7 Tips for Being a GOOD Neighbor in Germany

Having a good relationship with your neighbors in Germany is really important. We share some tips that will help you be a good neighbor and not get into trouble 😁.
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⏰ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
00:42 - Traits Germans like in their neighbors
02:18 - Tip#1 Introduce yourself
03:02 - Tip#2 Respect quiet times
04:38 - Tip#3 Loud noise
06:04 - Tip#4 House parties
08:27 - Tip#5 BBQ in balconies
10:00 - Tip#6 Plants
10:24 - Tip#7 Give
11:39 - Benefits
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We know how frustrating and painful it might be to move to a new country, especially if you don't fully speak the language. That's why we created Simple Germany.
Simple Germany provides tips & information in English about living in Germany as an expat. We talk about services that are friendly and easy to use to beat German bureaucracy. We also cover the cultural aspects of living in Germany. All of this brought to you from the eyes of an expat and a German duo. We want to help you settle in Germany more smoothly.🍻
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[@famke5792]

The quiet times is one of the #1 reasons to move to Germany for me lol, I hope this stays for the coming decades 😅😂

[@anna-ranja4573]

As a student I moved to Cologne in a big house with many neighbours and 8 etages. It was nearby the Advent time so I baked cookies for christmas put them in tiny bags and hang them on the doors on my etages with aclittle greeting note which introduce mecas the new female neighbour on the floor. I was very welcome and get always greetings 😃

[@simplegermany]

Fantastic way to introduce yourself 😊

[@lindataylor2385]

I am an American and I don't wash clothes, run dishwasher & laundry after 10 pm and before 7 am. One time my dog threw up and I had to run the wash at 1 am and I wrote an apology letter & baked cookies for my downstairs neighbors to apologize for the noise. I didn't realize this WASN'T an American thing until I saw this video, thought the night "quite time" was universal.

[@infiniteanant5667]

OMG..! I guess you both have a superpower of knowing what I am really looking for, and you exactly make video on that. Me and my wife have shifted to new apartment this month and your video is super useful(as always). From all your past videos and specially this one, I can definitely say that you both have been so much thoughtful. You are one of the reason why our life in Germany is going *smoothly*. Hope to meet you in person sometime for a party. 😇

[@simplegermany]

Super happy to hear! 😊

[@clinicalpsychologist]

I’m the most sensitive to noise person you could meet. Everything can disturb me. So no loud nothing. 😂 enjoy

[@Life-with-Ara]

I just moved to Munich from the US and I am always trying to be a cautious and considerate neighbor (I never want to come off as the stereotypical loud American) and this video was so helpful!! Thank you :)

[@simplegermany]

Welcome to Germany! We wish you smooth settling 😉

[@atomphoton5000]

Americans we are loud though ;)

[@baumaus9014]

As someone with misophonia who cannot tolerate being Latina because Latinos = Noise, I am actually excited about experiencing the quiet times in Germany. I am totally all for negotiating limited times to make noise. Even though, I've heard that Berliners are "relatively noisy".

[@marilena7848]

Great suggestions. Common sense and consideration rule! I do think we can all learn a lot from German "directness" here. In many places annoyance and resentments may build up simply because no one communicated from the very beginning.

[@epicsophix]

I live in a smaller village nearby to Dortmund and nearly most of my neighbors and me are friends with each other and respect us. That'sthe best case, you can have while living in Germany😊

[@vornach1532]

Dortmund ist sehr eigen😜

[@kaidi102]

Greeting yourself to neighbours in Germany would be a nightmare if you are from Scandinavia. We stand behind our door until we see or hear that there is nobody on the corridor. Pure anxiety from just even thinking about, ringing a neighbours doorbell. 😄

[@Jasonyhlee]

Hello I just came back from a trip to Germany and I wanted to thank you for informative videos you have been posting. It helped me a lot

[@dementeddave3549]

Thanks for the tips! Just learned that the last person who lived in the house I'm renting was not too friendly. They would never say hello and were really aggressive with the rest of the neighbors. So of course they were not liked, so glad everyone was very welcoming of me.

[@fannychristozova8158]

You've shown up there like a breath of fresh air. 🙂 Happened to me a couple of times within the last 3 or 5 months. I know the look and the smiles of inner relief I had for nicer neighbors, I know I'll recognize those everywhere! 😅

[@1memo1717]

I just came back from bad abbach( close to Regensburg) and i just was astonished of the quietness at night where i stayed … it was amazing … in the early morning you literally feel nature breaths and i loved it … i come from very noisy country ( Kuwait) Though i spent few decades in the UK reading for degrees. I really appreciate such thing in Germany and made me think to visit again❤

[@beatrixpastoors1104]

Interesting as always, but you forgot sth.: Die Treppenhausreinigung sowie Keller- und Dachbodenreinigung im Wechsel mit den Nachbarn, nach Plan. Cleaning of staircase, attic and cellar. Perhaps also Winterdienst like removing snow. And the correct separation of the garbage and filling of the containers.

