Mastering the German Restaurant Experience

Some of the norms and customs I've noticed about eating out in Germany. Please don't forget to subscribe -- I put out new videos every Sunday and sometimes other days too :D
Some people have mentioned wanting information on the drinks served in German restaurants, if so check out this video I made JUST on drinks in Germany! • DRINKS!! Germans LOVE ...
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[@leoleone2.0]

A very good and thorough description of what eating out in Germany is like. Two minor comments maybe: in the meantime it's not so uncommon to wait for a moment when you enter a restaurant just to give the host/owner the chance to see you in case they want to seat you before you do so on your own. Second, the silverware in the mug is maybe more common in Bavarian beer house type restaurants. In ordinary restaurants, if the table is not already set, the waiter/waitress will bring the silverware after taking the order.

[@WantedAdventure]

Lars-Georg Wigger Great points! Yes, you're definitely right about waiting a tick at the door and kind of making eye contact with a server/bar tender to see if you can just sit anywhere. Also with the silverware, yes, I've since learned this is more common here in Bavaria than other parts of the country. Sounds like I need to do some more traveling and eating out around the country to further educate myself :D Any excuse to travel and eat is a good one for me ;) lol

[@sebastianheese803]

Wanted Adventure If you travel arround, you will find a lot of cultural differences within Gernamy itself. One point would be the language. There are so many dialects. We all commonly share "Hochdeutsch" but i think you mastered speaking german so far, go ahead and visit Köln, Or Stuttgart or even Ulm, which is not that far away from München. Just vistit a weekend market in the moring and prick up your ears and realize: "I've never heard anything like that before". If you have gotten really really into german dialects, you can tell where one grew up to roughly 150-200 km in diameter. Capital Citys and Berlin excluded: melting pot effect!

[@WantedAdventure]

Sebastian Heese Yes, definitely! I agree, it's very fascinating how different the language and culture is just within Germany. Mr. German Man is from the Cologne region actually and so I've learned about lots of differences between Munich and Cologne, but I don't yet know very much about Hamburg or other places.

[@ImperatorMAD363]

Wanted Adventure Try to survive Dresden or Leipzig! :D

[@rucussing]

Sebastian Heese My Deutsch is more like hog Deutsch! I can read it very well and understand most German speakers, but I cannot speak it very well. My German cousins laugh at me, when I try, but I try. Oh, and they mostly live in the Bavarian region of Germany. I live in the south in the US, so my southern accent with German is terrible. The funny thing I noticed the last time I was there was the phrase Alles gute, which sounds a lot like "It's all good!" which is a popular phrase in the southern states.

[@MrLAntrim]

I hate American waiters/waitresses that act like a clingy girlfriend waiting for you to text her back. There are usually 2 extremes of waiters in the US; the overly attached person, who is at your table every 3 seconds asking if everything is alright; or the non-existent person who takes you order and never shows up again. In Germany, they fit the stereotypes that you would expect. They are efficient and not overly friendly. They do the things necessary for an enjoyable restaurant experience, but then get out of the way so you can enjoy your restaurant experience, as well. I find dining in Germany to be a much more enjoyable experience than here in the US. Although, my experiences might be biased, because I am always dining after a day at castles and awesome tourist activities instead of after a normal day of life.

[@WeisserPaladin]

Hehe, this is really entertaining. :p I am surprised you didn't mention the "no free refills" thing, as that was the biggest difference to the US that I experienced. Also, I was totally amazed when in the US the server would put a glass of water with free refills in front of everyone and then ask "what would you like to drink?". Even more funny was the look on the server's face when I pointed to the free water and told them that would be enough. It looked as if I had stabbed him with a hidden knife... Also, "stimmt so" literally means "it's correct that way", as in "don't try to calculate the change". I know you probably know that, but for non-German-speakers watching your video, I think it might be beneficial to learn both the literal and the semantic translation. :)

[@Mintkitten008]

As an ex-waitress in a restaurant at the German/Swiss border i can tell you that all you need to do is close your menu card and put it to the side. This gives us the hint that you have chosen your meal =) Also we have our eyes everywhere, which is why we know when your glass is empty. I usually had a bit of a professional flirt with the guests (which increased my tips up to 20%).

[@uncinarynin]

+Plueschmaus1 There are also waiters who refuse to take your order before you close your menu card. So you have to keep the name of your complex meal in mind between that and the arrival of the waiter, and cannot read it from the menu card.

[@peggsi]

+unci narynin In a case like that I wait until everyone has layed down their menu cards - I then close mine, but keep a finger on the right side, the waiters always come. Also many menues have numbers next to the name of the meal, so you can always say "I'll have number 34, please"

[@HotelPapa100]

+Plueschmaus1 Attentive waiters are a delight. What I hate is when I have to do a major pantomime to get their attention. Some excel at the art of avoiding eye contact, they always have more important things to do than to register that I have a request. this will be reflected in the tip, however.

[@Mintkitten008]

+HotelPapa100 I hope you just get attentive waiters. I once had a co-worker who was more than just ignorant. I had to do my work and hers, because she thought her fingernails were more important. But well, guess who got all the tips? me =) In the end, the waiters cut their own flesh if they ignore the guest.

[@dxb8086]

The thing with the waiter not checking on you every five minutes is because in Europe it is considered impolite to interrupt someone who is eating and/or having a chat. You don't do that.

[@Chiamarx]

+dXb I work as a waiter and we always wait for the people to end their conversation and look at us. :D

[@MalteKo79]

There is a famous German comedy skit about the restaurant experience. Look for Loriot "Schmeckt's?" on youtube. :)

[@yukitanaka9579]

+dXb I am working as a waitress for about ten years now and we allways try to check in on our guests. I guess the reason of not checking on the guests comes down to either the waiter being to busy or the fact that Germans like to complain about everything possible, so the guest would simply lay down there silverware and stop eating if anything is not okay. ^.~

[@AngryPCLobby]

+Yuki Tanaka nah it's definitely the thing about it being impolite to disturb someone while eating.

[@rjean-id6ix]

+Yuki Tanaka maybe its just your restaurant in particular im sure dxb was talking in general.

[@celestegranillo7239]

I love how people can take their time to enjoy their meals in Europe...in the States, it's such a rush. When I was in Budapest for the first time and eating at a restaurant, I asked my friend, 'Where's the server...he's taking forever. Where's our bill?" She laughed and said I was so American and explained about the leisure time when eating your meal in Europe. We stayed their for a couple of hours, ordered dessert and continued our meal. The server was polite and stayed out of our way. I wish it was more like that in the States.

[@WantedAdventure]

Hahaha I can picture your experience. Sounds familiar :) It took me some time to adjust to it as well, but now I'm a huge fan and wouldn't want it any other way!!

[@rubinagladis5285]

+Wanted Adventure yes, we usually are trained to watch out for our guest's glasses, because if the guests are sitting in front of empty glasses they will not feel that we take good care of them, and we want to sell beverages. In cologne they have - as you might have heard about - an own beer-culture. The breweries have their own restaurants, called "Brauhaus", each for every lable of Kölsch Bier (there were as far as i remember 21 alone in and around the city of cologne, the most popular are "früh" kölsch, "gaffel" kölsch, "reissdorf" kölsch, "sion", "küppers" and "gilden"... In a Brauhaus, you get simple, local food (i guess Mr.Germanman will be able to explain the word "Hausmannskost" far better than me) and the specific beer. In the Früh-Brauhaus you will only get früh kölsch, no other beer. And the waiters are called "Köbes". When you are a Köbes, you usually ask only once what beverage the customers would like. And everyone who drinks beer: The Köbes will have an eye on his tables at see that he needs for example 12 kölsch for four different tables together. so he will take 12, walk around the tables and hand them out. They only ask the people who don't drink kölsch for their next beverage, for kölsch there is a rule: you will always get a new one when the current one goes empty, until you place the coaster over your glass. That is the sign for "I have enough, thanks" If you have not done so already, take your man to a trip to cologne and go to the "früh"-Brauhaus for a coupple of beers and the "Ein Meter Bratwurst" :-)

[@rogerwilco2]

I think in general closing your menu is the signal that you're ready to order.

