10 Crucial Tips To Survive In Germany

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[LucasBenderChannel]

I like how a guy over at Deutsche Welle once described German food: Ranging somewhere between brown and beige, looking awful, but filling you with delight. It's rarely light, it's rarely without carbs, it's soul food.

[mizot]

The sad thing about "Deutsche Bahn" is that its reliability was proverbial as long as it was a state-owned enterprise. People literally said "Pünktlich wie die Eisenbahn" during those days because the train was never ever late. Everything changed when "Deutsche Bahn" became a private enterprise.
Just a side note here: For me Deutsche Bahn's development it's a horrifying outlook on what happens if you put certain things totally out of the hand of the state. Just thinking about basic services such as drinking water supply and quality or power supply or other things which then need to be self regulated by the companies or the market...

[joel-k]

It’s always mildly infuriating for me when people say that Bavaria represents Germany.
It is actually the complete opposite:
There is not one region in Germany that is "less German" than Bavaria. Is is so different and sometime the people separate themselves from Germany that much, that they’re considered a different country by some people (or at least there are jokes about it)

[grandmak.]

I think the personal space thing is very individual. Being German I have always hated when people come too close and especially in grocery store lines I sometimes turn around and (politely) ask the person behind me to step back a little. 
Speaking of 'polite' : the German directness does not mean that you are allowed to be rude or offensive. If you disagree with someone you will always try to contradict in a polite way using phrases like ' to be honest I'm afraid I disagree' or ' if you really want my opinion I must say...' or 'please don't feel offended but ...' . As an American you might be surprised that people don't beat about the bush as much here but they will never be impolite and offensive ( at least most of them hopefully won't be).

[pstiles]

I’ve been in Düsseldorf for 5 months and this is by far the truest video of what it’s like for an American in Germany. I wish I saw this before moving. Ive been blitzed, missed train connections, been freaked out by the stares and personal space intrusions, all while falling in love with German food and bakeries. Great video!

[shadowfoxx]

#1 Nackenatmer (nape of the neck breather?). believe me, there are a lot of Germans who also hate them. I actually loved the fact that at the beginning of the current situation people were asked to keep their distance. Now, to my utter dismay, they've gone back to invading my space when standing in line.
One thing you can do to keep them at a distance is to drag your shopping cart behind you when you stand in line.

[TheWinglessHawk]

About Deutsche Bahn I have an add on: If you have to switch trains to get to your destination. Always look at a reasonable time for switching from one train platform to the other, also keep in mind bigger train stations have more train platforms. If the arrival platform changes... good luck! Run Forest, run!
Edit: If someone stares at you. Stare back. It's not polite to do so and these little roaches will often shrink in embarrassment under your stare.

[stephengallagher]

Mikey: "You talkin' to me?" Yes, I can see this going to be a VERY entertaining year on Nalf's channel! 🙂

[kerry]

#11 carry a Euro or chip for the shopping cart
#12 don't run the car outside while waiting
#13 be aware of the lack of internet access
#14 watch out for old ladies hunting down football players with their car

[trnistr]

As a german myself, the personal space thing and staring really caught me off guard. Would never have guessed, these were something you have experienced. Actually these were things i have experienced when going to other countries. The most extreme for me was India. They even call it the indian stare, and there wont even be space for a sheet of paper infront of you when in a line.

[BlackAdder]

As always, very accurate. Except for the stare. We actually do stare in order to intimidate. Always! Actually we beat Varus' legions not by fighting, we just stared them into the ground. Even Tacitus marvelled at our "truces et caerulei oculi", our wild/horrifying and azure eyes.
But unless you're a Roman legionnaire you're fine. Just briefly bow your head in humility and move on. Humbly.

;-D

[-sephrin]

you missed: "Get used to do the (pedestrian) walk regulary" ^^
And learn to survive without A/C

[susanneanna]

Deutsche Bahn: Try to book your ticket with as little as possible connections. Even if the direct route might take initially longer - at least you can not miss your connection. And always always book a seat, too. The trainticket does not automatically include a reservation for your seat.

[johndoe]

Don't understand the Autobahn thing. In my experience i need MUCH more attention on US highways than on the Autobahn. Autobahn: the traffic is much more predictable and i rarely have any stupid behaviour from others drivers. Exact opposite on highways: people do weird shit out of nowhere all the time, overtaking left and right / zig-zaging (i know it's allowed, but do it in a predictable way at least). In 3 weeks US i had far more near-incidents than in 12 years driving in Germany. I can't count how many times i had people crossing into my lane despite me being already beside them and than had to do e near-emergency-brake.

[uliwehner]

#10 is not only true, but in my mind the only real reason to travel. you don't go because it is better, or because where you come from sucks, you just want to see everything that is different. Seeing that things can be different, and still work just fine, is very educational. Life does not end because you can't find cap'n crunch in the cereal aisle.

[robertnett]

About the Deutsche Bahn - once it was pretty decent. But since it was privatized (early 90' I believe) it just got gradually worse. Cost cuts - like forgoing replacement drivers, cutting short on maintenance (you know, main thing the quarter year numbers are fine) all of that. Also - the Deutsche Bahn makes it's money literally with shares in international logistics. It's literally a bank with a model railroad in their backyard. Also also - the main share of the actual railroad business is goods. Personal transport is the least profitable - and thus most neglected part of the whole enterprise.
Considering this - it's still pretty good. It just doesn't do what it was supposed to.

[astridchladek]

What a day! A NALF video in the morning and one in the evening! Nice😎

[JilAimee]

I loved this. And please, enjoy your time here with your brother.

[totaleNonale]

I'm excited to get the experience of seeing it all through a new pair of eyes all over again. Also I think your brother is lucky to have such a thoughtful and caring guide with him, but I'm sure it can sometimes get a little annoying as well because that's just how siblings work 🤷

[Amalgtaid]

I'm from Germany and your tips are the best I heard from a foreigner in a long time :)