American Reacts to 16 Things NOT to Do in GERMANY

[@dan_kay]

The dumbest thing an American has ever said to me deep down in Texas: "Aldi? Screw Aldi. Never gonna go there again!" "Huh, why not? You don't like chocolate with real nuts or juice without added sugar?" "No, that's not it. But they make me pay a quarter for a shopping cart. Although I'm shopping there!" "What? Since when does Aldi make you pay to use a shopping cart?" "They are all locked with a chain and only a quarter will unlock them!" "Have you ever tried to return the cart and to lock it again with the chain? As soon as you do that, your quarter gets pushed out of the slit." "..."

[@stanlibuda5786]

lol

[@AmazingOracleThird72]

Hahah.. that's the same here in the Netherlands.. All supermarkets have this same system but here you can often ask for a free "muntje" (coin) at the service desk with a keychain (at least with Albert Heijn and Jumbo supermarket) so upon returning the cart, you get your coin back and hang it on the keychain for future use !

[@dan_kay]

@@AmazingOracleThird72 Yeah, same here. I have a metal coin on my keychain. I unlock the cart and pull the coin directly out again.

[@raenfox]

Wow, it never even crossed their mind that being decent gets rewarded. Dumbest thing an American once told me was that "only a nazi would say they're from Germany, because Germany doesn't exist anymore". They genuinely believed it was disbanded after WW2, and the territories were split between the allied forces. However, nazis like to pretend Germany still exists, so they produce fake IDs, make up stories about it and so on.

[@Pharo02]

@@AmazingOracleThird72 I am from Germany but I have heard you can do that in the US too

[@aphextwin5712]

The social taboo about jaywalking in Germany is based on the idea that one should never jaywalk if there are any children in sight in order to imprint safe behaviour onto the young.

[@somersaultcurse]

yh i agree :) the big difference to the US is children in germany walk or ride their bikes to school at a very young age (from age 6 or 7 upwards). that would never happen in the US. so there is a reason for setting a good example. pedestrians rely on drivers to stop at the red light and it's the same vice versa. ofc there are "black sheeps", but in general it feels safe to be part of german traffic.

[@istora9158]

I once saw a kid get hit by a car when they ran across the street instead of walking a few meters to the next crosswalk when I left my school. Really stuck with me, especially because I heard the kid barely survived.

[@ShoreVietam]

The saying is: "No matter how cool you are, when there are children nearby you wait for the green light!"

[@sternchen4988]

That's actually how you recognize German tourists anywhere. They wait at traffic lights even if there is no traffic. Near German train stations you have more people running over red lights to catch their train, though ;)

[@m_lies]

that's not really true, most will stop even if there are no children in a radius of 1 kilometer, the difference is only in the size of the street, in a small side alley, most will just jaywalk despite traffic lights, however, as soon it's a two-lane road even with no cars, people will stay still until its green or if its a really straight road were you can see 500m in the distance with no car people will walk. And it's a stark contrast to neighbor countries or other EU countries, I was 2 times in England for a few weeks and it's as if traffic lights are nonexistent, people will jaywalk everywhere even on busy roads, in France its a mix and in Greece, the lights are even less important for cars and pedestrians then in England, which was shocking for me, because i and my sister were nearly run over 3 times within a week because of mopeds and cars not minding red light, and I was in Athens. ..

[@e.458]

About asking for tap water: It's not about being posh, it's about not being a freeloader; it's about not taking away the restaurant's main source of revenue. In many parts of Europe, restaurants earn most of their revenue through their drinks. European restaurant culture is different than American: You can stay there for hours as long as you keep ordering drinks. The staff will stay in the background and not disturb a seated party deep in conversation. If you want free water, you're just being cheap and rude.

[@pavlxiiv8003]

While all you said is true and also understandable from the restaurants perspective, I would like to add, that I think most restaurants in Germany would give you tap water if you ask for it. Especially if it is an addition to the actual order.

[@FineHupeline]

@@pavlxiiv8003 Yeah, I think so too. When you order a drink and something to eat and ask for tab water too, you probably would get it.

[@pebo8306]

Not completely true!You can always ask for tap water when ordering another drink to dilute it!---quite common in Bavaria and Austria!

[@tihomirrasperic]

Recently, restaurants in Croatia are increasingly offering bottled water but there are two reasons for that: a) they may not charge for tap water, but they may charge for bottled water b) health reasons if you get sick from "water" and it is from a bottle, they have no responsibility when the health inspection arrives

[@waituntil]

Especially if you order coffee you usually get a glass of water As long as you order other drinks, it's ok to have free water along with it and ask for refills

[@schroedingers_kotze]

17:57 It's actually very simple: if you go to a nude beach with your clothes on, it's no longer a nude beach. Dressed and naked people next to each other result in a completely different social dynamic than if it were a purely nude beach. Even if just one visitor stayed clothed, an imbalance would be created. It only works relaxed and on an equal footing if everyone strips naked. That being said, there are more than enough other beaches where you can go clothed.

[@SnowWhite-dj8uu]

"Textilsauna" 😏

[@AlexanderLehmann-c6z]

Here in Dresden, this with nude and not entirely nude in one beach works out quiet well.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

In Netherlands we removed most of the designations for nude beaches. There are 1 or 2 small strips left, but they dont even have signs to indicate. Instead, it just isnt policed, if you want to take off your clothes, you take them off, women are frequently sunbathing topless everywhere. Maybe prude people with children might object if you are walking around right next to them with your schlong hanging out but I never saw anyone have a problem with it.

[@justvronimarie]

@@AlexanderLehmann-c6zi have also been to fkk beaches clothed... i mean yes, i was like 12 but still i don't believe beaches are as strict as the sauna...

[@Amira-zy2jp]

​@@justvronimarie Minderjährige darf man auch nicht zwingen. Wenn sie mit den Eltern mit müssen, dürfen sie angezogen bleiben.

[@kabarina]

When I (german) was a child (around the very early 2000nds), my family and I made a trip to france. In Strasbourg we stopped at a red light, while people around us were simply jaywalking nonchalantly. It was a very quiet street and it took the lights quite a long time to change, so us four stood there feeling like idiots. But we followed our german principles and only walked, when it finally turned green. 😂

[@gabirhzala7597]

typisch deutsch😂😂😂

[@torgeglitched2932]

So ist richtig Egal was die anderen machen halte dich an die Regeln und zeige keine schwäche

[@sandraankenbrand]

Mach ich nie... nur wenn Kinder in der Nähe sind

[@RobinCernyMitSuffix]

@@sandraankenbrand ^ This I only jaywalk if there is literally no car around and no kids. But I always adhere to the rules if there are kids around, always. Something something gutes Vorbild sein ;)

[@sirbaum4222]

Rotgänger Totgänger

[@niismo.]

2:10 As a German, there's few things more cursed to me than seeing a RedBull can, a banana peel and a sheet of paper all in the same bin. That's just painful to do.

[@Wje9182jsjjwjehezszeuueuhee]

That's the pure evil😂

[@Alguien644]

Just came to the video still not there, what the fuck Edit: nuke the usa

[@CancunSeeeegaaa]

Mf denkt wirklich das Zeug wird zu einem Recyclinghof geschickt.. bro, egal wie heftig du recycelst das meiste wird straight nach China geschickt weil das in Deutschland als "wiederverwertet" gilt und China kippt das straight ins Meer

[@deancinar4384]

So lustig zu sehen wie jemand nen pfandautomaten bewundert

[@CancunSeeeegaaa]

@@deancinar4384 wird trotzdem zu 90% nicht recycelt

[@kermit634]

Hi, a short comment from a German ;) FKK is "free body culture" and the important word is "culture". That's why it is prohibited to wear clothes in a FKK area because so you show that you are part of this culture and the benefits of feeling really free but rather just want to examine naked Woman or Men. And in my personal opinion, it is just so natural to come out of the water and don't have wet piece of clothing on you. And Sauna in Germany is diffrent to sauna in the USA. Sauna takes half a day here its just a time to relax not a short 15 minute sweating after a workout. And so it is more hygienic without clothes ....🤷‍♂ BTW it is also very healthy to see real naked people and how humans look at a certain age to escape these unhealthy and unreal ideals from the media and the internet. Sorry it's a long time ago that I wrote something in English. I hope you can see what I mean. ;) Heartly greets from Germany 🤙😃

[@tamarah6663]

I agree. I've written this in other words but I'm no native English speaker, too. But i hope we are understandable :-)

[@chris_0018]

But to be honest nobody would call the security when you wear swimmwear in the saune or FKK beach. But of course you shoud adapt to the culture and not do it.

[@jurgenebert7668]

The thing is, it is not unusual, that people are wearing bathing clothes on FKK beaches. I saw this even on beaches with a clothing area only 50m next to it. Noone really cares.

[@mralxndr2846]

@@chris_0018 Teens who Like to Go to Sauna wear swimwear Sometimes im the Sauna anyways cause their Body develops and they are unsure about themselves. Mostly thats okay for anyone, too.

[@haggihug3162]

@@chris_0018 Oh, you don't need to call someone, the people will clearly moan so loud and say the person how to behave, that there is no doubt, the person will obey or go.

[@Blanschee]

I love the "Don't whish people a happy birthday in advance in Germany" because it is simply a random cultural thing and speaks letters about our mindset. You can see this in many other areas as well. For example I'm a nurse and at work we just don't say things like "Todays shift is going to be nice and easy". There are people who will get mad at you for doing so. "Oh THANKS, NOW shit will definitly hit the fan." I thing it has something to do with a "Memento mori" attitude. Basically you don't want to provoke the gods, devils, fairys or your 8th grade math teacher to crush your pride by showing you, that you're just a little human with no real power at all.

[@RedMoon814]

Exactly. Like in movies if a character says "I'm just 2 days away from retirement" or like "that wasn't bad" it's a sure way everythign is going to get real bad real soon. Of course in movies and the like thay do this to reverse expectations. But just in case some random deity is listening and wants to make an example of us, better not wish birthdays in advance

[@TheKeule33]

I'm a German and I don't give a shit about your superstitions.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

Okay, but if there is anything that no doctor at night shift dares to say, it is "quiet"

[@fabi3790]

Now that math teacher came out of nowhere and gave me a good laugh

[@Roozyj]

I didn't know about this until my Austrian teacher told me about the culture shock she had here when she realised people in the Netherlands sometimes throw a birthday party before their actual birthday. She was like 'why would you celebrate before you're certain it's gonna happen' basically...

[@Jannyl13]

You said "You shouldn't hop the gate" in public transportation (I think) and the thing is, that we don't have gates in Germany. There is no ticket barrier. You could enter most public transportation without a ticket. Especially in cities you could be lucky and use the underground for months without a ticket. But, if someone catches you without a ticket, the fee is pretty high. (20-30 times the price of a single bus ticket)

[@meilstone]

They forgot to mention that in Germany, there are no gates before entering public transportation such as subway. So "do not hop the gate" doesn't apply there. Since everything is freely accessible without ticket checkpoints before getting on, it's much more tempting for people to take a ride without a ticket, at the risk of getting caught and fined.

