American Reacts to Things Germans Do That Make More Sense..

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[@TheOnlyOneSpeedfreak]

I remember when plastic bags were banned, stores started to sell the big reusable bags for 1€ each. I have like 5 of them now and use them every week for years now. Definitely better than before.

[@TheDude50447]

yeah thing is I work 24 hour nightshifts and basically always do my shopping when I come from work around noon. The day before when i leave for work like 50% of the time I forget the bags :D

[@GilbMLRS]

Five? I have got more than were ever produced.

[@Peter_Cetera]

I have at least 40 of them, because I always forget them and have buy a new one...

[@vomm]

The only problem is that you change one problem for another. Because each reusable bag causes thousands of times more CO² than a disposable plastic bag, so much more that it will never pay off, because even a cloth bag will break before it's used 5000 times. A country like Germany does not even have the problem that plastic bags end up in the oceans. The bottom line is that the ban on disposable bags has done more harm than good. It would make much more sense to reduce packaging waste, and e.g. to ban and enforce that packaging is only 30% full. Unfortunately, the plastic bag ban is pure symbolic politics for the uninformed (the majority).

[@TheDude50447]

@@vomm They can still end up in the ocean. Some black sheep companies like to ship garbage to third world countries instead of disposing of it properly.

[@Herzschreiber]

It doesn't matter for which reason you return your bottles, for the money (and don't underestimate how much will come together in only one month when living steadily here) or for the poor - the idea isn't to make consumers think about how much they consume, that is just a nice side effect, but about recycling. So we mainly do it for the health of our earth and environment!

[@ReneWegener]

Yes we are saints

[@N_K12695]

Recycling: As a German who has studied the subject for years, I'm sorry to say that most of the recycling hype is nonsense. It works for paper, glass and biological waste, and more recently for disposable beverage bottles returned to supermarkets. Except for a minimal amount, most of the old plastic is "thermally recycled" (= incinerated) or shipped to East Asia and dumped into the landscape (and then often ends up in the ocean)! So it is best to always throw plastic waste into the normal (=residual waste-) garbage can. It is burned also then, but thereby warmth and electric power are produced as well as the exhaust gases optimally filtered. The bottom line is that Germany is not better than most other countries, but only more mendacious! Translation by deepl

[@stef987]

@@ReneWegener 😄 well, I personally do it to get my money back, so if everyone else in Germany is saints, I'm probably Satan in person.🤔 But in all seriousness now, I read the last sentence of the original comment more like 'the government introduced that concept and made it happen to reduce the negative impact on the environment at least a little and not to make us aware of how much we consume'.

[@Osmone_Everony]

​@@N_K12695 I am aware of the recycling lie they tell us and it's quite obviously true when we look at how much plastic is floating around in the oceans. Whales die because they swallow tons of it. Corals die because there's not even enough sunlight coming down anymore. HOWEVER, just throwing plastic waste into the residue bin is no option for us (I mean my family and our neighbors) because we have to use a container which we need to unlock with an ID-chip so they can charge us quite some fees. It's 2 Euros per 10 Liter volume if I recall correctly.

[@renenielsen92]

I am a foreigner living in Germany since 14 years - haven't used a plastic bag for my shopping in 13 years. took me a short while to get into the routine. When I go grocery shopping I believe that some 95% of the customers bring their own bags. I swear one almost feels a silent condemnation from everyone in the line when we see someone buy a plastic bag at the counter instead of just having brought their own like everyone else. Another thing about grocery shopping in Germany is you need to be ready ... pay quick so the line can keep moving. No diddly-dangling with your wallet or getting your items out of the way. I wish you all the best on your upcoming experiences in Germany. Greetings from Berlin.

[@lasmirandadennsiewillja9435]

All true, especially the last part. Better be good at Tetris and it helps a lot to check where your wallet is before it's time to pay. The space behind the checkout is kept very limited intentionally so that customers would pack their purchases quickly. There's not enough space for it to pile up. Most supermarkets offer baskets in addition to shopping carts if you only need a few things but even then it's sometimes better to take a cart anyway. In Germany, you take the cart with you after you paid. The basket usually stays behind once you put everything on the belt, meaning once it's your turn, you have to pack your items quickly in whatever bag you have. This can get hectic even with just 5-10 things depending on the shapes of the boxes and how fragile some items are. It's easier to put them back into a cart than juggling with a bag while keeping up with the cashier's speed and getting ready to pay. If it's just a few things that can be thrown on top of each other, whatever. And there's one secret pro tip: It's true that you can earn disapproving looks from other customers and the cashier quickly. But in 99% of all cases, a friendly smile and an "I'm sorry" directed at everyone will instantly soften the mood. Can't find your wallet, the card reader is a bitch, you got a lapse of memory and mix up your childhood zip code with your PIN, something drops - we've all been there. Everyone has been there and knows the feeling. We just forget it sometimes. So, if you cause a delay in a German supermarket but stay friendly and politely acknowledge it, all's good and people will actually be kind and supportive in return. I forgot my card once, caused a delay because I first searched for it everywhere, then the cashier had to cancel the transaction, and we quickly discussed what to do. Cue disapproving glances and murmur. I apologized, said something like "I'm sorry, it's one of those days. I should have checked if I got everything before I left home." And suddenly, everyone was chill and said stuff like "Oh, I know that feeling" and "It's okay, happened to me, too." Germans are considered to be a bit grumpy and I can't deny it, however, we are very receptive to people acknowledging their screw up with a polite smile. That goes for any interaction in public that inconveniences the other party. Things happen. We all know it and we really appreciate it when people show that they realize it and say sorry. It's not considered sucking up or putting yourself in a weaker position. It's about acknowledging you're not alone on this planet and also not the center of the universe once you leave your home. Oh, and something that's also popular here: Saying sorry when you inconvenience a retail worker, including supermarket cashiers and stockers, and "please" and "thanks" when you need their help and they help you. They won't be outright rude in return if you treat them with entitlement and don't think they deserve manners, but you will feel that there's a wide, cold gap between German friendliness and polite professionalism.

