50 things we've learnt about the Germans

So after spending over 9 months here in Germany we feel qualified to share a few observations that we've made about Germans. Whilst Germany is really very similar to England, there are lots of cultural differences that struck us as noteworthy. We managed to narrow these differences down to 50 observations and below are a list of things we have noticed during our time here - things that we find good, bad, maybe just strange. We (Lois and I) hope you enjoy this post.

(Obviously this post shouldn't be taken too seriously and is a light hearted look at certain parts of German society and different behaviours. Some of these observations are sweeping generalisations and unfair stereotypes and we understand this - please don't be offended!)

1.       Germans love 'kaffee und kuchen'

'Kaffee und kuchen' or 'Coffee and cake' is an important part of the day for many Germans. No matter what day of the week, if you walk past a German café you are sure to see some people enjoying this traditional German pastime. Moreover, it is often the case that people enjoy 'kaffee und kuchen' several times a week, if not every day! We're aware coffee and cake is also popular in the UK, but here you can't walk down a high-street without passing several signs advertising this popular German afternoon affair. (We've come to understand why this is so popular - German cake is delicious!)

We've enjoyed many servings of 'kaffee und kuchen'

2.       Germans like to talk to themselves

Germans love to talk to themselves; it’s as simple as that. Maybe it's more 'thinking out loud', but I’ve heard teachers having full blown conversations with themselves in a deserted staffroom and people in supermarkets debating whether this sausage is better than that sausage. God forbid, I’ve even found myself doing it recently.

3.       Germans love boots, bakeries, yoghurt

An observation that we noticed very early on during our time here - These are three staples in every German’s life. A fresh pair of boots is purchased every year for the winter. Bakeries are never more than 100 yards apart and no matter what time of day, are always busy. Yoghurt and Quark (a strange mixture of cheese, yoghurt and milk as far as we can tell) come in all sorts of varieties in Germany. You can tell how much the Germans love yoghurt by the fact that you can buy 1kg pots (this is something we will miss).

Heaven in yogurt form

4.       Germans have breakfast, brunch and lunch in one day

Working in a school has made us realise how much Germans eat. The two minute break between lessons is the perfect opportunity to have a pretzel, whereas the fifteen minute break every two lessons provides time for a whole sandwich. This is on top of their breakfast and it being only an hour until lunch. And the strangest thing is, so few people are obese. Not even a little chubby. After seeing the amount of carbs consumed, just before 12:00, we really don't know how they do it!

5.       Germans have COLD winters

Whilst we appear to have escaped the worst of the German winter (this year’s snowfall was particularly light), we had a little taster of what it can be like. The German wind bites you like nothing else we've ever experienced and morning frost is icy enough to freeze the warmest of souls. German winters really are cold.

6.       Germans use the word ‘genau’ way too much

The word ‘genau’ best translates as ‘exactly’. But the Germans use it for everything. To agree with something, as a response to a question instead of saying 'yes' and for so many more things in between. If you listen to a German conversation, I can guarantee you will hear at least one use of the word ‘genau’. Genau.

7.       Germans talk loud, really loud

Germans just seem to have loud voices. Whether talking to you directly or if you just overhear conversations, the idea of a private conversation doesn't seem to exist here. Conversations over the phone seem to be the worst – In England people tend to try to talk quietly in an effort to keep the conversation private, but Germans really do leave nothing to hide.

8.       Germans stare

In England, there is that moment when two complete strangers make eye to eye contact and then both parties quickly look away and feel very awkward and embarrassed. In Germany this situation just doesn't happen. We've both ended up making unintentional eye contact with a stranger, only to look away but then noticing the stranger still staring. Furthermore, Germans make no effort to hide these stares. Lois especially has had to put up with lots and lots of staring. Maybe it's just us and we just look 'English'! 