[@simplegermany]

You are right, this may still occur in some cases although us and our friends have never experienced it. We have a designated person in the house who takes care of all those things 😇

[@beatrixpastoors1104]

@@simplegermany That is what I had already supposed. But I'm sure that in most larger houses with rented flats you still have these plans hanging in the corridor, and the cleaning is often a constant cause of conflicts. And the Mülltrennungsproblem can occur anyway.

[@metin3289]

I've just moved to a new place a month ago, greeted the neighbours and now on Easter, the elderly couple knocked our door with chocolate rabbits for our child and invited us to have lunch in their garden on Easter Monday. I'd love to see a video with the two of you cooking: Yvone picks the dish, Jen figures out the ingredients and how to cook it. Surely Yvone would have fun watching Jen running around to get it done. Another suggestion would be a vid about the train tickets, bahn cards and especially about the 9 euro ticket that may come sometime this year.

[@simplegermany]

Wow, that is a nice welcome from your neighbors 😊 We actually talk about public transportation and the tickets in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYe5dX5pqpWkq7c

[@anna-ranja4573]

One of the neighbours welcome me as answer with salt and bread 😀

[@simplegermany]

Yes, that is very typical!

[@ricardocarrilho76]

Nice tips 😊 Thanks

[@princesaharan9515]

Great videos

[@1290DR]

First of all: "Das auge zu drücken" in English you wpuld say "to turn a blind eye to smth" second: I just realized I never had a good relationship with any of my neighbours... but I also neber cared 🤷😅

[@ehemalssimehtt3739]

❤ Simple Germany ❤

[@janniti5423]

I found no comment that in a lot of appartment buildings the quiet hours start at 8.00 pm according to the contract or the house rules. There is no quiet time from 1 to 3 pm in my area in the workdays, but you should try to avoid noise in this time. Washing laundry or vacuuming has never been an issue but drilling wholes in concrete walls is very loud in the whole house and definitiv should be done before 8.00.

[@TheInternetFan]

_drilling holes_

[@christine9122]

These are really helpful tips not only for people moving to Germany. I have been living in our own house my whole life. So I am not familiar with apartment etiquette at all. In our house and neighborhood, it's common for people to speak loudly because the distance of people inside the house can be quite a bit far. The quiet tips are useful. I will be moving to France next year. This is really a great video.

[@intergritykeeper4092]

Thank you very much Jen und Yvonne for what you do. I really need this. Apart from "Hallo" , Hi, or Guten Tag, how should l greet people casually (see people going for a walk)??? When l see someone working in his or her yard, what should l say (greetings)???

[@simplegermany]

You could say ‚Schönen Tag noch‘ which means have a nice day or on a Friday you could say ‚Schönes Wochenende‘ which means have a nice weekend 😊

[@intergritykeeper4092]

@@simplegermany What do i say to someone working in German (like well done)???

[@simplegermany]

For well done you can say 'gut gemacht'

[@gigibenea3529]

Very interesting....lots of rules like 1-3 pm and after 10 pm -7 am and Sundays , also parting ..were mandatory in Transylvania...I don't know the rest of Romania ...this was 20 years ago since than moved to Canada ..and here they don't respect ..well Where I leave is fine quiet.... And I

[@famke5792]

In the region I'm from (Twente) we call it 'noaberschap', sometimes 'noaberplicht': just being kind, helping each other out if needed and cultivating a positive relationship

[@shanoelia]

Thank you!! Very useful video. What about Fridays and Saturdays, Are you allowed to make noises until little bit later, after 12 for example?

[@fannychristozova8158]

According to all insights given here, I think, again, it would highly depend on the neighborhood/community itself. Your question is interesting because you imply a well known fact that in Germany Fridays and Saturdays are in a way designated for letting loose, plan on more festive occasions. But here it is - _"occasions"_ . I think the example the girls gave of a bigger party of their own and also those signs on entrance doors, were meant to mean this would indeed fall on a Friday or Saturday, otherwise it would look somewhat rude, notifying people like, hey we apologize in advance, but next Tuesday we have this occasion and we're going to party hard until late, bunch of people over. 😅If it's for the sake of it being Friday or Saturday night, my assumption is it would be ok. If it's a couple of times in a row, it could still be fine...ish, maybe neighbors would refrain from calling the Ordnungsamt, but you might see a few frowned faces. It's only my assumption and things I've witnessed with people living in Germany, but for the question of past 12, how frequently I think is key.