[@itxofficial8281]

Funny how things differ in various ways! Restaurant: Germany = no rush; US = rush Supermarket: Germany = rush; US = no rush

[@CHiiLLer1990]

+Manuel J. restaurant = private time = should be enjoying supermarket = "work"/duty = should be done quik

[@markbollinger1343]

+Marsi Moto How very German of you...haha never thought of it that way though.

[@FridolinH]

+Marsi Moto i love my country:) what we do just makes sense:P mostly.. haha

[@wrekkingcru]

+Peter! ...with the exception of the occasional David Hasselhoff :) ...other than that I completely agree!

[@AngryPCLobby]

+Wrekking Cru the david hasselhoff thing is a myth ^^

[@XgruenaugeX]

I've watched quite a lot of these videos where Americans talk about eating out in Germany now. And all mentioned that German servers are very professional, but not super friendly. But in Germany, we just define a friendly server quite different than in America. As you already mentioned, eating in a restaurant in Germany is very relaxed. And that's the thing. A restaurant is a place where you can forget all that stress, just be with friends and eating. A server coming around every few minutes is annoying and disturbing. And especially while eating, we don't want to be disturbed. So a good and friendly server in Germany is leaving you alone when you ordered your drinks and food, but is always looking from a distance if your glass is empty or if you are giving him/her a sign that you want something else.

[@tampabolt]

Biannina Genauso siehts aus. Smilies auf der Rechnung wie in Amerika ist doch nur Fake und aufgesetzte Freundlichkeit.

[@-----REDACTED-----]

Very true. When I visited California and dined with friends at a restaurant the waiters were a bloody nuisance always bustling in and interrupting our conversation hahaha. Very friendly to the degree were I simply could not pretend it to be genuine and it felt extremely unprofessional in the sense "do they not have to work?!". Cultural differences! Love them, they are part of the spice that make things interesting when travelling! (But also try to be mindful of them...)

[@unvergebeneid]

+Biannina Nah, I really enjoyed servers in the US being much more friendly. It's also nice that the restaurants there show some appreciation in the form of a dessert or something if they have to inconvenience you. Here in Germany, they'll just, say, seat you at another table if they have to and that's the last you'll hear of it. Only if something really bad happens, they'll forfeit charging you for a drink you had. OTOH, those friendly waiters in the US can do a 180 real quick when you dine there under the illusion that it would be okay to just have another drink after you've finished eating. That's something they should explain to people visiting the country instead of asking them rhetorically if they plan to assassinate the president.

[@Traumglanz]

+Biannina Exactly. Good service will be invisible and appear out of nowhere if you just raise your hand slightly in their direction. But I think this is a european thing and not limited to germany.

[@-----REDACTED-----]

+Traumglanz and excellent service does not bother you every five minutes of you have any requests or chats you up and ends up being an absolute pain not worth any tip. A waiter is there to wait on the guest, not to chat the guests up. This behaviour is extremely unprofessional!

[@muh1h1]

As a german it is actually pretty interesting to watch these videos, because i learn so many new things. Firstly about the culture in America, i didn't know that you are usually seated by an employee there for example, and also it is interesting because there seam to be huge differences even within germany... for example seeing knifes and forks on the table in a mug is pretty rare here in North rhine westphalia, while it may be pretty normal over there in bavaria. Very intresting indeed!

[@noneofyourbusiness4294]

it's not so usual in Bavaria aswell, it just catches the eye. We have it in NRW aswell, but it's mostly in Restaurant-/Bar-mixes, as far as I've seen it

[@fabian1939]

North rhine Westphalia? Seriously? That's like calling New York "Neu York" or calling Cambridge "Cambruck". I would've to call my home city "Saltcastle" in English. Stick to the original names, everything else is just... you know ;)

[@noneofyourbusiness4294]

Eis Geflüster Unlike us, most englishspeakers don't speak German, that's why there are translations for cities and other stuff. I don't really care, what you call your hometown, but that's the way it goes.

[@fabian1939]

timo stockhorst It doesn't matter if they speak German. That are "proper nouns" and proper nouns don't have to be translated. If your name is Georg, for example, your name is Georg and not Tschortsch or isn't it?

[@muh1h1]

Eis Geflüster what do you call the Thames in germany? Right, the Themse. Most cities, countries and rivers etc. can be translated. You said "germn" in your comment, not "Deutsch" yourself!

[@Buddelkind]

There are two little points I would like to classify as "Bavarian". The silverware in the mug and the "it's-ok-to-sit-with-strangers", maybe not directly bavarian, but southern. I live in Munich as well, but am from the North. its not been done there. Espacially the sitting with strangers, which goes so far, that a lot of ppl rather stand, than sit with strangers in the underground.

[@lulus8122]

+Buddelkind I live in Kiel. We don't have an underground, but it's similar on the bus. We don't like other people. I've started making myself sit next to other people on the bus, though, to become less shy in general. And that's okay but it#s not really a thing in restaurants. I think the only thing that comes to mind where I somertimes sit with strangers is in an amusement park or something..But then again just at bigger stuff and not it a rollercoaster wagon with only 2 seats...

[@Roxor128]

In Australia, you don't tip. Ever. The very notion of tipping goes against the egalitarian streak in Australian culture. The waiter is not your servant. They're just another citizen doing a job and getting paid for it. Paying staff properly is the boss' job, not the customers'.

[@furzkram]

I'm learning so much about my own country and culture from you. A native would never ever think about mentioning the little details you always seem to find. He would just not be aware at all. Keep up the good work - and btw I love your takeouts so much, could you maybe make some complete takeout clips once in a while? Also, Stephan should be seen more often. You make such a nice couple. Love it.

[@ninaandianfan21]

LOL you're so funny xD sensor at the bottom of the glass xD hilarious good job! but I think they're special trained to see empty glasses ^^ same piece of wood also xD I would like to hit that like button several times ^^

[@Sizzlik]

ninaandianfan21 hehe "special training"..well you walk by tables every few minutes as you serve and you just get an eye for that. Takes a split second to look at a table while walking and notice empty glass or plates. Then just a mental reminder to come to the table in a minute. Its a stressy job some do (and like) it..some dont (or cant). I was a waiter several years..and quite liked it =)

[@MetalisForever666]

+ninaandianfan21 Yes, but just 5 days ago I was at a steak restaurant in Anaheim, CA, and immediately after our glasses were empty the server brought us new drinks without reqeust (free refill). That's not just a German thing.

[@WorldsFastestHypnotist]

Having lived in Germany (Heidelberg) for three years, I'd like to compliment you on this video. You hit every major point and everyone should watch this before their first German restaurant experience! The only other thing that Americans are confused by is the the German love of cash. If you want to pay with a credit card, you have to tell the waiter "mit karte" otherwise he/she will assume you are paying with cash. Thank you again for the great video!

[@disobedientdolphin]

Well, living in germany for my whole life (apparently as a german), including some restaurant experience, I can say that "sharing tables" is - for me - an completely unknown phenomenon. I'd consider this question from a server as quite rude. Maybe you can experience this at a Mc Donalds or Subway, but not at a "real" restaurant. If you want to sit by a table for 5 people as you are only two, you have the right to - although I also would consider this rude on the other hand. You'd better go somewhere else, because if there is no fitting table you obviously didn't have reserved one.

[@WantedAdventure]

+balkoth1984 That's interesting! Because I've really experienced it several time at what I would consider "normal" restaurants. I didn't make it up, I promise haha :D

[@disobedientdolphin]

+Wanted Adventure Well, maybe there are severe regional differences. I've been to bavaria extremely seldom, so it might be totally okay "there", while it wouldn't be okay at all "here" (which means the north of North Rhine-Westphalia).

[@superdau]

+balkoth1984 Being seated with other people is normal here in Austria as well. You don't even have to wait for a server to ask someone if there's no free table. Since you mostly pick your table yourself here anyway, just ask whoever is sitting at a table where you'd fit. I have never been declined a seat, except if they were still expecting someone else and there wouldn't be enough room left. If you can, pick a table so you can leave one seat of space between the other guests. But if there really is no other place, you might as well sit right next to them. You don't have to (or rather are mostly expected not to) talk to them, just say "Mahlzeit" when they get their food and "Wiederschauen" when they (or you) leave. Some restaurants make it easy. The have small tables joined to a larger one. It's also fine to rip a bigger table apart or join your own, if you're a larger group.