9.       Germans are extremely practical

Yes, it’s a stereotype but Germans really are very practical. Whether it be their super-efficient recycling system (which we come to later) or just the fact that trains have two decks, thus meaning they can carry more people (I’m amazed England have yet to cotton on to this simple yet effective measure!), Germans seem to have it sussed. The whole country runs in a very productive way.

This slide was inside a cinema. Not only will children
not hurt themselves by falling down the stairs
but they also get to the ground floor faster - practical and efficient!

10.   German houses are cool, and almost always on three floors

We haven’t been in many German houses, but the ones we have been seem very similar. They are often very practically furnished, with a specific place for everything, often with modern furnishings and almost always on three floors. You very rarely see run-down houses since the Germans are very house proud people. We like German houses.

11.   Germans are good drivers

In comparison to the UK, the number of car crashes here is very small. Germans just seem to be able to drive well. This is emphasized in the fact that many stretches of ‘Autobahn’ (motorway) don’t actually have a speed limit. But even though drivers can therefore drive however fast they like, there are still very few incidents. German roads and Autobahns run very smoothly indeed.

12.   Germans love bikes and cycle EVERYWHERE. Bikes rule here

Germans really do love their bikes. Almost every person has one and uses it regularly. Cities are very bike friendly, offering bike lanes, bikes crossings and bike parking. People ride to the supermarket, ride to the shops and ride to work and school. The significance of the bike is shown by the fact that bikes always have right of way – whether you’re a driver or a pedestrian, the cyclist is always right!

This shows two of Germanys' loves combined - A pretzel shaped bike stand

13.   Germans worship Glühwein as soon as November hits

Everybody knows the Germans love Glühwein, but we only thought it was drunk at Christmas. But no. As soon as November begins, shelves upon shelves of supermarket aisles become stocked full of Glühwein. And in every different variety you could imagine. White Glühwein, Apple Glühwein, even Chocolate Glühwein. We certainly enjoyed the wide and cheap availability of such a delicious beverage.

14.   Germans' English is always going to be better than your German.

We have to admit we’ve been really surprised by how good the level of English is in Germany, especially in the school. Everybody can speak a certain level of English and the majority can speak it pretty much fluently. Many students in our schools have better second language skills than both of us! It’s really made us aware of the dominance the English language holds internationally. Saying this, it’s understandable that their English is so good. Adverts, films and music are often in English and there are examples of English everywhere you look.

15.   Germans don't understand traditional English tea

Whilst their grasp of the English language is applaudable, what the Germans consider to be ‘English’ tea, really isn’t English tea. Germans drink tea black or they drink fruit tea. Neither of which is English. Yet this nasty tasting beverage is still labelled as 'English Tea' in many places. Watch out! Our students and teachers turned their noses up when they learnt we put milk in our tea. You can’t purchase what we consider to be English tea anywhere, so we’re definitely looking forward to some ‘proper’ tea when we get home.

16.   Germans actually wear lederhosen

The image of somebody wearing Lederhosen is very stereotypically German – it couldn’t be anything else. But we were both very shocked to see people ACTUALLY wearing them. For special events Lederhosen (and the female equivalent – the Dirndl) are worn with pride, but we’ve even seen them just being worn casually – by people doing their supermarket shop or just going for an afternoon stroll. We’ve also learnt that here in Bavaria, it seems that every single person has the traditional dress – even the children at school have their own mini pair. It seems that if you live in Bavaria, you simply MUST own Lederhosen or a Dirndl.

17.   German teens are stylish

Working in schools means we’re surrounded by German teens. And one thing that has been obvious is just how stylish they are. It seems they really know how to dress and what is cool and what isn’t. The males take extra pride in fashionable outfits whilst the girls wear clothes to suit their image, in contrast to England, where girls seem to compete to wear the shortest or smallest items. 

18.   Germans love Jack Wolfskin

So there is this person and he’s called Jack Wolfskin. And he is every Germans best friend. If you don’t own something that has a label saying ‘Jack Wolfskin’, you’re simply not German. Winter coats, Anoraks, Shoes – you name it, it’s all about Jack Wolfskin. And if that weren’t enough, like we mentioned with the boots, several new Jack Wolfskin purchases are made at the beginning of every winter.