[@stef987]

Honestly, I don't think you actually need to take part in that 'game', but might actually set your own pace. It's all about the fear to be jugded by others. There is no law that says you have to pack and pay as quick as you can in the supermarket. And quite a few people don't actually do this. Some time ago I heard a woman (middle age) exclaim to the cashier at Aldi "Also, Sie sind aber auch schnell!" ("Wow, you're (too) fast", but a lot gets lost in translation here), when she had trouble to keep up with the cashier's speed while putting her groceries back into her cart - and I had to smile, thinking about all the videos and comments I saw and read on the speed of German cashiers. Usually cashiers also get a bit slower, when they see that someone isn't that fast, at least that's my impression (still, some are as fast as they can be, I guess especially with younger/middle aged customers). Also, in some supermarkets (e.g. Rewe) there is some extra space behind the belt where you can put your things and take some extra time putting them in your bag(s) - even though the next customer will have their things end up there as well right after you paid, but still, it's way more comfortable than that tiny space at for example Aldi.

[@ReneWegener]

What the fuck is wrong with you guys 🤣

[@N_K12695]

You also have to keep in mind that cashiers' performance is evaluated: Of course, a system calculates how many scans the employee performs per hour. Then it takes into account how many customers the scans are distributed among, and you have a performance score. If the score is too low, it should be clear to everyone who will pass the probationary period or be fired. In order not to burden the employee's score unnecessarily, you should pay by card if possible and check before shopping whether you have your card with you and whether it is accepted. Since cash processing is often more expensive for large supermarkets than the commission for card payment, cash payment is not desirable. However, as many Germans still prefer, an intermediate solution is being tried: the supermarket sets up a machine into which you pour all the coins and receive a voucher for the amount, which you then redeem at the checkout. Translation from German by 'deepl'

[@stef987]

@@N_K12695 yes, I know that the cashiers get rated like that (not everywhere, though?) and that, of course, is a problem. But I think it should be the problem of their managers rather than to be made the problem of the customers who then need to adjust to it, by being as quick as possible and apparently even helping out by paying by card (I didn't know about that). Maybe if the supermarkets start paying me, I will start taking my apparent 'job' as a customer more serious.😅

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Credit where it’s due to Joel being fluent in sarcasm.

[@T0MT0Mmmmy]

Most Europe countries have 3 general speed limits, "in towns", "outside towns" and "highway" (when nothing else is signed for the road, these are valid). These limits where shown when you enter a country (like shown at 6:06) but not explicitly on every street.

[@teachersusan3730]

When we had an American student live with us he said to me: I never realized how wasteful Americans are. We had to explain a lot in the beginning: about Pfand, sorting trash etc. He was a fast learner 😊

[@frogbound]

I personally went through a plethora of different schools in Germany. I went from Primary School (Year 1-4) to the Gymnasium (years 5 & 6), I then didn't get good enough grades so I changed to Realschule (7-10) and got my "Mittlere Reife". After that I went to Fachoberschule to get my A-Level but I couldn't keep up and stopped mid year. I then started an Apprenticeship as a Salesman for 3 years. After finishing the apprenticeship I went to the Berufsoberschule for a year to finally get my A-Level. There are ways from all 3 options (Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium) to further your education level to eventually get to university. You can also study a shit ton of different topics at the Volkshochschule if you wanted. It's very complicated at first glance but also very fluid in your approach to education. It is never too late to learn something new or get a degree. Today I finished two Apprenticeships (Salesman and in IT) and decided against going to University.

[@carolinavanderlande4904]

Fun fact about Phand: i heard that in Germany they have these ‘holders’ rapped around collection points where you can leave the bottles for somebody else to collect the money. In the Netherland most supermarkets also have a donation button for various charities (mostly very local) if you decide you don’t need the refund.

[@anunearthlychild8569]

Yes, you can also donate the deposit in Germany, sometimes directly at the vending machine, sometimes you can also put the deposit receipt in a collection box of the supermarket.

[@SwallowBish]

@@anunearthlychild8569only in lidl and most ppl will be mad if they press accidentally the donation button 💀 all other Supermarkts don’t have the donation button

[@formerlyinpragur4736]

Now also in Latvia

[@cayreet5992]

If you want to get higher education after you're out of school, you can either take evening courses at your local Volkshochschule (essentially a 'people's college') or you can join a correspondence course. You can theoretically also go back to regular school, but most people prefer being able to still work and make money while they work on a different degree.

[@NickNelsons_bigsis]

To add to that with most aprenticeships (as far as I know) you also earn a "Fachhochschulreife" which is simmilar in level as the Abitur (also known as "Allgemeine Hochschulreife") with which you can get a bachlor in the field you've already been studying (e.g. business). Then you can apply at a "Fachhochschule" for the higher degree.

[@MarcLucksch]

My brother did that, he went to the middle school first, then Fachoberschule and then University. Now he part owns a commercial real estate company and makes way more than me.

[@DalaiDrama-hp6oj]

@@MarcLucksch You can also change schooltype during middleschool if you feel like it and maybe get a recommendation. It might be a bit harder to change to a Gymnasium from Realschule or Hauptschule in many cases, because they usually teach a second foreign language. There are also Gesamtschulen which is like all 3 schools combined, so if you and your parents can't decide at the age of ~10 or for example if you come from a foreign country and don't get accepted at a Gymnasium due to lacking German skills, you may go this way. But remember, German Education system is different in every state...

[@xaverlustig3581]

There are evening classes you can take that can substitute a higher school education, but Volkshochschule is not the institution to get them. Volkshochschule offer evening classes, but you don't get a certificate that legally entitles you to anything, and most subjects taught there aren't career oriented but rather hobbyist, such as foreign languages for travel, painting, fitness etc

[@soniaareias8152]

It's not only in Germany. These things are european rules! 👍♥️

[@coladeburo]

You are wrong... In the netherlands you dont pay for plastic drinking containers

[@ramoniglesiagonzalez8800]

You are very wrong with your assumption Mrs!