[@fiprosha]

I lived in Wales for a year. And I was so freaked out when I went grocery shopping and the cashier suddenly started chatting to me, asking to me how I am and what my plans for the weekends were. My brain was trying really hard to figure out who this person was, why they know me, and how come I don't know them. Because clearly they had to recognise me from somewhere! Then I realised that the cashier doesn't actually know half the people shopping there, they are just chatting with literally anyone.

[@RealMineKD]

That really seems to mess with german people, actually. Was a cashier for a time, and I really like smalltalk, so I would regularily get verbally sanctioned at work for "talking too much". Didn't care then and don't do so now, but it is still interesting to see how uncomfortable germans are with talking to strangers. Until you're at a metal concert or festival, where everyone just uses "Du" instead of "Sie" and is basically like extended family. It's amazing, really.

[@niwa_s]

@@RealMineKD It's not really about being uncomfortable, more that your first instinct is to assume the person talking to you has questionable intentions or is crazy because it's so unusual. 9 out of 10 times that's exactly what's happening (besides people who are asking for directions or something).

[@MiaMerkur]

​@@niwa_s Not chatting back with me but becoming suspicious angry is what I hate about germans, as a german. But there are differences. In the very north of west germany they are more polite and answer. Not in the american/bavarian way of "I talk to strangers like a friend" - althow I do not mean it this way and tomorrow I do not know you anymore. The north west (Hamburg, Bremen, SH, NDS) people are more serious and truthful. At least it has been this way before the national and international cultural mix up last 30 years. Before it was like IF a north germans offers you friendship, it is for a lifetime and REAL friendship ( no facebook adding to strangers "friendship") like you can call in the rainy night and ask for a car lift up from the station. Americans, actually most of the world always realized the germans are rather inpolite in the service. But last 30 years they became really rude to all not-family members/ close friends. It was parallel with growing anonymity and egoism.

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

6:20 Thing is there are no gates to hop. You can just walk onto public transport without showing your ticket to anyone. As for quiet hours bear in mind that Sunday is a quiet day! No mowing of lawns or noisy diy. No swimming trunks in German saunas. When they say naked they mean completely naked.

[@smievil]

i still hop the imaginary gates before entering trains.

[@jojor.]

Yeah no gates here. I kinda asking myself he knows this👍

[@bobindergrosse]

But there are Saunas where you wear your trunks. Actually I think at the most places I've ever been

[@dirklatham1045]

@@bobindergrosse Really? I have never seen one, the ones that I have been to all over Germany are all nude and coed.

[@bobindergrosse]

@@dirklatham1045 For example in Northrhine Westphalia in the city of Werne. There is an bathing place with a clothing sauna. Or in Plettenberg there's also one

[@wolsch3435]

It is not forbidden to sing "Deutschland, Deutschland über alles" (Germany, Germany over everything)! However, since this verse is misunderstood in Europe and also in Germany as an expression of the claim to power over the neighbouring countries, and also the geographical information: "From the Maas to the Memel, from the Adige to the Belt" are done for Germany, these lines did not become the official anthem of the Federal Republic. But the author of this Deutschlandlied had nothing like that in mind in 1841! He was only interested in a nation state that should include all 39 states of the German Confederation of 1815.

[@Anson_AKB]

yes, the original meaning was more like it would have been in america (at a time when there were no united states yet but only separate colonies or states) to have a song "united states above all the colonies/states". in germany that was later misused to allegedly meaning something similar to what would have been "usa above all american countries, canada, mexico, etc". therefore the entire song itself is not illegal, but using it with that old bad meaning is, just like using, endorsing and promoting, symbols, gestures, flags, etc from those bad times. if you use eg the gesture and sing the first verse, you can and probably will be prosecuted, especially when it's done at some memorial like some stupid tourists find it funny. and therefore the entire song still was the official national anthem, with the condition to only ever sing the third verse for any official pupose. later (in 1990) they changed this and now the *entire* official anthem is *only* the third verse. fun fact: there are some laws for the looks and usage of the german flag, but none for the national anthem. that was only determined (both times) by an official exchange of letters between president and chancellor.

[@patiplatsch83]

THIS!!!!!!!!!

[@LEWI0N33]

Thank you for being a good person.

[@Baccatube79]

The bodies of water he's recounting there, however, have never been part of Germany at the same time. The Maas is in the Netherlands, the Memel in Lithuania, the Adige in Italy and the Belt is Danish. The idea was that German is being spoken within these borders and that whoever speaks German should unite as a nation. It's the idea of cultural identity being the same as national identity - which was progressive at that time but has been overcome meanwhile. Identitary movements are considered far-right, even extremist, in today's Germany.

[@wolsch3435]

@@Baccatube79 Between 1839 and 1866 existed a Herzogtum Limburg (Maas) and it was part of the German Confederation. The river Memel was the border between Prussia and Russia, and the far east of Prussia was inhabited mostly by Germans, but not part of "Deutscher Bund" The Adige or Etsch is a river in South- Tyrol and this was part of Austria, the most relevant state of the German Confederation. Holstein, also part of the German Confederation, is situated at the Belt too. But You are right: a person who sings today: "Von der Maas bis an die Memel, von der Etsch bis an den Belt" would be considered as very stupid, far-right and crazy. Hoffman von Fallersleben, who wrote this stanza in 1841 was a patriot and not far-right.

[@birdylove24]

I can explain this "sauna thing" to you. All people are naked there and that is quite normal there. But they might feel uncomfortable if someone is sitting underneath them with their clothes on. You then have the feeling that the person is staring at the undressed people 👀, and then you no longer feel relaxed among like-minded people, but rather observed. By the way, I personally think that being naked is not indecent 😇, but that you can be dressed very indecently! 😆😁

[@LH-rp5qz]

An other reason is, in your clothes are the cloine water, and some bacteria so it is unhygienic to wear some clothes. And yes normaly in Germany the sauna is mixed. So female and male persone sitting together. And the Sauna attendant have the power to kick somebody out

[@gerimacin6544]

What drives me crazy is people that do not understand the "kein Schweiss auf's Holz" - Rule 😈 It means that none of your sweat should get in contact with the wooden interior of the sauna cabin, hence the towel you "sit on" must cover all of your body, including feet and back (depending on the position: leaning against wall etc). A towel wrapped around your waist will not do that job. If you don't feel confortable to be completely naked, do not visit german saunas - pls

[@martinvozar448]

yes, to be nude in the sauna or on the beach means you share the culture not to stare on naked people. and accept symmetry/balance in relation to other. if you are shy or do not like to be starred, go to the separated sauna.

[@sweetrevenge9642]

​@@LH-rp5qzExactly, this was the answer I was told from Sauna staff: In the bathing clothes usually is chlorine which is EXTREMELY unhealthy when heated up. As they can't control if the clothes are chlorine-free or not, they don't allow wearing them at all.

[@L.K.Rydens]

​@@LH-rp5qz Yeah, that's the reason for the rule in Sweden, all the bacteria, clorine, sweat etc. that has accumulated in your clothes will evaporate and be inhaled by everyone in the sauna. That can also apply to certain chemicals in the swimwear (like certain plastics).

[@siene1518]

FIY: I was taught that these are the reasons for textile-free saunas: 1) If you're in a sauna, there will be a lot of sweat in the fabric. If you decide to have a cold shower after sauna, most of it will be gone. But if you're using these ice cold pools or regular cold pools, a lot of the sweat will remain in the clothes and not be wiped off beforehand which in turn means a lot of sweat in the pool water. So hygenic reasons. (btw, you're supposed to shower off any sweat but many people who don't do sauna a lot go directly for the cold pools) 2) Certain clothes that cover a lot of the body will make it difficult for your body to regulate the temperature because of the heat being trapped which can result in overheating. Especially if you wear a bathing suit, the fabric will hinder the sweat from evaporating properly, so there's no cooling effect. 3) Most bathing suits are made from synthetic textiles. When they become hot, they can release harmful substances into the air. In addition to that, if you went to the regular pool before, there will likely be traces of chlorine in the fabric which isn't the greatest in a hot room without air circulation.

[@gerimacin6544]

Agree, and the fabric is not supposed to withstand 80+ degrees celcius - but thats a fact people might realize at a later time 🤣

[@tramper42]

11:52 „are Germans thinking of people starting small talk to be rude?“ … not a yes/no … if you sit in a train that ride will take some hours, it was in past very polite to at least say hello. You then CAN ASK if someone LIKE to have smalltalk or not… some people today read a book, listening music etc… But smalltalk at grocerie stored line is not that normal all over Germany… in some smaller village where they know each other it happens more … Im cities lesser to none. That DOES NOT MEAN, you can not ASK ANYTIME someone in Germany , if you have a REAL question or need help… time, way directions, nearest bakery, doctor, pharmacist, etc…. We‘re happy to help, but mostly avoid smalltalk blabla… we leave that to our politicians.

[@HexenkoeniginVonAngmar]

Yeah 😄 If someone is lost I will absolutely help them if I can. But I for example am someone who does not like small talk at all with someone I don't know, unless I'm at work.

[@ginajk8857]

I remember in the Rhineland , people love to communicate ! Here in Holland they certainly do not , so boring .

[@fabi3790]

Agree with the train If I am on a journey 10 hours through germany i have no problem sometimes with chatting or smalltalk to someone else But if I am just walking. Or shopping. I don't want to talk If its important that doesn't count

[@kobe3955]

Immer unterschiedlich

[@Flamebeard0815]

RE: 'Hopping the gate' - most public transportation doesn't have gates. It's accessible without barriers so you just could get on the train. But as Phil said: If caught, you'll get fined in the realm of 50-120 Euros plus the ticket price.

[@Anson_AKB]

it's not a fine by some law; such law doesn't exist. BUT the terms of use of the transport companies have paragraphs about an "increased transportation fee" if you have no valid ticket, and there are general laws about "unauthorized use of any services". thus you usually have to pay that fine and get a receipt that can be used to continue traveling with that bus or tram ("real train" are different), but not change lines etc. and if you repeatedly do it and/or don't pay that fee, they can go to court because THAT then is a criminal offense.

[@LythaWausW]

You started your comment with RE: - something I love to do but I asked some German people and they had no idea what it means. They said they assume it means reply. Then I looked it up and there is a German equivalent in formal letter writing: Betrifft, meaninig "relating to" or "regarding" something. Is RE: still used in 2022 in letters, and if not, has it been swapped for "Subject"? Also, thanks for clarifying hopping the gate - D&P kind of left out the critical information about how you can just walk on to any train and go somewhere whether you have a ticket or not. I rode Cologne to Frankfurt last week and on one checked me for a ticket.