19.   Germans see no problem with eating ice cream on even the coldest winter days

Whilst most real Ice cream parlours close over the winter months, this doesn’t mean they all close. And they don’t all close because of one reason – there is still demand for ice cream. That’s right – no matter how much it’s snowing, no matter how many Celsius below 0 it is, and no matter what time of day it is, for Germans there is always time for ice cream. We have both witnessed people enjoying Ice creams and even huge ice cream sundaes on a Tuesday Morning in early January – jeez, I think it was still dark outside! Despite our dismay at this ice cream obsession, as two ice cream fans, in all fairness, we really quite like it.

20.   Germans also see no problem with drinking alcohol at any time and in any place

Everybody knows the Germans like their beer. But until you’ve spent time in Germany, you don’t realise just how much they like their beer. Drinking in public is fully acceptable in Germany, whether that’s on the bus, on the train or in the park. And it’s not just the tramps and alcoholics who enjoy alcohol wherever they want. You can often see respectable looking people enjoying a mid-day beer. This brings us to the next point – any time is an acceptable time to drink alcohol. Walk past a café at 9:00 on a Tuesday and hidden amongst the morning coffee drinkers (and those enjoying early kaffee und kuchen of course!), you will see somebody enjoying a fresh beer. Lunch time is a very popular time for beer too.

21.   Germans brew the best beer

Whilst on the topic of beer, we have to mention this. German beer is the best. Fact. We’re not sure how or why, it just is. They have a choice of hundreds of different types of beer and each town often has it’s very own brewery. Of course, we spent our time in Bavaria and this is the beer brewing and beer drinking capital of Germany. We both like Weissbier, which has an almost fruity taste, but our favourite has got be a nice cold Helles, or light beer. (Germans also serve beer by the half litre, which is more than a pint and is very often cheaper!)

Beer can be purchased by the crate load too!

22.   German pillows are massive and square

German pillows aren’t the small, rectangular cosy pillows we’re familiar with in the UK. Oh no, German pillows are huge, square things, that, contrary to many things German, really aren’t efficient to be used as a pillow. They’re just too big! We’re looking forward to having nice, ‘normal’ pillows again.

23.   Germans would rather have two individual quilts on a double bed than share

For some this would be a disadvantage, for others an advantage. But more often than not, a double bed will have two individual quilts. It’s quite nice actually and completely eliminates the old ‘stop-stealing-the-covers’ argument.

Notice the two quilts on a double bed
Also notice the huge square pillows!

24.   Germans are very hospitable

This is something very positive and something that we really must draw attention to. Germans really are very hospitable. Ok, they may not hold the door open for you and may not always say ‘thank you’, but when you’re a guest, they will really make you feel welcome. We’ve both been so well looked after by our teachers at our schools and we would have felt very comfortable asking for anything. When we visited Lois’ teachers’ house, we were doted upon like royalty. This hospitality even stretches to the hairdressers – whenever I go there, I’m always offered refreshments and drinks – this may happen in the UK, but it has been a new experience for me!

25.   Germans love Christmas

Maybe this is an obvious one, but Germans do love Christmas. From the beginning of November, you begin to see signs that Christmas is coming and once December arrives, towns, cities and houses break out into colourful lights and Christmas markets. Christmas markets are packed week in, week out and everybody really gets into the spirit. Germans also take a very long time to remove everything Christmassy. They seem to love Christmas so much, that they refuse to acknowledge that it’s over. We saw many decorations, both in the city and in houses, still hanging at the end of January. Now, we love Christmas too, but once it’s over, it’s time to move on. It’s going to happen again, you know!

This picture was taken in a Christmas shop, that is open
throughout the entire year! That's how much Germany loves Christmas!

