I went to Lisbon, Portugal a few weeks ago for my 23rd birthday with a dear friend from undergrad at Wash U! We were in the same sorority while at Wash U and are now both getting our Master’s in Europe (she’s in London). A few days before we left, the weather called for rain the entire weekend!!! Isn’t Lisbon supposed to be warm and dry?
This is now my third time living in Germany for an extended period of time and it is amazing how many differences exist between the United States and Germany. Here are some observations and cultural differences I’ve noticed! I was inspired to write this list after reading this list.
1. The German health insurance system is much easier to follow than the American system. I email my insurance adviser about once a week and always get a response within a day. (Hey Blue Cross, Blue Shield…take a HINT!)
2. Germans really love the environment and there have been elections decided based on a politician’s environmental viewpoint.
3. The garbage is divided by plastic, paper, organic/food waste, glass, and basic waste. They get really offended/upset if you throw away garbage into the wrong section.
4. German men love brightly colored pants. I approve.
5. Germans aren’t religious individuals (they think it is weird I want to go to church…especially as a young adult) but they are OBSESSED with Christmas and Advent. Seriously, Christmas decorations started going up in September. Yet, they only go to church on Christmas and Easter. I’m so confused, it doesn’t make sense.
6. They don’t like small talk and don’t partake in it. It is kind of eery how quiet buses and trams are because no one talks to each other.
7. Germans don’t have many friends. They think it is weird that Americans have many friends and call everyone a friend, even when we initially meet someone. Germans tend to just have a few close friends.
8. They’re crazy about soccer (oh, excuse me, fußball). Very crazy! Probably doesn’t help that the USA and Germany are in the same grouping for the World Cup this summer…
9. They really like their bread and cake and coffee (and cake with coffee). They have an obsession with gelato as well.
10. Government officials never work. The hours to get my visa were limited to about 3-4 days a week for a 3 hour time span. It was more difficult figuring out when they were open than actually getting my visa.
11. Speaking of being open, Germans celebrate just about every random Christian holiday. I think in my state alone (Baden-Württemberg), they observe 13-15 Christian holidays every year.
12. German stores are required, by law, to be closed on Sundays. Which causes a lot of issues when you forget to stock up on food the day before…
13. Germans love these type of shoes. All of my German friends own a pair. They really know how to wear short boots!
14. There are no superstores in Germany (think, no Target!). Therefore, in order to get hair supplies, groceries, and storage bins….I have to go to 3 different stores.
15. It always rains in Germany. It actually is quite depressing sometimes! However, Germans know how to dress fashionably for the rain.
16. I think Germans learn how to ride bikes before they learn how to walk. These little 5-year-olds are much better at biking than I am!
17. Germans go all-out on breakfast! They love their boiled eggs, bread, cheese, meat, coffee, müsli, and yogurt.
18. You have to pay for public restrooms…always bring loose change with you!
19. Smoking is still very prevalent in Germany. For how advanced and progressive Germany is compared to the United States, everyone still smokes!
20. According to my little brother, Mercedes, Audis, and BMWs are the equivalent to Fords in the USA. Everyone drives one of those 3 car brands!
21. Another observation made by my little brother, meat (and meals in general) are served colder in Germany than in the USA
22. Germans don’t jaywalk and judge you if you do jaywalk. They even have signs in German that say, “Set a good example, don’t jaywalk in front of children.” This is a hard habit for me to break!
23. Going along with #22, in general, Germans are rule followers. They like to follow rules and they like order and they don’t like people who don’t follow rules.
24. If you’re on time, you’re late to the Germans. They take punctuality very seriously and are always on time.
25. They aren’t politically correct and say however they feel about a certain situation. Very different from Americans who tend to censor and try not to offend anyone.
26. Americans tend to give movies rated R ratings for language and nudity. Germans tend to give movies the equivalent rating due to violence. Very different standards for judging movies
27. German men don’t ever approach women. EVER. American men are much more forward and willing to at least talk to a women. German men won’t ever make a move. I honestly don’t understand how this country even reproduces based upon the shyness (awkwardness? lack of forwardness?) of German men.
28. Germans love their beer. But, you will rarely ever see a German drunk.
29. Germans don’t like ice, especially ice in water. They say that ice hurts their teeth.
30. Germans also don’t like spicy food. If you order something that is spicy, it will probably be very mild.
31. It is really hard to tell straight German men from gay German men because they all dress so well! And they always are so well-groomed!
32. Going through the checkout lines at supermarkets, DM (dm-drogerie markt), etc is the most rapid process ever. I always feel like I’m in some high-speed chase when trying to pack up all my groceries into bags.
33. You have to bring your own bags everywhere. They charge outrageous amounts of money if you want to use bags at the store (like 10-20 cents per bag).
