the people tend to be much kinder and more courteous and usually very interested in where I'm from (born in Dallas, live in Palm Springs). I have visited Frankfurt and Saarbrucken and I'm looking forward to visiting all of Germany. If you ever come to the US, try to travel away from the large cities and take the smaller roads through all the small towns. I think you would be pleasantly surprised. Have a great day!

[@michaelshelton5488]

I'm from Texas and discovered your channel because of your video on Texas German. I've been a fan ever since. I love your work and your enthusiasm. 👍👏

[@TSinRM]

As a 67 year-old American who has traveled to Germany many times since my college days, I share 100% of your perceptions of both countries' cultures and people. I love the overall orderliness and safety of Germany, while missing the positivity of people on the street. I would hate the bureaucracy in Germany, but on the other hand, appreciate that employees are prepared and well trained for their jobs. I really appreciate being a second generation American, as all 4 of my grandparents came from Europe with nothing and the frugality that I inherited from them has benefited me immensely. Ich bedanke mich für dieses unterhaltsames und introspectives Video. Mach weiter so!

[@Susann-om5ly]

Nein. Das wäre ich danke dir. Ich bedanke mich is a reflexive verb bedanken. Ich bedanke dich does therefore not exist. Du bedankst dich. It means you thank reflexive without object. ​@@SalyLuz-hc6he

[@Susann-om5ly]

if you want to criticize something, which Germans seem to love doing, you could say the correctvform of using ich bedanke mich would be ich bedanke mich für dieses interessante Video, so the s in both adjectives would be wrong. I didn't even realize that at first.

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

@@Susann-om5ly I thank you very much for your correction! While I am ethnically German, none of my other relatives wish to speak German any longer. I am very out of practice and have forgotten quite a lot. My parents were children during World War II, and their families here forbade them from speaking German any more, because they did not want to get the whole family in trouble. I am going off what I remember of the German my Grosseltern taught me when I was young. They are long dead now. I have recently begun studying German again. One of my young relatives wants to learn German at school, but feels very intimidated. I said I will learn German at the same time, and then we will at least be able to speak with each other. So even though I studied German in elementary and high school, and also at University for one year, I don't remember anything at all about "reflexive." I remember many vocabulary words, but not always how to assemble or conjugate them correctly. So I've started from the beginning. I did not want to criticize, I wanted to correct. I do remember mich is referring to me, and dich is referring to you. So if there is some way that dich can refer to me, I have yet to learn about that. I just know that some things sound right to me, and some things don't sound correct. I think it's based on what I heard the older members of my family saying when I was young. I remember my grandmothers used to tell me stories in German. But I don't have the correct vocabulary to discuss exactly what the reasons are, such as "reflexive". I don't remember any discussion of that ever in English classes. But they did skip me over two years of English when I was young, because I was ahead of that level. I know I still have much to learn! Hopefully I will be able to relearn it correctly and remember it well enough to use in the future. I will refrain from commenting on other people's German from now on. I don't want to confuse or offend anyone! But I do sincerely appreciate you taking time to write the correction. Vielen Dank!

[@FD2003Abc]

Did you pay for the EU military to keep Russia and China from walking in and taking over? Yeah, I thought not.

[@Lysandra-8]

​@@SalyLuz-hc6hesehr beeindruckend von dir, dass du deutsch lernen willst ☺️

[@biblestudychannel9580]

I just want to say; my mother was German, and watching your channel makes me feel so at home. I like how Germans do things accurately and how there is a loyalty to friendships. I traveled in Germany when I was 10 years old; visiting relatives, driving on the Autobahn at around 180 kh and enjoying high quality food. I hope you enjoy your last few months in the US!

[@morthenpedersen3289]

I am from Denmark and I completely agree with the lack of friendliness in our society. We really could do better in this area, and I personally try to. Tschüß 😃

[@jenniferlorence185]

I should Go and make a Living in Denmark teaching Social Skills.

[@paddyoak1]

My American co worker spent two weeks in Denmark and said “it’s an introvert paradise.”

[@AJHart-eg1ys]

I have some experience with people from Denmark. When she spoke about making plans and making friends, I was reminded that: 1) If you make plans in Denmark, you have to do it fairly far ahead of time and it is then etched in stone. No one will bail on you. 2) If you did not grow up in Denmark, good luck trying to become true friends with someone. They take very seriously the thing about being friends for life, so much that they seem to feel they don't need any more than what they grew up with. Am I off base? Take care.

[@AJHart-eg1ys]

@@paddyoak1 My feeling is that, as an outsider, it's not really going to be your choice as to whether you're going to be an introvert if you move there. It's not like anyone's going to want to become your friend. 🤣

[@mrn234]

@@AJHart-eg1ys Basically like here in germany.

[@youaremopped]

This is a great, well-balanced video. There are definitely things each country/culture could learn from each other.

[@Uriah625]

My dad was stationed in Germany for much of the 80’s. We’d see him few weeks a year while he had leave and all he talked about was how much he loved Germany.

[@LJBSullivan]

Why didn't you live there as well?

[@Uriah625]

@@LJBSullivan my parents divorced when I was a baby so I lived with my mom. I will say for how much my dad loved Germany, I would have rather grown up there. Kind of surprising he didn’t move there permanently.

[@stephenpederson7471]

Germany was a great place to be, especially in the 80's. I loved exploring the different cities, the great recognition of history, the selection of hobbies, the outdoor emphasis and if you tried the friendships. It was different but that's something I've always liked. I wanted to know why things were different and I sought such things out. I constantly express an interest in other cultures. I knew several people who decided to retire in Germany. I don't know how they did in the long run but they stayed. Another experience I had was the tremendous hospitality of the Germans. Shortly after my arrival a US fighter crashed in northern Germany. While Americans guarded it the local Germans all came out in the evening to talk to the Americans. They brought tons of baked goods and snacks and apparently just wanted to practice their school English with actual English speakers as well as meet Americans.

[@lisalasers]

my friend’s dad was based in Germany in 1981 and i went for a long visit. i loved it but i was 12. her parents divorced but her dad stayed and is still there.

[@flyinbrianewing]

@@Uriah625 I was there for 5 years in the service and I seriously considered living there permanently. It is a wonderful country with wonderful people.

[@TheFezzik]

The US is SO LOUD. Restaurants, most public places.... so loud. Lived in Japan for six years and that was my major struggle to deal with when coming back.

[@manichispanic5234]

Dude, when I return to Mexico it's an assault on my senses. Advertisements everywhere, lights, sounds! Takes a couple dates to acclimate LOL

[@chartreux1532]

Griaß di Feli! I'm a Bundeswehr Veteran from the 23. Gebirgsjägerbrigade (231. Battalion) and from Berchtesgaden! Did 2 Tours in Afghanistan and 1 in Kosovo via KFOR, now helping to train Ukrainians. An before that makes me sound old, i'm in my mid-30s haha. I've been to the USA many times myself and of course excercised and also worked together with Americans in Afghanistan, never had one bad Experience with an American. I'm currently doing my Road Trip from the Northern Half of the USA East Coast all the Way to the West with my own imported German Audi RSQ8 with German License Plates! Planned that for 5 Years. So far i noticed having a German License Plate really helps you in the USA getting to know the local Americans, which i hoped it would. Next Year i do West to East Coast but all the Southern States while keeping my Car parked on the West Coast (that's cheaper) Also just want to share that me and a lot of my Comrades really enjoy your Videos about the Differences of the USA and Germany, but also your Videos of German Stuff in the USA! Keep up the great Work! Prost & Cheers from Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps

[@josephpadula2283]

Probably better not to use the term Comrade here in USA….. Bad connotations .

[@chartreux1532]

@@josephpadula2283 In the USA yes. You are right. But for those curious reading this: That Connotation is only bad in the USA thanks to Hollywood though, so i feel it can be ignored as irrelevant and most American Soldiers i worked with both in Afghanistan and in NATO Excercises used "Comrade" with us as well because they learned that "Comrade" isn't a Soviet Russian or Communist Word at all but "Tavarish" is what the Soviets used. Hollywood just made "Comrade" to be associated with Soviet Russia. Originally Comrade comes from the Spanish and Portugese and then transfered to the French during the French Revolution and then of course to Germany and German-Speaking Countries. Mainly as "Friend" but among Brothers in Arms of the "lower Class". And most of us Soldiers, even today are from the lower Class and average Folk. That said, can't blame you for not knowing about that, most People don't. Including Germans, French, Spaniards etc. In Germany we even call our School Friends "Klassenkamerad" which translates to "Class Comrade" to this Day. No political connotation there at all, just meaning we are not from the Upper Class. Prost & Cheers from Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps

[@ronh9384]

Hope you make it to Cincinnati. I was In the U.S. Army and served 2 years in Germany. I was born in Nurnburg (my dad served there… Both parents were american.) I also went to elementary school in Germany for 3 years on his 2nd tour to Germany. And I went back for a couple of weeks when my son was stationed in Germany. Germany is my favorite place to visit. I traveled all around Germany every chance I got while stationed there and when visiting. I found great people everywhere I went. While I was there I spent the two Christmas’ I was there with a different German family and it reminded me of my time there as a kid. Thank you for your service!