26.   Germans don't shy away from their past

      Contrary to what the Brits think, the old 'Don't mention the war' thing doesn't actually apply to the Germans (when we spoke to our classes about this, they burst out laughing!). We guess that they're not exactly 'comfortable' about their infamous past, but they certainly don't shy away from it. They embrace it and often even promote the learning about it. There are many, many museums and memorials that offer honest and interesting information about German history, and we think this is great. Perhaps the best example is the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. Located right in the centre of Berlin, just next to the German Government Building and close to tourist sights, it is a very prominent and obvious memorial, showing that the Germans recognise their history and aren't trying to hide it.

Another good example of embracing their past -
Stolpersteine or 'stumbling stones' can be found in every town and city in Germany.
They are placed outside houses that Jews lived in and who were taken
away by the Nazis during their time in power. Effective.

27.   Germans don't do 'just browsing'

So you want to just see how much that sandwich is? Or you want to just check how much that dress in the window costs? Not in Germany. You enter a shop and you’re immediately pounced upon and offered help. In a bakery, you're immediately asked for your order, as if you’ve checked out the goods on offer and worked out which one you’d like within the first half a second of entering. Maybe it’s just German efficiency, or maybe they’re just trying to be friendly, but a little time to actually see what’s on offer, would be nice.

28.   Germans adore recycling and actually enjoy the process

That’s right – Germans adore recycling. Almost everything can be recycled and everything has its specific place. German kitchens have several different bins for the different materials and it's no different in the towns and cities. If you put your empty wrapper into the food waste bin in the city, just pray that no one was watching! (I have to say, this has begun to rub off onto me – “Lois, you put the cardboard in the plastics again!)

Put your litter in the wrong bin and your place in heaven is at risk!

29.   Germans have no issue with routing through bins in order to find something to recycle and get some money!

This is something that we think is great. In order to encourage recycling (not that the Germans need encouraging) plastic or glass bottles come with a ‘pfand’. This is like a deposit – once you’ve finished your drink, take the bottle back to the store and you receive some money back. Easy and very effective – if the UK introduced this, people would recycle a lot more, I’ll tell you. In this way, it is not uncommon to see people peering into bins in order to find any empty bottles that some rebellious youth has thrown away. Over the year here I’ve got to know the ‘regular bottle searches’ who spend the entire day walking around the city, on their set route, checking every single bin in order to find bottles. I’ve even seen them with torches, so they can see right to the bottom! They do actually seem to do well out of it and often have several bags full. They really don’t care about the social stigma associated with reaching into smelly bins – but I guess as well as giving them a little pocket money, it’s also helping the environment – good on you bottle searchers!

30.   Germans take Sunday as the day of rest very seriously

On a Sunday in Germany, all shops close. It is a day to be spent with family, either inside or outside. Many people go walking or jogging, and Sundays often involve a Sunday lunch. Work shouldn’t be done and the atmosphere should be calm. You will often see people washing cars or mowing lawns on Saturday, so that this is done for Sunday. Whilst I do like the fact that Sunday is family day, without shops or attractions to distract you, when you’re in need of some food, this is a problem – it requires you to become very organised and plan ahead.

31.   Germans love public holidays. EVERYTHING is closed

I guess this is similar to England really, but on a public holiday everything is closed. Need something for your bank holiday barbeque – no chance. You’re stuffed if you haven’t thought ahead.

32.   Germans love to shake your hand (on your birthday, to wish you a happy new year, any celebration really)

A firm hand shake is given for any sort of celebration. No hugs or kisses. They seem to love giving hand shakes.

33.  Germans spend ages in the toilet. No idea what they do in there

       Text. Sleep. Read another chapter of their book. All of these are perfectly plausible possibilities. They really do enjoy taking their time. There is often a queue for toilets, especially womens, and it's not often a queue that moves fast like in the UK.

34.   German guys often have good hair

     I have to admit it, but I'm pretty jealous of many of my students hair. I don't know how they do it, but they seem to just have naturally cool hair! And I'm not talking about the 80's style German mullet (of which I've only seen one incidentally), no, I'm talking about that smooth, swept back, formal, yet also informal, look that they just pull off effortlessly. Ok, chill out Marcus.