[@misspaintingwoman]

Yeah in Berlin it's also uncommon to share tables. Maybe I know that from like shopping mall tables but not from real restaurants. When you are alone and you enter a Restaurant they won't give you a big table for 5 people. So actually this table sharing thing wouldn't happen. I have nothing against Bavaria but to compare USA to Germany with the example of bavaria it seems sometimes uncommon and not correct to the rest oft germany

[@misspaintingwoman]

***** I know where she lives thats why I said that bavaria is sometimes a bad expample to be representive for germany. For me it would have been more realistic if she said that it is uncommon to sit with other people in a restaurant at one table but maybe in some parts in germany it could happen or it depends on what kind of restaurant it is.

[@falc410]

Even in Germany, in higher class restaurants the waiter (sometimes even more than one) will interrupt you during your meal and ask if everything is alright. I'm so used to pay the bill in the German way that I'm always confused when I'm somewhere else. For example in Italy it happened more than once that you receive the bill in a small booklet and the waitress immediately vanishes, waiting behind the counter or somewhere else for you to put the money into the booklet and then you can just leave. It's kinda a trust relationship. They trust you to put the correct amount inside and won't check it until you have left the restaurant. That's fine for me but let's assume the bill is 30 Euros (and usually you give a 10% tip) but you only got a 50 Euro note. So what do you do then? Usually the waiter will not return until you left the restaurant, so I have to call him over and tell him "make it 33" or something like this, which always feels rude. And to make it even more complicated the waiter doesn't have change with them. So he leaves again with my 50 Euro note and I'm like "did he even understand what I wanted from him?", and after a couple of minutes you receive your 20 Euro change - "wait where did the tip go? Ah never mind, I'm outta here before it gets even more embarrassing"

[@Traumglanz]

+falc410 Odd, usually in fancy restaurants I know you can just ask the head waiter to give you whatever you want as return money. There is no hurry to leave and they will come to get that booklet while you are still seated and at the point you can tell them that you want 17€ change. They will nod, walk away and bring the booklet back with your return money in it. Though usually the prices in such restaurants are high enough that you round up to the next 5€ ;-)

[@LiNc0RE]

I am from Germany and when i visited the US my first visit at a restaurant was very, very awkward. We had a very friendly and funny waitress, joked together, ordered...everything was fine. Then at the end when we wanted to pay, things got real. Coming from Germany, we were used to only tip so much. So we did like we would do in Germany, maybe a bit more because she was so nice. But suddenly her face went grim and she stormed away. We were like..wtf just happend and took a look in our travel guide (in hindsight we should have done so beforehand). Well, it were REALLY ashamed and sorry for the small tip, so we asked her to come back to our table and payed her double the tip she would usally get and of course explained ourselves. Really funny how cultures can have so much in common and still be so far away. It was a nice experience. So remember: always study the commons of the country you are visiting or things might become awkward really fast.

[@Freakschwimmer]

Only one thing missing: If the venue is rather economical priced all adults at the table may be given a free Schnaps (shooter) with the bill.

[@peggsi]

+Freakschwimmer and often the kids will get juice in the same glasses as the adults at the end :)

[@Freakschwimmer]

true :D

[@chaosgoettin]

+Freakschwimmer bei meinem letzten besuch in meinem Stammloal kam ne familie rein, großeltern. eltern, kind. Und die kleine wollte, direkt am anfang, einen Kinderschnaps. am Anfang dachte ich, die hätten irgendwas wie robby bubble, bis ich gerafft habe, dass sie nen Kirschsaft in nem schnapglas bekommen hat. und das auch nur deswegen wollte, weil die familie offenbar nen Tag vorher angestoßen hatte (geburtstag oder so) und die Kleine halt, um sie nicht auszuschließen, ein schnapsglas mit saft bekommen hat. :D

[@bramscheDave]

+Freakschwimmer at our local Greek restaurant, my friend is a good customer and knows the owner. Her would refill our Ouzo glasses two or three times during the meal (once when we arrive, again with the main course and once with the bill) As my friend usually drives, he doesn't drink his ouzo, so I generally drink it. One night, the owner cottoned on to this and thought it was funny to fill both glasses every time he passed the table. I even turned the glasses upside down, turned them back over and filled them. I hid the glasses, he brought new ones... I think I ended up with over 12 shots during the meal! I really didn't need the beer I had ordered when we arrived!

[@Freakschwimmer]

David Wright That's a great story :D Thanks for sharing :)

[@lindaclaudine3029]

The sharing with whoever is how Amtrak is - it's nice as you meet people as it is rare to not have conversations. And since food is expensive (though breakfast not bad) but comes for free if you are in a sleeper of any size, you are never rushed except if you board right as dinner is ending and then the only rush is to order as have to do grills. You can sit forever and talk and order alcohol or more coffee. Love Amtrak. Many mom and pop style restaurants- especially when I'm backroading it, which I love, have the utensils as you described. And since I know they survive on tips & I don't like being rushed, I tell my server up front that I will be tipping 25% or more if crowded as I know turnover is important for her salary but we don't want to be rushed. They LOVE this. At a bar, I always tip BIG on first drink - always get served pronto (I usually say there's more at end if they watch out for me - they do). Everyone is happy.

[@d34d10ck]

Silverware in a mug in the middle of the table? I'm German and I've never seen that anywhere. Must be a Bavarian thing.

[@ifzwischendurch]

Richard Gecko Yes, you can see that often in Bavaria (and Austria). In some restaurants the silverware is packed in napkins.

[@rucussing]

Richard Gecko I did see that in a few places in Bavaria.

[@d34d10ck]

There's your problem. Bavaria is like it's own little country with it's own little rules. Not really representing Germany at all. :)

[@infinitecreations4702]

Richard Gecko ja, das ist in den bayrischen Wirtshäusern meistens so...

[@Speireata4]

In NRW they do have this, too, sometimes.

[@Wildschwein_AC]

One notice: The waiter taking care that you always have enough to drink is to some degree the other side of having all the time you want. Enjoying one glass of wine, cola, lemonade or beer after the other after your meal makes them earn as much, if not more, than they can ever earn with food. In bars sometimes empty glasses will even be re-filled without asking, until you put the beer coaster on top or the glass top down ...

[@BenjaminBechhofer]

Really love the video! I am a bit of a service nut, and I love the service philosophy in my home country Germany. I came across a really odd situation in Hong Kong. I wanted to tip the waitress, and I kept insisting through the pretty obvious language barrier. The woman did a great job and I wanted to tip rather generously. She was frustrated, almost in tears and I didn't know what to do. She called her boss who spoke a little broken english and told/signaled us, we were to put the money directly and visibly into the servers pocket, because people had been giving tips and then accusing the servers of stealing. We awkwardly obliged and carried on to have a great vacation.

[@WantedAdventure]

Benjamin Bechhofer What is wrong with people?! lol They would GIVE the tip and then accuse the server of having stolen the money from them?! What could possibly be that point of that? Weird people... Well, glad you were finally able to figure it out and give her the tip! Also glad you liked the video! :D Thank you!!

[@Ryoichi94]

Benjamin Bechhofer That's not uncommon in many Asian countries. One example is Japan where you don't tip at all even if it was the best service you've ever experienced in your whole life. It's just not common to tip there. The reason might be that it would imply that the bosses of the waiters are not paying them enough to make a living. In that case tipping would just be considered rude.

[@somethingonhermind]

One little thing: That you'll find your forks and knives in a mug in the middle of the table only really applies to the south of Germany (Bavaria, mostly). Almost anywhere else here your waiter will bring you your cutlery on a plate wrapped in napkins, after they brought you the drinks and before they'll serve the food.

[@Niko_demus]

Do not chat with your random meal companions who are seated at your table, but don't forget to say "Guten Appetit" when they are given their food.

[@lydiapvnrt]

You should keep in mind that the waiters usually wait for you to close the menu and put it down and that is when they come to get your order. They are not ignoring you. So don't keep the menu open if you have decided what you want to have, or you'll wait for a long time. I know it may be hard to remember the names by heart, but just keep a finger between the pages and reopen it when they come.

