Today you get to learn from my mistakes! Because here are 7 things that I learned pretty quickly
not to do in Germany.
Hey everyone! I’m Dana and you’re watching Wanted Adventure Living Abroad.
Number one, do not walk or stand in the bike lane. This is something that I discovered
and learned about within my, I would say, first few weeks living in Germany. The
bike lanes here are sacred. They are not for walking.
Now, of course, this makes a whole lotta sense. Bikes here, walkers over there. Much safer
and more convenient for everyone. But the problem is that in a lot of places the bike
lane is right next to the sidewalk, so if you’re a tourist or new to the city, you
might not realize or just momentarily forget that there’s a difference between the two.
You’re thinking about other things and just accidentally drift into the bike lane or you
get out of your car and linger a little too long in that bike lane there. But don’t
worry, you will be reminded quite quickly with an emphatic bring bring of someone’s
bicycle bell, and then possibly an irritated, "Hey!" shout as they speed away.
Number two, while we’re on bikes, do not bike in the wrong direction. Of course not
out on the street but also not in those bike lanes. But what if there’s nobody coming?
No bike in sight and I just have to bike, like, 10 seconds in the wrong direction in
the bike lane to get to the traffic light so that I can cross the street and bike in
the right direction? I’m warning you: don’t do it. Just don’t do it. Because you very
may well get a ticket for it.
Number three, don’t grill on the balcony of your apartment. Or at least not too often.
I first learned that balcony grilling isn’t so loved here in Germany, or at least not
in Munich, when a friend of mine told me that a bunch of his neighbors complained to the
landlord because he grilled a couple times in one week. And even then I still didn’t
really believe it until we moved into a new apartment and written into the contract was
that we were only allowed to grill out on our balcony 5 times per year. This just seems
funny to me! I love the smell of grilling food. Ugh, it's so good. One time when my
neighbors were grilling outside on their balcony, I went out there just because it smelled so
good, and you know what? They ended up apologizing to me, assuming that I came out because was
annoyed with their grilling! No, I love it! Please, don't stop. It smells so good.
And can I have a bite. Please.
Number four, don’t walk inside someone’s home with your shoes on. I talked all about
Americans leaving their shoes on while inside in an Ask An American episode, which I will
link to down below, but just know that here in Germany people usually, in general take
their shoes off at the front door and then often wear slippers, Hausschuhe, around the
home. So if you go to someone’s home here in Germany, and you don’t know, just ask.
Or do what I do, just bend down and start taking off your shoes and wait for them to
stop you saying “Oh no, no, no, you can leave them on.” And if they don’t, which
they usually don't, then I finish taking them off.
Number five, don’t wish someone a happy birthday before it’s their birthday. Now,
I’ve talked about this in the birthday video and the superstitions video. Wishing someone
a happy birthday before their birthday is considered bad luck in Germany. I guess it’s
like, counting your chickens before they’ve hatched. In Germany people need to actually
make it to the very day of their birthday before they will accept birthday wishes. And
Germans often celebrate into their birthday, so they’ll meet up in the evening before
their birthday and then celebrate into it, so don’t show up at that party and say happy
birthday right away, even though it is their birthday celebration. You have to wait until
the clock strikes midnight and then everyone wishes them a happy birthday on their birthday.
Number six, do not cross the street on a red light, especially if there are children around.
Now this one might cause some controversy. I mentioned this in another video as well,
and got a bunch people commenting that I’m crazy, that people don’t care and never
wait for the light to change, they cross whenever they want to. And then I also got a bunch
of other comments from people saying I’m totally right, that it’s not allowed and
that they often also see people waiting for the green light before crossing. All I know
is that I have seen people get scolded and yelled at for crossing on a red light, especially
when there are kids around. So, that’s my experience with it.
And number seven, don’t talk loudly on the U-bahn. At least here in Munich it’s inside
voices on the underground. Whispering quietly with the person next to you is okay, but talking
any louder than that will start to turn heads and get you some evil stares in your direction.
Last year Mr. German Man and I went to Athens, and there it was just the opposite. The underground
was so loud and everyone was yelling, listening to music, talking on their phone. Not here
in Munich. Compared to the underground in Athens, the Munich underground, it just seems
so absolutely silent. I really noticed it the other day. People usually don’t talk
on their phones, or if they do it's really quick, like, "Oh, I'm on the underground,
I have to go. Okay." Um, they don’t listen to music without their headphones, they don’t
yell to each other across the car. At least not most of the time. And if someone does
do one of these things, you can almost guarantee that someone else or multiple people are going
to be giving them a sour look. So unless you want that look cast in your direction, just
come on and be quiet until you get back off again.
So my question for you is: what did I miss? What other things should you not do in Germany
and what things should you not do in your home country? Wherever it is in the world.
Please let me know in the comments below.
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page. Until next time, auf Wiedersehen!
So my question for you is: what did I miss? What are the things...
At least not most of the time. And if someone does do these things, you can almost guarantee
that another people or multiple people...that didn't make any sense. Shit.
Now of course this makes a whole lot of sense. Bikes here, walkers over there. It's much safe...
He's making fun of me! Part 6, take 1.