[@josephpadula2283]

@@chartreux1532 Sorry but you are not correct . Our in house communists have been using comrade way back to Lenin. By the way there was Soviet influence in Hollywood . Read Witness by Whitaker Chambers . Comrade: An Essay on Political Belonging, by Jodie Dean, 2019. New York: Verso Books. The centerpiece of this book is its chapter titled “Four Theses on the Comrade,” which works to define the characteristics of this explicitly communist political designation. Fundamentally, Dean designates the term both as an expression of personal interrelations and an indication of one’s connection to the larger international revolutionary movement for communism. It indicates the equality and sameness, the lack of hierarchy among Party members; it distinguishes the member apart from and as more than the socially imparted identities or relations to exploitation and oppression. It places those who identify as such, with all of the historical privilege and baggage, rewards and wounds, and demerits of identity, on the same side of a struggle, “the real movement to abolish the present state of things,” as Marx put it. Comrade is what she calls the “zero-level of communism.” It is the basic unit of the interpersonal that occurs in the act of facing together toward the political horizon to which we look to find ourselves in the collective struggle for human liberation from capitalist exploitation, white supremacist oppression, and colonial regimes of domination. The “Four Theses” chapter draws on some histories of how some communist parties imagined and used this term to develop its arguments. (Notably, precious few experiences outside North America or Europe are represented in these historical sketches.) In so doing, Dean offers a philosophical grounding for a collectivist and committed revolutionary political subjectivity in both the neoliberal, capitalist present, and in a post-capitalist future. Besides, much of this slender book reads less like a philosophical treatise and more like a political tract on how communist militants, activists, cadre, staff, and everyday members might act within the party formation. Dean has resisted and countered current suppositions that typically come from the left that the communist party form is no longer needed, or that it is little more than an institution that suppresses freedom or individuality. Her book Crowds and Party tackles that problem, and obviously with this book establishes a clear case for the Communist Party in the present. She doesn’t address any specific existing communist parties, except historically. She doesn’t tread into the mine-ridden territory of specific strategic policies or tactical styles of work the Party should pursue. She doesn’t address fragmentation or splintering or sectarianism in the political spectrum. This lack serves well the higher purpose of the book’s thesis. Dean’s four theses are the following: 1. “Comrade” names a relation characterized by sameness, equality, and solidarity. For communists, this sameness, equality, and solidarity are utopian, cutting through the determinations of capitalist society. 2. Anyone but not everyone can be a comrade. 3. The individual (as the locus of identity) is the “Other” of comrade. 4. The relation between comrades is mediated by fidelity to a truth. Practices of comradeship materialize this fidelity, building its truth into the world. In my mind, numbers 1 and 2 are self-evident and are well-developed in the book. Number 3 seems to be the most important of the four, the linchpin of the idea Dean is building. Capitalist processes, logics, and ideologies work at the production of individuality. Capitalism valorizes complete isolation and division as somehow some form of freedom but, of course, leaves most of us alone and on our own in the struggle to survive. “Comrade,” Dean argues, works to undo that sadistic, violent, and alienating form of distorted existence. It binds us together in a collective struggle to build new types of freedom with equality, liberation from exploitation tied to identities.

[@chartreux1532]

@@josephpadula2283 In what Country? In Germany the Communists used "Genosse" among another since forever. "Kamerad" "Comrade" and the spanish, portugese and french versions of it have been used interchangeably. That's just a historical Fact to this Day in those Militaries. And the Essay you quoted from 2019 doesn't really mean much in a historical Context, i just looked it up and it pertains to the USA only. Which means my Point still stands. But thanks for sharing it Cheers

[@Mooner3000]

This is so relatable. I moved from Germany to Ohio myself many years ago and had almost the exact same observations. Except I didn’t completely shake of the pessimism . Keep up the good work

[@Hellenicheavymetal]

I can handle some pessimism but if it's every sentence that spills out of their mouth it's annoying.

[@JohnRoetzer]

I think I inherited the pessimism from my German ancestors. It is somewhat mitigated by my mother’s Irish sense of humor!

[@58MrMike]

Funny, when i visited Germany, I found most people extremely friendly and helpful to tourists

[@rachael8078]

I was 16 and flew to Germany alone. this little old lady struck up a conversation with me on the plane and when I expressed anxiety about getting on the train properly she literally walked with me to get my bags and took me to the ticket kiosk and made sure I got on the right train and then I asked people on the train to help w my stop. I still think about her to this day. My exchange sister was amazing and I miss her to this day, her parents….well they grew up communist. They weren’t crazy about me 😂

[@KwispyZ]

Seriously where I lived in the states (CA, VA, NV, TX), a lot of people were so unfriendly. The only ones who did smile and were friendly were ones who were upbeat otherwise especially in the South, no one had typical the southern hospitality. I grew up in VA so I can say southern hospitality has been dead for years.

[@stephanklumpp8633]

And this is how it is! People are friendly in Germany! Out of respect for your privacy they tend to appear less extraverted than americans, but germans judge other germans more critically then necessary so does Feli. Also overall people got friendlier since i lived there just because the all present post war trauma is dissapearing in my opionion.

[@raymonddrake3675]

I think its definitely very different as a tourist versus a foreigner who becomes a resident.

[@quantumdisplacer]

because you obviously were tourist, but if you stayed longer you would see behind the veil. or you look above average, you will be treated better... just my 2 german cents ;)

[@ah244895]

As an American, whose family came from Germany about 100 years ago, i agree with most of what you say. I definitely enjoyed driving immensely when visiting Germany, and the food. We contacted our German relatives from several generations back before coming over, we got treated like family when we came. It was great meeting people with it same last name and getting your through several small towns.

[@annarold1709]

😂😂100 years only !happy you’re here using KZbin. You should open a channel to talk about the past

[@Susann-om5ly]

​@@annarold1709Blut is dicker als Wasser we say. So relatives are treated like that!

[@AustrianPainter14]

@annarold1709 We in the diaspora are more German than any non-European squatting in Europe will ever be.

[@SkipGole]

Hmm… When I lived in Japan, some things were somewhat similar to some of your comments about Germany. Japan is very group-oriented. As an example, in Japan, my car broke down in the countryside and nobody would help me. People assumed I knew people and they would help me, but there was no one. So, nobody stopped. However, in the USA, I’ve had breakdowns and somebody has always stopped and asked, “Do you need help?” I think here people think, “That could be me.” Big difference.

[@Thomas-w1l4w]

Swap Munich for Cincinnati. A bit crazy. Europe has the better quality of life in every way. Maybe LOVE plays a roll. Do you walk around with a machine gun? You shout alot. American kultur? Enjoy, be happy und sei gesund even in Cincinnati.

[@SkipGole]

​@@Thomas-w1l4w Wow! Are you sure you meant to reply to what I wrote? I’ve never lived in Cincinnati. Weird reply.

[@4f9i1g5A]

日本人です。申し訳ありませんでした。日本の田舎で外国人が困っているのを助ける行為自体が周囲の日本人からは浮いて見えます。集団の中で浮いているとその集団の中で生活するのが苦しくなります。これは田舎に限らず、都会であっても会社に属して働いていると、その会社の集団の中で悪い意味で目立たないようにします。学校でも同じです。

[@ladiuneeq9789]

​@@Thomas-w1l4wEurope does not have a better quality of life. Are you in denial? What are you even talking about?!

[@gasaholic47]

@@Thomas-w1l4wWtf are you talking about?

[@Lisa-ny2mr]

As an American who has visited Germany/Europe, I did notice some of these things, in particular regarding friendliness. One thing I wanted to comment on is how the smoking culture has changed here in a relatively short time period. I’m not even 40 yet and can remember very well smoking being way more prevalent. Probably our most successful public health initiative in the last 20 years.

[@1972Ray]

I remember people smoking in the grocery stores. When I got to high school, smoking was allowed but it ended the next year. Cigarette packs were $00.50 then. in 2024, 11% of Americans smoke, down from 54% in the 50's.