[@Flamebeard0815]

@@LythaWausW Yes, even though I'm German, I was aware that it means regarding. Must come with the job training back when... (Did some computer stuff in the early 2000s) It's not used in letters anymore. In Germany, nowadays the subject of a letter is placed 1 or 2 spaces above the greeting formula ('To whom it may concern...') and put in the same font and size as the rest, but as bold text. Adding 'Betrifft:' or something like that could actually be interpreted as calling the reader stupid without calling the reader stupid. Also: Yes, nowadays there are few train personnel checking for tickets. Right now, you can get a ticket for local trains and slow travel (almost any train except EC, IC and ICE) for 9 Euro that's valid for the whole month. So generally they say: 'We're not checking that often. But you must be stupid not to have the '9-Euro-Ticket'. (If they catch you with nothing, you'll be charged the 'Erhöhtes Beförderungsentgelt' for the distance you rode; Up until the next station, where they'll kick you out of the train.) But from September 1st on, that ticket offer is no longer valid and i expect normal train conductor business to resume.

[@chris_0018]

@@Anson_AKB taking the train without a ticket is always a crime, when you do not cooperate with the ticket inspector, he can call the police and then you are accused of a crime. So never do it, it is theft, it doesn‘t matter if you steal a snickers or a free ride, both are crimes in germany.

[@bjorntantau194]

@@chris_0018 The crime in question is "Erschleichen von Leistungen". I don't know the legal term in English, but it's basically secretly getting a service without paying. If you openly communicate that you don't have a ticket they can only make you pay the higher no-ticket price. A lawyer once did that. He had a clearly visible sign saying that he didn't buy a ticket. Of course he was taken to court, but because of the sign it wasn't the criminal offence and he only had to pay the higher price.

[@tuijakantola6550]

Most of these points are also true for Sweden. The jaywalking, well our kids often get to school on their own, so you do not want to set a bad example. If kids are around ( does not matter who's kids ) you just do not jaywalk.

[@smievil]

Jaywalking is not an issue in Sweden

[@carinapusteblume9039]

I was in Göteborg 2 month ago and EVERYONE jaywalked lol. The first day I tried standing my ground as a German and I was the only idiot that waited at the red light haha

[@stuckinreality6547]

I think in Germany it's pretty much the same. you'll only get funny looks for jaywalking if kids are nearby, otherwise literally noone cares

[@GreenManXY]

@@carinapusteblume9039 I think they changed the law 2-3 years ago so that jaywalking isn't a crime anymore.

[@katygunther2169]

15:05 in germany we say; if someone says happy birthday before your birthday it gives bad luck.

[@birdylove24]

Since I am unfortunately very sensitive to noise, it is very important to me here in Germany that the quiet times (especially at night) are observed. Luckily I have nice neighbors who are considerate. ❤️ One of my favorite jokes goes like this: "Well, my neighbor really is an impossible person! He actually rang my bell at 3am! How rude!! I almost dropped my electric drill! 🤨"

[@sandraankenbrand]

The problem is: I work at night... and many people do... So its rude to expect people being quiet when you sleep, but start being noisy when they sleep... any nurse, doctor, pilot, it programmer has a right to quiet sleep also

[@sandraankenbrand]

Impossible is the wrong word - it's screwed up

[@volkerp.2262]

For the Pfand topic: If you buy a bottle or can with something to drink you pay this "Pfand" in advance (usually between 0,08 and 0,25 Euro per bottle/can) in the store and if you bring it back you get your money back. We have different types of bottles in this system. Glas or hartplastic bottles (so called Mehrwegflaschen) that can be cleaned after the return multiple times and been filled again with new drinks, very typical for beer. And this typ of bottles often sell in boxes with 6 to 24 bottles depending of the size and drink you buy. And you pay for both bottles and box a deposit (Pfand) and if you give everything back you get your money back, but if you broke a bottle you get only the money for the remaining bottles back. The other type is the one use bottle/can that have the logo from the video on it. This bottles have a deposit of 0.25 EUR and get destroyed if you return them (the maschine shown in the video crush this type of bottles) and go out to recycling facilities. The high deposit should force the customers to bring the bottles back instead of throw them away.

[@MRKS_TV]

bullshit, die flaschen bestehen aus polyethylenterethtalat und dürfen nicht gewaschen werden zur wiederverwendung. sie werden geschreddert und zu regranulat verarbeitet welches dann in getränkekisten, asphalt und zb tüten verarbeitet.

[@Indra_1991]

@Enderpro ?

[@volkerp.2262]

@Enderpro the one use bottles with the 0.25 Cent was a really dumb decision of our politicians. The promises was that this system would reduce the trash of the one use bottles and strength the multi use bottles but it didn't work. Germany had in the past much bigger multi use bottle system. Like beer bottles make from glas that could be clean if you return them and been refilled. The one use bottles replaced this slowly and the people throw them in rivers, etc. this should be solve with higher Pfand on the one use bottles, but it don't work properly because multi use bottles are to expensive in compare.

[@rudatkatzn9171]

@Enderpro Not always, I've already Had 0,15€ Pfand on my Bottles, it can range between prices, wo the Original comment is correct there. And the evenomy wouldnt Crash, why would you think that?

[@riekebusch2293]

​@Enderpro ?!?

[@christiane548]

Sooo funny to see that other countries don't have the Pfand system for the bottles 😂 it's the most normal thing here in Germany. When we were younger we took a few bottles and bring them in the supermarket and get a bit money so we could buy sweets 🥰

[@raikbarczynski6582]

sad thing is that some people really depend on others throwing away Pfandflaschen. There also was a social project called "Pfand gehört daneben" wich just meant to put the bottle next to a bin and not in it because you dont knwo whats in the bin.

[@Merleonpaper]

Jap! in Turkey they don't have the system either. i always felt guilty when i threw away a plastic bottle again. but the water as the tap there was really undrinkable! That was really terrible for me on holiday ! I want to recycle my plastic! ♻️ 😅

[@Gott.Streitet]

@@raikbarczynski6582 Its kind of sad, becouse when people throw away their Pfand, they basically throw away their Money

[@panzerfist]

Canada has it but they only implemented it a few years ago. I grew up in Germany and I remember Germany's had this system ever since I was a little kid.

[@daswunder1901]

And its good for poor people. The search bottles in the garbage and get money!

[@astaen2323]

16:00 The thing about "forced" nudity is that no one can come in wearing pants and stare at all the nude people. It's simply the best solution to prevent peeping toms. Everyone is slightly embarrassed at first but feels free after some time and no-one is better or worse than the other - we're all equal.

[@hekatonikles]

Came here to point that out as well. Also, speaking from my own experience, Germans tend to be somewhat more comfortable with nudity than many other cultures.

[@film-and-music]

It’s an east west thing in Germany as well. In former East Germany it was absolutely common on every beach to swim or sun as you like. I guess 80% were naked, 20% were not. Even in the parks in the middle of Berlin, 30 years ago, you could watch serious people in their suits from the offices nearby came to have a lunch break, and after that took a little nap in the sun, completely undressing being naked. After that they put on their clothes again, dressed in their fine suits and returned to the offices. Until today on East German beaches you are free to do whatever you want. Nobody cares. The thing with the forced nudity is a special western behavior. I don’t know why, but it’s just a fact.

[@IrisPatricia]

I also want to add my experiences as a woman going to a ladies‘ sauna and a mixed saune. In the baths you usually have the choice between unisex saunas and mixed saunas. First few times I went to the sauna I went to a ladies‘ sauna. I felt very much like being looked at and judged. I felt like being in a concurrence and there was a lot of talk about so called womens‘ subjects. So I tried out the mixed sauna. There I felt much more comfortable and it was much quieter there, what I liked much better. After a short while being in a sauna you almost forget about being naked as everybody is. I think this also is a reason, why everybody has to be naked.

[@Bubbles-]

Yes, and children of course can wear something while learning that being everybody is equal

[@PsclDragonBorn]

Pfand is such an amazing thing. For example you are buying water and soda for like 50€ but if you return the bottle in a store or supermarket you get most likely 0,25€ per bottle or can back. It can also be 0,15€ for non recycle bottles and 0,08€ for glass bottles. But you get a Pfand voucher which you can give the cashier to get a discount on your whole shopping.

[@gordonzug9418]

Absolut sehenswert und unterhaltsam, Daumen hoch.

[@Monochromatic_Spider]

The German pfand is basically a concept to stop people just dumping their used bottles and cans on the streets or wherever. So you pay a little extra at time of purchase and then you get that back when you hand the bottles back in. And then the stores that receive the used bottles and cans box them and ship them out for recycling. It's a bit more effort but it keeps all that junk off the streets.

[@Eysenbeiss]

And it reduces the need for new ones to be made.

[@questor8398]

Cola and water bottles made of PET 25 €ct. but glass bottles (beer) 8 €ct. That's why there are a lot of broken glass on the street in some areas.

[@Puschit1]

it's actually a "job" for homeless and poor people - I know I can just leave my bottle at a public place and it will be picked up, refunded and turned into a warm meal by someone in need. So instead of feeling bad for littering you can feel good for helping someone out :) In big cities it's custom to place empty bottles directly next to trash bins so these people don't have to dig through the dirt in order to find bottles.

[@sascharadke8450]

The informal 'you' (Du) is also used when talking to children and young teens. My classmates and me actually had a hard time getting used to some teachers using the formal 'Sie' when we were around 15-16 because it made us feel old, hahah. But sometimes "young" adults (lets say 18-25) will adress strangers in the same age range with the informal 'Du' in an easy going or friendly way just as it can be used in a disrespectful manner when you're having an argument with someone you're not friends with.

[@DaemonwarriorJulius]

It's also pretty common among coworkers and even towards higher-ups in blue collar work environments.

[@maxifaxipaxi]

As a German, I can only confirm this. When I was little, I also had problems addressing my teachers with the more formal „Sie“. Teachers can be approached with „Du“ for 4 years, but then have to switch to „Sie“. Greetings from Germany ✌️

[@vomix9370]

i am 16 and look very young but when i applied for a "berufsschule" it felt soo wrong being called "sie" it was very off putting

[@renesauer5841]

Yeah, that can become confusing. I had a teacher once for five years, and obviously I called her by her surname. after graduating I still saw her because she would cut my hair occasionally. one day she offered me the `Du` and I was like `Huh? WHat? Why? Help!`

[@erwinlottermann4294]

There is a tendency to slowly change to informal form in general. Due to the fact that most radio stations and online stores along with the biggest furniture store (IKEA) tend to use "du" instead of "Sie" to talk to their consumers there is kind of accustomisation to the informal version. A second reason is the big amount of (eastern and southeastern) immigrants in Germany. They usually have problems with the two versions of "you" and typically use "du" because the grammar is much easier than using "Sie". So if I (age of 40) meet somebody in same age or younger and have to deal with him more than 30 minutes I ask him to switch to "du" - in more than 80% he'll agree. For short conversation (e.g. salesperson) I keep the official "Sie". Also it is kind of respect. I would never ask an official like a police man or government related persons for a "du". Sometimes it's also better to stay at the official "Sie" in intergender conversations, just to show her "you are safe, I just want to talk with you. My intentions is not to hook you up." Kind of creating a respectfull space between you and me. And last but not least for persons I don't like I wouldn't offer a "du" nor agree to his offer.

