Calling All Germans!

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Rykon Zero

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Now that I have your attention, I'd like to let you know starting next year, I'll be on a year long exchange to Wolfsburg. I've been doing research on schools, culture, all those wonderful things, but I wanted to hear from the people who live in the land, not the textbooks about them. So, GTPlanet being an internet forum I am familiar with and comfortable on, I ask of you, German GTP users:

What's it like? Are there some subtle things I should be watching out for? Is the food entirely sausage based? (Not a problem, we already eat tons of it) Are the people nice? How are schools? What's the weather like? Are there delis and bakeries? Who watches the Watchmen? Whatever you want to say.

Simply put, if you've got the time, I want to hear a bit about you and your country.
 
I was in Frankfurt once, it was weird because nobody had a sense of humor, everybody's dead serous and a bunch of them are business man like, they all drive nice German cars and really scary gypsies asking you for money.

I am just saying what I saw, I'm sure that was just the part of Frankfurt I was in, otherwise the country as I've seen it is really quite nice.
 
I was in Frankfurt once, it was weird because nobody had a sense of humor, everybody's dead serous and a bunch of them are business man like, they all drive nice German cars and really scary gypsies asking you for money.

I am just saying what I saw, I'm sure that was just the part of Frankfurt I was in, otherwise the country as I've seen it is really quite nice.

Well Frankfurt is the financial and transportation centre of Germany so I wouldn't be surprised that you saw quite a few businessmen about, most likely in the city's Central Business District.
 
When I used to work In Greece for the summer at my Auntie's hotel the guest's that would give us the most trouble were always the Germans, apart from being some of the rudest people I have ever encountered they seemed to have an obvious disrespect for anyone non german. They were uncourtious to all the other guests and would always be very very loud when talking amongst eachother.

I can say this with confidence as I have worked 6 seperate seasons at the hotel and have had plenty of interaction with lots of folk. Not all were that bad, Just the majority.

On the flip side I do love all things German, My parents drive German cars (Porsche, Mercedes), i'm a massive fan of Pretzels, Schnitzel and anything to do with Autobahn/ Nurburgring but my experiances have unfortunantly led me to avoid anything got to do with actually going to Germany, Will eventually go to the ring but it will be for a very short stay (less than 3 days) and i will fly in from another european country
 
We lived in Germany for a couple of years, but it was before your time. 1964-66. I was 7 when we went over. Dad's employer was a military contractor.

We lived near Aachen, in the very western part of the country, near the point where Belgium, Germany, and Holland come together. A good ways SouthEast of where you will be.

We lived in town, not on a US base, so we were neighbors with "regular folks." We were shunned for the most part until Mom heard an exchange in a food shop where someone bumped into her, tried to excuse himself, and another person said she was just "ein Englander."

We put a U.S. flag in the front window of our house and suddenly our neighbors were the most gracious people on the planet, nobody could do enough to get in our good graces.

Like I said, over 40 years ago, maybe it's different, now, but that's the "cultural" aspect that I remember.

We went to Holland for movies because they subtitled in Dutch and left the original soundtrack alone. In Germany the movies were dubbed and we always had no clue.

We never really got into the local food very much. Dad did, but I've never been a sausage kind of guy, so wursts, and stuff never interested me. We shopped at the PX in Bonn (or was it Frankfurt?) and brought home 2 or 3 weeks worth of American food per trip. The locals shopped for each meal every afternoon. The typical home refrigerator was usually what we would put under our desks at work - not even a good dorm fridge!

Weather: it's very far north, even compared to your location. Be ready for very long days in the summer, and very short days in the winter.

Get around if you can. It sounds like a real trip if you have to cross three borders to get somewhere, but you're probably less than 8 hours from Paris, significantly less to Copenhagen, and Rome's a long weekend. A circle centered on Wolfsburg that includes Paris, London, Zurich, Prague, Budapest, etc. will barely get you to northern California or Montana from Seattle. Europe is small, but they don't think it is.

So far you're not getting anything from anybody actually German, are you? Maybe when they get up in the morning . . . . .
 
Yeah, I'm hoping that tomorrow, I'll get some people in. I don't think that Germans would be that way any more we're like that to Japanese. That said, thank you very much for your insight.
 
Whatever you do dont do anything nazi like for a joke. You will get arrested an possibly sent down as well.
Oh and they love spicy food and sausages. Try currywurst I think its called.
 
Well I'm not German, but a neighbor and been lots of time in Germany.

Well, like every country there are different types of people.
The people Tony discribed exist in every country. But it's not the majority. Also depends heavily on the hotel and customers it got.