[@angelviloria4966]

If only we could apply the same methodology to adopting the metric system! 😂

[@victorclemente-mt4to]

I wouldn’t necessarily call it a successful health initiative since so much of reduction in smoking was forced via laws and taxes. Had it been purely based on education and people voluntarily reduced smoking, then that would truly be a success.

[@chamberlain323]

I’m 50 and clearly recall people smoking everywhere, all the time. Hospitals, stores, restaurants, airports (even inside airplanes), you name it. Over the course of the 90s and 00s it gradually changed. It’s now pointed to as a public health success story resulting from cultural change, proof that societies CAN change for the better if they really want.

[@camillesamples8790]

@@1972RayWatch an old Perry Mason show. Everyone smoked.

[@jaycasbon6703]

Feli, as a person who has worked in Germany ( and enjoy German culture and the people), I feel you have an astute understanding of GERMANY and America - love your channel and uplifting spirit!

[@transitcaptain]

Oh my goodness you’re moving to Germany next year! it’ll be so interesting to see how it goes even if you’re just gonna continue to make videos about cultural differences.

[@marinadean5706]

I'm a German. Came to the us in 96. Whenever I go home I notice how pessimistic and rude Germans are (including my own family). I always feel like a ray of sunshine that makes everybody smile...

[@christophergallie2910]

I lived for 2.5 years in berlin and only one time of the year that Germans were nice was in the karneval der kulturen.

[@johnhelms8226]

I am so impressed with your American English accent and your incredibly skillful application of your eyeliner.

[@barbaras5550]

And the constant competition who has the worst at the moment (at work, diseases, stress etc)!

[@marinadean5706]

​@@barbaras5550 right?!

[@Brando56894]

I'm of German descent (2-3 generation American) and I guess that's why a lot of the North Eastern US is socially "cold". I'm from NJ and lived in NYC for 5 years and the most you'll get from a stranger is a smile and maybe a greeting. I moved down to Miami back in October and I'm still not exactly used to how friendly people are in the South.

[@PDLM1221]

Feli glad you are here ! I served in the Air Force at Rhine Main (Frankfurt Airport) 72-75 for 3 yrs , had a great time there and traveled a lot around Europe. I’m also born in Cleveland .So glad you picked Ohio and welcome you here , I still love Germany and hope to visit again .

[@Allocated_Brain]

fun times in cleveland today.

[@jcheck6]

I was just south of you at Zweibrucken '74-'77. We just got back from a vacation to Bavaria. Get your butt back over there!

[@Paul-f7q]

216✊️

[@RejiGreg]

As someone who moved from the U.S. to Germany, I actually had some opposite experiences. I found my German neighbors and even strangers were wonderfully kind, generous, curious about each other, and noticed if someone needed help (I had a newborn so I often did). I grew up in California wine country and the Rheinland-Pfalz area felt very similar in terms of vibes. Then I came back to the U.S., now living on the east coast, and people seemed deeply annoyed by each other. I have more culture shock within the U.S. I also went from a dense and expensive suburban area in the US where I had a one bedroom apartment, to a more rural area of Germany where I paid the same for a three story house in a village of 700 people, so I found Germany much more spacious. Then I came back to a U.S. city and there are people and cars everywhere and it’s overwhelming at times.

[@keithhudson1358]

I hope all goes well when you and Ben move to Germany. And it would be interesting if Ben does a video after a year living in Germany on what has changed him, if any?

[@josephpadula2283]

Yes if he liked going to the DMV in the USA once year he is going to Love Germangovernment paperwork .!

[@jcheck6]

Ben? Who is Ben? She didn't get married did she?

[@josephpadula2283]

@@jcheck6 I think so

[@anonym6132]

​@@jcheck6her boyfriend, he has been in a few videos already

[@williampalmer8052]

I appreciate hearing the perspective of someone who actually has experience with the cultural differences between these two countries. It's unfortunately too common for certain people to have cynical, disparaging opinions about their own country, and unrealistic ideas about "those other" ones. It's good to be reminded that we should all appreciate the positives and work to minimize the negatives within our cultures, and that often both of these can be best recognized by someone with an outside perspective.

[@LittleLulubee]

I’ve noticed the opposite: Europeans, (yes, I call them that, lol), saying really hateful things about the US, and then bragging about their countries.

[@chitlitlah]

Yeah, I get annoyed thinking about how our health care system in the US is one of the worst in the world, and education can be so expensive, but videos like this remind me there are things we get right and every country has its problems.

[@rockincarbonara]

@@LittleLulubee it´s because the differences between this two countries changed too much. I remember the 1980´s. Through that period of time America had a complete different image to us europeans. it was the "Dreamland" where every young crowd wanted to be. In my case it´s because i love American Roots music. So i (always) wanted to see the places where music history was written. In fact, through that period many people felt too much restricted in (society)rules or even technically not progressed enough. We were dreaming about individuality. Today many things changed. As Feli says: off course we still criticize many things about rules and Politics in Germany, but to compare it to what american Life is today, we actually realize how good our systems here are.

[@gerhardma4297]

@@LittleLulubee If there is one country where people are absolutely uncritical and boast unreservedly about the “greatest country and the only country in the world with freedom”, it is the USA. And if you don't do that, you are punished for being unpatriotic. And there are plenty of reasons to be upset about society, its division and the visibly catastrophic shortcomings in the USA. Starting with politics and politicians

[@OakwiseBecoming]

Except for how Europeans have the cynical negative views about America. Despite never having been there or only seeing one place that isn't representative.

[@stevef.5197]

I'm a first generation American with German parents. Everything you said describes my parents and the way they raised me. Now I know why we are socially awkward, like you described the store employees.

[@FelifromGermany]

We're raised like this 😅

[@stevef.5197]

@@FelifromGermany We are. My wife thought my family hated her. I told het its just the way we are. Now I understand why. Too bad she died before you showed me this. Thank you for the videos you make.

[@LittleLulubee]

@@stevef.5197 I wonder to what degree the French are the same way? 🤔 I’m American and I was sure the mother of my French boyfriend hated me, lol.

[@harrisonburger9355]

No, it's different. She's French. She really hates you. I'm kidding.

[@TheUnfulfilledOne]

@@FelifromGermany I write this to You to bring You Eternal Hope from far away."The Rapture"- is A Truly Real Future Biblical Christian Worldwide Event in which Millions of Living True Christian Believers shall be "Transported" into Heaven to meet The Creator Of The World/The Maker Of The World/The Lord Himself and they shall be with him Forever and ever.Also in addition to "The Rapture" another Truly Real Future Biblical Christian Worldwide Event called "The First Resurrection" will also take place,which will "Resurrect" All-Dead True Christian Believers and will also "Transport" them into Heaven to meet The Creator Of The World/The Maker Of The World/The Lord Himself and they shall be with him Forever and ever! "The Rapture" collects All-Living True Christian Believers,while "The First Resurrection" collects All-Dead True Christian Believers.The Dead True Christian Believers shall rise first and then both:The Dead and The Living True Christian Believers shall Together be Transported into Heaven to be Together with The Christian God and to be Rewarded accordingly by The Christian God! This is not a joke.I have seen "The Signs" and these words are "True and Correct".Remember!Jesus Christ said:“You don’t have to wait for the End.I am right now,Resurrection and Life.The one who believes in me,even though he or she dies,will live.And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all.Do you believe this?”

[@ET-bg8ru]

Your English accent is superb, congrats. You also enbrace the “Midwest nice” attitude. Bring some more people like you!

[@SchneiderKeller]

Actually I get complimented constantly in Germany! Usually either on my hat or my whole outfit, and most of the time people start entire conversations with me as a result. Especially on the bus or train, but if I dress well, I get AT LEAST one compliment per day, usually 3-4. The thing with Germans is that they're so bluntly honest that they're not going to compliment something average, you really have to give them a reason to compliment you. But with or without compliments, the volks here in Germany are super friendly, and it's easy to start a conversation anywhere if you're willing to break the ice. 🖤❤💛

[@pendragon2012]

Happy Anniversary, Feli! We definitely lucked out with that lottery here in the States! Congrats as well on 600,000! I've been here since 10k and it's been a real pleasure to watch. 🙂

[@jurgen362]

Feli, I really enjoyed my time in the states, namely Texas. My father was stationed at Sheppard Air Force for a little over 2 years. I must admit my English is not near as good as yours, have a thick accent but everyone enjoyed listening to me speak. Everyone was so friendly to me and that was my biggest culture shock......but I loved it. I'm in the states now getting my fix of friendliness from the wonderful Texans.

[@pfdrtom]

Texan, here, come back and visit us again!