[@Maitreya3001]

About the Smalltalk thing: people here in Germany are not skilled in open communication, but if you encounter ppl with it, most are really really glad about it and love to chat once the awkward border is crossed. You notice it if they don't, but noone will think it's rude if you just chat a bit

[@Anna-zi7sx]

Highly depends on the area and if You’re in the city or villages though

[@doomse150]

I agree that usually nobody will consider it rude, but there's definitely people who want to be left alone and get annoyed when you "force" them into a conversation.

[@FrozenSeasons]

I agree, i don't consider smalltalk to be rude but if some stranger approaches me an start a smalltalk i will think "oh what a weird situation" and then i will proceed to answer as politly as i can and search for the perfect moment to go away. Well i don't know if my reaction is a tipical german reaction but thats how i would react.

[@gameboy-nq7je]

Depends on where you are from, I find it really creepy and very uncomfortable and bothering if people just start making Smalltalk, specially if you show signs that you do not want to be approached (like headphones, keeping distance or being preoccupied with something) But I also don't understand why people make small talk in general, but specially with strangers. Like if there is a clear question or reason behind a strangers decision to start talking to me it's alright (like when they need directions) but otherwise just why, you are never gonna see me again, we are not going to become friends, no one is gonna benefit from talking about the weather

[@c.w.8200]

I'm Austrian and small talk is absolutely required here, you have to make little jokes and laugh about barely funny remarks, especially from old farmers with THICK accents. I try to avoid having to do this at all cost, if it's different in Germany I'll move ASAP.

[@h0n0lulu83]

English actually also used to have two different pronouns for addressing people: the formal "you" (equivalent to the German "Sie", and in both languages it's actually grammatically the same as addressing a group of people, like "you have" / "Sie haben"), and the informal "thou" (equivalent to the German "du", with distinct verb conjugation, like "thou hast" / "du hast"). The latter one you may know from Shakespearean dramas where it was still commonly used. Nowadays, the English informal address has been dropped and replaced by the informal one (similar to Brazilian Portuguese, where the informal address "tu" is no longer in use, whereas in Portugal it still is). In Germany, usually the formal address automatically goes along with a last name basis, and the informal one with a first name basis, although I have experienced German office settings where the formal address was used with first names (especially between low level and high level lawyers in a law firm).

[@dehrens]

Two things - if anyone cares: Asking for tap water is always a viable option and not really frowned upon if you do so politely. The reason most restaurants won't give you tap water is, because you need a water filter specialized for drinking water you need to change regularly and most restaurants don't have that, so they're worried that you might be there to inspect them or something. As for the jay-walking: You are actually allowed to cross the street if the next crossing is more than a certain distance away (not sure how far it has to be). Hope this helps some of y'all :)

[@bobgoldman4404]

You don’t need a water filter to serve your customers tapwater! Lol😂

[@birgitsandbichler8596]

No one needs a Filter for drinking tabwater in germany. Tab water is more controlled than bottled water!

[@Puschit1]

Let's be honest here - a customer drinking water for free won't buy a regular drink and drinks are usually what these places generate revenue with, not the food, which is more or less offered for the net cost price. Customers know and understand that which is why it's frowned upon - you know you cut into their actual profit. So you usually order bottled water instead. But I haven't seen a place yet that refuses to give you tapwater if asked politely, especiallly when you are eldery, a kid or when you have a dog or something. Also, there is a rule (law even iirc) that says that bottled water always needs to be the cheapest drink of your menu.

[@janinaknoop6165]

As a German I have to say something about the FKK beaches: There are not pretty much FKK beaches in Germany. The most beaches are normal beaches where you wear your clothes. And yes in lots of german Saunas there are actually men and women together in one Sauna, completly naked. Also: Did you know in some german series for 'older people' (teenagers and adults) there are sometimes people, that are naked and there's still a FSK 12?

[@summersun6536]

Depends on the part of the country. In former Eastern Germany FKK is a very common thing, so there are a lot of nudity beaches. But in Western, North Western and Southern part of Germany they are quite rare.

[@rainerbernhardt6193]

@@summersun6536 Exactly.

[@OliverJWeber]

Bottled water in restaurants: that’s a thing because most German restaurants depend on the sale of drinks for much of their income. And this is not restricted to pubs or beer gardens. There is a saying in the business: you do not earn with the plates. So, if you do not plan to have beer, it’s quite good form to order one or more big bottles of water (depending on the size of your party) right away. It’s kind of giving a nod to the service that you are willing to chip in. Asking for free water, on the other hand, will make you look like a cheapskate. Nobody in hospitality likes those. 🤗

[@Anson_AKB]

this is also related to _"no free refills"._ after eating (or even without eating) you can stay for a very long time in restaurants if you at least occasionally *buy* some beverages. now imagine someone drinking only tapwater or only one softdrink and refilling for hours ... question: how often can you refill in the usa before you get the bill and (have to) leave ?

[@dan_kay]

@@Anson_AKB As often as you want, at least at the big fast food chains. They really don't give a fuck. Same goes for water and, in the south, for sweet tea. But don't forget that the restaurant culture in the US is completely different. You will have a hard time for instance finding restaurants with a tablecloth or a candle on the table, if you don't want to pay an exorbitantly high bill. It is more in & out. When I've lived in the US, we never spent much more time than 20 minutes in any given restaurant. And how many drinks of 32 ounces (that's just a tad short of a liter) can you drink in 20 minutes? :)

[@Anson_AKB]

​@@dan_kay yes, that "how many liters can you drink in 20 minutes" is exactly what i meant with "how often can you refill when you (have to) leave soon" ... in germany (and europe in gerneral) we prefer to *buy* a few more beers (wine, or whatever) and stay for hours on a nice evening, instead of driving to someone's home and continueing there and then not drinking, or drinking and driving DUI to get home. and without high forced tips, we also have a little more money to not refill for free :-)

[@dan_kay]

@@Anson_AKB You will never be kicked out in the US. They don't care. That stuff is so ass cheap that it really doesn't make a difference. By "how many liters can one person drink" I rather meant physically. After three refills, you're completely full. And those refills did cost the store 30 cents - if that.

[@FenrisEx]

@@dan_kay It costs the store. That's the magic word. It costs the store more than you think. It costs the store a not bought water, it costs the store the staff that wants to be paid and it costs the store electricity, rent etc.. It's not the cents it's the occupied table (which can cost you a paying customer on a busy night) and staff is not cheap. Where in the US the waiter/waitress gets almost nothing, in germany people get paid a living minimum wage for their work. Every hour. With benefits like health insurance, paid leave, social payments. That's not like the waitress at a bar in the US who heavily depends on the tipp of a lonely customer at an evening. That's guaranteed income that has to be paid. A learned waiter (as this is something you can learn as a real job) will cost you as an owner 25 dollars per hour. There is the loan, then the taxes, then the health insurance, social insurances. And that is the minimum. an unlearned partial student guy will cost you about 17 an hour as you can deduct most of the costs. The learned one is available all day, he knows his shit, like what wine to what, what ingredients are in the dish, he is good in conversations (mostly salesman speech), being busy all night long getting you drinks on the card, serving as many plates at once, is always running etc.. I know servers who are knowing their shit more than the owner. When they say, that's a good choice, it's a good choice. They know their basics and will make you drinks, going out their comfort zone and do even in the kitchen some things as they can. They are a goldmine and you don't wanna miss on them. They are not partial waiters having their hands in their pockets. They earn money for the restaurant. If you can handle out free drinks for customers, there must be something wrong with paying your staff as the staff is the most expensive post on your monthly roll that you can't cheat on (rent is due, electricity is due, bills for the deliveries etc..THEY will NOT serve YOU if you don't pay). A store can't give out free stuff if the owner does not cut somewhere else (if he does not decide to buy premade stuff and losing everything in a year, because people recognize good/bad food). And that is the staff. As he earns all of the revenue on his plates, the waiter pays for the customers drinks. Stuff you can ignore as this is just rant: To be clear here. I work at a family owned restaurant in germany for about 8 years now (25 in total now). I got alot of inside knowledge as, like I said, we are family and after 8 years you know how much money is going to which post. I see the bills, I see the income, I know who gets what amount of money from long evenings when you start conversations with other staff or the owner (we are legally alowed to talk about income, not like it's a secret and if the owner does not want us to talk about it there is no legal way to forbid it), doing the registry, doing the stock (I dunno about that phrase "inventur machen" in english) and paying the food delivery when boss is not around at that time. I got my ropes from 5 years of doing my work at a restaurant, cleaning the dirtiest shit and doing the worst chores up to cooking the best seafood you can get. I earned that shit and know how scummy and evil that business can be. It is fucking filled with organized crime and night times where you wish you was not been awake (not at the restaurant I learned, but all the others I walked by the past years until I found my home place to be). Also old chefs who think the new one is their closing call and fight against you no matter what. All I can say is, even if there is a ridiculous ammount of taxes to be paid in germany, a good bar or restaurant is ripping staff off in the US.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

To add to the birthday wishes. If the party is scheduled for 9pm, you show up at 9pm. You don't arrive at 9:30, you don't get there at 10. Punctuality is key. A good friend arrives a few minutes earlier and waits in front of the door. And a really good friend helps with preperations.

[@katsu9582]

Actually not like that, u get an announcement when the party is actually starting, u dont have to come punctual at the time, u come when u got the time. Sorry i cant agree with it. But with the rest i do.

[@fabi3790]

@@katsu9582 well at least notify the person if you are planning to come and when I think its rude to just say: I will be there and than arrive 2 hours after it started

[@valentin_te]

Last time I was on a party (I'm German) with some friends we got some sceptical looks from the host. Maybe it is just a thing in our group of friends but at least the girls come at least 15 minutes later. I also don't get it.

[@katsu9582]

@@valentin_te id say it depend how u say it to the host, i mean everyone i able to tell if u come or not, and if it can be late or if they are punctual, i dont think its a big problem if u have no real time. but maybe its just for me like that and other families are different. ofc getting to the party near end wont make u look good x)

[@Stanzerle]

It also depends on how big the party is. If there only will be 4 guests and all of them show up late without announcing it beforehand I would be pissed. If it's a big party and some guests will definitely be there when it's planned to start it doesn't matter that much if some will show up late

[@annetr4577]

About public transit: there are no gates, that’s the thing. You can just get on a train or a bus or a tram, no one really checks anything when you get on

[@derschmeske3618]

We have "Hausschuhe" (Shoes for in the house) in Germany. So u dont take the dirt from outside in, but still wear shoes to avoid cold feet

[@Puschit1]

But only old people use that. And my wife but she is asian.