People:
I know the germans as very kind and polite people. The stereotype fits quite well, in general, but not everyone is like that and not that much.
You will see that most germans will threat you with respect.
It also depends strongly were you stay. Exemple in Berlin, they are more direct. In some places in Germany they are more traditional (eifel, Schwarzwald (black forest), Bayern).
Germans get very well along with strangers. But beware of some accents ;).
Also Germans are quite frosty emotional compared to South Europeans. So don't expect hugs around every corner.

Country:
There are so many places to visit: Alpes, beautiful lakes, Seaside, Berlin, Ruhrpott, Eifel (Nür.).
If your more urban : visit Berlin, Munich, Ruhrpott.
If you more rural : well the rest...

Food:
Germans don't eat only sausages and kraut. In fact, in the US more kraut is eaten per person as in Germany.
German hygene standards are pretty high, so no worry about that.
Currywurst and kebab (invented in Germany) need to be tryed.
But they have really good food apart of the classics.
Ask for typical regional food and you will be impressed (Rouladen, Kassler, Schweinshaxe,...👍)

Autobahn:
Beware, not all autobahn have no speed limit.
Foreigners don't get their permit revoked for speeding but it costs alot (750€)

Circuits:
We all agree that the Ring is a must if you are in Germany, but there are others worth a try too.

Car scene:
very big and popular in Germany. There won't be a lot of after hours meeting on parking lots, But there are a lot of Tuning shows during the whole year. (google will be at your service)

Police:
Germans are quite rigorious about laws. They also have "order" Units. So they will fine everything, from throwing away a fag (cigarrette) to peeing on roadside,....
They are not everywhere so don't panic. Just have it in the backhead. German Love Laws for everything
(Exemple: A judge filed that it was Ok to BBQ 5 times a year, more would be sentinal (smell) abuse of the neighbors) Extreme exemple but you get the image.

Neighbors:
If your visa allows you, go visit some other countries as well.
 
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Well I'm not German, but a neighbor and been lots of time in Germany.

Well, like every country there are different types of people.
The people Tony discribed exist in every country. But it's not the majority. Also depends heavily on the hotel and customers it got.

People:
I know the germans as very kind and polite people. The stereotype fits quite well, in general, but not everyone is like that and not that much.
You will see that most germans will threat you with respect.
It also depends strongly were you stay. Exemple in Berlin, they are more direct. In some places in Germany they are more traditional (eifel, Schwarzwald (black forest), Bayern).
Germans get very well along with strangers. But beware of some accents ;).
Also Germans are quite frosty emotional compared to South Europeans. So don't expect hugs around every corner.

Country:
There are so many places to visit: Alpes, beautiful lakes, Seaside, Berlin, Ruhrpott, Eifel (Nür.).
If your more urban : visit Berlin, Munich, Ruhrpott.
If you more rural : well the rest...

Food:
Germans don't eat only sausages and kraut. In fact, in the US more kraut is eaten per person as in Germany.
German hygene standards are pretty high, so no worry about that.
Currywurst and kebab (invented in Germany) need to be tryed.
But they have really good food apart of the classics.
Ask for typical regional food and you will be impressed (Rouladen, Kassler, Schweinshaxe,...👍)

Autobahn:
Beware, not all autobahn have no speed limit.
Foreigners don't get their permit revoked for speeding but it costs alot (750€)

Circuits:
We all agree that the Ring is a must if you are in Germany, but there are others worth a try too.

Car scene:
very big and popular in Germany. There won't be a lot of after hours meeting on parking lots, But there are a lot of Tuning shows during the whole year. (google will be at your service)

Police:
Germans are quite rigorious about laws. They also have "order" Units. So they will fine everything, from throwing away a fag (cigarrette) to peeing on roadside,....
They are not everywhere so don't panic. Just have it in the backhead. German Love Laws for everything
(Exemple: A judge filed that it was Ok to BBQ 5 times a year, more would be sentinal (smell) abuse of the neighbors) Extreme exemple but you get the image.

Neighbors:
If your visa allows you, go visit some other countries as well.

Pretty much exactly like this, confirmed by a German (Bavarian :p) person.

Keep in mind that being on time is extremely important, being late is considered very rude in Germany. Arriving 5 minutes early is considered perfectly fine. You should also keep in mind that we're often a bit "unsocial", i.e. don't really pick up random strangers when we're out at a bar etc. whilst, for example, all the British dudes I know do this and we usually end up having at least 2 more people at our table around midnight.