35.   Germans, or certainly many of them, like to smoke

      This is something we have both noticed and is actually rather unpleasant. The number of smokers here in Germany, is far greater than the number of smokers in England. And here, people seem to smoke everywhere. The law takes a relaxed approach to the ban on smoking in public places meaning many biergartens and outdoor seating areas are often clouded in smoke. Smoking is however strictly banned indoors, which we are very thankful for. 

36.   Germans like to take their time. If you're in a rush, don't expect them to move out of the way in a hurry

      Germans don't seem to like to walk fast. Pavements become ever-changing mazes of people for people like us, who actually want to get somewhere before Christmas. Even if they are aware of your desire to quickly scoot past, it's unlikely this will result in them moving out of the way or speeding up. (This rule has an exception - when boarding a train, it seems they can't get on quick enough. Often before other passengers have been able to disembark, people are pushing their way on and forcing their way to seat. I have actually seen more manners during feeding time at the zoo, than I have on German train platforms)

37.   Germans worship anything with wheels - cars (obviously), bikes, skateboards, even shopping bags! They all seem to have them

      So bikes have been mentioned, but it seems anything with wheels is worthy of worship. If grown adults don't have a bike to commute to work on, then they will use a scooter - that's right, a scooter (And not one with an engine!) The majority of people have their own trolleys / shopping bags that are dragged round stores. Lots of young people have skateboards and on Sundays whole families whip out roller-skates for a family skate around the local park.

38.   Germans have no issue with discussing financial matters - especially matters which most of us would consider private

       "How much was it?" - We have often been asked how much we have paid for a hotel or for a flight or what our rent is. We're not too prissy, but these are things we just don't think are asked often in the UK. Teachers often tell us things about their finances that we really shouldn't know - how much they earn, how much certain things cost. If the cost of something crops up  in conversation, exact figures are often given, often with a hint of pride attached.

39.   Germans are very energy conscious - so much so that they turn off traffic lights when the traffic is light

       This was something very strange for us to see. During the night, traffic lights are actually turned off. Dangerous, maybe, but think of the energy wasted during these hours, when so few cars are on the road. This also links with the efficiency observation - you know the feeling, it's the middle of the night, no other cars are on the road and you're stuck for minutes at a red light. Well that doesn't happen in Germany! Other examples of energy consciousness are lights that switch off after a certain amount of time (these can be found everywhere) and almost every single bike has it's own dynamo, meaning as you ride, you also power your bike lights.

40.   Germans love their winter coats!

       Like we said above, every year the Germans appear to buy a new winter coat. And they fall in love with this new coat so much so that they refuse to take it off. At the time of writing (May), we have only just started to final see people venture outside without their big, thick winter coat. It really is insane. There have been days when we have been wearing t-shirts, but we have surrounded by Germans still in coats.

41. Germans love scarves, whatever the weather

      Whether winter or summer, Germans just love to have something round their necks. In winter this takes the form of a thick, wooly scarf (Jack Wolfskin, of course), which then gets increasingly thinner over the year until they reach summer and they can get away with a light, silk Necker. For some it may be a fashion accessory, for others, maybe they just feel too exposed without one. But women and men a like just love a good scarf!

42.   Germans love hiking poles!

       Whether you're hiking or not, there is always a place for hiking poles in Germany. You'd like to go on a relaxing Sunday walk - you'll need hiking poles for that. What about just nipping to the shops - whoa, there's a hill involved, you definitely need hiking poles for that. They really do love them.

43.   Germans bring their own baskets to the supermarket

       Like we've already mentioned with the wheel obsession thing, Germans all seem to have their own basket and shopping trolley. This comes everywhere with them. Who needs a rubbish supermarket basket, when you have your own - and your own has wheels! Wow!