[@simplegermany]

Yes, you are absolutely right. The 10 pm rule is for all days, including Fridays and Saturdays. However, if you would have a one-time party, it would most likely always fall on one of those days. Noise after 10 pm especially when occurring more often, will not be tolerated and you can expect complaints.

[@fannychristozova8158]

Very much relevant and to the point explained! It is a matter of luck with the community, and I'm happy for yours there! I used to have not just neighbors but roommates who just wouldn't follow any common sense around.. like starting the washing machine (with Whizzer) at two:thirty AM!?? Well, in Germany I've mostly seen this kind mutual behavior, that you describe as beneficiary. It's also related to your own personal habits that you would bring with you, so luckily I've improved on how to consider and respect my me-time and especially how to draw some lines when it comes to where I live. I had to have friends call me at night or even show up under my window uninvited, to become.. well, germanized - I love my freedom of space, my peace and good manners with everyone I cross eyesight with on a daily basis. 🏬🏡🏡

[@simplegermany]

I can relate! Showing up uninvited is very common in Guatemala 😅 I have gotten used to the 'German' way of visiting friends. -J

[@fannychristozova8158]

@@simplegermany ​ I just couldn't and can't afford being exhausted in that way. Friends are for sharing and for catching up with, but not for calling you at nights just because they want to drink some more (and they know I work on 24/7 shifts). I had a couple of times troubles with building neighbors because of someone else's hype mood. In Bulgaria it's like a cultural tradition, showing up uninvited, but at least not in the bigger cities anymore. PS, unrelated: June 17th 🥳

[@simplegermany]

🥳🥳🥳🪂

[@fannychristozova8158]

Oh wow, girls! Very beautiful!! 🤩 I like the design! It's genius! I love it, really!

[@simplegermany]

hehehe we are so happy you like it 🙃

[@thexhunter1976]

Helpful as always. Danke (Btw It'd be awesome if you talk about gyms and gym culture in Germany)

[@simplegermany]

Thanks for the request! The topic is on our shortlist 😊

[@thexhunter1976]

@@simplegermany ❤️❤️

[@lorraijne600]

Maybe we can have a picnic with your followers in Berlin? I really appreciate it - to talk face to face.

[@JAM-65]

LOL how much do Germans like the polterabend parties? I have been to a few and some of them were pretty noisy and went on very late. Actually most people were cool about it because they knew what it was for and often joined in.

[@simplegermany]

Yeah, if it is a special occasion, like a Polterabend, Germans tend to be a bit more tolerant because they know it's a kind of "once in a lifetime" kind of party.

[@learnswahiliwithlucy]

Really love this. What about feeding the cat? Can the neighbors do it?

[@simplegermany]

That depends on your relationship with your neighbors. 😉 We know neighbors who do.

[@learnswahiliwithlucy]

Awesome!!

[@R-D-dg7wx]

This might be a different video topic from what you are doing but can you please share your skin care routine? What products to buy in Germany? Both of your skin looks flawless!

[@simplegermany]

thanks for your feedback and suggestion! Maybe it's just the lighting 😅. We will add your idea to our list of videos to possibly shoot ☺️

[@R-D-dg7wx]

@@simplegermany Thank you so much you are the best!

[@OK-cs1tj]

Hi Girls !!! Thank you for your video !! I am new in Germany, tell me please how learn correctly the language,is very difficult for me. thank you ❤️

[@simplegermany]

Welcome 😊 We have a whole playlist on how to learn German: kzbin.info/aero/PLnp3hGZLHcOWd_OCrIAL-Q_7o4SIG5oKz

[@OK-cs1tj]

@@simplegermany vielen Dank

[@starrovers13]

How to deal with your upper neighbour who is stomping 24/7 (literally)?

[@simplegermany]

I would first find out the real source of the noise. We have been in apartment complexes where regular walking sounded like stomping in the apartment below. In such a case there is not much you can do, but move somewhere else if it is too annoying. So try to seek a dialogue with the neighbor.