[@pinschrunner]

Southerners are friendly. Not so much in cities or North

[@katnerd6712]

Texans and American Southerners will tend to...traumatize the average German with our desire to be friendly and engage in continuous small talk about unimportant things while smiling and laughing a lot. We're just annoyingly friendly to strangers :)

[@njay4361]

The nicest people are on the West coast. People in the South tend to be hit or miss. As soon as they hear you don't have an accent, their whole demeanor changes and they assume stuff about you. It's quite unpleasant. Not sure how the person above came to believe they are the nice ones 😅

[@ea42455]

​@@njay4361 And once the southern accent is heard, northerners and west coasters make assumptions... e.g. that we're backward, less intelligent, inherent racists, misogynists, and Republican.

[@JazzyLnae]

Both of my parents were in the military, so I grew up in various European countries (Germany included) and several states in the U.S. I can definitely concur with your observations in this video. I miss Germany & cant wait to go back.

[@earlystrings1]

I’m an American who lived 5 years in Germany including a half year in Munich and I speak pretty fluently. I loved my time there and really enjoyed making German friends, but yeah, so many of your observations are bang on. I’m also 😊tickled by how you found your bubbly inner Ami. I really would not have known you were a Münchenerin if you hadn’t said anything.

[@ThatWomanInOregon]

I spent December of 2023 in Germany, and while in München I visited an Aldi's. I tried to find everything I needed myself, but I eventually had to ask (auf Deutsch) for help. The young woman not only helped me find that item, but asked to see my shopping list and helped me with everything else. I rarely have that level of customer service in the U.S. It could be that she could tell by my accent that I'm from the U.S. and wanted to make a good impression. I have no idea. But after hearing so much bad hype about German customer service, the experience threw me for a loop. Also, while in Bamberg, several people started chatting with me in public. I was like, "Hey, I heard Germans don't like random conversations with strangers." I was ill-prepared for these experiences. I'm not claiming that my experiences are typical or not. Just one more data point.

[@dawhike]

My sx wife was Danish and in my Euro travels found that most Europeans were matter of fact and standoffs.

[@Nigolasy]

I think germans seem very off putting regarding random conversation because we like to be on our own. But if you start talking to someone, they will either tell you they aren't interested in talking or will engage in a very nice casual chat. I'm travelling a lot by train through germany and most people on the train will chat with you to beat the boredom of the trainride. Had some really nice conversations. Also as long as you are friendly and respectful to service workers, they usually are happy to help. They wouldn't offer but if asked nicely, most will lend you a hand.

[@hidajetsejdic4270]

You think she was nice to you because she believed you are American? She just understood that you are foreign, having trouble finding the wanted products… You could be from anywhere in her eyes. Why would you think she wanted to impress American?

[@DevinDTV]

@@hidajetsejdic4270 get a grip

[@barbsmart7373]

​@@hidajetsejdic4270Nobody knows because they didn't ask her. But I expect she would know the American accent and mannerisms.

[@carolheitmann7489]

Growing up in a small farming community in Western New York, we had local grocery stores, meat markets, bakeries, dry goods/ clothing stores…which have mostly been replaced by shopping malls and big box stores. I have a friend that lives in Germany that tells me about the local shops and green grocers where he lives. I truly miss those things.

[@JohnRoetzer]

Fellow WNYer here. The German/ Polish section of East Buffalo was like that until the late 1960s. Tough going now in small towns in NY state. Go Bills!

[@Spotlight77-i1b]

Super interessantes Video, Feli! Vielen Dank!

[@johnkirk3279]

Awesome video, Feli.. Thank You! 😘🖤❤💛.Love to you and Ben...

[@alvaroagr]

I have to say, having visited the US a few times and hsving stayed up to a full month, their concept of customer service is really good. Wether in a restaurant, pharmacy, or any store, customers are usually received friendly and usually with a smile. And yes, smalltalk is probably something "fake", but its just a way of being friendly

[@azzythehero]

It isn't fake, we genuinely want to hear where you're from

[@rokylouie]

I hope you keep up KZbin when you and Ben move to Germany. I’m very interested in seeing videos from that perspective. Also, I think “stinginess” is pronounced like a drinking “binge” not like a bee “sting.”

[@FelifromGermany]

Ben proof watched it and didn't say anything 😅 Thanks for pointing that out!

[@LittleLulubee]

@@FelifromGermany Don’t worry, it sounded cute 😁

[@ellebelle2507]

@@FelifromGermany yes it is stingYness in the pronunciation, as in GEE ;-P

[@PaulFromCHGO]

@@ellebelle2507 I think you meant JEE. 😜

[@alicemilne1444]

​@FelifromGermany Germans are not stingy. They are thrifty. Being stingy verges on meanness. It is the opposite of generosity. The thriftiness is not just a post-WW2 thing. It is also a cultural memory of the inflation in the 1920s and the Great Depression in the 1930s.

[@philipparker357]

It's true that most of Europe and Asia always ask WHY, and Americans are thinking WHY NOT!!

[@emeraldibis7510]

I totally agree about that. But for me, not feeling safe to go out alone after dark outweighs every other possible advantage of the US...

[@ScentlessSun]

@@emeraldibis7510Um… I live in the USA. I’ve lived here my entire life. Not once in my entire life have I ever felt it would be unsafe to be outside at night.

[@emeraldibis7510]

@@ScentlessSun Yeah, because you're a white man.

[@thedemotivationalspeaker3090]

@@emeraldibis7510Do you live in O-Block??

[@lcozzarelli]

Great video, Feli! But I think you’d want to know that stingy can be pronounced 2 ways and had 2 different meanings. Stingy (the way you pronounced it) is how your skin feels after a bee sting, whereas stingy (pronounced like stin-jy) means frugal

[@PathfinderHistoryTravel]

I visited Germany in May and noticed something refreshing. Children weren’t scared to death of strangers. And the larger number of pedestrians and bicyclists literally everywhere you went in cities was different. In America we’re all hidden away in our cars. I would sometimes ask a pedestrian if it was okay to park in a certain spot on a street and they would say “I think so but I don’t drive so I’m not sure”. But the autobahn was one of my favorite things. Germany probably has the best infrastructure in the world.

[@gametime2473]

Children are scared to death of strangers in the US? That's news to me.

[@kathymc234]

Germany is the size of Montana. Basically an entire country in Montana. I hope you see the silliness of comparing them.

[@PathfinderHistoryTravel]

@@kathymc234 Comparisons are never silly. But it is true that Germany is a smaller and much more homogeneous country.

[@N3v3r_S3ttl3]

@@kathymc234 Small doesn't mean you can't improve that in your local area.

[@sylversyrfer6894]

Best infrastructure except for Internet, of course.

[@daveboatman4024]

Having worked for a German based company, I learned that the phrase “there’s nothing tighter than a free spending German” is very accurate!

[@orosalsero]

I lived in Germany starting in the early 80's as a US Army soldier for almost nine years, I was stationed in Manheim originally than in Stuttgart, I loved every minute, I loved the culture, food and the citizens, I was forced to leave after the berlin wall fell in 1993, I wish I could turn back the hands of time, The US seemed a little strange to me after I returned but I got accustomed quickly. I'm very happy your experience in America was wonderful as I experienced Germany.

[@matthewpedersen5125]

I was an exchange student in germany from 96-97, LOVED it. Once back I missed Doener, Bier, Brezeln, und Brot. And the people. Im sure its changed, but i still love going back

[@DreamingRealist]

I am German but in the Netherlands a lot. One thing I noticed over the years is how much more open the Dutchies are. Sometimes they start a conversation with you on street, a Café or whatever. What I appreciate more in Germany on the other hand is the driving style to be honest

[@Aqollo]

It's somewhat the same in the nordic countries. People are usually more open, especially in the smaller towns and cities.

[@jenniferlorence185]

@DreamingRealist: The Netherlands is the PLACE for me then because I LOVE that CULTURE & Life Style of talking and starting a Conversation with other people on the Street, a Cafe, or wherever; that's my kind of Social Style and I LOVE IT. Plus it feeds My Soul and it makes Me feel ALIVE and Well. I am a SOCIAL CREATURE. Was Born that WAY.

[@DreamingRealist]

@@Aqollo That´s what I experienced as well. :)

[@DreamingRealist]

@@jenniferlorence185 same! That´s why I love to spent my time there. :D

[@johnlabus7359]

Growing up in the suburbs always meant that everything involved the car. After going to college in a walkable area (and not having a car) fundamentally changed me into someone who uses a car sparingly, and into someone who is always looking to walk first.

[@Brian-vn4xb]

Happy 8th year anniversary congrats on 600,000 subs!