[@lasmirandadennsiewillja9435]

There was a lot of whining when they began to replace plastic bags, although, many stores still have them. But, also, they really make the durable alternatives attractive and cheap. When I go to Aldi and forgot to bring a bag, I could buy a plastic bag for 25Cent. That one can be used more than once, too, but not that often and it doesn't look nice. It's functional, that's it. Or I spend 75Cent and get a nice looking reusable bag that holds a lot of stuff space- and weight-wise, feels nice (not like super cheap plastic), and can be folded to be squeezed into an average-sized handbag. I can even pick one of, I think, six colours (conversation when I came back with the first, with my housemate: "That's actually a pretty bag." "Yeah, they even got different colours." "Do they have yellow?" "Yeah." "Get a yellow one next time you go." SURE 😄). Needless to say, we got all six colours in our household now because it's hard to resist completing a series when the individual object is less than a Euro AND useful 😁 Then there are the big bags with short and long straps (easy to wear over the shoulder) for maybe one Euro, I don't know, and they come in actually nice colours and prints that change from season to season. Again, they know how to get us - trigger the inner collector. Since those are sturdy and not ugly, they're used for other purposes (the most important one: holding all the other bags lol). They're practical for storage or even when you move because they hold a lot of weight and are easy to carry. Honestly, moving boxes are more expensive per piece and ended up more beaten up after the process, one use, than those stupid bags. I know, I know, it probably sounds very German to get passionate about reusable, cheap plastic bags. Just gonna say, it's a great concept and there are ways to make buying and using them appealing to us plebs. You want the masses to approve of change? Find a way to turn it into a collectable and throw some seasonal changes into the mix for the FOMO. Done.

[@DalaiDrama-hp6oj]

I often took away cardboard boxes in discount stores like Aldi: When I went shopping and forgot my cotton bags or backpack. But I also took them for moving to another place (the sturdy ones from watermelons etc.) and built shelves from them later. Haven't bought a plastic shopping bag for years, always find something 'better' around...

[@Kristina_S-O]

On the education system: Haley has lived in Bavaria and education is up to the different states, Bundesländer. So here's the news: Other states have implemented Gesamtschulen and Oberschulen for a long time, which are a lot closer to the American high school system. There are still different degrees of exams you can achieve, some kids graduate after 9th or 10th grade to work in trades, others go on to get the Abitur which allows them to move forward to college. But all of these kids get a to take the basic classes together and are only separated into different classes due to their individual performance and interests at a higher age. My youngest son was a bright but lazy and easily distracted bum and he did really badly in 5th grade of Gymnasium with 30+ kids in one classroom. We transferred him to a Gesamtschule and within a year he was one of the best students in his class.

[@mJrA83]

yeah i agree, even if kids only finish with for example "Hauptschule", it doesnt stop them from getting a better degree later. The best thing after all is that it isnt expensive to learn (compared to america)

[@plerpplerp5599]

​@@mJrA83 Education is free in Germany.

[@mJrA83]

@@plerpplerp5599 Well i know that, i happen to be german ;) and technically its not completely free. You still have to pay atleast a little bit for university. But other than that yeah

[@dpr6354]

I can’t remember having plastic bags in New Zealand. I think we banned them years ago

[@steenbronkegmail1]

In Denmark, the bottle deposit was introduced in 1942, where at that time it was only glass bottles. Later, the deposit was extended to plastic bottles, and in September 2002 cans also became part of the deposit.

[@zorrothebug]

In Germany the bottle deposit was introduced in 1903, but only by some beer vendors, so it only was for their beer bottles. Then in 1929 Coca Cola(!) introduced their deposit system on bottles. These were all deposit systems for multi use glass bottles. By law only in 2003 the deposit for single use PET containers was introduced, the multi use glass bottles are still without lawful regulation and are an agreement between vendors and producers.

[@seanthiar]

I'm German, but I think the deposit is just a stupid excuse for the companies to still use plastic. Next year the want a deposit for everything, even tetra packs. I would prefer the would use glass bottles and I still remember the thin bags we had when I was a kid for milk. Canada uses still those bags. Less and better to recycle plastic. And glass would be reusable. But looking at the USA, the amount of plastic is a small problem. Just google for US military garbage problem. They dig a hole and just push all garbage into it and forget it or make a big pit and burn it while some poor soldiers have to watch the fire and inhales the toxic fumes go into the air without any filter systems. And they do that on their bases in the whole world.

[@Robin93k]

@@seanthiar Plastic isn't the evil as you make it sound, especcially if it's nearly 100% being recylced, which is the goal of the Pfand-system. Because Transport is key! Which is more enviromently friendly, the more cargo you can transport at the same time, with as light as packaging as possible. And the average plastic bottle weights only about 5% of the average glass bottle. Thus, due to weight limitations, a typical 7.5 ton truck can either transport: 15.000 0,7-litre-glassbottles => 10.500 litre 15.000 1,5-litre-PET-bottles => 22.500 litre 42.336 0,5-litre-cans => 21.168 litre (And I couldn't find exact numbers for Tetra Pack, but 2 Tetra Pack of Milk weight about as much as 1 Glass Bottle of Milk, which means it should be in the same ballpark as PET and cans) Which means you create more than double the amount of pollution by transporting glass bottles over any other container, on their way to the stores alone! But you also have to transport TONS of empty bottles back to the bottlers, and empty glass bottles take up the same space as full glass bottles, and still weight about 40% as much. Plastic-bottles on the other hand only weight about 3% of their full counterparts and can be crushed together to take up significantly less space. And the absolute WORST are reusable designer glass bottles, that many beer and juice companies use, because they require even longer routes of transport, as they always have to go back to the original bottler. And well, while the plastic bags for milk have a better eco-balance than tetra packs superficially, they were also way less reliable, resulting in more product loss during transportation, and thus wasted pollution. Also, to go with your example, in Canada, where recycling services are municipally or regionally managed, milk bags may not always be recycled at all, resulting in more waste than plastic jugs or bottles do. It's the same reason, why the Gurkenverodnung (Cucumber regulation), limiting the amount of bend a cucumber can have, makes sense. Because the straighter the cucumbers the more efficently one can transport them. (And the rest isn't wasted, but instead precut before transportation for products that require cut cucumbers anyway.) But we can agree that the USA is one of the most environmentally damaging and wasteful countries ever! Only China being truely worse~ And their military alone is consuming more liquid fuels and emitting more CO2e (carbon-dioxide equivalent) than most(>220) countries in the world.