If you're on the Autobahn, watch out for this sign:

keine-geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung.png


Then give it a go!

Shoot me a PM in case you need any help with setting stuff up or anything else. :)
 
Although I live in Canada, I was born in Germany, and I go back often to visit family.

It's a beautiful country. There's so much to see that you probably won't have time for it in the year that you'll be there.

Besides the obvious, like the 'Ring, Oktoberfest, etc...

There's my personal favorite, Baden Baden.... A stunning town in southern Germany with ancient Roman Baths.

Munich has the German Transport Museum. A MUST SEE for anyone interested in cars. Stuttgart, well, we all know what comes from there.... :)

They have one of the best rail networks in the world, and the trains will do speeds up to 300kph. It's pretty wild when the train is travelling along side the autobahn, at 300kph, and you're being passed by a Porsche or something.

The people are very friendly. But their sense of humor is something that takes a bit of getting used to. Don't listen to Jeremy Clarkson. He's a hater!

Also, a lot of people there speak English, so language won't really be a barrier.

I think you'll love it there.

Look into things like Easy-jet and Berlin Air to get around the continent and see other places.

Have fun!!!!
 
Also, a lot of people there speak English, so language won't really be a barrier.

Yes they do as I believe its part of their compulsory education but speak slowly and I believe its polite to ask in german if they speak english rather than assuming.
 
The main rule in Germany:
"Show Respect to be respected!"

But I guess that's the same for every country.
I would describe us as pretty laid back and relaxed (the younger generation), but also aspiring. The older folks (60+) are quite conservative, they will talk a lot about the old days 'n Stuff like that, but don't bother. But always follow the main rule! ;)

For food, you should visit some restaurants, that offer "plain cooking"!
Then you'll see, that the german kitchen has a lot more to offer that Sauerkraut, Schnitzel and Bratwurst :D

The places you should visit:

Colonge: Very nice city with a very cool Rhine esplanade (or in Düsseldorf). Cologne also can offer very nice breweries and the most beautiful cathedral, if you ask me - The Cologne Cathedral, or Kölner Dom!

Berlin: If you're in Germany, you have to visit our capital! A lot of nice sights and just an absolutly chilled and modern town!

Ruhrpott: For me, the core of the real Germany! They have a lot of mining - museums in old mines (Zeche Zollverein is a top tip!). But you can also visit Duisburg, known for Thyssen - Krupp, THE Steel Comapny.

Nordschleife: The Place to be, if you ask me :D
Just pure Heaven for every petrolhead. You can check out the internet for dates of racing (VLN!), there you can see Motorsports for free, and camp there for free! :)
If you got the money, you can buy yourself a ticket for the BMW M5 Ring Taxi, or drive over the Nordschleife for yourself :)

Hamburg: The same as Berlin. A lot of Sights (Warehouse District; Reeperbahn, Hamburg Habour)

East Frisia: Since your staying in Lower Saxony, you definetly should check out the island in East Frisia, go by a boat and just make a nice day there! Just pure nature with small villages. Just quaint.


That's about it, that you have to know about Germany.
 
You're all forgeting the single most important thing... :




...babes are GREAT...have fun!;)
 
Well I'm not German, but a neighbor and been lots of time in Germany.

Well, like every country there are different types of people.
The people Tony discribed exist in every country. But it's not the majority. Also depends heavily on the hotel and customers it got.

People:
I know the germans as very kind and polite people. The stereotype fits quite well, in general, but not everyone is like that and not that much.
You will see that most germans will threat you with respect.
It also depends strongly were you stay. Exemple in Berlin, they are more direct. In some places in Germany they are more traditional (eifel, Schwarzwald (black forest), Bayern).
Germans get very well along with strangers. But beware of some accents ;).
Also Germans are quite frosty emotional compared to South Europeans. So don't expect hugs around every corner.

Country:
There are so many places to visit: Alpes, beautiful lakes, Seaside, Berlin, Ruhrpott, Eifel (Nür.).
If your more urban : visit Berlin, Munich, Ruhrpott.
If you more rural : well the rest...

Food:
Germans don't eat only sausages and kraut. In fact, in the US more kraut is eaten per person as in Germany.
German hygene standards are pretty high, so no worry about that.
Currywurst and kebab (invented in Germany) need to be tryed.
But they have really good food apart of the classics.
Ask for typical regional food and you will be impressed (Rouladen, Kassler, Schweinshaxe,...👍)

Autobahn:
Beware, not all autobahn have no speed limit.
Foreigners don't get their permit revoked for speeding but it costs alot (750€)

Circuits:
We all agree that the Ring is a must if you are in Germany, but there are others worth a try too.