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

I really enjoyed hearing your perspective, I lived in Spain and Italy for almost five years as a kid and spent a couple years overseas in the US Marines. Much of what you said reminded me of my own youth, and my experience overseas in service. I've got a grandson and his wife your age with two kids, 9 and 7 and can truly relate to your experience. I've got a niece who spent four or five years in Europe as a student, and she spent a couple months in my home visiting recently and has a very "European" perspective on life here, not unsimilar to your own. I hope you got and get a lot out of your time here and well share it with your friends and family. I've always welcomed people like you in my own life because of the learning experience they share. Thanks for sharing so much, so openly.

[@SJPace1776]

Watching this makes me feel half American (cheerful) and half German (frugal).

[@jonadabtheunsightly]

Frugality is partly generational in America, and to some extent can also run in families. My mom's parents were married during the Depression, so they were *all* kinds of frugal. They saved everything including saltine cracker sleeves and the lukewarm water when you first turn on the tap to let it heat up. My mom and I have inherited a fair amount of their frugality, albeit not quite to that extreme.

Imagine the furor teutonicus when it comes to tipping culture. 1. It's expensive. 2. It's a systemic injustice that's shifted to the individual customer, which leads back to point 1.

[@ayrplanes]

Well, that means you are either freerful or chugal.

[@JohnMckeown-dl2cl]

I understand and agree with the things that you mentioned. I am an American who lived in Germany for 10 years, on and off in the 70s and 80s. I loved my time there and go back to visit whenever I can. A lot of the cultural differences were somewhat age related. Older and younger Germans had different attitudes toward some things and somewhat acted differently. This probably had to do with circumstances of the time when they were born. Germany was a very different place in the 1945-1970 period than 1970 to present time. One thing worth mentioning is that what you talked about isn't just a German phenomenon, it is true throughout Europe (at least Western Europe). I currently live in Spain and it is very much the same. Customer service, friendliness and the lack of "personal space" is very much the same here (also in Italy and France where I have spent time too). Bureaucracy and things that make some things more complicated and a real pain is very much the norm. Education and training is very different too. Education for a career is VERY specific here. If you wish to change careers you have to start all over again with your training because almost nothing transfers for credit toward your new employment path. Very expensive and time consuming to make a change and stifling to mobility and advancement. My daughters 4 year bachelor's degree from a large American university was deemed not valid and useless because it didn't qualify by local standards, unlike the acceptance of European degrees in the US.

[@glstka5710]

2:25 Positive and uplifting people? In 2010 I moved from Calif. USA to the Philippines. One of the things I love about the Philippines is how positive and uplifting the people are here.

[@everpassingpxpx]

As someone who lives in Cincinnati (where she is located), I think part of the disconnect is that you were in California. Even in the US, there are substantial cultural differences. The Midwest is generally one of the friendlier regions in terms of random public interactions. Is it fake friendliness? Yes, and no. When we say, how are you? We don't really expect you to go off on an extensive diatribe. We're not truly interested in the details of your life. However, we do hope that by asking, our politeness will lift people up and not bring them down. And if someone responds with, "Honestly, it's a little rough today." Most people will generally say something like, "I'm sorry to hear that, and I hope things improve for you." California is fine. People aren't "mean" or anything. But people do seem to be more standoff-ish and find cordial interactions with strangers to be more of an oddity. It's just a cultural thing. Agreed on Filipinos, though. Very sweet and uplifting people from those I've met.

[@glstka5710]

@@everpassingpxpx I sometimes think that it is also a matter of urban or rural. I get the general idea that out in the country they are also a lot friendlier, when we get crowded into cities it seems to do something to us.

[@Michaelation08]

As a person living in a definitely urban Jacksonville, Fl. This is very much more of a California/ westcoast trope. Yes we have our fair share of crime and crazy people. But 9/10 times it never bothers you here. Most people here have a pretty good vibe when you approach with a good vibe.@@glstka5710

[@ST19859]

@@everpassingpxpx theres even big cultural differences within states themselves I think. I live in a small town remoteish town in north east California, people here are very similar to the midwest or rocky mountain states. Easy going, friendly, less rushed and more community oriented. I think one of the biggest issues in CA and a lot of the east coast cities as well is just the big population centers breed a disconnect from your neighbors

[@duwop544]

Would not be surprised to learn you can play a musical instrument as your ear for accent is superb. And appreciate the effort you put into it. As an Ami, was proud when I was guessed to be Dutch, not a gum chewing Ami. And yeah, I worked at it.

[@ronmartin5671]

The astonishing thing about this young woman is she speaks better than most Americans. It’s difficult to even pick up a German accent.

[@cbotten106]

"better than most Americans" is a pretty low bar. Her English is great. German's do have something negative to say about everything, she's right about that.

[@cocoaorange1]

She does speak it well.

[@davidlloyd7597]

She certainly sounds like an American to this Australian ear.

[@sigcrazy7]

She is speaking it so natively that she now uses first person past simple tense in lieu of subjunctive mood. “If I WAS in Germany…” instead of “If I WERE in Germany…”. This is becoming the norm for modern English, both American and British RP (We will soon need to change the lyrics of the Fiddler on the Roof to “If I was a rich man,” lol.) This is to be expected, since English is essentially a Germanic language. Just as in German the Präteritum tense goes largely unspoken now, used only in writing, so, too, does “were” increasingly remain unused for the subjunctive mood. However, if I were (🤓) to use “was” for third person past simple, I’d be instantly labeled a redneck (If we WAS swimming, we’d get wet). The only certainty is that languages evolve, and what we speak today won’t be what’s spoken in a thousand years.

[@1972Ray]

@@cbotten106 LOL. What nonsense.

[@lordofentropy]

I was in Germany, Austria, and Czechia last spring, I was surprised at how prevalent smoking was. Thankfully I did learn a couple days in advance that I needed to buy everything for a couple days by 5PM on Saturday, else SOL until Monday morning; nearly as surprising as the smoking.

[@mellifergold]

@@lordofentropy it got worse since April when smoking pot was legalized here ...whether outside or indoors , not a day goes by without having to inhale that stuff now. I am living in an apartment building and the drug smoke of the addict on the ground floor is in my room all day every day ( and night ! ) now - the police told me that' s perfectly fine now - even if it makes me sick ! - am actually thinking about leaving Germany because of that...

[@BrandonDunham]

I find these videos really interesting. As an American born person, I've always felt out of place. My dad's dad, who I actually have never met, was born and raised in Germany. While I've known that and have always known there was an expectation to pronounce certain words in a more German manner than American, it's been videos like this that really surprise me on how typically German my upbringing was despite being born and raised in America. The lack of appreciation of small talk, being private and reserved, planning way out in advance. I have always felt like a fish out of water, but it's been super interesting learning more about the German culture and how natural it feels compared to my upbringing. As I'm working to formalize my German citizenship, it makes the potential option of moving to Germany even more appealing!

[@jenniferlorence185]

I Am the Opposite of You. I was born in a Caribbean island, raised between a Caribbean island and New York. I was raised Very Socially Oriented. I am friendly, Warm, and Considerate with Other people, but AMERICANS Are Rude, Arrogant, White Supremacists, inconsiderate, and RUDE again. They are also VERY RACIST. I am a FISH OUT OF WATER here in the USA, but UNFORTUNATELY, I cannot Go live elsewhere. My daughter was born in the USA with multiple disabilities and health Complications. And, if there is ONE thing that AMERICA is GOOD for ; is for kids with Disabilities because they get free healthcare, and I cannot AFFORD the costly healthcare for my child elsewhere, plus for Special Needs Kids - they don't have the SAME RESOURCES in other Countries as they DO in AMERICA. But this is a Dark & Miserable LIFE for Someone like ME. Americans One Day Speak to you and the Next Day they Act and Behave like they Don't Know You. They ALSO DON'T CARE about anybody else, but themselves, and are very INCONSIDERATE in many a lot of WAYS!

[@ianabercrombie7943]

You are such a fun person. I love your videos and that smiling face. I am from England, having moved to the USA in 1991 and I have a lot of similar opinions about my home country as you do about yours. I have spent some time in Germany working at Airbus in Hamburg but I do not consider myself knowlegeable when it comes to German living and society. Your videos are extremely entertaining and educational. They make me really want to visit your home country and spend some time exploring it. You are a fantastic ambassador. Thank you, and please keep doing what you do. If you ever want to explore rural North Central Florida my wife and I would love to show you around our little part of the world. You would be welcome to come and stay with us any time.

[@beerbomber1]

I was stationed in Bitburg Germany for three years in the early 80's. I was actually a little homesick for Germany for a while after I returned to the US.