[@seanthiar]

@@Robin93k You can recycle glass to 100%, tetra packs and many other plastics are not recycled, because you can't separate the stuff or it is to expensive. A glass bottle that lands in a landfill or just in the woods, doesn't appear in our food like plastic does. And transport problems are created, you could avoid them. Just transport the content in tank trucks and have stations to bottle them closer to where it is consumed. We have a milk vending machine nearby. Just use your own container to get your milk. they save money for transport and for the packaging and it's good for the environment. And that would work for many things and I'm sure there are other systems - Restaurants, bars etc. use concentrate for juices, sodas etc. Here in Germany you can buy small bottles with the original concentrate from companies like Pepsi, Coca Cola etc. and you can add water and if needed CO2 to make your drink at home in a glass bottle. Concentrate for a crate of soda (12x1.5liter) fits in a small 500ml bottle, same with juices. BTW did you know, that nearly every juice you buy was at one time a concentrate? Transporting the juice from the place were the fruits are growing is to expensive and the juice companies just add water and put the result in tetra packs or plastic bottles. Selling the concentrate would save work, time, cost, etc. and it would be better for the environment, No need for plastic bottles if you could use a glass bottles at home. A few miles from my hometown there is a small juice maker that offers in autumn to make a concentrate for a small fee out of the apples you picked in your garden or you can sell them the apples and they sell the concentrate to people that have no apple trees. The concentrate is good for 6 months without any additional preservation needed. Just keep it cool and in the dark. If you want apple juice just get a bit of the concentrate and add water. The advantage is if that were your apples - you know what herbicides were used or not used.

[@MeganovaLP]

7:17 Here is a small speed overview for Germany: In a city or town: - Normal street: 50 km/h (~30 mph) - Residential roads: 30 km/h (~15 mph) - Streets with more than one lane per side and crash barriers at the edge and in the middle: 80 km/h (~50 mph) -> But only if it is signposted that way Outside a city or town: - Country roads with one lane per side: 100 km/h (~ 60 mph) -> in special situations it can be 70 km/h (~ 45mph) or 80 km/h (~ 50 mph), but it is always signposted that way - Bundesstraßen (Federal roads / Interstate): 100 km/h (~ 60 mph), if there are at least two lanes per side and crash barriers at the edges and in the middle, it can also go up to 130 Km/h (~ 80 mph), but this is then always signposted. Freeway / Highway: - General there are speed limits as on other freeways worldwide. However, where nothing is separately posted, there is a recommended speed of 130 km/h (~ 80 mph). - A notice for all the speed junkies out there, no matter if you are at fault or not, from a speed of more than 350 km/h (~ 220 mph) the insurance coverage does not apply anymore. So if you have an accident at 350 km/h, you always have to pay yourself. And more important: Accidents with personal injury are "accidents resulting in death" up to 350 km/h, above this speed it is considered murder or attempted murder.

[@anonymousgerbil8336]

I didn't even know cars could reach the 300 km/h, 200 does already seem more than enough.

[@jennyh4025]

@@anonymousgerbil8336anything faster than 200 km/h is just stressful for anyone in the car, so most people don’t drive that fast, but I was riding shotgun on a 245 km/h trip once (hated it) and paar would have gone faster, if the driver had wanted to.

[@xaverlustig3581]

@@anonymousgerbil8336 There are a few such cars. The fastest production car used to be Bugatti Veyron which does above 400km/h (made by Volkswagen despite its brandname), and apparently currently it's the Koenigsegg Agera which does 440km/h, made by a small company in Sweden. If you followed Top Gear in the 2000s and 2010 s, those names might sound familiar.

[@reiniervanramshorst1031]

Switching between career tracks is enabled in Germany. If you're a fully certified trained Meister craftsman in some craft that qualifies you to go university in place of the right high school diploma for instance

[@TinyTeaKettle]

Thats already the case with the pre stage of the "Meister". You just need to have a finished vocational training (for craftsmen that would be the "Geselle") to be able to attend Universities (not every course and every Uni allows that though).

[@MisterJ56]

Semi-trucks in Germany are called (for short) LKW’s (Last Kraft Wagen = Heavy Load Car). PKW’s (Personen Kraft Wagen = People Carrying Car). Mind me …… I’m Dutch so ……. I think I got this right 😄. About glass and plastic bottles …… you pay some extra so you can get it back when you return them in the store. The reason for that is that people think twice for throwing it away in (for example) a forrest or a park. Throwing it in a waste bin that’s your choice ….. you don’t get your extra money back but you also won’t pollude the enviroment.

[@blondkatze3547]

In every car in German it is mandatory to carry a warning triangle, a a´safety vest and a first aid kit.

[@wolfi7106]

In whole europe is that standard

[@HeyDeniow]

It's also mandatory here in Brazil. Maybe it's an odd thing just for USA.

[@IshavedChewbacca]

Hey Joel, if you want to experience the German college party scene, just find out which bars/pubs are frequented by students in the city you´re at. German universities don´t have campuses like the US colleges do, and certainly not campus police, anyone can go inside the universities and look around. As for where the uni students live, there are college dorms called Studentenwohnheime, but they are not owned by any particular college or uni, you can apply for a dorm just by presenting your enrollment to any uni in the city. Parties there can also be wild, and the good thing is anyone can get in. Some dorms even have their own bars/pubs, I´d strongly reccoment looking for one of those!

[@Sycokay]

That "splitting kids up into different branches of education at an early age" is imho often exaggerated - because there is always, during every phase of your education, the possibility to hop between branches - at the time that is right for you. I was a "difficult" child (and young adult) and did that multiple times. I fucked up, got "downgraded", got my shit together again, got "upgraded". And at the age of 30 I had a profound vocational training as well as an university diploma - and having both actually helped me a lot later, because I could not only envision, engineer and build that thing, but also install and service it. The only cost was a longer time of education - which was almost free, so it didn't matter.

[@Nikioko]

21:10: You don't even need to do that! Just get a collapsable box and put it in the boot of your car. Then you can push the trolley with your shopping to your car, put everything into the box, return the trolley, and drive home. At home, you just take the box with your stuff out and carry it inside. It is so easy.

[@drau331]

The main effect of a deposit pay was seen shortly after been in law: The environment became much more clean. Nowadays you won't find a single bottle in the woods. 30 years ago it was normal...

[@Yotanido]

If plastic bags were banned, I never noticed. I always use my cotton bags anyway. I care more about the ban on plastic straws - the alternatives are significantly worse. Unlike the bags, where cotton bags are superior in every way. In the words of Tim Minchin: Take your canvas bags to the super market (Cotton will do though)

[@GilbMLRS]

Metal straws are godlike

[@hansmeiser32]

"If plastic bags were banned, I never noticed." Single use plastic bags are banned but the more stable reusable bigger plastic bags are not.