[@montyx2333]

As a German, there are countless amounts of times where I have jaywalked but have never got in trouble (in front of police). As another person has said, generally the rule of thumb is that if there are children around you don't jaywalk. If there aren't, well, it's (more or less) your fault if you get hit.

[@juliannickermann9492]

Thing is, if they really want to f you, you can get a punkt and depending on severity you can also end up with giving up your driver's license for a month. But yeah usually it's not pursued since why? 5€ is not worth the paperwork they have to do, even if you cause an accident you might not end up with a fine.

[@sandraankenbrand]

​@@juliannickermann9492 I do jaywalk for most parts of my adult life (over 50 now), even in front of police too and never ever got even an eyesight

[@evibertolait8262]

I usually see light systems as a help to cross the street , if I don't need help because no cars are there and no children are around- I just go.

[@teotik8071]

Sure we have smalltalk. In Hamburg it is 'moin'. Usable at any hour. More words would be a full grown conversation. 🤣 If you're talkative usually we don't mind but it could create an awkward situation for us. On the other hand if you have any questions/problems during your visit don't hesitate to ask for guidance/help. They both are right. Most of Europe has a quite relaxed attitude towards the own body and nakedness. You'll see it when you're at a gas station. topless magazines for everyone to see on display. So in a sauna you're naked (never been to one with clothes) and some are mixed. No problem there.

[@Flamebeard0815]

Talkative in Hamburg would be 'Moin, Moin.', if I'm not mistaken...

[@claudiakarl7888]

We people from the Rhineland are more interested in small talk. 😉

[@Ihridyaahni]

Grüß!

[@meisterwu8922]

Also true for movie censoring or the lack there of. Characters can talk about and/or have sex all they want and the movie could still go through with a FSK12 rating. The FSK12 rating is also interesting as it's the only one where you're still allowed to see the movie in cinema if you are at least as old as the lower rating (FSK6) and you're accompanied by a reference person. If shown nudity is not related to the actual sexual intercourse you could even see some boobies on public tv if it's a scene at a beach or something like that. But GOD FORBID you show the tiniest drop of blood. adults only it is then.

[@leavonderlieth5781]

Moin Moin

[@jeanyluisa8483]

In Germany the bicycle lane is often up at the sidewalk, not down at the street. Its usually only marked by a different color or pattern of the paving and not really seperated by a line and marked as bicycle lane. So tourists propabaly often do not even know they are walking on the bicycle lane. But its quite common that germans walk on the bicycle lane themself.

[@Eysenbeiss]

You got that wrong, like most of the people do. Theses "lanes" are not there, for the riders to have priority - they are there, so that the walking people KNOW where the riders will be !! Those lanes are still part of the sidewalk, that's why riders HAVE TO slow down, when getting close to the walkers and even have to STOP, if it is necessary !!!

[@jeanyluisa8483]

@@Eysenbeiss Youre wrong there eventhough the result is pretty much as you say. 1) Bicycles are not allowed to drive on the footway/sidewalk. So if there is a bikelane it must be clearly marked. 2) There is a general traffic rule that prohibits road users from unnecessarily obstructing the flow of traffic. 3) Everyone who participates in traffic has to be carefull ands always ready to do whatever is needed to prevent to cause an accident and to harm others. As consequence of 2) pedestrians are not allowed to walk on the road or the pavement, if this obstructs the traffic flow, unless they have no other option, e.g. if there is no sidewalk or they have to cross the road. As result this of course gives bicycles a priority on a bike lane and cars a priroty on the road. As consequence of 3) cars and bicycles have to keep sufficient distance when passing pedestrians and to drive slow and carefully, if there is no room to enough distance. Nobody is allowed to walk or drive into anyone else by intention. So of course bikes and cars and even pedestrians have to stop, if thats neccesarry to prevent an accident and to prevent to harm anyone else.

[@tramadol247]

@@Eysenbeiss Marked (separated, mostly coloured red) bike lanes are reserved for cyclists - pedestrians don't belong on bike lanes! It’s like your walking on the road. If it’s a shared bike-pedestrian lane then cyclist need to be careful but most pedestrians are friendly and let the bikes pass. According to §25 StVO (traffic regulations) pedestrians need to walk on the side walks.

[@christianhorn2520]

1) That's true. We separate our garbage very accurate. For us it's really painful to see a banana split, paper, a Pringles can, some sort of Pfand-bottles or -cans in the same bin. For us that would be all separted in different bins, for making recycling easier and more efficient. The Pfand-System was introduced to reduce plastic waste, because especially plastic is damaging nature massively. So the time we buy drinks we have to pay Pfand (25 cents for each bottle/ can). This money we get back when we go and give the bottles back into the recycling circle, e.g. we can do this at amy supermarket.

[@DKJahlove]

Love your reaction to the recycling machine…like you are so amazed by it👌😅

[@Groffili]

The usual correction on the national anthem: There is this old piece of music, called "Das Lied der Deutschen" or "Deutschlandlied" (Song of the Germans, Germany-Song). It consists of three verses. The first one mentioning the geographical boundaries of a German people/culture/nation... you have to consider that this was VERY different when the text was written... and was/can be interpreted in a supremacist way for the "Deutschland, Deutschland über alles" line. The second deals with, err, "culture". Wine, women and song, specifically. Almost no one knows this verse. The third is about political ideals imagined for a German nation... which, again, did not exist when the text was written. It talks about "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit" (Unity, Justice, Freedom). Again, things that were not a major part (or at least perceived part) in the rather autocratic monarchistic German particular states of the mid-19th century. That's the piece of music. It's just that. None of it are "illegal" or forbidden to sing. You will be viewed in a certain way by most if you do sing the first verse in public. The anthem, on the other hand, is specifically defined as "The third verse of the Deutschlandlied" since 1991. If you use anything other than that in a situation where the official anthem is required, there will certainly be some repercussions if you use the first verse when ... but again nothing in a legal way. What IS illegal though is using the "version" of the Deutschlandlied that was the official anthem of Germany during the Nazi era, which consists of _only_ the first verse, directly followed by the "Horst Wessel Lied". This falls under the ban of using Nazi symbols.

[@itismee18]

The first stanza in its time was not an could not be interpreted as supremacist, it meant that there was a German nation above the numerous principalities, even when there was no united German state after the napoleonic wars. Until 1991, in public celebrations just the third stanza was played, but the whhole Deutschlandlied was the official German anthem, although the state was by no means supremacist.

[@ravanpee1325]

Macht ja auch Sinn, weil die Merkmale eines (National-)Staat sich aus Staatsvolk, Staatsterritorium und innerere/äußere Staatssouvereignität zusammensetzen

[@ewald42]

The text of the "Deutschlandlied" is from 1841, before the (failed) german Revolution from 1848, the German Reich was far in the future. (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutschlandlied)

[@davidklande]

Another thing to note about credit cards: The default card here is a debit card that is directly tied to your bank account called "Girocard". This is given out by every bank by default and is the most commonly used card for payments in stores. It can also be used to withdraw small amounts of cash directly at the grocery store's check-out if you are paying with the card - without the need for a separate ATM. This card is specific to Germany, but is similar to the Maestro debit card by Mastercard, which is usually also present on the same card for payments outside of Germany. Maestro is also usually accepted almost everywhere in Germany unlike actual credit cards, which you cannot count on being accepted wherever you go, especially if it's a place with typically very small payment amounts like a bakery. Prior to the Corona pandemic the most common way to pay in stores was cash, followed by the Girocard. This has shifted towards the Girocard a lot due to the pandemic, which might have replaced cash as the number 1 way to pay, but I am not sure about that. Germans still do love paying cash. About your bathroom question: There are free bathrooms and paid ones. Restaurants usually have free (clean) bathrooms. Train stations and gas stations along the Autobahn usually have paid bathrooms (usually around 1 Euro), also clean. Shopping centers usually have bathrooms with voluntary payment but it is considered rude to use these and not pay anything - they are also usually clean. On Autobahn rest places with no shops, in trains and sometimes in cities you can also find free bathrooms but these are often pretty disgusting.

[@Anson_AKB]

those "small amounts" that you can get in supermarkets usually (at least where i live) are up to 200€ if you bought goods for at least 20€ with a card. giro vs maestro seems to be some current development where banks have started (probably since last and until sometime next year) to get rid of their old EC/Maestro cards that the mostly handled tgemselves, and the new system is instead handled by visa !? but all these cards are debit and not credit cards. "bathrooms/restrooms" ("bathroom" might be said at home since they are most often not separate, but we usually call the public ones what they are: "toilette") have to be available by law for restaurants with seating and some minimum of tables, which excludes "Imbiß". and afaik they all are or even have to be free for customers. very few exceptions, eg at the autobahn, where it has been subcontracted to some company, and where you get a voucher to buy something. in shopping malls etc, usually an association of shopkeepers pays for it, and a nice old lady (at minum wage) is put at a table to give you a bad conscience (usually, she doesn't clean, and gets no tips, but the money is collected by that company that is already payed by the shops)

[@Flamebeard0815]

The 'everything in one bucket' approach was used in Germany until the mid-90s, too. Until people were educated about the treatment of trash/garbage in the 'plants'. Back then (and mostly still today), the stuff will get dumped in landfills or incinerated in the plant to generate heat/energy. No sorting involved. There was a 'Pfand'-System already in place, but only for glass/hard plastic bottles. (It still continues until today) But it really doesn't give you any extra money - you only get your deposit back that you paid when buying the drinks. And the 'Pfand'-System evolved. Early on, each store had its own little sign and you could return them only there. Later on, legislators ruled that only the bottle volume should matter(e.g. if the store sells 1,5 liter bottles, they have to take back ALL 1,5 liter bottles). Lately, the system got expanded from only softdrinks, cans of sparkly stuff and beer bottles to juice bottles and the like.

[@kreativuntermdach7351]

Where did you get your Infos from, pertaining the waste-system? That was one part of my studies in uni and nowadays everything has to be sorted for valuables like metal und recycable stuff before burning/dumping or it would be illegal to do so. The sorting-system is very sophisticated and does separate further. Like plastics into different sort of plastics, organics out of the Restmüll to be dried or composted, metal out of everything else. BUT these System cost money to run and maintain. And the more wrong stuff gets thrown into one type of waste, the more complicated it is to separate again. Which is why certain areas do not get the option of separate bins and just pay more to throw everything into one.