Car scene:
very big and popular in Germany. There won't be a lot of after hours meeting on parking lots, But there are a lot of Tuning shows during the whole year. (google will be at your service)

Police:
Germans are quite rigorious about laws. They also have "order" Units. So they will fine everything, from throwing away a fag (cigarrette) to peeing on roadside,....
They are not everywhere so don't panic. Just have it in the backhead. German Love Laws for everything
(Exemple: A judge filed that it was Ok to BBQ 5 times a year, more would be sentinal (smell) abuse of the neighbors) Extreme exemple but you get the image.

Neighbors:
If your visa allows you, go visit some other countries as well.

Thats pretty accurate :P
Dont be to afraid of law and police. We have laws for each and every aspect of life, but its another thing to control or enforce them... If you get caught pay the price (& learn to not get caught again :P ) and go on...
(example: in the US you get arrested for speeding, in germany we only take your money (except you maybe hit above 200 in the city).
After all, you are much more free in your actions than you are in the US.

Get used to drugs: We allow Beer and cigarettes at the age of 16 and your colleagues here will already be used to it.... Also usually other drugs are not far away... Its fine to refrain though! :)

If your Visa is valid for germany, you should be fine for europe as well. Do a short trip to Paris, London etc.

Dont buy IT stuff here (ipod, cameras, notebooks etc). Its cheaper in the US.

Tips are included in the price. They are welcome but not neccessary like in the US.

Dont misinterprete "rough" behaviour. Most people are friendly and polite here. However its not like the "how are you - how are you - fine thanks" you might be used to. Dont be bothered if you get a *grunt* instead of "good morning". no pun intended mostly.

enjoy yourself on private or outdoor parties or festivals. They are usually way better than the clubs and stuff.

Depending on where you are here and to whom you might speak (there are always some bad places in this world...) you might want to refrain from "showing off that you are american". This is not generally a personal thing to american inhabitants, but alot of people in europe are not so cool with the decision making of your government (mostly with the Bush era).
It will also be these people, who are not bright enough to distinguis between US inhabitants and government...
Be open minded and polite and you will be set!

Maybe you should query some special questions for this thread (or expectations etc.). Might be easy to clarify them but mostly they are forgotten in a short roundup...

enjoy!
 
I enjoy reading this thread a lot.

Concerning German police. The police is one of the politest in the world. Yes, there are far too many stupid laws, but the police will never fire at you a "taper?" (this electro thingy) or anything, they are always very polite, but don't mess with them lol. Most policemen(women) are really really tall here. Most are betweem 1.85m and well, bigger lol.
 
I enjoy reading this thread a lot.

Concerning German police. The police is one of the politest in the world. Yes, there are far too many stupid laws, but the police will never fire at you a "taper?" (this electro thingy) or anything, they are always very polite, but don't mess with them lol. Most policemen(women) are really really tall here. Most are betweem 1.85m and well, bigger lol.

Yeah, no tasers here. Yet again, you can most often talk with them if it's a minor offence - especially if you're a foreigner. Just keep in mind to stay polite as well and you won't have any problems. They're also obligated by law to tell you their full name (and rank, in some states) in case you'd want to file a complaint.
 
Bavarian calling from Zurich. :)

Easy things first:

- Be on time or better 5 minutes early
- Treat them with respect and they will respect you
- Its not all about Sausages, try Regional specialities :sly:
- If you`re smoking, look around if its allowed (Non smoking Laws in Germany) and if you dont annoy somebody on your table. Asking first helds you out of trouble.
- WWII is over and not all Germans like to talk about this


As you`re going to be in Wolfsburg you gotta visit the Autostadt of VW

Use the time you have to visit cities and other countrys around europe. Its really not that far and train and plane routes are very well organized. Do weekend trips to Munich, Rome, Berlin, London and so on.

As said before don`t make any Nazi signs and jokes when you dont know who`s around. It`s againts the law and the Police really takes this serious.
Torrist arrested after giving Nazi Salute
He got fined 150€.

And the most important:

Get used to Beer. A lot of Beer. :cheers:

In Germany there are around 1300 different Breweries compared to the USA with 1700.
The consum per Head per Year is at around 120L (USA 81L.)
Germany is split in their drinking habits:
repo_bier_Karte04_D_544702a.jpg

But you can buy nearly any sort of beer in the pubs and supermarkets.
Try them all and let us know what you prefer.


Make your own impressions about this Country
 
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