[@stephanieoertel6302]

Sweden has the best school system. They work in teams and the pupils only get grades from class 7 onwards. They get assessments beforehand and they don't have curricula like the ones in Germany. The Scandinavian countries are the most successful countries in the PISA study. It's an international schoolperfomance study by the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)

[@hbzach]

Yes, the Swedish comprehensive schools were a welcome reform in the 60s but in Germany they were hot political topic since many elites wanted to keep the privileges inherent in the Gymnasium system. But this has changed in Germany in the last 10-15 years. We sent our kids to a comprehensive “Gesamtschule” where they did not get grades until the eighth grade. Another nice touch was that each class had pupils from three different age groups: they worked in groups, with the older ones helping out the younger ones.

[@zapster252]

Hailey is such a gem! ❤It makes me really sad that she will leave Germany to continue her career!

[@cerliezio]

I am Italian and the same rules do apply in Italy. as in most EU countries. The educational system although somewhat different is generally similar to the german system. I know the US rather well having lived there for about 20 years I first moved in the US in the early sixties and at that time my first impression was that of a more advanced society. Now when I compare it to Europe it seems to be in many ways a backward country and it is regressing year by year towards a third world status. I ask myself how can this happen, and why

[@Timbothruster-fh3cw]

Politicians outsourcing work to other countries, started in the 70s, that's why.

[@MrVenitari]

in town /after the yellow "sign its 50 kph speedlimit

[@neuralwarp]

11:00 I lived in Finland for a semester. It was quite something to go into a shop with 6 empty bottles, get my groceries, and the cashier paid ME.

[@Linda-hs1lk]

Deposit on plastic bottles and now also cans is totally normal in many countries in Europe.

[@melma2753]

On the pfand sytem - "Pant" here in Denmark: This system creates a sub-economy. A way to make extra money for pensionists, homeless people and others struggling. So people go around cleaning the city and picking up all these bottles, keeping everything looking nice. If you cant be bothered to go return your pant, you can literally just leave it outside in the public - it will be taken in minutes. Plus its pretty awesome to get paid after you clean up after a big party. Most of the machines that take the bottles, have an option to A: pay out, og B: donate to charity

[@stef987]

Such "Pfand bottle collectors" exist here in Germany, too. But I think it's sad when people have to do that and basically need to 'pick up other people's trash' to be able to live. Of course it's ok if someone really doesn't mind, it probably can even be a 'life style' of some sorts people picked for themselves on purpose. But if someone has to check trash bins or sweep the area for plastic bottles because they can't live very well from their pension or income support/benefits, or because they're just not getting paid enough in their jobs, that's just sad. But I really like the donation option. I think I never saw this here.

[@LeNaSmileyStar]

In NORWAY we started with BOTTLE REFUNDS in 1946. Then it was glass. Now almost all soda cans and plastic bottles containing water, soda, soft drinks has this deposite. You pay for the bottle when you buy the goods, and you get it back when you resycle them in the shop. I even knew a guy who starting recycling bottles at age 8-9, saved the money and it paid for his lisence and first car.

[@tk0x0x0]

In my 5.11 AMP (US Gear) backpack I have a shopping bag made from old plastic bottles that I can easily take out when I go to the supermarket to buy something that no longer fits in the backpack. Haven't needed a plastic bag for what feels like 10 years.

[@mel_ooo]

grocery stores sell reusable bags at the check out so you don't have to go out to buy them, you can just pick them up the next time you're at the grocery store and immediately use them and a lot of people pack their groceries at their car, they just push the cart to the trunk and pack them there

[@PeterBuwen]

Hailey is right. The schoolsystem in Germany was once a good one, when there was more money for schooling and more teachers.

[@DJone4one]

So as a direct example for the supermarkets and shopping bags. Our Edeka supermarket, where I do my shopping, only has paper bags, made of brown cardboard. And if you have to carry more, there are recycled big bags. They look something like the ones from IKEA. And if you don't want to take them either, there's an area at the entrance where you can dispose of packaging. Separated, of course (paper, foil, residual waste), there are even battery bins where you can hand in your empty batteries. And under this table, where the bins are hidden, there is a smaller storage area where large fruit boxes are stored. Made of thick cardboard. Customers can help themselves there if they want to use such packaging. It's even very practical if you forget to buy a bag. And the fruit boxes are massively stable. I once turned it upside down and stood on it with my 80 kilos. It didn't compress at all. I had to really jump on it to get it to fit in the paper bin afterwards.

[@jeannellies4778]

I'm Scottish. When I stayed with family in Connecticut in 1994, they always returned their bottles and cans which to supermarkets. They were put into receptacles which crushed them - and they received a voucher which they used to pay for their groceries.

[@toomasargel8503]

03:12 in Estonia you get panelty until 400 if You havent on Your car saftey triangel , fire extinguisher, car stopsochks and high visiblity - vest . For each until 400 euros / 430 USD.

[@Rick2010100]

Generally the speed limit* in Germany is: City 50 km/h, outside the city 100 km/h, Autobahn unlimited or as fast as can drive in a safe manner, by also respecting other traffic rules. The general traffic speeds can also be lower or higher on sections and the max speed is than shown by traffic signs. Bundestrassen (federal highway) who go through cities have often also in the city higher speed limits than the 50 km/h. *vehicle with less than 7.5t and also tow nothing.

[@stewedfishproductions7959]

I'm in the UK and _(although NOT mandatory here),_ I have for _(many)_ years, always carried a _(folding)_ Warning Triangle, plus Hi-Viz Hazard Vests, a Fire Extinguisher and a First Aid Kit as standard in my car. It all started when I once drove/had a SAAB which came complete with a 'Warning Triangle' attached by Velcro inside the boot _(trunk)_ of the car, along with several useful emergency items... It just seemed so practical, I have always done it since! 🤔

[@wald-meister6705]

We have had new recycling options in Germany for some time now. Old scrap electrical appliances can be disposed of in any market, including grocery stores. Electrical devices contain valuable substances that should not end up in the trash. Manufacturers of electrical appliances are obliged to ensure that they are designed in such a way that they can be repaired. Spare parts must be available for 10 years.

[@MrVenitari]

In the city, about 50 meters distance from your car is enough, on country roads about 100 meters. Because of the high speeds, the distance from the car on highways should be at least 150 meters

[@Miristzuheiss]

Laughing by myself, Country Road, West Virginia...now this Song in my head for the hole day 😩

[@Rea84]

I'm excited for your germany trip, german parties are next level, i hope you have some amazing experiences.