[@borntokill1976]

I'm German. Nice Video, Thx. Some things that came into my mind: The "Bierdeckel". If you got to a Biergarten or so, the waiter will bring drinks and write down a simple line or a cross on your Bierdeckel. And another line with your third or fourth Bier and so on ;-) At the end when it comes to paying the chek, the Waiter will count up the lines and crosses, saying "4 Bier, thats 12 Euro". Instead of "Stimmt so", you can also say "The rest is for you". Shurely sounds funny to a native english speaker. How much Tip? In Germany you would give around 10% if you personally think the food was good, the waiter was very nice to you and you had a good time in the place. You would give no tip at all if the food wasn't good or the waiter didn't do a good job. Its a way of expressing that you enjoyed your stay. It is mostly uncommon to actually say "The food was not good" or so. You would say it's fine, but leave no tip. When in Florida/USA, I noticed the free Tap Water thing. Sad enough, it was always full of choride, so you couldn't drink it. In good old Germany we have excelent, fine tasting and cristal clear tap water runing out of every tap/crane, but all the germans refuse and only like spring water (would be "Sprudel" i.e. mineral water out of the bottle with or without gas). The downside of being not in a rush with paying is, that there is absolutely no free refill nowhere in Germany. Every drink you order is beeing charged ("Of course, why not?", the Germans would say ;-)

[@karimsultan2007]

Hey Dana, Thank you for your point of view. It is very interesting to hear about those diffrences. Here is something that could explain maybe one of your questions. if your glas of tasty soda is empty, your server knows you want more. Because you drank the whole beverage. BUT...if you´ll leave a sip of your beverage...the server now knows, that you wont have more. It is an old "restaurant rule". Another one is, that if you got the menu and you still have it in your hand or it is open on your table, your server knows, that you haven´t decided what you want to eat. If it is closed however....the server now ask you what you want to order. an old rule - not quite sure if it is used or in place is....if you are done with your meal and you´ll have placed your fork and knife (or spoon) on your dish, the server now konws, that you are done with your meal and will remove your dish from your table.

[@janamundsen]

Oh wow. This brings it right to the point. I am a native German and I feel the same every time I am at a restaurant ordering something. But I never had the opportunity to meet a server that knows when I'm finished with my drink. And I have also never been to a "real" restaurant (no fast food) where the forks and knives are somewhere on the table. This seems to be a Bavarian habit, but I am living in the north of Germany. Usually the cutlery can already be found at every place on the table, but sometimes the waiter brings additional things to you after you ordered. This is handy if you order a steak or fish but only have a blunt knife on the table. I love the patience all restaurant owners have. Noone would ever say "please leave now. Your block the table for half an hour already". Sometimes I stay at the table the whole evening until the restaurant closes. As I experienced in four trips to Canada and US there are very few places for me to be called "real restaurant". Mainly we found steak houses which are the closest to what I would compare to a German restaurant. Second most there are fast food stores of all kind. In some food courts we found not less than a dozen of very tiny stores serving just sandwiches. Or sushi. Or burgers. Or (put something to eat in here). Of course there are good stores for eating, they all have that fast food appeal to me. Whew, this became longer than I exprected ;-)

[@ElaMongrella]

Tips are more a polite than necessary thing in Germany, yes, but I like to do it anyway, when I can. When I treated my mom to a birthday dinner once, our server brought a bowl of water for my dog, so I gave him a big tip afterward. :)

[@tonischnucki]

What I find interesting on this topic is that in America, as far as I have experienced, the waiter will come and ask what you want while you are still checking the menu. In Germany, usually the waiter will not come to your table and ask for what yu want until everyone has closed and put away their menus as a sign that they are ready to order. Which is a lot more relaxed than having to rush your order and being pressured while still reading the menu :D

[@marley3929]

so true and omg I love staying in the resturant for like another hour just to have a chat with my friends or whoever I`m there with but as far as I know the servers check on how you`re enjoying your food

[@hannajung7512]

In my experience, Spoons,knives and such are brought to the table on a seperate plate, wrape in some tissue to clean your mouth and finger after eating. Since the big bowl in the middle of the table is a bit of.... erm... well... gross... to me, since I never know how many people had touched the spoons in it I prefer this a lot. I have never seen this bowl ever.... but I guess it deffers from region to region. Also i never experienced being seeted at the same table with some other people, BUT I experienced, being beg to move to a smaller table as soon as some customers left so the bigger table got free for a bigger group. another region to region diffrence, maybe? To mention is, that if you are not giving tip it is only considered rude, when your cloths, or your behavior, (or the amount of money they had to give you change to) shows that giving tip would not hurt you. So, if you don't have much money to spend it is no big deal to just give the waiter the money, withour saying anything else then "bitte sehr", and then wait for the waiter to give you the change. No bad feelings about it. THIS most obviously is not true for the more expensive venues, as just being there implicates, that you can afford tipping the waiter, so you should be generous, unless you wanna signal them, they did a bad job.

[@WantedAdventure]

+Hanna Jung YES!! I also prefer getting the eating utensils wrapped in a napkin. I completely know what you mean and have thought about this on several occasions. Thanks for your take on the tipping, too!

[@hannajung7512]

Ah.... napkin.... that's the word^^.

[@WaruiKira]

+Wanted Adventure The Pot with the utensils in them is mostly a bayrisch thing. in rustic restaurants that serve "deutsche Küche" its quite usual, but in most restaurants, you get it like discribed by Hanna Jung.

[@AnnaLee33]

+Sarulina, I've been to many beer gardens in Bavaria, and the sets of cutlery always came on a platter, rolled up in napkins.

[@AnnaLee33]

+Jenny, it's not even a Bavarian thing, I live there and have never seen cutlery in a mug! Always neatly rolled up in a napkin and then placed before you on the table, or already on the table in a basket, to take what you need. Rolled up in napkins.

[@rickcharmingtv]

I wish I would have discovered your channel before moving to Germany. Wait a minute--that would have made it far too easy. I take it back. Thumbs up.

[@barrasuikishou]

I myself prefer German resturants but I admit I miss the free refill I had everywhere in Texas...that was nice xD

[@Dutchfruitjar]

I love the Europen dining-out atmosphere and intent. Especially since I'm a slow eater. Food is meant to be savored along with the company. Everyone, with few exceptions, that I've ever dined out with is completely done with their food within 10 minutes of receiving it. Not only does this stress me out but I'm also thinking, "How is this good for your digsetion?" lol

[@TikeLeSpike]

It's really interesting to see the point of view of an english Person about german stuff. There are so many things that are obvious in German, and you don't notice that if you don't watch videos like this one. Please keep uploading videos on this channel!

[@Rainyjax]

Our servers and waiters are carefully selected from specially bred superhumans with the ability to sense when someone has finished their drink, no other people can become servers or waiters.

[@jiayou1003]

Ah, so they're all german?

[@docmcconvoy4034]

Nice Summary, can say Yes to most of the Things you mentioned, but there is one Thing I want to say: The Knives and Forks normally are not placed as described as a Pack in the middle of the Table, that's a custom of the Munich Beer-Halls. There may be other Spots doing this as well, but normally, you will find your Knife and Fork at your Place with a Napkin of at least medium Quality. If not, they will come with the Food. That's the custom in most of Germany.

[@WantedAdventure]

DocMcConvoy Glad to hear you can confirm much of what I said in the video! :D Thanks for the information about the forks and knives...I see it so often in all kinds of restaurants here in Munich, so I thought it was pretty common. Thanks for letting me know it's not done everywhere around Germany! I will keep my eye out as I travel more around the country :) I can't wait to see more parts and cities of Germany! Any recommendations? :)

[@docmcconvoy4034]

Well recommendations by me must be taken with care, cause I love historical Sites and Events, but for a quick Travel over the Weekend, there are some Places near Munich, which are worth to take a Look. First some cities: Landshut, especially, when there is the "Landshuter Hochzeit", but the next one will be 2017, then Regensburg, Nürnberg and Ulm, they have nice historical city-centers. If you are interested in the Art of blowing glass, i recommend, to visit Zwiesel, just take the Autobahn to Deggendorf, and I believe you will find it mentioned on the Roadsigns. it's near Regen, but maybe it is better to visit Zwiesel during the week in a Vacation, so you have the Chance to actually visit one of the Workshops. Next two are in Austria, but also in Range from Munich for a short trip: Salzburg & Innsbruck, they are definitly worth a Visit. For a longer Trip, there are some Cities: Berlin, Hamburg, Leibzig, Dresden and Weimar. As I have seen, you already went to Cologne, you might visit it again when there is not the Carneval-season. But actually any bigger City will have it's good Spots. For this, maybe you have already visited it, but in Munich is the technical Museum, I highly recommend a Visit there. At last, if you are ever eager to visit the Three-River-City Passau, just send me a Message, we arrange a Meeting-Point, and I will gladly show you around *grin*.

