Cultural Differences
While German culture isn't, in general, too different from American culture, there are certain aspects those that live here take for granted as "obvious" that those visiting aren't aware of.
Safety and Travel
Don't jaywalk
Germany is very strict about jaywalking. Police will give tickets and citizens will yell at you. This is not only for your safety but also for the safety of the children. Germany is a country that believes in the communal raising of children and believes children learn from the adults around them.
The cross walk sign goes from green to red with no middle indication. If you have started crossing the street when it turns red, you are okay. But if it turns red before you start, don't try to cross, just wait for the next one.
Public transit etiquette
Etiquette for all forms of public transit
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Always let everybody off who wants to exit before you get on.
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Always offer your seat to the elderly, pregnant women, or people with crutches.
Bus-specific etiquette
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You can enter a bus using any door.
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You can exit the bus using any door OTHER than the front door.
Be careful of bike lanes
Bike lanes are very common in Germany. Bikes go very fast and aren't always careful of pedestrians. Make sure to not walk in bike lanes and to be mindful of cyclists. Also, bikes are allowed to go the wrong way down a one-way road. Always look both ways before crossing the street.
Always punch your public transit ticket
Schwarzfahren (black riding) is the term for riding public transit illegally. Public transit in Germany is done on an honor system. There are no turn styles or tapping in. Instead, ticket inspectors will enter the trains and do random checks. If you are caught without a valid ticket, you will be taken off the train and charged at least 60 euros on the spot.
Always have a valid ticket. This is done by stamping the ticket in the stamp machines before entering the first train of your journey.
Pickpocketing
In big cities across the world, pickpocketing occurs. While not common in Germany, it does happen. Pick pocketers have been known to work together. One may create a diversion while the other steals.
Always be mindful of your belongings and aware of your surroundings. Keep phones and wallets close, especially in busy and touristy areas. And don't put important things in easy-to-access backpack pockets.
Financial Differences
Coins have serious value
Euros have the following values:
1 cent -- smallest copper coin
2 cents -- medium copper coin
5 cents -- largest copper coin
10 cents -- smallest gold coin
20 cents -- medium gold coin
50 cents -- largest gold coin
1 euro -- medium silver and gold coin
2 euro -- large gold and silver coin
5 euro bill -- light blue
10 euro bill -- pinkish red
20 euro bill -- dark blue
50 euro bill -- orange
100 euro bill -- green
Pfand is not included in price
When you buy water, soda, juice, etc, Germany charges what they call a Pfand (deposit). This ranges in price from 8 cents for glass beer bottles to 25 cents for plastic bottles. This means that if you buy a 20-cent bottle of water, you will be asked to pay 45 cents at the cash register. When you finish that water, you can take the bottle to any grocery store and return it to their return-bottle machines to get that money back. This will then spit out a piece of paper with how much money you will get back. If you are buying groceries, it can be subtracted from your total. Or you can hand it to the cashier and ask for cash instead.
Many places don't accept card payments
Most small businesses and many cafes and restaurants don't accept cards and will only take cash. Some accept something called an "EC Card" but that is a very special bank card given by German banks. Most people will translate "EC Card" as a "debit card." This should not be confused with an American debit card. In Germany, they call American debit cards credit cards because credit cards, in the American sense, don't really exist. If someone asks if your debit card is a credit card, say yes.
It costs money to use the toilet
If you are out and about, at a mall, a train station, etc. there is a charge to use the bathroom. It is normally 50 cents. For that reason, it is always good to make sure you have some coins on you.
Often (but not always) it is free to use a bathroom at a restaurant or cafe if you have bought something. If there is a collection plate outside of the bathroom, you should leave something.
Tax is included in the price
Unlike the US, where they add tax at the end of the purchase, in Germany they include the tax on the price tag so when something says it costs 10 euros, it costs 10 euros.
Paying for shopping carts
In order to get people to return their carts after being used, all carts in Germany require a 50 cent, 1 euro piece, or a 2 euro piece to be used. You will get this back when you return your cart. If you have been to Aldi in the US, it is the same procedure across Germany.