[@peacearchwa5103]

In 1985, Bitburg obtained some unsought international fame. In scheduling a summit meeting between President Reagan and Chancellor Kohl, the two leaders were scheduled to honor German war dead at a Bitburg military cemetery. The intent was to contribute to better US-German relations at a time when some anti-American sentiment was growing in West Germany. However, Reagan's team underestimated the tremendous backlash among American veterans and Holocaust victims as the German military cemetery included a rather large population of German WWII soldiers. Notwithstanding the pushback, President Reagan and Chancellor Kohl went ahead with the cemetery visit. While the adverse media coverage wasn't good in the USA, it might have contributed to US-German cooperation during the final years of the Cold War.

[@N0N4M30]

Bitburg ❤

[@072570ppft]

I'm an American with Finnish heritage. You made me feel part German.

[@hhy2k]

That's the European thing she talks at the end...

[@MW_Asura]

How are those two correlated...

[@sarrendaal9483]

​@@MW_AsuraGermans and Finns are culturally very similar.

[@HerSandiness]

I don't think Germans are rude or standoffish at all. It just takes a little effort. Anytime I smile at a salesperson, I always get a smile back.

[@1972Ray]

There's truth in stereotypes.

[@TonyHartrich]

Felix, you are a sharp observer and an excellent communicator. Kudos.

[@michaelzwilling3278]

Will you be coming back to USA 🇺🇸? I totally love watching your videos.

[@give-peace-a-chance]

Felicitas aus München, Bayern, Deutschland, du versprühst so viel positive Lebensenergie, die sprengt wirklich alles!❤️Wenn das nicht Lust und Laune macht mehr von Good Old Germany bzw. unsere deutsche Kultur kennen zu lernen, dann weiß ich auch nicht...Bitte immer noch mehr von davon❤️❤️❤️Liebe Grüße aus Rheinland-Pfalz in sichtweite zum Hambacher Schloß...🍷

[@shermanrichardson4440]

This video was fantastic, thank you

[@Winona493]

Felicia is her name, I think.

[@nichtkomisch]

Another German in Cincinnati, came here 25 years ago from Viernheim near Mannheim/Heidelberg. (Time flies). My son just started at UC and my wife's name is also Felicia, but she is from the Bay Area. Agree with your observations here, especially regarding driving ;-)

[@angelod.pizzullojr.8971]

Fun story. One of my closest friends is a German exchange student. She attended our high school in 1982 and we are still close to this day. So I understand the concept of German friends you talked about in the video.

[@JohnKruse]

My wife moved back to the Italy after 20 years in the UK and US. She is often upset about the negativity among Italians. She constantly overhears self pity (e.g., povero me) and complaining. Also, Italians put all of their energy into family and friends. Often, they can be downright nasty to strangers, but that is 1/5 people. The worst thing in Italy is the nepotism. People here often get jobs because of connections. Thus, the quality of management/leadership is lower and there are a lot of extremely talented and smart people stuck in jobs where they languish. This want of meritocracy is like a 10% tax on *EVERYTHING*. Even simple things like websites are just 10% worse in Italy. It doesn't sound bad (and I'm whining), but when you add it all up, it really makes a difference in peoples' lives. As an example, yesterday I went to get some blood tests for my kid at a nearby hospital. I found out that I need to return at a different time to queue up just to get a future appointment? I'm going to spend over an hour just getting an appt to come back and wait again. Why does something so simple have to be so painful?

[@lisareiter5368]

Which would explain the mafia.

[@santostv.]

Welcome to southern Europe, family is number 1, It’s all about connections so who you know is very important especially outside of big cities, most known each other even you think you don’t most likely you know someone in common. That’s why we prefer doing things in person meanwhile Americans complain online about no one answering their e-mail for weeks.

[@haraldmoritz4864]

It is so refreshing listen to you, I feel exactly like you. I came to the US 23 years ago, got married and never looked back. I think you are an amazing young woman, please just stay the way you are. I wish that all your dreams in life come true.

[@Winona493]

Really, Feli is very likable. 😊

[@MichaelBrehmer]

Thanks! As usual, Feli, you hit it out of the park.

[@pbounds]

Feli, I just stumbled across your channel. What a Delightful and Charming person you are! I thoroughly enjoyed this video! Hugs and Howdys from Houston, TX!

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Feli...agree or disagree, I think the U.S. is all the better for having you here. You chose to come here, you've come to understand the U.S. (both good and bad), you still love Germany, you've brought your ideas and culture here, and you share your ideas about culture on KZbin. I'm an old guy and I love my country. I also know we have a troubled history. I think people like you coming here make us better, and that's always been the strength of America.

[@ajmedeiros77]

The problem is that troubled history is starting to resurface in a big way. My grandparents didn’t sacrifice in World War II just to have people flying the Nazi flag now supporting a wannabe fascist dictator.

[@emerkamp1]

" I also know we have a troubled history." What country doesn't ?? Some pretty bad and still don't guilt trip like people in the US seem to

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

@@emerkamp1 No guilt trip…just recognizing the history. All nations have troubled pasts.

[@gentronseven]

The US doesn't have a troubled history, it's basically a history of everyone being rich (relative to the world), winning every war easily at massive advantage and the biggest threat being obesity related illnesses. If you're referring to slavery, virtually everyone in the world was a serf or slave of some kind until very recently all over the world.

[@undertakernumberone1]

@@gentronseven "It doesn't have a troubled history"? Ever heard of the Indian Wars? ANd no... Not "virutally everyone was a serf or slave until recently all over the world". Then there'd be Jim Crow...

[@gehrkegehrke2000]

In our grocery store there´s one specific cashier who only speaks barely the absolute minimum, on a good day you get a "hallo". On a regular day, she merely mentions the price, or doesn´t even talk at all. Whenever I´m there, I always watch out for her as at her register it´s usually the fastest lane. I wouldn´t consider her as being unfriendly, she´s just focused on the job! I like her.

[@RogerBlancoNYC]

Well, that is only more intense in France, where one can just go to hell if you don't speak the language...

Or she could be an introvert!

[@ea42455]

There's a young lady who works at our local Dollar Store very much like that. She has Asperger syndrome. She says a perfunctory, "Hello" every time, but otherwise is really focused on what she's doing.

[@AleaumeAnders]

@@ea42455 *nod* The german culture is rather aspergerish yes. Now imagine how weird german Aspies will be to neurotypical americans. :D

[@morganmcallister2001]

I usually use the self-checkout for times like that. Plenty quick and no need to even say hello if you're only dealing with a machine.

[@raymondmartin6737]

It's true, being from Europe too, when I was young, and going back to Europe, including Germany 🇩🇪 where my Father was from, that American's are pretty nice when one travel's around the US. I am glad that so many years ago, now being 80, that with German speaking Parents, Father Germany, Mother from German speaking Switzerland, I have enjoyed cruises meeting German speakers, and on my amateur radio too. 😅 Aufweiderhoren. 😅

[@debicraddock5603]

American from Los Angeles- the small talk is not fake!!! We must just be good at heartfelt love of small things and truly want to build up others on our path. I don't know if I'll get to visit Germany, but iI'll adjust my expectations if I do. Great work Feli! Love wins (sorry about the violence. It wasn't this way when I was little.)

[@kriskenmonroe1]

I just spent 9 days between Munich and Wurzburg and loved it... except the smoking. It's so nice how ot isn't everywhere here in the US

[@vodostar9134]

Feli, I almost never hear you make a mistake in the English, so I have to point out that the "g" in "stinginess" is soft (like "gem" not like "game") Enjoyed the video :)

[@FelifromGermany]

I blame Ben. He proof watched the video and didn't tell me 😂

[@hctim96]

@@FelifromGermany He's getting use to the way you speak!! My best friends Mom was from Aachen and he never noticed she had a slight accent!

[@hoyinwong]

When I hear adorable mispronunciations like this, I can't help but adopt them myself into my own vocabulary because I am so charmed by them.

[@thetapheonix]

I would say she is fluent and even has an American accent now😂 I think she could fool the British.

[@vincentstef5708]

​@@thetapheonix She is fluent but I still hear her german accent a bit

[@michaelmedlinger6399]

Unsere verschiedenen Erfahrungen sind schon faszinierend. Kaum war ich in Deutschland gelandet, fühlte ich mich zu Hause! Ich schätzte (und schätze) die Zurückhaltung, auch wenn es tatsächlich schwer sein kann, Leute kennenzulernen. Ich finde es auch gut, dass ich keinen Kontakt zu den Nachbarn in meinem Haus habe. Aber so war ich immer. Übrigens: diesen Monat feiere ich 50 Jahre in Deutschland (oder habe ich das schon erwähnt?).