44.   Germans have a good transport system

       People have very mixed opinions when it comes to Deutsche Bahn. But fortunately for Lois and I we have been very lucky with our experience of trains. Something you may find surprising is that they are not always on time, but apart from that we do struggle to find any other faults. The train network is huge and efficient. Trains have been our main mode of transport throughout our time, and we have been able to get to everywhere we have wanted to go and the trains themselves are usually very comfortable. In addition, the price of train travel in Germany is so much more reasonable than in the UK. They offer superb deals and if you travel with others you can save lots of money. Which brings us to our next point...

Sometimes we complain, but Deutsche Bahn really has been very good to us

45.   Germans like saving money. Expect to be asked if you want to share a train ticket to cut the price. They often corner you in the train station

       Hovering around train stations everywhere in Germany are money conscious travellers looking to save a few Euros by travelling in a group. Even if that means travelling with complete strangers. If you look a certain type (we're not really sure what this 'certain type' is) you will be asked if you would like to share a ticket. It can often be a little awkward, but if you think about it, it makes sense.   

46.   Germans always wish you a nice day

       Another very positive observation here. We have almost a 100% record for being wished a nice day when leaving somewhere. 'Schönen Tag noch' is a standard phrase here and it really is very friendly. We have been travelling on trains at 11:00pm and over the tanoy the conductor has wished the train a 'schönen Tag noch' - Even with just one hour of the left, people still share this greeting. How lovely.

47.   Germans.Love.Spargel

       Spargel, or Asparagus, season begins in March / April, when suddenly tiny little huts appear on the side of the road, as if out of no where, and begin to sell long, thick, white sticks of asparagus. And the Germans go crazy for it. Suddenly everywhere you look, you see asparagus. There are TV adverts, radio adverts, posters, offers in the supermarket, and restaurants offer special asparagus specialities - whole menus devoted to Spargel. A popular delicacy is spargel with hollandaise sauce. We have never tried it, in fact the big, thick white sticks, are actually quite intimidating and we wouldn't have a clue what to do with them anyway!

intimidating, huh?

These Spargel huts just spring out of nowhere!

48.   Germans are honest

      On most public transport, excluding trains, tickets are rarely checked. Be it bus, U-bahn, S-bahn, it's unlikely that you will see a conductor. In fact, we have used the bus in Regensburg every week and not once have been asked to show a ticket. This leaves people like me in a dilemma. Do I buy a ticket, even though I'm 95% sure I won't be checked? Or do I buy one just in case? But this doesn't seem to cross the Germans' minds. Very often they will still purchase a ticket and validate it. Drunks staggering down the road to catch the last bus home on a Saturday night, will also buy a ticket and validate it...somehow. This shows that Germans are honest. Another perfect example, is when at particular supermarkets, you weigh your own fruit and vegetables. A favourite trick of mine is to lift the bag slightly, supporting some of the weight with my arm and meaning it costs less. However, not once have I seen others do this. Germans obey the rules and for this we applaud them.

49.   Germans are normal

      Lets face it. We've all thought it. People from other countries just seem different. But living in another country has shown us that really other nationalities are not as different as we think. Ok, so we've wrote a list of 50 things that are different, but Germans really are just normal people. Like you and me. And I know it's strange, but we found this surprising.  

50.   Germans can tell you’re English

      Germans have this extra sense - comparable to Spidermans spidey-sense - that enables them to tell if you're English or not without you even talking. If someone asks me something and I only reply with something as short as 'Ja' or 'Nein', suddenly my cover has been blown and the person I'm speaking with switches to English. It gets even worse. Lois and I have been together, entered a restaurant, not said a word, and suddenly the waiter/waitress asks us for our order in English! How do they do it!? (That being said, on the off chance, that we manage to disguise our identity and pretend we are indeed German, we feel a huge sense of accomplishment indeed!)



       So there we have it - Just some of the observations we thought were worth mentioning. We've experienced so much more during our time here, but these were the most notable. Thanks for looking!