[@WantedAdventure]

DocMcConvoy Thanks so much for all the great recommendations!! I appreciate you taking the time to list them. I also really enjoy historic sites and events, and I really love glass blowing (tried it once at a place in Colorado!), so sounds like Zwiesel would be a great place for me to visit. Also Innsbruck has been on "my list" for a while, so thank you for reminding me about it! I'm making my little "spring and summer" travel list right now, and these just got added to it! Thank you! Keep an eye out for videos/photos as I travel to these places :D I’m already looking forward to it! Have a great week! -Dana

[@DBGMLV]

My biggest pet peeve about German restaurants is the rush to get in, eat and get out. In Bulgaria we usually go to a restaurant at about 7 pm and rarely leave before 12. And for the most part the people on the surrounding tables will not have changed. In Germany we go to a restaurnt sit down, order and halfway through my meal they ask me if I'm going to be ordering anything else, because the kitchen is closing.

[@NanoNaps]

+DB8 That is not to get you out though. They just tell you that the kitchen is closing. You can still sit there till 12 and drink. Some restaurants have one cook only and he has to have some freetime as well. Basically, what you say for Bulgaria is my experience in Germany. Just some restaurants won't server food after a certain time.

[@zeissman2365]

I completely agree. But 7 p.m. is actually quite early. Most of the time I get in at around 8-9 p.m. and if there is good music/musician and atmosphere hardly ever do I leave before 12:30.

[@martins.7041]

I really like this video! I work as a waiter in a nice restaurant. We also have english-speaking guests as well. One interesting thing I like to piont is the situiation (if you are in a bigger group of people): If germans like to pay the bill seperate, they want you to cash them single. But with the same amount of english guests I took the bill at their table and ask them, if they want to do that by them selfes, to handle me the total bill. :) And also I like them because I can work on my english as well. In that way I want to have my people happy, what means that I like to take a short chat, if wanted and spend some time for recomentations.

[@CHiiLLer1990]

the tip depends on how satisfied you are with the waiter. if he isn´t nice to you or makes many mistakes, it´s even possible to give nothing.

[@Traumglanz]

+Marsi Moto Though it is considered polite to give normally at least ~3% expect you are really pissed about the service. Anything extra is expressing your happiness about the service.

[@nelliberry9403]

In Hessen we give no tips at all. It 's not neccseassry... nesseccary... mecesarryjdgja here.

[@cooky51966]

You seems to me like uncle scrooge (Dagobert duck). A friendly service and a well prepared meal are worth a smal extra. The tip is also a part of the income.

[@valentinaklein4454]

I was born in Wiesbaden, the capital of Hessen. I grew up there, then moved to Darmstadt, Hessen. And now I live in Frankfurt, Hessen. And I have never seen someone giving no tip. Don't know if you are just kidding or if you are a very rude person.

[@tiko8420]

of course! if the Service was more than just not good... if the server was unfriendly and made many mistakes it is very common to give nothing. I also do this in the same way in the US... if the server is not doing his Job, why should I pay him? in general I have a problem with tipping in percent. What kind of extra effort does the server have in serving something expensive than cheap?

[@KaiDiekmeier]

My parents actually own a restaurant in Germany! 1. Normally people don't just sit down (they do sometimes to be fair), but just stand around until a waiter comes and seats them. 2. Our waiters and waitresses are generally very polite and will smile at you, but it probably is to get tipped more. 3. It is normal to order when they give you your drinks, if you don't, they will probably check in with every other of their tables before they come back. 4. Iz is no rush here in Germany, but the waiters might get impatient behind the scenes, because they might have planned to use your table for a later reservation. 5. If you reserved a table there is normally cuttlery for the amount of people you reserved for already at the table, if not, we bring out knives and forks rolled up in a napkin. 6. Waiters are supposed to check in from time to time but in Germany I feel like it comes off as invasive and pushy if they ask every five minutes. So they use the oppurtunity of bringing you a new drink to also ask if everything is alright. 7. Tipping isn't necessary, but it is polite. If you look like you have the money, waiters probably expect a tip and will complain about you to co-workers if you don't. Tipping is also a convenience, if you don't want to get back annoying change or have somewhere to be and can't be bothered to wait. Generally students are not expected to tip, as they don't have that much money, too. 8. Sharing tables is a thing. I once was at a café alone, and was asked if two old ladies could sit with me at a 4-person-table. Restaurants want to make profit, they don't want to waste three chairs just because you have no friends!

[@joshuabritton3909]

One thing that was not mentioned is that in Germany people drink almost exclusively bottled water. You can choose from carbonated or ''stilles wasser''. Be prepared for dirty looks if you ask for tap water.

[@twincast2005]

Regarding fast food joints and coffee shops (specifically McDonald's and Starbucks), one interesting development I found was that right before I went studying abroad in the fall of 2006 tables were still cleared by the staff when you were done like in normal restaurants and cafés, and _only_ this way, with no place to put away tablets, cups and boxes yourself if you wanted to, but when I checked back in sometime in the summer of 2008 we Austrians had been thoroughly reeducated - or rather, those clearly labelled racks to put your tablets had popped up en masse (while most, maybe all, McD's here were changed into McCafés), and most people aren't assholes, so you rarely see trash left on tables (which depending on the individual place obviously homeless used to rifle through, by the way) anymore.

[@softwareperson]

I worked for Siemens here in America (Florida). I was one of 2 Americans on the team, everyone else was German. Before they came they all received cultural lessons, except for one of my co-worker's family. He received the training, but he's wife didn't. Since the project was for 2 years, his wife came 4 months after he arrived. On the first night she arrived they went to an American restaurant with another couple (friends from Germany who had taken the training) When it came time to pay, he left the server a 20% tip, and his wife thought he wanted to sleep with the server because of how much he left. The other couple explained that the servers in America work strictly for tips. It was an eye opener to me because at the time the only foreign country I had been to was Canada. When I was doing business in Singapore I also learned a very expensive lesson. I love Iced Tea, generally, in the course of a meal will drive 4-5 glasses of it. I had dinner with some American colleagues at a seafood buffet at the hotel we were staying. On the board, it stated that coffee and tea were included. I ordered my Iced Tea and re-ordered a second. The server gave me no indication that there was a charge for the first or second Iced Tea, so when all was said I had 3 Iced Teas. The Iced Teas cost more than the buffet. I asked why so much when Tea was included. The server informed me that Hot Tea and coffee was included not Iced. Also, each Iced Tea was an additional charge, and it would be rude to tell me this. Needless to say, that was a 23$(Singapore) mistake I won't repeat.

[@Varus78]

actually it can happen that the waiter brings you the bill unordered like when they want to close or you annoyed them. it means that its time for you to leave.

[@rubinagladis5285]

+Varus78 yes right. but usually i'd have to ask for the last beverage or announce clear that we have to close before i'd bring the bill unordered. If you have to "kick the guests out" like that, you usually can sell some last schnaps or espresso and order a taxi for the guests or give them an advice for the nightlife if they want to go anywhere else.

[@Varus78]

Rubina Gladis yes you do this the polite way and dont be rude like i described.

[@LizMillerDesign]

I live in Berlin and have only experienced people asking to share a table at Starbucks when it was crowed outside and I had a 4 person table to myself and also at a jazz club with food, sharing a table so we could all see the band and eat, also by myself.

[@BZFFirst]

I think you forgot to mention that you also can Tip Nothing at all. If the Service was bad I often Tip nothing. And the Knifes and Forks in the middle of the Table is a Bavaria thing. Not often used somewehere else.