[@Flamebeard0815]

@@kreativuntermdach7351 Yeah... I see right now that in editing, there was a thought gap left. First paragraph is german/US treatment mixed together. The brackets should read '(and mostly today still in the US)'. What it's based on? You may call that annecdotal evidence, but the US side, I get from people I know over there. Mostly southern states and west coast. No dice in the north and the east coast. And at least in some parts of Germany, waste is still combusted for energy/heat. Sure, they separate the metal (either by magnet or by sorting), but I don't know about plastic and stuff. For example, in Bremerhaven they use it for 'Fernwärme': beg-bhv.de/kommunen/leistungen/muell-heiz-kraftwerk/

[@andreasheyer6891]

I like your videos . The are pretty Funny and entertained me . I send nice greetings . My name is Andreas from Hamburg Germany

[@MiaMerkur]

Ryan, I found your channel at 9 AM. I wanted to watch one. I still look, at 7 AM (with interuptions o.c.) You have such a kind of manner it feels like you are an old friend. 💚

[@Zach2003]

As a daughter of a restaurant owner, the tap water thing isn't that much frowned upon. Especially if it's a hot day and you're sitting outside in the restaurant garden, the waiters will be happy to give you tap water, in our restaurant for free (but not in every restaurant though). However, if you're not buying anything else then yeah, it's frowned upon. But not because you want tap water, because you're holding up a seat or table that could have been seated with paying guests

[@dirklatham1045]

Also, tap water is actually drinkable and tastes like water should....not like a swimming pool.

[@ClaudiaG.1979]

In Germany even small children walk alone to school or take the puplic bus to school. We dont have those yellow schoolbusses like you guys in the us do.. We all now, children copy the behavior of others, thats why you shouldnt yaywalk when a child is nearby

[@m_lies]

So many say "when a child is nearby" I say it how it is I also always live in Germany and even in a big city (berlin) and i also visited other cities. People even if there are no children in a radius of 1 kilometer they will in often not Jaywalk, the difference is only in the size of the street, on a side road with a speed limit of 30, most will just jaywalk despite traffic lights, however, as soon it's a two-lane road even with no cars, people will stay still until its green... Naturally, there are some hotspots in berlin where it also happens, but they are mostly isolated which is a stark contrast to other European countries where Lights mean nothing to drivers or pedestrians.

[@Anson_AKB]

@@m_lies here (in berlin) i have never seen a traffic light that has a "turn around time" (to cycle through all phases) of more than a minute. thus people usually have to wait less than half a minute, and if you want to "diagonally" continue, you simply can go in any direction that is green and then in the other that becomes green when you just have passed the first. why should i bother looking for speeding cars that suddenly might appear, etc, instead of waiting just that short moment. of course, while crossing i still look whether there is a colorblind driver who only sees "cherrygreen" and doesn't stop.

[@m_lies]

@@Anson_AKB "never seen a traffic light that has a "turn around time" (to cycle through all phases) of more than a minute." yes but it's not different to other places in Europe for example when I was in Manchester (England), most of the traffic lights would also only last for under 30 seconds, but the people would still regularly walk across the red lights, even when cars were still passing by and it wasn't a one-time incident but I would see it at every second traffic light every day for a week... The same with Athen where 60% of the people would still walk when the traffic light was red on a busy road, or taxis/ mopeds that would still drive when they had already red, I and my sister were nearly driven over 3 times within a week... (places where it wasn't as bad, was Naturally, middle Europe and northern Europe + Poland, where it's somwhat like in germany)

[@LythaWausW]

We don't have those orange schoolbusses.....until one drove by my house this month. It totally freaked me out, cuz I didn't think they existed in Germany, and I live way out in the sticks. I looked it up and there is a party company that rents out about 20 American school busses, with the interior designed like a party bus.

[@smievil]

i'd be really surprised if i saw a movie school bus

[@Dueruemtarget]

The name of the German grocery store is "ALDI" not "ALDI's" although the latter Americans often say. ALDI is the abbreviation for "Albrecht Discount" (AL from Albrecht and DI from Discount). So calling it ALDI's doesn't make any sense. I know, ALDI is pretty successful in the US. They even set Walmart under pressure because of their efficiency oriented approach.

[@robertmurray8763]

ALDI is good they have over 500 Supermarkets in Australia, and I love ALDI.

[@claudiakarl7888]

And the food quality is higher than that at Walmart.

[@whattheflyingfuck...]

there are two brothers Albrecht, so there are two ALDI in Germany .... ALDI Süd (South) and ALDI Nord (north) ... one of them is under ALDI in the USofA the other one is Trader Joe's (spelling correct?)

[@merci1619]

Aldi's is plural. He talks about the chain of supermarkets, therefore Aldi's is correct.

[@Dueruemtarget]

@@merci1619 If it were the plural it would be "Aldis". And Americans often say "I was at ALDI's".

[@goldi-studios7236]

As someone who is German, I actually love his reaction to stuff that is so normal to me Like with the bottles, it's so normal But it's odd that where I live now(England) doesn't have anything like this

[@sandraankenbrand]

I live in London - they do recycle

[@FloofersFX]

@@sandraankenbrand recycling and the way they do it is pretty different though. And a lot of folks seem to have a friendly attitude of leaving those by the dropoffs so that less fortunate folks or anyone who might need it in a pinch can get a bit of money out of it as well. I don't get this pride over who does recycling what.. better? You seem to have a fair amount of resentment for some things in Germany in these comments... Or what, maybe you hate poor ppl, like, what's up?

[@Happymali10]

6:20 German train stations don't have gates like that. Some public/urban systems require a ticket to be on the platform, but the regional/national rail line stations let you be on the platform all you want (since the 80s or so) and you only need a ticket if you get on the train itself.

[@HH-hd7nd]

3:45 That is a law in most states of the USA actually. And overtaking on the right is actually also prohibited in almost all states as well. However both laws are frequently ignored in the US and are rarely enforced by the authorities. In Germany overtaking on the right will cost you € 100 and get you 1 point in the traffic offenders register. Other offences, like excessive speeding, will also get you points. If you ever accumulate 7 points you will loose your driver's license. At first you can get it back after a while by taking some additional training, however serious offenders who loose their license multiple time will loose it permanently eventually. 5:10 That is also the case in older versions of english - "You" is actually the formal version while "thou" is the informal version. However "thou" has vanished from use in modern english, you'll only find it in old texts and sometimes in poetry nowadays. 7:10 This should be taken serious. Practicing the Hitler/Nazi salute is a criminal offence in Germany and can be punished with a fine (which can be as high as several thousand euros) or, in more serious cases or repeated offenses, with a jail sentence of up to 3 years.The same is true for showing a swastica. 15:00 Yep, wishing someone Happy Birthday early will cause him/her to have bad luck for the next year until the next birthday. So if you wish someone Happy Birthday early you want that person to suffer - generally speaking that's a sign this person is like your worst enemy. 17:05 Wearing a bathing suit in the pool area of a Sauna place is ok - in the Sauna section however you have to take that bathing suit off, you have to be naked. And yes, in German saunas we do not separate men and women which means both genders will be present and naked. Same is the case for FKK beaches. You'll also see lots of women going topless on regular beaches. 20:00 You can get a fine for jaywalking. However there's also a more serious issue: Small children learn by observing adults; that's just how nature goes. So if you demonstrate to any small kids that might see you that it is ok to walk when the light is red they will copy that behaviour which will not only put themselves in mortal danger but also bystanders and drivers because it can cause car accidents that might kill people - most likely the child, but probably also other people. 21:20 Depends on where you are. At rest stations or gas stations along the autobahn restrooms are not free. If you're in a shopping mall it depends on the mall, sometimes the restrooms will be free, sometimes not. If you're in a restaurant they're usually free, however using them is of course restricted to customers.

[@claudiakarl7888]

But you get a refund for the toilet fee, you have to pay 70 ct to use the toilet. You get a voucher for 50 ct which you can cash in if you buy something at the gas station, which is next to it.

[@Blazeor2]

The "free" water thing ... i think that is cultural german because Germany's gastronomy mostly grew out of local pubs ("Kneipen") and not "chains". Also Germans seem to be more into home cooking then American's, so going into a restaurant is something "special" / out of normal for most Germans. So because it is not a daily thing, most Germans want something "special" to drink too, therefore tapwater or normal bottle-water isn't expected in a restaurant, because you go for wine / beer or other beverages, that you normaly don't have at home (like a special tea at a turkish restaurant, ouzo at the greek, wine from italy to pizza aso...) . If you order water, be specific...from tap water (free) to water from sofisticated french vulcano springs (not cheap), from "still" (=silent, without carbon/bubbles) over medium, or "Sprudel" (carbonated), as they said in the video. Also to mention, "Mineralwasser" (mineral waters) are a thing because, long time ago (romans to 19th century) these where only to have for rich, locals or sick from special springs and at "Kurorte" (mostly those with "Bad"= bath in front of their names, are places for spa / watering / natural mineral saline ), so it was a sign of health if you drink sparkling mineral water (maybe some religious healing believes into it too).

[@DJKLProductions]

And waiters are paid more in Germany; the money has to come from somewhere...!

[@danibristol380]

Pups? Little dogs, really? Cute. Do you want to edit this maybe? :-))

[@mlem6951]

I don't think the water is actually "free". This is all included in the prices.

[@Boxer26]

Also i wouldn't drink this free water in the US

[@FenrisEx]

@@mlem6951 No, it's paid by the waiters. That's why waiters get not much money in the US. Owner throws free stuff at customers.

[@LakayFTW]

I've often heard from people that they take the shopping cart with them when they go shopping on foot (especially younger people) because they "paid" for it. It is not allowed to remove the shopping cart from the mall premises. It's theft... as far as i know.

[@carinapusteblume9039]

Some places even have locks on the wheels that automatically block the wheels as soon as you leave the parkinlot. Lidl does it across all their stores for example. So yeah, it's illegal to take them with you. A single new cart costs around 300€ and people sometimes steal them to sell the scrap metal.

[@torkakarshiro5170]

People who think that a shopping cart is paid with 1 Euro must be pretty stupid.

[@bjorntantau194]

I once took a shopping cart a few hundred metres home because I had to buy lots of stuff and didn't have a large backpack. But I asked first and returned it after I was done. Somewhere I heard that the carts actually cost about 200 € each.

[@carinapusteblume9039]

@@bjorntantau194 The price really depends. I worked at Lidl and those carts costs +400€, because they are relatively big and have a magnetic mechanism that blocks the wheel when leaving the parking lot.

[@sloofood]

Do never disrespectinig quiet hours - they are prescribed by law - i love this as a German. Ryan, you've published a video witn German Memes, as i remeber correctly there was one relating to "living in cities"/living in villages" where it was statet, that you have a more noisy surrounding in cities than in villages - this doesn't have to be true. I've been grown up in a village and moved to the capital of Germany (Berlin). On the village especially in summertime there where a lot of noisy situations: lawnmover, agricultural machinery and much more - sometimes all over the night during the harvest phase. In my neighboorhood in Berlin (about 45 thousands of inhabitants per squarekilometer; or 117 thousands of inhabitants per squaremile - you should change to metric system, would be much easier) i can expect to have a sleep without any noises from 10 pm to 7 am, and on sundays until 10 am - thats' amazing. Recently i've been in New Milford (Connecticut) in a really nice B&B - at some Point all shops and Restaurants were closing and we went to Bed (250$ per night) - but the only one employee started to make loud nopises just above our room (like cacuuming) - i was just kinda freakin' out xD.