[@Cintillo]

Honestly I had this doubt, this is a godsend because I wanted to introduce myself now that im moving there but I didn’t know if it was a thing there. In my home country im very close to my neighbors and we share food, and for example when my wife bakes we give cookies to the neighbors and they bring us food when they do things we like but I didn’t know if that was a thing there. I’ll bring cookies from my home city 😂 they are always a hit 😂

[@simplegermany]

Fantastic! Have a great move 😊

[@nomirrors3552]

I've heard about Sunday and after 10pm, but I had never heard about quiet time from 1-3pm. Is that everywhere, for example in Berlin?

[@simplegermany]

No it’s not enforced everywhere. Highly depends on the age and conservative level of your neighbors. Like we said we don’t need to pay attention to it with our neighbors 🙈

[@Pewtah]

Rest periods at lunchtime are not regulated nationwide. Several federal states no longer have a fixed ordinance in this regard. Therefore, it is usually up to the municipalities to determine appropriate rest periods, especially in health resorts. And midday rest periods may be specified in your house rules.

[@nomirrors3552]

@@Pewtah Would you happen to know if Berlin does it?

[@Pewtah]

@@nomirrors3552 A general midday rest period is not regulated by law in Berlin. Source: Landes-Immissionsschutzgesetz Berlin (LImSchG).

[@nomirrors3552]

@@Pewtah You're the best. Thank you!

[@LAdair-td9ih]

I am moving to Germany soon from the US. Do you have any suggestions for anything from the US I could bring as a gift for our new neighbors?

[@Hotaru25]

There's no need. Just greet everyone, be polite in general and be a good neighbor. Everyone appreciates these things here in Germany. Also, avoid to move in a building where only old people live. Some they're a bit cranky and though to deal with. Where in Germany will you move?

[@ankitaverma1931]

I have been living in Germany for 4 years now and I have seen my neighbors only once . I even don't know who lives nearby 😭

[@simplegermany]

Oh wow, ok that is rare!

[@arnodobler1096]

Maybe organize a party for example, barbecue (everyone brings something with salads drinks meat) games for the kids etc. Put a letter ".... Who is interested?" and distribute it. "Love" goes through the stomach and a few beers help too. Just a suggestion. Maybe people also think: You want to have your peace!? I know almost everyone in our street because: During Advent (24 days before Christmas) every day a neighbor makes a stand with mulled wine and children's punch - everyone brings their cup and cookies. You can donate something, which then goes to local organizations. So nice. Ich kenne fast alle in unserer Straße weil: In der Adventszeit (24 Tage vor Weihnachten) macht jeden Tag ein Nachbar einen Stand mit Glühwein und Kinderpunsch - jeder bringt seinen Becher mit und Gebäck. Man kann etwas spenden, was dann an örtliche Organisationen geht. So schön. Organisiere vielleicht mal ein Fest zum Beispiel, Grillen (jeder bringt was mit Salate Getränke Fleisch) Spiele für die Kinder usw. Setz ein Schreiben ".... Wer hat Interesse?" auf und verteil es. "Liebe" geht durch den Magen und ein paar Bier helfen auch. Nur ein Vorschlag. Vielleicht denken die Leute auch: Du willst deine Ruhe haben!?

[@simplegermany]

Wow, that is a nice tradition your street has! 😊

[@HL-uw7fk]

Neighbours above us have a dog that walks/runs loud like an elephant from 6-8 AM in the morning 😅 interesting is that building is brand new and you cannot hear even extremely loud music or people having a party, but this dog is unbelievable. What to do? 😂

[@simplegermany]

That sounds very unfortunate 🙈

[@Universe11.11Tarot]

Please help me I live in second floor and my neighbours since they come they have been annoying 🙄 telling us to to make any Noise and imean even tinny Noise...our TV volume is 20 volume and we barely hear nothing I can't workout in my home because of them ...plus 😑 am sad and I don't feel happy anymore in my house and they find us here and before they come here we had the owner which were old people and they were okay with all situation 😔

[@simplegermany]

So sorry to hear. In these cases it’s best to seek an open dialog with all neighbors to find a common ground. And if all else fails, people move because they don’t get along with neighbors if you are renting.

[@travelandliveingermany7295]

Ohje, I made the experinece that the neighbours in Germany do not take so much care of each other. They are very egocentric, often disrecpectful, many times the wifes. On the other Hand I made pretty good experiences with migrants in the neighbourhood who are respectful and polite.

[@sabafj369]

It's extremely hard to have a neighbor in Germany. You're just like telling us to breath in the space while there's no oxygen!.

[@arionfar]

How about you make a video teaching germans how to be a good neighbor?! most germans see a foreigner neighbor forget there are rules and foreigners also don't like noisy neighbors.

[@krugerfuchs]

I don't want neighbours