[@GTX1123]

I still can't get over how darn good your accent is Feli. It is AMAZING. I would NEVER know you were originally from Germany and I should know. My wife was half German (she passed 13 yrs ago) but grew up here in the states. Her mother is from Bayern and has been here now for 60 years and still has a thick Bavarian accent. She still rollllllllllllls her "r's" LOL.

[@Asgutenasen]

What always struck me the most about the USA, is how long distances are. Some cities got beautiful and clean sidewalks, green grass, just to be used by no one, because everyone's driving a car. I've recently been in Leipzig-Germany and the use of the bicycle for moving in the city is outstanding!

[@ilyaf9745]

USA is a big country. There are sidewalks and people do walk in NYC, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago...

[@live.travel.]

the things I love about Germany, and Europe is being able to easily get around. Walking or metro basically everywhere, small grocers, different pace in life. But being from North America, I fully appreciate having less smokers- it gets me every time I go to Europe. The beautiful buildings and lifestyle I truly love, but I also love having so much space here and not feeling cramped.

[@Michael19863-p]

U.S is the best country in the world. Europe is trash.

[@danwilson9530]

I’m an American who worked inside a BMW engineering center located in NJ with German expats here in the USA on temporary contracts. They told me if they collectively spent over ten years working in the U.S. that it would hurt their chances for any serious career advancement within the company upon return to Germany due to becoming too “Americanized”. As much as some loved their positions and living here, they had to return in order to maximize their lifelong career potential. Funny observation- The first thing many of these German engineers and even interns did upon arriving here was to go out and purchase an old sometimes classic, or as they called ‘em, “old timer” large American V8 powered land yacht car, like 60s-90s Cadillacs, Lincolns or U.S. muscle cars that even we Americans considered antiquated and super inefficient, all due to owning such cars in Germany being too expensive due to a tax on engine cubic inch displacement I believe? It’s like they needed to get it out of their systems due to the need back home to drive underpowered cars. Many of these American cars ended up going to Germany in the end anyway and kept as weekend toys once the engineers could finally afford to keep ‘em.

[@hhy2k]

Germans don't drive underpowered cars. American cars are useless in Germany as they don't have proper suspention and brakes driving them fast. Once you get behind the wheel of a German car with large displacement engine you'll know what I'm talking about.... Even small VW drives 120-140mph in Germany pretty often... What Germans don't have is the American V8 sound as German V8 engines are built completely differently than classic Americans so they have different sound.

[@danwilson9530]

@@hhy2k As mentioned, I worked in the engineering dept of BMW in a 12 person BMW AG (the Munich based mother company, not the BMW NA subsidiary) department section. I was the only American in the section with 11 German expat engineers and techs so yes, I've been behind the wheel of countless BMWs including M3s, M5s, 1Ms, etc. even the i8. As a test driver I was required to hold a number of company driving certifications associated with my internal corporate driver license, so I was sent to their commercial driving school, the BMW Performance Center, in Spartanburg, SC for two levels of car control training and to a location in Gunnison, CO in January for winter car control training on snow and ice, so I know what you are talking about when it comes to the performance of German cars with large displacement engines, lol. My point was not all German cars have large displacement engines, and most Germans opt for small engines due to the German tax on engine displacement. When I started there I bought a 22 year old E30 with the M20 inline 6 which only produced 168 hp. When a German colleague asked me which version of the E30 I bought, I told him a 325is and he reacted with “Oh you got the BIG V6 engine!” more out of surprise than being impressed. I replied since when is a V6 a big engine? As an American, in my mind anything less than a V8 is small. He then told me back home most E30s had 1.8 and I think even 1.6 liter 4 cylinders because of the crazy expense of my 2.5 liter due to the displacement tax. Those BMW inline 4 bangers range from a mere 74 hp up to 138. In my world that's significantly under-powered. Now, I don't know what the top speed of a 1.6 or 1.8 liter I4 powered E30 is, nor do I know how long it takes to reach it, but my 325is was not a neck snapper. I can't picture those variants doing 190-225 km/h on the Autobahn. An M3 could, but not those. Mine couldn't quite reach130 MPH, and only ran a 15.6 sec ¼ mile. Not exactly high performance. Today with turbos I suppose. Doesn't change the fact I saw a great many of my German colleagues run right out and buy old V8 powered Lincoln, Cadillac and Buick land yachts, pickup trucks, old muscle cars, Mustangs, etc, and the ones who didn't ship them back home once their expat contracts were up at least drove them throughout their time here. They all wanted to experience owning a massive lumbering, clumsy, large throaty V8 powered piece of American excess, soft suspension, poor braking and all. My Swiss coworker was a hardcore Porsche fanatic but here he drove a Chevy SUV then a Mustang. A Swedish contractor bought a new Mustang 5.0 and shipped it home when he returned to Europe. Yet another German colleague bought a late 60s Cadillac Coupe DeVille convertible and shipped home to Munich to share the garage with his C3 Vette. These guys engineer the absolute best performing automobiles in the world yet their weekend toys back home are “useless in Germany”, as you say, American marques. Guess they prefer the soulful exhaust note of an American V8 over what comes out the V8 of an M, even though the M outperforms the American steel in every possible way... with the exception of having soul and charm. In comparison to classic American cars, BMWs are 100% sterile. It's why I bought an 87 Trans Am after the 87 E30 and the 93 Audi 90 I had as well. So, in short, Was Sie gesagt haben, ist Unsinn.

[@hhy2k]

@@danwilson9530 TLDR, sorry... but the question remains, who bought the big engined German cars then? I never had one smaller than 2.6 litres... and 2.8, 4.0, and 2x5.0... etc... I don't think I'm the only one with those :) Sure penny pinching Germans don't know how to live, but not all of them are like that.

[@danwilson9530]

@@hhy2k Who bought them? Other markets, duh! Germany/Europe was not and is not BMW’s largest market. North America was until recently when China surpassed it. And yes, you read it.

[@jryan9547]

@@danwilson9530 The real question is why are all BMW drivers in North America, assholes? We don't see this with other "luxury" brands...

[@dennymanieri6781]

I tailgated with a brother and sister from Germany. They were great. The brother was a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan. He knew more about the eagles than people from Philly. I have not been to Germany, but I would really like to go for Oktoberfest. The US and Germany and a like in many ways. I just found your post today. I have really enjoyed it.

[@MacGuffinExMachina]

The smoking thing in the US changed so much. When I was a kid, there were smoking sections everywhere, even hospitals. When I was a baby or vefore Inheard it was even more prevalent. Like there wpuld be no sections. Everywhere was a smoking section.

[@jeffw1267]

When I was in high school 40 years ago, we had a smoking section, outdoors, at the end of our high school building. And if you had a note from your parents, you would be allowed to smoke there. These were 15 to 18-year-old kids. Young people don't believe me, but I assure you it happened.

[@MacGuffinExMachina]

@@jeffw1267 That was before my time, but I have heard of that from older family members.

[@BH6242KCh]

@@jeffw1267 My high school had a smokers lounge outside. Across the street at the cafe/diner-type restaurant, there was a cigarette vending machine that charged 40 cents/pack and didn't ask for ID.

[@John-wg6xw]

When I was a kid people could smoke everywhere they wanted. Bars, Restaurants, Diners, Busses, Trains, Stores, Theatres etc. and there wasn't a flat surface anywhere that didn't have an ashtray on it.

[@PhilHug1]

Glad you brought up US customer service! I’ve always felt that people on KZbin overplay the role tipping plays in US customer service. Tipping plays some role but I would say customer service quality in the retail sector is generally on par with restaurants. Plus Chick-fil-a has better customer service than like 90% of restaurants and they don’t even take tips

[@FelifromGermany]

I still tip about 10% in Germany, which isn't quite as much as the 20% that are common in the US, but it's not like I don't tip at all in Germany so I don't consider that the biggest difference here.

[@hctim96]

We were a low income family growing up. My Mom was a waitress in a "diner" and after paying all the bills we LIVED on the tips she made. Luckily her customers really liked her!!

[@MrKoalaburger]

A week ago I was at a red light near a Chick-fil-A and I saw one of the employees run from the store across the street all the way to the car in front of me with the customers drink. Like, probably 100 yards. I'm guessing the customer forgot so the worker ran As fast as they could before the light turned green. Crazy level of customer service.

[@scoutingforhistory4584]

I remember hiking up a beautiful trail above Oberammergau to see the Ludwig Kreuz. It was funny to see a cigarette machine on a tree by the side of the trail. They're everywhere over there.

[@FelifromGermany]

True!! Ben was shocked when he first saw those all over the city 😅

[@Desperoro]

​@@FelifromGermany I am shocked and I come from neighboring Czech Republic. Germany or Great Britain, why there are much more cigarette machines and bet automats like from Vegas?