[@rubinagladis5285]

+BZFFirst yes well if the service really was bad. But i would say, the service usually is not that bad, i had it only VERY few times that i was not satisfied. If the restaurant is really full you should know when you enter it, that it could happen that you have to wait a little. i think i only had it like four times in 15 years that the service was so bad that i did not tip.

[@wrekkingcru]

One key thing regarding silverware in German restaurants (possibly other European countries) is to never cross your fork and knife on your plate until you are actually done eating as doing this signals to the waiter that you are done with your meal and they can take your plate. This happened to me the first time I was in Berlin. Not a big deal, but something to be aware of. Most American restaurants are also not owned by specific breweries - so you can typically order different beer types and brands, but German restaurants are frequently owned by a specific brewery/company - so they will only serve you their beer, which is cool, but keep that in mind.

[@WantedAdventure]

+Wrekking Cru Yes! When I first moved here, I also didn't realize that some restaurants are owned by specific breweries, and I was confused when I suggested a place to eat and someone said they didn't want to go there because they didn't like the beer....what?! Then just order a different beer??? lol Nope, not always possible! :)

[@stkl9328]

+Wanted Adventure The restaurants are not owned by the beer brand, it's more of a sponsorship. The restaurant only sells one brand of beer and advertises that at the front of the building and they get a discount from their beer purchases from that brand. This kind of beer sponsorship is everywhere in Germany. Almost every larger festivity has their beer sponsors for whom they advertise and whose beer they sell. Every football (soccer) club has their beer sponsor. Even a little street or village fest usually has a mobile bar sponsored by one beer brand. It is a little crazy to be honest. In my experience there is nothing as prominently sponsored in Germany than which beer you can get at any given place :D

[@superdau]

+Wrekking Cru Here in Austria crossing fork and knife would mostly be seen as "I'm still eating" (fork and knife are still in a position ready to pick up ;) ). If you're finished you put them parallel to each other on the plate.

[@wrekkingcru]

+SwatTeamExit - Thanks for the correction...I forgot the subtle difference between crossed vs parallel fork & knife ;-)

[@Traumglanz]

+superdau It is the same in germany and it is the same in berlin too. The parallel position is the sign of having finished your meal and as far as I know this applies to more or less whole europe.

[@leonardoschwerin7227]

Love your videos, so well done! I am going to Germany this year and you help a lot =D

[@WantedAdventure]

Double Marvel Thanks! :D Glad you enjoy them and wish you an awesome time in Germany!

[@canadagood]

I love your wall clocks!

[@dani92hl]

as a waitress myself in Germany, I can say that I always try to have a view at my customers glasses, so I can go and ask if they want anything else as soon as I could. That is probably because our employer makes the most money when we sell the drinks( in Germany you pay for each nonalcoholic drink aswell). I can't speak for everyone BUT I can honestly say, that I am a very nice and social Waitress. I guess because I am like hat in my private life. in the end--> everything takes some getting used to :)

[@WantedAdventure]

+Dani KM I definitely agree -- it's all about what you're used to! Thanks for the inside info on the drinks as well :)

[@bramscheDave]

+Dani KM There is a big cultural difference between America and Europe in general. Serving staff are there when you need them in Europe, but they are intrusive and leave you to enjoy your meal in peace and respect your privacy. Funnily some Americans feel this respect for the customer to be cold and unprofessional, judging by other travel videos I've seen. I much prefer our method to being asked if everything is okay every 2 minutes and being rushed back out of the restaurant.

[@kenninast]

A very weird thing about both Germany and Belgium, some people say "never tip the waiter! They will feel insulted, as if you think you're better than they are, and that you'll make their miserable wages a bit better"... while that's absolutely not the case. I always tip about 10% and I never ever had the feeling that the waiters felt insulted. As a matter of fact, most restaurants and bars have a "tipping jar", where all the tips go in and all the personel split them, so that the people who don't serve, like the bartender for example, get a piece of the pie too.

[@starhammer1280]

I work in a Restaurant now, and I as an American bring them a whole new experience. the fact that I come back and ask them how it is all going, they think thats extra nice but im just so used to it.

[@Digi20]

i dont know how drinks are priced in the US, but here in germany restaurants make a big part of their profit by selling drinks....which may be the reason the servers are always there when your glass is empty ;)

[@MetalisForever666]

+Digi20 I Europe you pay every drink separately, in the US you pay the drink once and get free refills. And if you go ask the server for a "refill to go" and you get another drink in a cup with straw (for free). Not only at McDonald's, also in real restaurants. That's really cool. I experienced that just 5 days ago in Anaheim, CA.

[@Traumglanz]

+Digi20 Remember, free refills everywhere ;-)

[@philipptrousil9983]

+Traumglanz you cant do it that way in germany. cause you cant calculate the priece: if it is "normal" priced, you will get poor - then the "stammtisch" is comeing - and order you 10-times to refill their beer...

[@chrisjones2344]

The whole free refills thing really only applies to soft drinks (Coke, Pepsi,& Sprite), Water, or Iced Tea. Alcoholic and bottled drinks usually aren't included.

[@ezravermeulen901]

In the Netherlands (at least where i live) you put the tip under one of the coffeecups for the server to find it when you already left. Adding it up like your explenation is also normal. Sometimes you leave whitout paying the cheque with the server, but leave the pay the above way. You wont get any change then obviously

[@FelixAB88]

I really had to laugh about your explanation of other people being seated at "your" table in germany: You are sharing the same piece of wood! That's it! - Brilliantly precise. :D

[@torntrof]

In Latvia, I've noticed that the servers do tell you their names (a relatively new thing) but only after taking your order. Also, it's the custom to leave 10% as the notmal tip and then go from there if you particularly liked or disliked something

[@KonradKeck]

I'm living up north on the countryside. Here, the only places to put up the silverware for self-service are cafeterias. Usually you either find the basics (fork and knife) when you arrive pre-served on your table or they are given to you on a plate after you ordered. The later is preferred, since the waiter can react to your order, i.e. when you ordered soup, fish or steak. Beyond that, a good restaurant (probably attached to a hotel) often has a manager or owner overlooking things. In my neighbourhood is a place where the owner usually hosts the service. He takes every opportunity for asking around if everything is okay, probably taking an order or clearing tables or - if you know him - come over for a quick chat. Basically a piece of German "Gastfreundlichkeit" ;)

[@jaaanaaa8045]

As a german former waitress I can say that sometimes we wish costumers would just finish their meals and pay asap, especially in hot summer days :D but our bosses usually train us to keep people happy and make them order as much beverage/coffee/ deserts as possible. Even if it means that they will stay for hours:) Also we are watching customers closely, hence the empty glass thing lol

[@andreaseufinger4422]

Some years I had an english training at my work-place. The (american) teacher told us, visiting a restaurant in Europe is a culinaric experience, while in the US it is a "commercial experience". Well explained, Dana. And if you order drinks in the US, don't forget to mention "without ice", otherwise you will get 80 % ice and 20 % drink ;)

[@reinerjung1613]

The knifes, spoons, etc. sitting in a beaker on the table is rather unusual to many places in Germany, except Bavaria and all kinds of "brewery restaurant" or "Bavaria style" restaurant.

[@stephenhowe244]

In other countries where I cannot begin to speak, much less read the native language, I have trouble even RECOGNIZING a restaurant from the street. Once seated inside, I immediately discovered that (surprise) all the menus were IN GERMAN, with the lengthy names of dishes continued on the next page. I studied up (pre-internet '80s) and learned that "sausage & sauerkraut" was a rather ubiquitous dish, so I learned to order it phonetically. This worked out pretty well, and I discovered that I enjoyed the sauerkraut portion very much. Some of the sausages, however...not so much. Also, as you mentioned in another vid, a "tumbler" glass seemed unknown in Germany. Water was served in what we in the USA would call a juice glass. I missed large glasses a great deal.