[@paul-dx8bs]

In Germany you can nearly pay everything without cash except if you are in a really small bakerie

[@somethinggreatishappening8536]

In some neighborhoods (especially if there are some senior residents around), people also consider the 12-3pm period as quiet hours because some people take a nap after lunch and you shouldn't disturb them. I remember how we were only allowed to go outside as children after 3pm so we wouldn't upset the elderly neighbors around us.

[@babettetraugott-cg4ps]

But is actually not a law.

[@pixelmaster98]

@@babettetraugott-cg4ps it's called "Mittagsruhe" ("noon silence" or something like that). In some areas (for example, spa towns) there are regulations in place, but even outside of that, it's not uncommon for tenancy contracts to include rules for loud noises during lunchtime. Although those clauses are, of course, still not "law".

[@mucxlx]

For Quiet hours. Usually if you want to make a birthday party its common to let neighbors know a couple of days before. Just write a note in the entrance area that on say Saturday you make some noise. Its usually fine if you party to like 1am or something. Depending on your neighbors. And for tap water. The thing is that you can drink pretty much from any tab. Even in the restaurant toilet if you are that thirsty. Water regulations are very strict and often the tap water is even better than the stuff you can buy.

[@rytterl]

Most of this is how we do things in Norway. So a most of these things are relevant for most of at least northern Europe. One thing about Norway, we're almost a cashless country at this point. Sure, you'll be able to pay cash everywhere, but we basically only use out debit cards. I can't even remember when I had actual cash last.

[@Anson_AKB]

over time and especially due to covid, many more shops accept cards nowadays, including even my local bakery. but since there are fees involved for those companies that handle these payments, quite often there are minimum amounts like 10€. otoh, most german supermarkets also will give you cash up to 200€ (without any ATM or bank fees) if you bought goods for at least 20€ with a card. also remember that that mostly applies to debit cards (that are generally handled like cash), and not credit cards, probably because of better security and lower fees (that shops have to pay, and would need to add on all prices).

[@sternenhexe6142]

I want to clear things up about the water. Like E. Said, the water costs something in the restaurant because they get the most earnings from the drinks. And it’s true: you can sit for hours as long as you keep ordering drinks. Nobody will disturb you or will send you home (as long as your not drunk af). I think you will get a tab water without problems, but you have to pay for that too (depends on the resturant). Also: the water from the water taps is usually very clean and you can drink even on the toilets. So you can fill up you bottles everywhere. If not: there is a sign on the water tap that you can’t drink from there. So the water is “free” in your home or a place where you stay as long as it’s not a restaurant.

[@yt-murkser]

Greetings from south Germany. Got one of your Videos recommended yesterday and this might be the tenth Video that i watched of your channel. Your videos are pleasent and entertaining. Keep on making such Videos. PS: in some way you're really reminding me of the young pewdiepie . You two look similar

[@nelerhabarber5602]

In the sauna you go naked, There are also a few good reasons for this:To much substance on the body prevents evaporation and thus the cooling of the body. In addition more germs and bacteria should collect under the clothing due to accumulated sweet. Swimwear is usually synthetically. so that the material can spread harmful substances under heat. In the swimwear would also accumulate a lot of sweat. which you later distribute in the swiming pool again which should be avoided.

[@kharnynb]

not to mention, if you swam in a chlorine pool...you might be in for a nasty surprise in sauna after.

[@Anson_AKB]

besides all these important health reasons, there is yet another: everbody should feel "natural" _(just like all the others)_ and have no fear of or be intimidated by voyeurs that go to a naked mixed sauna or a fkk beach while those people themselves stay dressed.

[@nelerhabarber5602]

@@Anson_AKB Yes, I know this, but for americans the health aspect is maybe easier to understand!

[@magni5648]

6:20: Outside airports, there is almost no gates in german public transport. It's a system of trust, random ticket controls and harsh fines for violators that get caught. Like, you generally pay 2-3 times the ticket price or a minimum fine, and the minimum fine can easily be like 10-20 times what the ticket would have cost you on a short-distance ride.

[@sylviav6900]

I was missing another thing in their list: It is forbidden to overtake using the right lane on the Autobahn. It always freaks me out, when people do that - it has gotten more in the more recent years, but, actually, it's not allowed and the you get fined and a point in the register (if you have too many points there, they'll take in your licence).

[@stevenvanhulle7242]

In Belgium that's also not allowed. Which is the reason people hate those "middle lane drivers" so much. You have to go all the way to the left lane to overtake.

[@kosta_k_86]

18:33 If you don't feel like walking all the way to take away the shopping cart, look around, there is sure to be someone in your area who can use it.....just ask "Is it possible that you need it" in 90% of cases you will find it someone

[@DendraEkta]

Very interesting videos.. I ve just subscribed to your channel 😉 I like a lot how you discuss about the several differences and aspects of the different countries 😊 Greetings from Genova, Italy

[@mowana1232]

"Do people throw cigarette buds in the street?" Yepp, some do. However, what really gets my husband going (and he isn't even German) are people who throw their cigarette buds out of the car. We once stood at a red light and the guy in front threw his cigarette bud out. My husband got out, picked it up, and threw it back into the car. I don't necessarily recommend doing that 😁, but the guy was suitably shocked and even apologized. One reformed litterer right there.

[@DrFreezero91]

Wow I wouldnt dare to do that in germany ... I am also someone who cleans the street from these cigarette buds in a daily basis because of my job... but I wouldnt dare to do that. But if I already cleaning and see someone throw one away I dare to say: "Couldnt you just dump it into this bucket of mine!?" And funny story a lot of people do that without a question. Pass by me and put trash in my bucket xD

[@combatduckie]

Latin helped me A LOT! I learnt it in a German college And later in life it s easier for you to figure out what "unfamiliar" technical, medical and scientific terms mean if you know the Latin language! However, i never managed to grasp Latin GRAMMAR much, but the Latin vocabulary certainly helped me later in life!

[@katjahaase3811]

Latin is very useful for English, too. I heard somewhere that almost fifty percent of the English vocabulary stems from Latin words.

[@raenfox]

I use the train and bus a lot and I've never experienced an "undercover" ticket inspection. In the train, there are employees that check the tickets, and they're in uniform. You're supposed to recognize them after all, if you have questions or want to buy a ticket from them directly. On the bus, there aren't any ticket inspections. You must enter the bus through the front door (unless you have a wheelchair or a stroller) and either buy a ticket or show it to the driver.

[@katsu9582]

yeah cant get on bus without showing my ticket x)

[@AlgorithmicChaos]

@@katsu9582 in Munich or Regensburg you can usually get on a bus without showing your ticket, but ticket inspection on busses is fairly common, so it depends on the region. And I have experienced many many "undercover" ticket inspections on trains or buses here, though they will show a badge or something during inspection

[@AMK8864]

Your really funny! And your PASSION about my country makes me feel good! This is such a nice country to live and to raise children. Eventhough we also have our problems and Germans tent to be quite spoiled when it comes to health issues, education or working conditions. It’s because we are so taken care of the laws and government This year I invited my 3 nieces and one nephew to spend some time here in Germany and Europe. I wanted them to experience the life and culture here. Thats why watching your Utube video is so fun!

[@kalyogo970]

Hey Ryan, just fund your channel and love it. I love your reaction on german stuff xD Greetings from Germany

[@norwegianblue2017]

Not only do you not get the free water & refills in Europe, they also usually charge you to use public bathrooms. That really surprised me. Although, I will say, their public bathrooms are much nicer in general. People tend to treat things better when they pay for it.

[@anacristinaribeiro9592]

Here in Portugal the quiet hours are the same. Every supermarket has that coin system. The birthday superstition is the same here! Driving on the right lane is mandatory. I never payed for tap water, only for bottled water (in this case you are asked if you want normal or "with bubbles"). Jaywalk is accepted only when there are no cars around. I found this video very interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@Flamebeard0815]

Interesting thing about the national anthem versions: It happens every few years that at sports events, someone accidentally pulls the wrong anthem and plays it during team presentations or victory celebrations. For example at the Canoe World Cup in Hungary 2011, or more recently, at the European Soccer Cup in 2021 in the Netherlands.

[@fusssel7178]

The thing is, the first two stancas ain't forbidden, they are just not part of the anthem, only the third is. Besides, the way he phrased it sounds like the Nazis did create the anthem, which would be incorrect. The song is way older and the "Deutschland, Deutschland über alles" ("Germany, Germany above all") is often understood wrong, it is from a time when the multiple german states were discussing about unification, so a united Germany should be more important than the multiple small german states. So it is not about german superiority but about unification. The Nazis just misused it as they misused a lot of things (for example the swastika, which they stole from the hindus and misused it as well).

[@guyro3373]

There is actually only one version of the German National Anthem (if you ignore the former East German anthem). However, this - old! - song has three verses, and the first two are no longer song. The first two verses go on about things like "Germany above all else", while the focus of the third verse - the only one being sung today - is "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit" (Unity and Rights and Freedom). In those cases where the "wrong anthem was played", it was usually either the "full version" (starting with the "Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, über alles auf der Welt" (Germany, Germany above all else, above all else in the world) - which, for reasons that should not require explanation after WW II, is no longer song. Or it was the anthem of East Germany (the former "German Democratic Republic").

[@Anson_AKB]

@@guyro3373 what you describe (that the anthem has three verses, but not singing the first two) applied to the old version after the war until 1990. since then the *_entire_* national anthem now consists of *_only one_* verse (the third verse of that original song).

[@guyro3373]

@@Anson_AKB Thanks for clearing that up. I should have been a bit more precise in my comment above. (With the difference between the original song still having three verses, but the anthem having only one - the third).

[@bertsgame3598]

you need to watch more of them because she is the best one to tell you the impressions from here 🙂

[@kosta_k_86]

17:06 It's about the sauna itself, i.e. the hot room......outside you cover yourself with a towel......not to be confused with the sauna towel (easily recognized by the dimensions 200x160cm (6.56x5 .24ft) that's there to put it on the wooden bench, in the sauna, to lay on it so that your sweat doesn't stay for the next person

[@Adi-kf6bq]

16:11 there are different kinds of saunas in germany. But in a lot of smaller places the sauna is mixed. What he meant with don't wear clothes are swimmsuits. Many saunas are at a swimmingpool or at a fitnessstudio. You can wear a towel (that is what most women do) and you have to sit on a towel

[@cidugromi3907]

All Saunas i know are Mixed and have one day in the week a Womenday and a Menday

[@jlpack62]

From my experience in Berlin, I saw LOTS of cigarette butts on the floor of places where you weren't officially allowed to even smoke. Quiet hours includes all day Sunday. Don't expect to use a hammer or a power tool, or your lawn mower on a Sunday. Those disturb the peace.

