Culture tips

Germans describe themselves as Brötchen, which is a roll that you get in like a bakery that's got a really hard outside crust and a really soft gooey middle. When you first meet a German, they're hard, there's a wall there, they don't want to talk to you, but once they get to know you and realize that you're sincere, they open up and they will do anything for you. Germans are some of the most kind, loving people I've ever talked to, which is not what you think of when you think of a stereotypical German, but they are so loving and so willing to help anyone in need. They just need to get to know you, so just be open to them. You've probably heard about how Germans are just like super straightforward about everything, which is very true. Germans, they just don't, they respect you so much when you're just like, dude, I'm sorry, it was my fault. Not going to try to blame it on anybody, they respect you a ton.

Video 2 Transcript

I don't know if it's like this everywhere, but I was in East Germany and when you enter a room, it's good manners to shake everyone's hand and I mean everyone's hand. I was in class, high school class, I blew my nose in the class and that was a big no-no. They looked at me like I was nuts, like what are you doing blowing your nose? So I guess you just sniff until you can get to the bathroom. Don't blow your nose in front of people. East and West Germany are very different from each other. Berlin, they have something called High German, Hochdeutsch, which is easier to understand and East Germany, I'd compare it to like the South where they have kind of a draw and they kind of put all their words together. It's harder to understand. So if you've learned some German, it's going to be easier for you to understand High German in Berlin than it will be to understand the Saxish language in East Germany, Saxon area.

Video 3 Transcript

As far as the culture is concerned, it can be really hard at first. German people are the best. However, they can be a little prideful. They can shut you down. They're not afraid to be super blunt and honest with you. So that can be really tricky at first. However, once you figure out, you'll realize that German people are the best. You'll learn to appreciate the honesty. You'll learn to appreciate who they are, how they are. And I loved that part of it. I thought that was great. However, it was very hard to adapt to it at first, especially early on when it's kind of hard with the language. German people were not that patient. However, you'll come to learn that they're super loyal, super great people when it comes down to it in their heart. So it can be a little cold-hearted at first, but in the end, they're great. So just be patient with them and you'll learn to love them.

Video 4 Transcript

Not all Germans are angry when they speak. They speak just like we do, just in a more more German form, I guess, like with their accents and everything. And they are very much so calm when they talk to you. Only if they're actually angry with you, they will let you know when they're angry with you. But they're always very calm. And they're also very willing to help you. They're more than willing to help with your luggage or with carrying something or just helping you off the train or anything really. They're really friendly people and are like your neighbor you can rely on. Really cool people.

Video 5 Transcript

So Germans are very straightforward people and they're very blunt about things. They don't mean to be rude and they're just very blunt about it and they believe very much in being honest, which I really admire. Even though they're very straightforward and a lot of times they're very serious, they also just have the biggest hearts. The German people have really mastered charity and they just love helping out people and doing anything that they can to serve others. Germans use a fork and knife while eating. They also eat french fries with a fork.

Video 6 Transcript

German people love their language and if you love their language and make it a priority, then they will see that and they will respect you for that because it's not an easy language, but if you learn to speak the way they speak and listen to the way they speak and try to emulate them and connect with them on that level, it'll make a huge difference.

Video 7 Transcript

This is one of the most important culture tips you could probably receive. Do not be late. Germans do not like when you're late. If you are late to anything with an actual German, they will be disappointed. Do not be late.

Video 8 Transcript

A culture tip with Germany. If you're ever invited to a German person's home, follow the host, please. It's really important to make sure that you are eating the way that they are. Germans sometimes eat a little different than others, but generally they have fork in the left hand, knife in the right hand. They really don't let go of those before until they're done eating. You always ask if you don't want to eat more food, don't say, oh, ich bin gut. Say, alles gut bei mir. Because if you say, ich bin gut, then that actually means that you want more. You're like, oh, I'm good, I'll have some more. And so, just make sure that you say it correctly, because Germans, they love to fill you up. They determine if the meal went well as if you're stuffed to crazy, or if all the food's gone. And so, just know how to say no when you're eating and have really good manners. Yeah, really important in Germany.

Video 9 Transcript

Should you ever find yourself in the home of a German Oma and she presents you with food, you must eat all of it. And they need a second helping. This is imperative and so so important. I made the mistake of not eating all of the food from this lovely lovely German grandmother and she was in tears. She was sad. She thought her cooking was not that good when in reality it was amazing. And that's just a thing in Germany, at least with the older people, you eat all of your food.

Video 10 Transcript

Germans don't really get sarcasm. So if you're trying to be sarcastic, they'll take it literally. They take everything very literally. There's that. They also love Christmas. Christmas is a huge deal for the Germans. They will go out every town. Every town. Even the tiny ones will go out. All out. Decorating the entire city. Lights, food, stands, carnivals, Christmas markets. Almost forgot how to say it in English. It's insane.

Video 11 Transcript

They love being helpful. They love helping people out. They love feeling that importance of them helping someone. That's super important to them. So if you ever want to connect with a German person, ask them for help. Like, hey, can I practice my German with you? Or, hey, do you know where this place is, this street or this address? I'm not really sure where it is. Hey, do you know where any good doctors are? I have this weird thing, like, I don't know, like maybe you have some, you need to go to a doctor or a dentist for some reason, you know, just asking people for help. That's one of the most important things, like, to really connect with them.

Video 12 Transcript

I feel like this best sums up Germans, and not every German because you can't necessarily generalize every German and put them in a pot just like you can't do that with Americans or any other type of country, but sometimes Germans can be very mean strangers but the very best friends, but for the most part I've just noticed and I've noticed this in every country that I've ever gone to that just having the respect for their culture and their country is very important, and being kind and being a friend and truly genuinely caring. Everybody speaks that language. There's little, you know, quirks and little things you'll learn along the way but honestly the most important thing is just to be kind.

Video 13 Transcript

Hi, my name is Angela Burke and we are a military family. My husband was in the military for over 20 years and we lived in Germany for about nine and a half years. My biggest takeaway from living in Germany is that it is a beautiful country with a rich, wonderful culture and if you go experience as much as you can, please realize that Germans are not the most friendly people. They are not trying to be rude, they are blunt. So they may say or do something that you will take offense at, but they are just being straightforward and that's just their way of speaking and talking. Many of them speak English, but they do appreciate you to at least try to speak some German to them and they like politeness, they like respect, they like quietness. So sometimes we're going to come across as a really loud, brash, unruly American, which is not appreciated in their country. They like a little bit more of a subdued atmosphere.

Video 14 Transcript

Germans do love their country, and I think for good reason, I think it's an amazing place. So I think, especially for people from other countries coming to Germany, they're really going to appreciate if you treasure their country as well. If you don't come in and start criticizing it, or disregard their culture or their rules in their culture, they're really going to appreciate if you sort of take on a little bit of their culture and try to appreciate the good things about their culture and about their country.