[@michaeljamesstewart1000]

In Canada, as of December 20, 2022, the manufacture and import for sale of harmful single-use plastics, including checkout bags, cutlery, food service ware made from, or containing, problematic plastics that are hard to recycle, stir sticks, straws (with some exceptions) and as of this month (June 2023), ring carriers. These measures put Canada among world leaders in the fight against plastic pollution. Chimo

[@michaeljamesstewart1000]

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my comment and to give it a 'like'. Chimo

[@armitage9204]

You can find a small box next to a Pfandautomat (deposit machine) in many grocery stores where you can leave your Pfandschein (deposit ticket) for a good cause. Regarding the school system. If you have finished school with the lowest degree, you can go for the next degree. It's free and it takes (I think) 1 year from lowest to middle degree and two years from middle to highest degree. So there isn't any problem.

[@redwarpy]

In Australia can a normal car tow a caravan? Bottom line, you can tow with almost any car, van, ute or SUV as long as you manage your weights. Rules for towing 1. you must not tow more than 1 trailer at a time. 2. you must not have any person travelling in a trailer or caravan you're towing. 3. you must secure and cover your load, making sure it does not overhang. 10 cents on each drink bottle or can, there are machines you can feed these items into and get a voucher or donate to a charity. Shopping bags made of cloth and able to be washed as opposed to plastic bags although you can use them for rubbish instead of buying other bags. Coles Supermarket has now gone to Paper Bags due to their bag supplier not recycling the bags as they stated they did, when you could take the bags back to the supermarket at that time. Personally I just pack all my groceries back into the trolley and pack into my shopping bags at my car.

[@Linda-hs1lk]

Safety on the road is the same in The Netherlands. I had a flat tyre on the middle of a big bridge. Had to stop as far right as I could but it was still a dangerous situation. Before I knew it the cross over the lane went on red so traffic wasn't allowed to drive there anymore and they sent a special truck to pick up my car and myself and took us to the nearest gasstation where within 15 minutes road service or how you call it was there, changed the tyre and I was back on my way. NO extra costs. In a dangerous situation there a national insurance that will cover it. Never had to pay one cent for it.

[@StrawberryHills211]

Have a nice experience! Looking forward to the videos about it! Be save.

[@jwes869]

I live in the US. We do recycle in my state. We have blue bins at home that are wheeled out to the street to be picked up by the city and taken to recycling centers. I however, have my own personal bin for aluminum cans and plastic bottles and take them to a local recycling business that pay the deposit back to me. Yes! The money does add up. As for towing, it depends on what and how heavy the thing is that you are towing. A sedan may be able to tow a small camper but it's not going to tow a large camper trailer. Depends on the weight ratio.

[@martinfeldhoff45]

In Germany even first attempts have been made to dig out old garbage dump sites to reclaim reusable materials. The technique in recycling has made so huge steps, that these old dumps can be sorted and can be like urban gold mines.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Omg so happy to see Hayley Alexis featured on the channel again! 👏🏽

[@cXPsNh]

Interessantes Video! It's fun to see your reaction to germany. Danke für die Videos.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

12:56 The lack of vocational training and everything being centred around an obscenely overpaid/underpaid desk job really limits work options.

[@marcopolitical7571]

On the bottle returning at the shops … Don’t know about each and every country but we have this in the Netherlands have such at least since the late 80s. Recently it’s extended to soda cans

[@patriciamillin1977]

9:56 Although I think that was meant jokingly, it’s not about consume as such, but _what_ you consume. For example, we all need shampoo, but I buy firm shampoo bars rather than liquid shampoo in plastic bottles. I have a reusable, foldable shopping bag with me wherever I go, that I always have available when I need it, even for unexpected purchases, so I don’t need plastic bags. Some shops offer dry foods like pasta or rice in large dispensers, you bring your own container, weigh it to get the tara, then fill it up with however much you need and weigh again to get the net weight and price of the product. There are many ways plastic can be avoided while still consuming.

[@jessicake97]

Im so glad I didn't had to go to university! I have SO MICH learning pressure every time I'm learning something new unter a time limit. So I'm really happy how everything turned out for me

[@apl315]

I remember here in Spain when they started charging extra for plastic bags, people were kind of bothered by the whole thing, but that was that, now the cashier asks you if you want a bag when you go to bag your items and you know that it would be 0.10€ extra per bag or you can buy the 2€ bigger and more robust ones that you can reuse and is perfectly normal. I always have a cloth bag in my backpack in case I have to purchase something, no big deal.

[@mbkl79]

Godspeed, my friend. Whish you a pleasant trip and enjoy your time in Germany! 😊

[@mJrA83]

and btw i cant wait to see your germany reaction videos in germany. So looking forward to it

[@bloemetje0105]

I found this Chanal yesterday, I am german and i am still living here in germany (so i am sorry for some mistakes about the language in my text) and it is really interesting to see what are differences between Germany and America ☺️

[@Heisenberg-Blue]

you also have to think about where this plastic ends up, for example on the beaches of completely uninhabited islands. Plastic also threatens human survival. Once the fish are gone, it becomes critical.

[@stef987]

The Pfand system can definitely be great at the end of the month, when you don't have that much money left, but still have your collection of plastic bottles.😅 Even though technically, you've already paid that money in the past - but at least now you can get it back to buy some bread! I don't like our German school system. If it was perfected, like Hailey said, then yes, maybe. But I think it actually represents three social classes in a quite traditional and kind of outdated way and promotes people feeling 'better' - or 'worse/lower' - than others (it always makes me think of the Titanic movie from the 90s). 12:48 that happens in Germany, too! And regarding the stigma not being so bad in Germany for older people getting their education: well, I think that kind of depends on some factors. Yes, it might not be a problem for many. Others might just totally stand out. I think, sadly, many Germans (of course not all) do like to judge and stigmatization is a thing in quite a few parts of our culture and might even be so normal we don't realize we're doing it. But that probably also depends on where you live and by what kind of people you're surrounded (that's probably the case for pretty much all places in the world). Btw, I feel the US and other countries often get admired here for their 'easier' way to get a job. It seems that here the focus is so much on what education you have, that you did an apprenticeship of several years, or get the particular degree you need in whatever way necessary for your chosen path, otherwise you won't get a job or only so called 'Minijobs' that won't pay you more than (had to check it as that amount changed over the years) 520 Euros per month - which is the maximum you're allowed to earn with these jobs. In reality you might get a lot less. It always seemed to me that outside of Germany this wasn't so rigid (it might not be actually the case, though, I don't know)...