[@lesleejanuar9414]

for me( as a german ) it is so funny to watch your videos bc i never realy thought about how things work here. and it also is interesting so learn about the us :) plus you are so cute and happy ;)

[@AvaByNight]

I'm german and that reminds me on an day with the school-class in a big town nearly (frankfurt, I guess). My best friend and me doesn't want all the time throw the city, so we go in a restaurant, everyone orders a coke and we sit there, trinking slowly (very slowly) our cokes, for about 4 or 5 hours and talking about random stuff. ^^

[@moritz_k]

I'd also say that most restaurant menus here in Germany are pretty straight forward, you get what the descriptions says, whereas in the US they come with many options and custom configurations you can do: soup and/or salad, type of potatoes (baked, mashed, fries, etc), salad dressings (on the side?) ... and you can generally substitute or exchange ingredients for another. Personally, I don't hear very often people here in Germany making big changes to their meals. I also worked as a waiter in the US for a long time, and it is a lot of things to keep in mind and juggle at the same time. In my recent trip back to the US however, I realised how pushy the servers were and made so many mistakes, but always with a smile and being a bit overly friendly (I admit I was one of them). But in my opinion that doesn't make up for the efficiency here in Germany with waiters that do their job how they are supposed to, not much engagement, and don't get bothered to split checks for a large group and mentally calculate it! (I remember splitting checks was a big pet peeve of mine :P) Anyway, great videos!! I always explain these things to others and they think it's crazy or just don't understand! :D

[@WantedAdventure]

+Mauricio Frias (mrfrias) Yes, great points! You're definitely right about the substitutions and everything. Here in Germany I very rarely hear people asking for a change to the menu item, and then it's only when they're allergic to something. And as for splitting checks, it's SO nice to be able to do it without hassle here in Germany :) It's just so easy!

[@Traumglanz]

+Wanted Adventure German politeness is focus on making the least amount of inconvenience for everyone. So it is basically rude to ask for changing the menu, except when it becomes a necessity because for example allergies. And the same goes for the service: The best service is considered the one you barely noticed and still does the job perfectly, in the best case even without you needing to ask for it. Speaking of politeness: It is considered more polite to state how much change you want back instead of letting the waitress doing the math. Not a necessary and not as common anymore these days, but technical still the 'proper' way to give a tip. Example: The bill is 22€, you give the waitress a 50€ note and ask for 25€ return.

[@zukasasteam4631]

Well im german and I have to say this "table sharing" i never really had if I think about it. its somehow always been that the amount of tables and the amount of seats around the table always just fitted perfectly (with 1-2 chairs free max at bigger tables)

[@AceMusicFreak]

For the silverware: I've never seen it in the middle of the table. Usually your server brings it with napkins a few minutes before you get your food. And what I really enjoy about restaurants especially in the part of germany where I live: You probably know the people working there when you go to the restaurant in your city/village. we are a 4.000 people city and we have 4 restaurants and me and my family know the owners and their families, the servers and everyone else working and eating there. And because you know the people, you will probably get your menu. drinks and everything else much faster than some tourists, sometimes the people in the kitchen even ask you what you want to drink when you're passing the kitchen to get to your table. And sometimes they just ask: "Das Übliche?" (the usual)

[@heinrichwolf4869]

The table sharing with other guests is quite rare nowadays, but I rembember it was not uncommon in the 70s and 80s, especially in crowded places during summer vacation at the North sea or Baltic sea, for example.

[@Dikkker]

Being German with considerable experience in traveling in the US, one thing often got me when I was not yet used to it ... I was not expected to be asked so many questions after I've placed my order!!! Ok - I'm expecting to be asked how I would like my steak (raw, medium, well-done), but than all the options of the side dishes overwhelmed me. "Would you like french fries with it or a baked potato or wedges ...???" - "errrrr.. baked potato...." - "Would you like some sour cream with that or just some herb butter" - "errrrr sour cream please" ... "and what kind of dressing would you like with your salad" - "oh, there is a salad included???" - "yes, we have yoghurt dressing, french dressing, thousand islands ..." ... So, I was pretty much lost the first couple of times ... ;-)

[@kleinechencha2792]

You got the differences down quite well I'd say :-D When I (German) was in Canada with my family, my mom couldn't handle the American cheeryness all that well. She wondered more than once how the waitress could find everything we said or did "great", "wonderful" or "awesome"... But I have to say, with all that smiling, I just had to smile back :-) In my experience, the sitting at the same table as strangers is not as common. Never happened to me... I guess it depends mostly on the region and maybe the kind of restaurant. I can only imagine it at a rustic, home-made food kinda place...

[@stachelbeere91]

in Austria we say "passt schon (so)" instead of "stimmt so" haha :-D

[@CDtrasher]

+stachelbeere91 oder nur "passt scho" :D

[@greempeace1189]

+stachelbeere91 Das geht aber in Deutschland auch ;)

[@JanRullmann1997]

+GreeM Peace Nicht überall :D Im Norden ist das sehr umgangssprachlich und das würde man unter Freunden zwar sagen, aber nicht in einem Restaurant :D

[@fabian1939]

Naja dann aber gleich: "bast scho" ;)

[@agc2477]

Restaurants in Italy are not keen on people dining alone. A table for two is more profitable than a table for one, which I get, but there were times when I had to eat out because the kitchen in my apt. in Rome was really tiny and if my roommate or landlady was in there cooking, there really wasn't any other option. Service was all over the map. At one neighborhood place, the old waiter seemed to resent having to serve me. At another, the waitress was absolutely charming. Although I speak Italian, she thought I was French for some reason and always spoke to me in French.

[@ThePhi96]

In my city in germany there are some restaurantes with (büfee)... you pay a price like 13€ or 20€ and you take whatever you want from the big table in the middle of the restaurante... drinks are not includet for the most time :D

[@CaliforniaKati]

As a waitress in Germany, I can tell you, that we always try to keep an eye on your drinks. As soon as you're close to finishing the drink, it's ok to ask if you want another one. Almost like a refill - but you have to ask for it ;)

[@TheLastLancer]

It has happened to me several times in various towns and cities in Bavaria and in Austria at "proper restaurants", but not in Berlin, Hamburg or Cologne, so it probably is a region-specific thing.

[@SamaelHellscrem]

It's realy interresting as a German how other Peoples think about our Servers :D

[@KieranReadeMX]

Yes, so weird. Seating and servers are similar here in Mexico City! Great insight as usual!

[@WantedAdventure]

Interesting to know it's similar over there in Mexico City! Thanks, Kieran. Glad you liked watching it :)

[@igelrocken4366]

The tipping usually isn't done as a percentage. The way I know it (I'm from the north of Germany) is that you round up. If the bill is 67€ then you round up to 70€. Same if it is 69 or 68€.

[@AnnaLee33]

When you place your cutlery on the plate and cross it, it indicates to the waiter, that you are taking a little break. Side by side, about 20 nach 4 on a watch --you are finished.

[@davidwise1302]

Tipping actually turned out to be a minor problem. In Austria and Germany rounding up worked well. In a French establishment she was firm about accepting no extra gratuity.

[@juergenrossmann2139]

Spoons, knifes and forks in a "Stone" you will find often in beer gardens and traditional Bavarian restaurants in the country side. In a more conservative restaurant or higher priced restaurant you have all the knifes and forks and spoons and tissue you need already at your place. And for different food you need different forks, knifes and spoons. (Never eat a fish with a meat knife, or the cheese knife or the butter knife or the fruit knife). In the European kitchen we know 256 different tools for eating. But to my knowledge only the household of the Queen have all of them. Very important is also how to place the knife and fork on the plate. Never put your knife and fork on the table when you have used it. If you only stop eating and want to continue, cross the knife and fork on the plate. When you are finished put knife and fork parallel in 5 o'clock direction on the plate. The waiter knows then, that he can take it. The German bill in a restaurant includes a 10% service charge. But you also can give a tip too. In Germany the waiter normally waits till you have emptied your glass before he ask you if you want another drink. Only when you have wine or water in a bottle they will ask you if the could refill when you have only emptied it 2/3.

[@alexandrorocca7142]

I go occasionally to Konstanz, and just by the Markstätte there is a Chinese restaurant where it's not uncommon to share a table with others. I have had interesting encounters there, so I don't mind it at all. I could just make a reservation for a smaller table. The problem is that too many of my fellow countrymen (I'm from Switzerland) go there because our restaurants, Chinese or otherwise are much more expensive.