[@lentintarantino392]

But the quiet hours arent taken that seriously... I mean you shouldnt hammer around all day but if you fix something for an hour lr something if its not noon then it shouldnt be a problem

[@jlpack62]

@@lentintarantino392 Wouldn't that be dependent on what sort of neighbors you have? I suppose if you have laid back neighbors, it won't be a problem. However, I've heard stories from some who have very high strung neighbors who will constantly knock on your door if you aren't following every rule to the letter of the law.

[@lentintarantino392]

@@jlpack62 yeah i guess i live in rural bavaria so its pretty laid back

[@jlpack62]

@@lentintarantino392 you are winning at life! Congrats.

[@nicosteffen364]

16:00 Terms of Service! Sauna exists in 2 cathegories, nude and textile, besides all the other kinds like steam or else. When you enter a nude sauna, its a violation of the rules to wear any cloths, take it off or leave! Its not so strict on nude beaches but also a rule, be naked or leave!

[@sorrowandsufferin924]

The one about the anthem is actually only sort-of correct. Yes, the official anthem is "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit", but a lot of people seem to believe the other anthem is forbidden - which it's not. It's simply that, during any official state business or any official business that represents the state (aka the arrival of foreign dignitaries or the national soccer team playing a game), only the official anthem is played and sung. The other anthem is not forbidden by law (unless at those events)

[@minefoxc4015]

Where I'm from we don't wish happy birthday in advance, cause it brings bad luck. It's not their birthday yet and it's considered like jinxing it (they might never make it to their birthday). "Happy birthday for 22 years old!" "I'm not 22 yet?" *Car crash next day It's a sign of bad luck and some people do it out of malice. Though I don't believe in it, it's still rude.

[@carinapusteblume9039]

With the shopping carts: Almost every German has a plastic coin in their purse that fits the carts. You get them for free at some supermarkets as a freebie. I have a metal keychain that pops in and out of shopping carts without getting stuck in them. That's kinda cheating but I always lose my plastic coins and I rarely have cash with me ^^

[@haukesattler446]

Well about 10 years ago, there was story about a guy who bought a motorhome just with the money he got for collecting Pfand bottles and bringing them back to the super market. Okay it was a used one, but a better roadworthy one. Not like those crappy beaters lining the roads of LA. (No, I'm NOT BLAMING the owners of those crappy beaters, for not wanting to become completely homeless because nobody can afford those insane rents in California)

[@atconnys8786]

Jaywalking we take strictly, especially when little kids are arount. Our kids are tought to be pretty independent and when they`re old enogh to go to school, they very often go alone. Or go alone to the playground. So it`s about their safety. Be a good role model and don`t teach them crap. Btw, they use trains and busses also often alone. Nice reaction, thanks for it :)

[@nctpti2073]

My wife (who is German and has lived here in Germany all her life) told me this when I first got here, but I have observed that it does not seem anywhere so strict in practice anymore and she seems to to have realized this too over time.

[@atconnys8786]

@@nctpti2073 Hi, you're right. Therefore they even hang up extra signs with big read frowning smilies saying: " Bei Rot bleibe stehen! Den Kindern ein Vorbild sein." Or the like. Mostly on traffic lights near of scools. It's just no more as it was back in the days. We have to live with all the changes, sometimes sadly. Greetings

[@flytothesky1558]

Pfand is 0.25€ per bottle (one use bottles) and you can give them back at any supermarket. When you walk around and don't want to carry the bottle just put it next to a bin for homeless people who can collect them to buy a nice meal😊

[@hannah-charlotteoellers7568]

About the shopping carts they did not mention is that in grocery stores it's considered as rude to touch or move someone else's shopping cart, even it's in the middle of the corridor. Leaving your cart somewhere and then go around and collect your items is ok, but only if you leave it in a corner where you're not blocking anyone. Sure, if they do it's ok to push them aside a little bit, but never too much! For Germans, the shopping cart feels kind of like it's their property during the time of shopping. Totally weird, I know... 😀

[@SELBLINK_in_your_area]

But it's that way! Once someone touched "my" shopping cart and I thought immediately: "How can anyone do that? It's my cart! You never know what viruses, bacteries, ... he or me could get." When leaving the store and putting the cart back, I thought: "Well, before I entered the store, there were a lot of other people touching 'my' cart yet." And no, I don't do that cart desinfection cleaning thing, although it'd be possible.

[@JakobFischer60]

I remember to watch a heavy fight in an italian pizzeria in Germany between a customer who ordered a capucino and wanted some water and the waiter. He got the water and should pay for it. Turned out, there was free water for a espresso, but not for the capucino.

[@gracetopherkirk5742]

Many bicycle lanes here are actually right up against the sidewalk instead of in the street like in America. So it is much easier to accidentally walk in them. In my part of the country, its marked in orange/red etc, so if the sidewalks look like that, that’s actually for the bikes!

[@berndschmidt6059]

The Deutschlandlied from Hoffmann von Fallersleben has three verses. In these days only the third verse is part of the national anthem. It's wrong to say the first verses are the Nazihymn. They are much older and had a diffrent meaning in this times.

[@michaelheindl2544]

Yes, that´s correct . The *Deutschlandlied* is in no way forbidden and has nothing to do with the Nazi´s. It´s way older and was written about the unification of Germany . The first strophe doesn´t fit anymore and the second one belongs more to a drinking song. The third verse was choosen for the official anthem of Germany. Deutschland über alles means a united German state for all Germans. The phrase it means Germany is better than all others on this planet is a british war propaganda still believed in mostly the anglosphere. 😱

[@Anthyrion]

Also: The Nazi Salute IS forbidden, but you can still make jokes about Nazis and Hitler :)

[@stanlibuda5786]

@@michaelheindl2544 No, this phrase doesn't mean that Germany is better than all other countries. It means that a united Germany is the target to reach and that the people act like Germans in the German States.

[@deinemudda6104]

@@Anthyrion yeaah but you would display very poor taste in doing so

[@Johannes_BH]

We have all kinds of recycling. At every house, it is mandatory to have the following: Residual waste bin (This is for non-recyclable waste that cannot be sorted into other categories.) Yellow bin (This is for recyclable packaging materials, such as plastics, metals, and composites.) Paper bin (This is for paper and cardboard recycling.) Organic waste bin (In some houses and regions, there are also bins for biodegradable waste like food scraps and garden clippings.) But we also have much more available at stores or waste disposal companies, such as: Electronic waste disposal (This includes old electronic devices like computers, phones, and appliances.) Battery disposal (Special bins for recycling used batteries, which contain hazardous materials.) Chemical or hazardous liquid disposal (Safe disposal for chemicals and other dangerous liquids.) Styrofoam recycling Glass bottle recycling sorted by color (brown glass, green glass, white glass) Plastic bottles and cans (Beverages like water, cola, Fanta, Red Bull, etc., cost 25 cents more per bottle/can when purchased. This is a deposit that can be refunded when you return them to the store, or it can be credited toward your next purchase.) Glass beverage bottles (These also have a deposit, which varies by size. For example, a 0.33L beer bottle has a deposit of 0.08€ per bottle.) And we have much, much more.

[@michaelheely]

You pay extra for the bottles that’s the Pfand and you get it back at the machine when you return the bottles

[@voyance4elle]

Hahahaha your reaction to the saune rules made laugh so hard!!! It's for hygenic reasons but I think also so that everyone who is naked feels comfortable.

[@ForgedInFire6469]

If you collect all your Pfand bottles, you can get a good amount of money out of it. Like, 15 to 20€. Its also a way for homeless persons to get a little income.

[@Anson_AKB]

yes, most big bottles cost 0.25€ Pfand, thus from only 8 bottles, you already get 2€ ... it adds up quickly. and when you can carry full bottles in one direction, it shouldn't be hard to carry the same number of empty bottles in the other. thus you can pay the Pfand for the new bottles with the money that you get back for the old bottles. (if you only return bottles, you can get cash for the voucher from the cashier, or keep it for next time)

[@CazuhLynn]

As far as I know, wishing someone a happy birthday in advance is considered bad luck because you might jinx their birthday, meaning that person might die before having their actual birthday. I don't know where it comes from, though, but in general I feel that there are a lot of things that are considered to bring good or bad luck in Germany.

[@Bella2121]

Hello dear Ryan, I like everything of you when you're talking. Du bist wirklich sympathisch : )

[@lennat24]

12:12 The Americans seem to calculate differently here than the Germans. In Germany, a restaurant calculates most profit on the drinks, less on the food. It is assumed that you either only drink something or eat something and have a drink or two per visit. If they were to give away water for free, the small profit on the food would not be able to cover the costs of the house. With our Biergardens and things like that this is the right way to do it here in Germany. Its all about drinks not meals. Cheap and good food attracts people and the shop makes a profit from the drinks. I hope this helps to clarify the differnces between USA and Germany in this case. It's a matter of financial survival in the market. If you really want your water for free - go to the German bathroom and get your tab water for free. It's still free of charge.

[@simbob26]

Germany is da bom! I love it there, although I’ve really only been in the west, and never to Berlin. Most places there is somebody who speaks fluent English, unless you cross the border into France… then you will have to hope that what you learned in your high school French classes pops back into your head quick smart!

[@changingmind3248]

Concerning smalltalk with strangers: it's very much ambigous - no, it's not common, but also not something never done. It strongly depends on the situation and person you're talking to. Some would prefer to be left alone and some might be weirded out if a complete strangers chats them up, but other times you might really make someones day, simply by starting a polite but sincere conversation. Rule of thumb: it mostly happens if there's a good point to start off (e. g. someone has a dog with them, or one has helped the other lift their baggage onto the train etc.) Otherwise, if you're involuntarily in close proximity, chances are people will avoid eye contact or just general aknowledgement of each others presence (which is not considered rude, we just generally prefer privacy and personal distance, so where it can't be kept we revert to the 'illusion of distance'), but some (often elderly folk) won't and a simple smile to politely aknowledge them might be enough to start smalltalking. P. S.: Sorry for going off on a tangent...

[@gerakuma9142]

Corona changed the cash thing. Yeah there are still many places where you can only pay cash but many small businesses also added credit card payment methods. And i like that. I don't carry much cash 😅

[@sorrowandsufferin924]

But the fact remains that German law only protects the use of cash. EVERY place has to accept cash by law. Any other payment methods can be offered in addition, but any sales-place has to accept cash.

[@kengermany1]

first, I have respect for you since you are very open-minded about all these things. While watching you get puzzled a few times I would love to further explain why/more reasons things are so. I moved to Germany 14 years ago and would love to share that info. let me know. Again, you do a GREAT job at what you do.

[@Bleed1987]

20:20 you only get fined when there is a traffic light or a crosswalk really close to you and you dont use it. when there is no "help" to cross your free to cross where you want