[@nullplan01]

Regarding the speed limits, there is a thing people like to ignore or forget: While the autobahn has no general speed limit, there is a speed recommendation of 130 km/h ("should not be exceeded even under the best of circumstances" or something to that effect is what the law says). While you do have the right to drive faster than that, if you get in an accident, you will have to justify to the insurance, the police, or in the worst case the court, why you did so. And if you can't, you will get at least partial liability.

[@Demoscene0x0801]

Well, where I disagree is where it is said that children are forced to attend a certain school when they are still very young. I'm not saying that doesn't exist, but I can say how it was for me, and I think that's how it is for the majority. After grades were determined at the end of 4th school class, there was a parent-student-teacher meeting. In my case, my teacher recommended to my parents that I should transfer to a Gymnasium because I was learning much faster than most of my classmates and my grades were above average. My teacher said that if I didn't switch, my grades might go down because I was bored most of the time in class. Then at home I discussed all the options with my parents, and it was left up to me what I wanted to do, so I wasn't forced to do anything. There are certainly parents who force their child to attend a certain school, but in my eyes they are bad parents, but it is not the system itself that is bad. In addition, the system can also be changed later, for example, from the 10th school class, so there are more than one way you can take.

[@esmerKizi93]

I think it is very bold to generlise parants as bad parants whe they want their child to go to a specific school. In my case my grades where at the corner of what was allowed to visit Gymnasium and my parents decided to put me into this type of school because tjey hoped fkr the best for me. Did I struggle? Hell yes and from my perspective Realschule would have beend the better place for me but in the end I got my degree and I know that my parants had the best intentions. And wbats also very Important is to mention that the necessary degree depends on which district of Germany you are! That makes it even more problematic to generalize the individual cases :)

[@Demoscene0x0801]

@@esmerKizi93 I understand your point, however, my opinion in this regard does not change, because I think that being forced as a kid, whether with good or bad intentions behind it, is simply the wrong way.

[@stef987]

For me it was a teacher saying Hauptschule would be best for me because I was way too quiet (wtf!) and another teacher advising against it resulting in my parents choosing Realschule.

[@volkerschoegelalmeida]

Both of you so friendly❤

[@stevengruenke7120]

Those machines that take the plastic bottles are huge, expensive and burn a lot of energy to run. I remember when I was in Germany they said the energy it took to recycle all the cans and bottles burned more energy than the entire recycling process "benefited.". Also, look at the sides of the Autobahns in Germany, they are strewn with litter far far worse than in the u.s.

[@toomasargel8503]

01:40 that saftey triangel is visbil on night / dark time until 150 meters / 500 feet

[@herbie1975]

When shopping for the week, many people have the shopping bag with them, because then you also return the bottles at the same time. I even take a large box with me because I can place it comfortably in the shopping cart. I love the self-scanning option here in Switzerland. You grab the scanner at the entrance, walk through the supermarket, scan the goods, put them in the box, go to the checkout, transfer the purchase and pay. Then you go to the car, put the box in the car and go home. Box out, purchase then put away. So you take the goods "only" 2x in your hand. Fully practical and convenient. Unterwe

[@fellowbiker]

It's very interesting to see your view on certain things. In the video you mentioned that there were a lot of good things in the US despite the fact that the US lays behind in so many other things. Would you consider making a seperate video on what you consider to be good or even better in the US compared to Europe?

[@hbzach]

The main advantage of Germany’s deposit system is to reduce the waste added to landfills. And naturally the benefits of recycling resources.

[@crazyknitter22]

Regarding the school system, in Switzerland you are split after year 6 entirely based on merit. Parents have nothing to say. But there is the possibility to move up if you have improved or drop down if you are struggling after the first 6 months. Regarding shopping bags. I moved to the UK and I didn't understand why people would go and do their daily shopping or weekly shopping and not bring bags. I mean, was it a spur of a moment thing to go and do your weekly shopping?? If they can turn up with a shopping list they should be able to turn up with a damned bag as well. In Switzerland I never knew anything else but bring your own bag. Yes, maybe if you bought a little too much you needed one extra. But that was it. Btw in Switzerland we do not have a depot on bottles, but we still return them to the store where there are collection points for plastic, metal and cardboard.

[@kevartje1295]

We have multi use plastic bags in our stores BUT we forget them so we now have a butt load of bags because we have to buy one every time we're in the store...

[@BlackLaser]

As a German I feel the same as you did state at the end of the video in certain fields as well though... we are "so advanced in some fields" but so behind in others... so dont feel TOO bad ;) but it is still a good thing to always strife for improving things :)

[@MausTheGerman]

Couldn’t you both do a live stream together? Would be super interesting for your viewers but also a win / win for both of your channels 😀

[@lainightwalker5495]

i allways end up buying a new re-useable fabricbag when i shop. i allways forget to bring my own.....in denmark we do have plastic bags but they r thicker and can be used multible times, plus a lot of people use then for trashcans. they r made from recycled plastic too. what they did was instead of banning them was make them more pricy and having reuseable heavy duty alternatives.

[@maylinde986]

I think a great option for the kids is the FSJ. Afterwords they can take their next school challenge. They then know much more about thenselves. Abitur, Ausbildung, Studium, ... Had really good experiences with that option. Have a good time here! Hamburg, Berlin, Heidelberg, Black Forest, the Alps, ...Germany IS diverse. Freiburg f.e. is also a good place to visit, because you can just be with a hop to France or Switzerland (:

[@Marsupilami-qk4hn]

Very good insight on the pros and cons of the german school-systems. Btw I can agree with most of the things she stated in this video.

[@c.u.c7938]

Here in Australia, truck drivers are required to have the triangle placed on the road for the same obvious reasons why Germans do this. Here in Australia we also don't pay before filling our cars up with fuel. We fill up first then go inside and pay the cashier. Single use plastic bags are no longer available in woolworths supermarket. Coles is going to phase them out this year. As for other supermarkets in Australia, I believe they might follow through some time in the future. And yes, we Aussies also pay extra for the sauces. We just don't prefer to kick up a stink about it. We just learn to deal with it.