While most grocery stores have baskets that you can carry, some (including many discount shops) do not. Shops may get angry and accuse you of stealing if you put groceries in your own bags while you are walking around shopping, so always have a spare coin in case.
Restaurants and the Service Industry
Tipping
Tipping isn't required in Germany but it should be done to some extent at restaurants and cafes with table service.
If you are spending around 5 euros, rounding up to the nearest full euro is normally enough.
If you spend 5 euros to 15 euros, you should round up and add an extra euro or two.
If you are paying with a card and the server tells you the cost of the meal, tell them how much you actually want to pay.
Example:
Server: That will be 10.05
You: Make it 12.00.
Customer service can be unfriendly
Germany is not known for its customer service. While "the customer is always right" in the US, in Germany, they are "always wrong."
Berlin is known for a level of no-nonsense edginess. It is called Berliner Schnauze.
Drinks aren't served with ice
If you want ice, you will need to ask for it. If you are asking for ice you need to ask for "ice cubes" or "Eis Würfel." Eis (pronounced like ice) means ice cream in German
Restaurant service is often slow
Unlike in the US where restaurants tend to hurry you, once you have a table in Germany, it is assumed you will be there for many many hours if not until they close. Because of this, it is very common to be seated for 10, 15, or even 20 minutes before a waiter comes by to take your order. If you are in a rush, you can let the waiters know. Otherwise, get comfortable and enjoy the German restaurant culture.
Refills and water aren't free
Every drink you order will be added to the tab.
If you order water, you will be brought bottled water and it will cost money. If you want water that is free (tap water,) it is called Leitungswasser (pronounced Light-ungs Vah-sir). Restaurants don't like serving Leitungswasser, so if that's what you want, it is best to order another drink as well e.g. "Can I please have an orange juice and a Leitungswasser."
American givens that aren't German Givens
All shops are closed on Sundays
Remember to do all shopping ahead of time. Prepare for long lines and emptier shelves on Saturday evenings.
In Berlin, there are a few grocery stores that are allowed to be open on Sundays. If you need to go to the grocery store on a Sunday, you can find a few at major train stations across town (Hauptbahnhof, Ostbahnhof, Friedrichstraße, etc.)
Most places don't have air conditioning
Because so many buildings in Europe predate AirCon, some of the only places that have air conditioning are very modern buildings such as new hotels. While this shouldn't be an issue in May and early June, if there is a particularly hot spell and you are dying for air conditioning, buying a drink in a modern hotel cafe or bar will allow you to sit there for a while.
No water fountains
Because there aren't drinking fountains, it is important to always have a water bottle. You can buy water almost everywhere but the cheapest place to buy water is at the grocery store. You can buy a liter of water for 27 cents plus Pfand.
Windows don't have screens
This makes it easier for bugs to fly into rooms. To limit bugs, windows often kip. Turn the handle all the way up (180 degrees) and pull the window towards you.
A Few Final Differences
Stereotypes of Americans
In Europe, there can be a bit of a stereotype that Americans are loud, obnoxious, and inconsiderate. As both a guest in this country and as an ambassador for the US and CMU, it is important not to further this stereotype. Please remember to be polite and respectful of the culture.
Nudity at lakes and saunas
Germany has a far more liberal relationship to sex, sexuality, and the body than the US does. It is not uncommon for women to sunbathe topless or to see people skinny dipping. While there are lakes in Berlin specifically known for Freikörperkultur (Naturism), it can happen anywhere.
Homelessness in big cities
In Frankfurt and Berlin, you will most likely run into homelessness and beggars with some regularity, especially in tourist and large traffic areas such as train stations. Beggars will often go on public transit as well and walk through the aisle asking for money. You can give them money if you feel inclined but very few people do. If you aren't going to, don't make eye contact, and don't talk to them.
Smoking is common
Unlike in the US, it is very common for people to smoke in Germany. Smoking cigarettes is allowed almost everywhere outside, including outdoor seating at restaurants and cafes. In Berlin and some other cities, this can include inside some bars. If you see the words "Rauch," "Rauchen," or "Raucher," chances are the establishment allows smoking inside. If a place serves food, it is forbidden to smoke inside.