[@MrX-cx5vd]

Oh you have to go to Cologne and drink Kölsch, if you haven't yet! When your glass is empty there - it will not only be recognized by a waiter instantly, but he will refill it immediately, unless you put a beermat on it or ask for the bill :D

[@1029blue]

Maybe it's because I hadn't been to Germany in a while after moving to the US, but, while I liked that fact that there was no rush to leave, I thought it was way to hard to get a hold of the wait staff for questions and the bill. At one restaurant, the server actually left, and we had to wait around for 10 minutes until she returned, since there was no one else around for us to pay the bill with. I also remembered that there are no free refills in Germany, but I had forgotten how small most of the drinks were that one pays for. I felt pretty dehydrated during the trip, since it was very warm, and I didn't want to pay for more than 2 drinks for each person each time.

[@OwnStyledLady]

well it seems to be different in northern germany... i was never asked to share my table with random strangers. also i never saw a restaurant where the silverware is in a mug on the table, but the waiter will bring it to you on a plate along with a napkin - together with either your drinks or your meal.

[@EtwasMartin]

I feel like some of these things are very regional specific. Here in NRW no waiter will ever place strangers at your table even if there are empty chairs. They might politely ask you to move to a smaller table (if one is available) or just leave you be. And you will very rarely find your forks and such in the middle of the table. They will be brought to you either before your meal or together with the meal and that is that. I also like the way us Germans handle the service at restaurant. I don't need a waiter or manager to ask me if everything alright or if I need this or that. I see why it might be appreciated by some people but when I go to a restaurant I do so to talk to my friends or family and enjoy a nice meal and if I need anything, I can always flag for a waiter and get whatever I want without being interrupted or disturbed throughout my whole visit.

[@AndreR241]

Pretty much everything that needs to be mentioned. Well done!

[@WantedAdventure]

Thanks André! :D Glad you enjoyed it.

[@himmelgruen89]

Actually in non bavarian restaurants the forks and knives will be placed on the table most of the time. In most restaurants where I was, waiters always ask if everything is alright...

[@tuschman168]

Might be interesting to note that if you are ordering water in a German restaurant (which you need to do. There's no free water.) there's a high probability they will bring you carbonated water (likely with ice and possibly a lemon slice in it). If you don't like carbonated water, you need to order "stilles Wasser" (literally: silent water).

[@11Kralle]

I think there is a difference between "smiling" and "a sardonic grin" - every time I see customer service in the USA (lots of opportunities to do so on the telly), the display of forced friendliness creeps me out on the spot. Of course it is a cultured phenomenon, but it shows how little the german understanding of "friend(ship)" can be translated into the fluffy northamerican comprehension. Waiters should be polite not friendly: (over-)acted friendliness towards strangers or customers will/could be seen as inappropriate behavior, perhaps even inpolite or invasive, in Europe. Btw. I wouldn't call every "Wirtshaus", "Bierstube" or "Kneipe" a restaurant. That's maybe the misconception in the title - a mug with cutlery is not uncommon, for lowprofile businesses.

[@michaeltaddicken3400]

Nice :) As a German one can learn a lot about the cultural differences between our two countries. But bear in mind, that the regions in Germany have some differences among themselves as well, e. g. cutlery in the middle of the table in a jar, would be taken as very rustic, here up in the north, might be just acceptable at fair, but not at a restaurant. But the rest seems to be spot on.

[@WantedAdventure]

Michael Taddicken Thanks for the tip! That's a great point that I'll try to keep in mind. Just because I see it down here in Bavaria doesn't mean it applies to the rest of the country :D

[@TheEws2012]

One time during my Peace Corps service in Mali, I ordered the chicken at a restaurant in Sikasso and the man waiting on my teammates and I went outside, actually grabbed a live chicken, butchered it and cut it up in view of us, the patrons. Seeing your food live before eating it is a lot more common in a country in which 60% of people work as farmers, but it was definitely the strangest dining experience I've ever had as an American!

[@erictaylor5462]

2:10 Several years ago I was working at Death Valley as a busser (a table cleaner). We had TONS of Germans due to a popular Western Novel called "Death Valley" that took place there. I asked one guy, intending to take away his empty plate, "Sir, are you finished?" He looked at me slightly confused and said, "Oh no. I am German." The Germans would drive the servers nuts because they just wouldn't leave, even after the restaurant closed and almost everybody else had left. Sometimes even after we turned out the lights. Considering the server's income is based largely on tips, and tips require a quick turnover, it is frankly quite rude to linger in a restaurant. Of course in Germany tipping is much less of a thing so lingering isn't quite as bad. But still, once a place closes the staff want to quit work and go home for the night.

[@geoko86]

Any chance he thought you asked him if he were Finnish as in "from Finland"?

[@erictaylor5462]

Georg Köster I think there is a VERY good chance of that, actually.

[@zzyzx686]

A lot of these German tourists go through Baker on their way to Death Valley, and some of them will not even tip the servers or if they do, a ridiculously small amount. I wish somebody would inform them that service is not included in the price on their check. So it's not just the matter of hanging around, but then on top of it all not tipping.

[@erictaylor5462]

zzyzx686 We should have "learned them" in the War when we had the chance!

[@realBiONiC]

Here in nothern Germany (lower Saxony) it is very uncommon to sit together with strangers. But i heard that in Bavaria it quite often happening.

[@sierrabaker5254]

As a waitress in America for nearly ten years, I want to clarify that most of the time American servers are not trying to rush you out. We are constantly being told guests are telling these restaurants that they want faster service, so in turn, we are told to give faster service. So we place the checks down for you so that you can put payment inside whenever YOU are ready to begin the check-out process. If you let us know in advance that you will be staying awhile, we would certainly not bring the check until told to do so. Americans want everything faster, and we are only trying to accommodate that wish. My suggestion to anyone who "hates American servers" would be to just communicate what you want to the server and I bet they will be happy to do what makes you happiest! 😁 With that being said, thank you for your information Dana!

[@brijemnaagresivu]

This is the usual practice all around Europe. It's not unusual for a bussiness meeting to be held at a restaurant or to go to one instead of going out to a party. Lunch and dinner can be social activities. It's also usual to have a birthsday or graduation celebration in a restaurant, where you eat a large meal and than continue with drinks afterwards. The tipping is usually just rounding up the price, and it depends on the bill. If you are just in for a coffee, for example 2.4 euros, you don't need to tip. If your bill is more like 27 euros, you round it up to 30 (not necessary, but polite), and if your bill is something like 90 euros (large meal, more people, more orders), you should add it to a hundred. It is not an obligation, but a custom.

[@kathieschatziie]

There is one thing though I experieced during my summer holiday trip to America - I'm German by the way - three years ago: In the US you will always have an extra glass of water, which will be refilled without asking and costs nothing. In German restaurants you will always have to pay for a simple glass of water. Noticing that once, I cheked it, every single time, when I was eating at a restaurant and as far as I can tell it is true. I really loved always having a glass of water, so that you can distance yourself from drinking all the sweet stuff like coke or orange soda.

[@WantedAdventure]

kathieschatziie Yes, that's true! Sometimes the water is just automatically given to you in America and sometimes they offer it (because it's a shame when people don't drink it, and it just goes to waste!). But it's always free! Sometimes cheep people who don't want to pay for a lemonade will ask for lemons and sugar and then make their own at the table with the free water!! Because of that, the restaurant I worked at started charging a dollar or two for lemons.

[@jolaytango5303]

kathieschatziie in Germany you can also ask for a glas of "Leitungswasser" - what means tap water - for usual this is for free as well, and ways better than tap water in moste states of the USA whitch use a lot of chlorine, what makes the water taste like this.

[@kathieschatziie]

I've never experienced that you can have water for free at all in Germany. I am German, have been to some restaurants in the area and I had to pay for it every time. Maybe because they didn't give me "Leitungswasser". Maybe they did give me non-carbonated water, which would explain why I had to pay for it.

[@heuballen9015]

+kathieschatziie Only ask for Leitungswasser, if you ask for ´water, you normally get Mineral water

[@Traumglanz]

+Heu ballen Except when in Vienna than water defaults to tap water and you have to ask for mineral in a lot of places. It really depends on the quality and taste of the tap water I guess. You would pay me a lot of money to drink the tap water in Frankfurt, but I am totally fine with Vienna tap water.

[@DarkKarpfii]

The server usually doesn t want to butt in too much thats why they won t talk a lot also they are very busy buzzing around the restaurant :D