[@YT-Observer]

Many states have bottle deposit laws There's a whole list of them OR, ME, VT, NY, IA, MA, CT, HI, MT all have various ones. Plastic bag laws are so varied - some places you have to pay a charge or banned them - however there is something to be said for having plastic bags Blanket laws banning the plastic bags don't make sense for different reasons => there should be more laws about required recycling

[@Slifer629]

For the education topic; when I´m at uni, there are, in some of the seminars, 40 year old people. Sometimes there are even 60 or 65 year old granny. They just wanna learn something new because they got the time.

[@fetB]

7:40 well what she is saying is, that in germany, these are fixed. Inside any city or even village, the rule is 50mkh (~30mph) with exception like school areas that are labeled and 30kmh. Highways have a recommended speed of 120kmh and depending on signage, unlimited or restricted lower (like construction sites). All other roads are 100kmh (80kmh with a trailer)

[@seijika46]

I never knew about the US pump system - from the outside it seems insane. In European stations there are strategically placed cameras to catch all registration plates and faces so if someone does drive off without paying - they will be made to pay dearly in the end.

[@phieooo5584]

regarding the school system here, there are possibilities to change your path down the line. when i was in elementary school they told me to go to hauptschule (lowest level of education) and i did. i graduated and went to a gymnasium afterwards so i could go to college. there’s definitely a difference in social and economic classes between these schools, which is what i had the most struggle adapting to at my new school.

[@jasminsafari1915]

About recycling plastic bottles, they reycle them into "new objects and clima neutral "plastic" bags, which last for years, so you use these bags over and over again. Or, you use cloth/cotton bags, you can wash then and use them over and over again.

[@stanskzforclearskin3962]

Pfand isn't actually just a thing that applies for plastic bottles and the pfand also differences from the type of plastic. For example the soft plastic bottles have 25 cents pfand, as well as cans do. The hard plastic bottles have 15 cents pfand and the majority of glass bottles have a pfand of 8 cents.

[@grahammoore24]

In a UK supermarket you are charged 30 pence per bag if you want a plastic bag everybody including myself takes their own bags into the store

[@cas6228]

Hey Joel I'm new here. You make interesting Videos- I really like them. You will fly to Germany soon? Which cities or places will you visit? Wish you a great trip😊.

[@MellonVegan]

There is one MAJOR misunderstanding with our school system for anyone reacting to it. You don't choose based on what you want to do, you choose the highest form of education you can get and then pick a career after that. No one in their right mind would ever go to a Hauptschule if they got a Gymnasium recommendation, no matter what they want to be. The system is really just based on antiquated views of how children learn and not having the weak slow down the strong, so to speak. Your system is better. That said, your curricula are shite, so you win some, you lose some.

[@stef987]

Agreed! In addition I think the system is also based on a pretty traditional and conservative concept of three social classes (lower, middle, upper) and I think that is pretty much reflected in who goes to which type of school, as well - I suppose you'll find less children from academic households in a Hauptschule and less children from families that are supported by social benefits on a Gymnasium (of course there will probably always be exceptions and apparently nowadays it's more common to have your child attend Gymnasium more or less regardless of your social status).

[@neilfleming2787]

yes, there is a DELIBERATE policy by police in (usually) smaller towns that sit on fast roads where they will sit (exactly as you said) and prey on people who either don't see the sign or just don't think a change in speed is needed. Me and a friend were driving from Las Vegas to Bryce National Park and went through what I guess was a small town, no change in the road surface, no other cars around and I think the speed sign was VERY close to the city limits but the speed cop was parked right after the sign so of course pulled us over as we were 10mph over the changed speed limit.

[@jancleve9635]

3:56 I drive a Coupe car , I bought it because it came with an trailer hitch. I do not need it often but it is very useful.

[@swipingmotion]

Well, luckily you're a really nice guy with an open mind and a very mature and pleasant demeanour. You worry about people asking what type of American you are when you arrive in Europe, well, just reply: I'm one of the good ones! (...or I'm from Canada :-) ) Good luck and have a wonderful stay in Europe! Best regards from the Åland Islands

[@AniGaAG]

Our German speed limits are quite "uniform", is how I would put it. There's a distinct system that doesn't have much deviation or fluctuation, which makes it uncomplicated to follow. Family home or school roads? 30. General city roads? 50. Country roads with crossings and pronounced turns? 70. Long open country roads and highways? 100 and upwards.

[@moewei9727]

I can be wrong but I remember that we weren't split into Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium before 5th Grade. and i am not sure if agree that the social status playes a major role other than in the US.

[@knightwish1623]

In a lot of stores after the plastic bag ban they use thick paper bags or a durable thick plastic bag (which last for months). Most of the thick plastic bags are of cause made from the recycled plastic bottles. I generaly go shopping with my quite large backpack because I use my bike to go shopping.

[@jamesbutler5570]

In switzerland, recycling even works without deposit money

[@piah.3670]

The bottle deposit system is good for the environment. Bottles are also returned that their buyers simply left lying around somewhere. I work at a gas station and every evening an elderly man comes and brings empty bottles that he has collected.

[@matheass93]

you don't even have to take bags into the shop,just put them in your car first and then sort them at your car. its far easier and less stressful as you can take as much time as you want

[@Kristina_S-O]

Leaving Pfand-bottles for somebody else to collect: Yes, that does work, but I've heard that lately there's been issues with glass bottles... You see, the Pfand (deposit) on a glass bottle of beer usually is only 8 cents, whereas the Pfand on plastic bottles or cans can be up to 25 cents. Those rates where fixed to encourage people to buy rather the reusable and therefore more environment friendly glass bottles. On the other hand, people who make a living out of collecting empty containers prefer plastic bottles or cans, because they are easier to carry and they get more money out of it. So you might do us all the favor and take your glass bottles back to the store to collect the deposit yourself. You'll also get to enjoy the fun of using the Pfand machine! 😂

[@PokhrajRoy.]

1:52 The one on the right is called Gilet Jaune in French.

[@Geeksfreaksoutcastsandmisfits]

2:00 we have those too here in Costa Rica 🇨🇷

[@Kollektivable]

I always feel sooo bad when i go to the butcher and the meat goes into 3 different bags of plastic. Everytime i think damn i do have to bring a Box with me for the meat. sadly i forget it everytime ...😅