[@jonathanclevidence8414]

Felicia is making "content " and taking vacations for a living. What a laid back sweet gig.

[@clintfalk]

Must suck to be you!

[@gerald-gs2vh]

I spent 4 years in Germany (Augsburg) and found the time spent there to be very enjoyable. I toured southern Germany, but never made it further north than Stuttgart. I still remember those days even after all these years. My most fond memory is of a sunny afternoon at a cafe sitting at an outdoor table with a girl who just happened to walk by, ask to sit for a bit, and talked to me for over an hour. She was from Bremerhaven and came to Augsburg to visit the old city. I never saw her again, but still after all these years remember that day. Memories are treasures that we keep even as we grow older.

[@bluhammer06]

We lived in Augsburg as well 1973-1975. I was stationed there in the US Army, and we really enjoyed our time there.

[@AMZ19252]

@@gerald-gs2vh much of people’s experience is perception. A good majority of service members who I know that were stationed in Germany enjoyed their time there and had a positive view of the German people

[@miker252]

I never thought about merging traffic in that way. I am guilty of getting annoyed at drivers speeding down a closed lane to cut in front of everyone.

[@JMaxwell1000]

I had similar experiences - back and forth, back and forth between the US and Germany. I like Germany and German people very much, but they are VERY different between northern and southern Germany. I agree with Feli on almost everything. The only thing I absolutely cannot stand in Germany is the saumäßiges Wetter! Feli gets it!

[@miriamcohen7657]

@@JMaxwell1000 what is that?

[@JMaxwell1000]

@@miriamcohen7657 The horrible weather. Sometimes there is NO summer - maybe 3 days or so. Rain, rain, rain. Gray skies, gray streets, gray buildings, gray faces. And it's much worse in northern Germany than in Bayern or in Baden-Württemberg.

[@DASPRiD]

If you want lots of good weather, come to the south west :)

[@MeQuiety]

@@JMaxwell1000 Don't get me wrong, but the last 12 Years the summers were to long mutch to hot, including to much rain for us but to few for the ground! See, in the '70; '80; and till the '00 if it got over 28° Celsius ALL schools had to give "Hitzefrei" "Heatfree", today You have to go to school with 35° Celsius outside, inside up to over 40 degrees! 😞

[@Timbothruster-fh3cw]

​@@JMaxwell1000 I thought maybe it was some kind of German sausage the way it looked!😂

[@Jaan-cs4rs]

I enjoyed your video very much! I am german born, 40yrs old, basically living in America 90% of my life...! Kudos & tchuß!

[@MichaelScheele]

Congratulations on 600K subscribers and on your 8th anniversary of living in US! Some comments: 1. Aside from the US and Germany, there are countries that do things differently than either. Tipping in Japan is rare, yet customer service standards are very high. 2. Medical expenses in the US vary widely. What is exorbitant in some areas is more reasonable in others. 3. Educational expenses vary widely depending on the student and their choices. In my case, I attended an ordinary public high school in Oregon. I managed to be admitted to MIT. Did some of my classmates attend prep schools? Yes, but most attended public schools. MIT's generous financial aid made it less expensive to attend than many public universities (at out-of-state rates). My student debt was around 11% of the total 4 year cost; it was manageable. I recognize that not everyone will have the same options I did, but most have the option of attending a public college in their home state at in-state rates. They will likely qualify for federal aid and possibly state aid. 4. Federal or state mandatory worker benefits are a minimum, employers often offer benefits in excess of those minimums. 5. I have to agree with you about the average driver skill level... 6. Frugality was a hallmark of earlier generations in the US, particularly those who lived through the Great Depression. Whereas in many other countries, post-WW II scarcity is a more recent influence.

[@calguy3838]

The only federal aid most students will qualify for is government-backed loans; the average student borrows over $30,000 to pay for college, and 42% of borrowers take more twenty years to repay their debt. Also, where have you lived in the U.S. that medical expenses are reasonable?

[@zavman109]

I really appreciate free water at restaurants in the USA. A recent trip to Italy taught me it is not universal.

[@PaulFromCHGO]

Yeah, and then it's that awful fizzy stuff. Can I just have cold tap water?

[@lk2513]

@@PaulFromCHGO If you order water, it's considered that you mean bottled, carbonated water. But you can say, you want "stilles Wasser" (non-carbonated) that still is bottled water but without fizziness or simply ask for tapped water and in more cases than not you'll get that - even for free in most cases.

[@zavman109]

@@PaulFromCHGO fizzante and still were the terms for the bottled waters. But they did have public fountains.

[@rebeccalyons1327]

⁠@@lk2513 When we asked for tap water it ended up being a very small glass of water though.

[@grantschiff7544]

You don't want to drink Italian tap water. Thousands of years of pollution.

[@DCYote1]

On your point about German drivers, I like how when there is a crash and traffic is stopped, people will move over to the sides of the road to make a path for responding emergency vehicles. As a firefighter, I would LOVE if this were a thing in the US. (and I would also love if everyone learned how to do the zipper merge and use a roundabout)

[@Desperoro]

They don't know even the emergency line in US?

[@thousandreasonswhynot]

That is a thing in the US though? Everyone knows you are supposed to move over and stop for EVs lol I just did it the other day and so did everyone else, in Missouri, US

[@DCYote1]

@@thousandreasonswhynot I'm talking about like, say traffic is at a dead stop. Everyone will pull to the left and right automatically to create a clear path, and yeah everyone is /supposed/ to yield here, but that doesn't mean it happens

[@SlavicCelery]

@@Desperoro In theory people should always pull over to provide right of way for Ambulances using their sirens and lights. When traffic is already stopped, people don't always try to move out of the way. That said, it depends on what part of the country you're in.

[@TheMysteryDriver]

@@DCYote1traffic stops all the time, why would people just make an open lane when odds are it isn't needed?

[@nicholasatkinson8846]

I am originally from Britain and have had a similar experience as you. I’ve been here since January 1984.😊

[@christinavlachos2616]

Also, the USA is such a big country, it is difficult to say all Americans are the same. I just had guests from Berlin, and I have to do this with other German guests, and i had to tell them not to throw out the beverage bottles because we have "Pfand" in NY, and they couldn't believe we got money for bottles too. Also had to show them where the compost was, also mandated. I guess i didn't tell them everything because i plastin the garbage that i had to pull it out to but in recycling. Most things Feli talks about as being German are common for me as an American in NYC. Thanks for thinking we are friendly here too. We are!

[@FelifromGermany]

Of course, that's why I never said that 😊 I was just sharing my person experiences and observations.

[@christinavlachos2616]

@FelifromGermany it's just makes me wonder what it is like in the rest of the US because I have seen many influencers say this and it has not been my experience

[@FelifromGermany]

@@christinavlachos2616 Which point are you referring to in particular? I'd say NYC is probably the most untypical American city in the US 😅 It's very much it's own unique place.

[@melben1511]

@@FelifromGermany Same with Berlin & Germany ;)!

[@laurajschnelle]

Zum Punkt keine alternativen Lebensmodelle etc. akzeptieren, da dachte ich sofort „Achja, du kommst ursprünglich aus Bayern und nicht aus Berlin…“ - ich als Berlinerin kann dazu sagen, in Berlin gibt’s einfach alles 🦜🌈😂

[@sihilius]

Berlin ist aber auch ein Sonderfall, was das angeht. 🤣 Ein kleiner bunter Fleck im ganzen Land.

[@BabyRastasaurus]

Man kommt auch in München mit einem alternativen Lebensstil durch, aber im Vergleich zu Amerika, in meinem Fall aber Zentral Amerika, ist es schon ganz anders. Wobei eben hier vieles auch noch zum normalen Alltag gehört, was heutzutage in Deutschland als alternativer Lebensstil gesehen wird.

[@sandradearias198]

Ich hatte direkt den gleichen Gedanken, als ich Feli das sagen hörte

[@lynnharper3048]

I have never understood why it takes so long to buy a house in Europe. Until I tried to buy a house in Mexico. It took about six months. I was a real estate lawyer in Canada and found it took over three months to close a deal in the US. In Ontario, I could close a real estate deal and hand over keys within a week if that was what my client wanted. When you mentioned that German people in the service industry were not so friendly, I was surprised. I have visited Germany many times and always found the people friendly and helpful. Maybe it is because they knew I was a tourist (I can't speak German other than Guten Morgen, Guten Tag, Guten Abend, Danke, Bitte, and I would like Kartoffelsalat) but I was always treated well. I enjoyed my time in Germany and would go back again if I could.