34. Germans bring their dogs everywhere. In stores, in restaurants, everywhere!
35. In America, we wear Birkenstocks everywhere. In Germany, they think it is weird that Americans wear Birkenstocks out in public. They are considered “house shoes” in Germany.
36. Everything is closed for at least an hour during lunch time. I swear, the bank is only open for like 5 hours a day.
37. German men are much more hands-on fathers than American Dads. German Dads are typically seen (alone) with their children in public…playing with them, pushing their stroller, going to the park, etc. (Side note, my Dad was a very hands-on Dad…maybe due to his German roots!)
38. Because everything is closed on Sundays (due to law), Germans consider Sunday to be “family day.” You will frequently see German families outside at parks or strolling in the Altstadt.
39. Bottled water costs more than beer.
40. Also, Germans don’t ever drink tap water (even though I find it perfectly fine). Everyone drinks bottled water
41. Jack Wolfskin is the unofficial national brand of Germany. Everyone wears Jack Wolfskin.
42. As much as Germans love punctuality, Deutsche Bahn is really hit-or-miss in terms of running on time! Get it together Deutsche Bahn!
43. Most Germans don’t use their real name on Facebook. Instead, they have some random last name.
44. Besides bratwursts and beer, Spargel (aka Asparagus) is the national food of Germany.
45. They are obsessed with the show “Tatort.” I’ve never seen it but heard it is kind of like “NCIS”?! It is a crime scene show that takes place in a different German city every Sunday
46. Döner, a turkish food, is the best drunk food. Ever.
47. Germans don’t ever throw away a plastic bottle in the trash. Each plastic bottle has Pfand (a deposit) and when you return it to a grocery store, you can easily get back 25 cents per bottle. That adds up quickly!
48. A waiter/waitress will never just bring you the bill. You must always ask for it. They think it is more courteous this way.
49. Most people pay for everything in cash. They might have a debit/credit card, but they rarely use it.
50. Germans are really into, and concerned with, titles. It isn’t surprising to have a Professor who’s title is “Herr/Frau Professor Dr. Dr. Dr.” And they get really offended when you don’t use the correct title to address them
51. Germans don’t sleep with top sheets, only duvet covers.
52. Mothers actually get paid maternity leave in Germany and substantial time off.
Do you agree? Disagree? I’d love to hear other opinions…especially from Germans and Americans living in Germany!
The Heidelberg Christmas Market has been absolutely wonderful! It is so nice to step outside after class and be right in a Christmas Market (all my classes are in the Old Town, which is where the Heidelberg Christmas Market is held)! I’ve been spoiling myself with Gluehwein (mulled wine), bratwursts, and crepes!
As much as I love Germany and all the wonderful cities within Germany, London stole my heart many years ago. After living in that city for a summer, it always feels like I am coming home whenever I go to London. I spent the summer between my sophomore and junior year of university studying at the London School of Economics and interning in the House of Lords. To be honest, I spent that summer being as posh as possible…seeing the Royal Family (Kate Middleton!), going to the Royal Ascot (with a giant hat), attending Wimbledon, drinking champagne at polo matches, etc. It was probably the best summer of my life.
Yesterday, December 6th, was St. Nikolaus Day in Germany. On the night of December 5th, all the children put their shoes (or usually just one shoe so they don’t appear too greedy!) outside their bedroom door and St. Nikolaus comes during the middle of the night to fill their shoe(s) with candy, small toys, coins, etc. If you’re interested in finding out more about the German tradition of St. Nikolaus Day, I would suggest reading this article.
I love The Phantom of the Opera and when my friend, Cat, told me it was based on Palais Garnier in Paris, I knew I had to visit it! Honestly, the line between what is fact and what is fiction is a bit blurred. For the most part, the story of The Phantom of the Opera is fictional. However, the author of the book, Gaston Leroux, continued to claim on his deathbed that the Phantom did really exist.
My friend Maren and I spent an entire afternoon/early evening at Versailles. Besides the fact that it was absolutely freezing, the sun was shining and there was hardly anyone at Versailles. I had been to Versailles once before but Maren had never been there so it was entertaining to watch her face once Versailles finally came into view! It is spectacular, isn’t it?
Enjoy this assortment of Paris photos from Montmartre, Sacre Coeur, flea markets, and lots of yummy meals!
I spent last weekend in Paris with my friend Maren! I’ve actually been to Paris once before a few years ago for a class trip but never really got an opportunity to truly explore the city. Paris was absolutely wonderful…gorgeous architecture, yummy food/crepes/pastries, delicious wine, and stunning fashion!
I went with Calli and his mother to Münster, which was only a 20-30 minute car ride, and explored the city. I had never been to Münster before and it is an absolutely charming city. Münster claims to be the bike capital of Germany and there are supposedly more bikes than people in the city. Yes, I’m still trying to figure out how that fact makes sense as well (do people have a road bike and a mountain bike!?).