Visit Germany - The DON'Ts of Visiting Germany

Germany is an amazing country to visit & travel through, this video covers the things that tourists and travelers shouldn't do when they are visiting Germany.
Filmed in Munich, Germany
Copyright Mark Wolters 2016
The Don'ts of Visiting Germany
1. Don't Assume German Are The Cold Stereotypes You Have Heard of Your Whole Life.
2. Don't Jaywalk, so follow the rules in Germany.
3. Don't Forget the Pfand or deposit that you may put down for beer mugs, bottles, cans and other things. You can get that money back.
4. Don't forget to bring flowers or a small gift when visiting a German's home. Also, don't wear your shoes inside their homes.
5. Don't be disrespectful at the Nazi concentration camps and memorials around the country.
6. Don't Wait: when at restaurants or bars order as soon as you can as waiters do not come through to check on tables as often as they do in other countries.
7. Don't Experiment on Driving on the Autobahn. It can be very dangerous for first time drivers.
8. Don't Expect to Shop on Sundays in Germany.
9. Don't forget to bring cash. Germans love to pay in cash and some places will only accept cash. So be ready.
10. Don't expect to see just half timbered houses in Germany. It is a thriving modern country with tons of amazing culture, architecture and technology.

10 Shocks of Visiting Germany

5 Love & Hates of Visiting Bavaria

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[Kurokodairua]

As a German, I have to watch this video and see if it's accurate.

[ju.h_man]

Rule #1 on the Autobahn: no matter how fast you're driving, there'll be always someone faster than you.

[OldClassTreky]

For Jaywalking we (or at least most younger germans18-30) have some sort of an unwritten rule: You can cross on a red light if no kids are watching. I live in a city with a university and it's always fun to see everyone crossing on red but as soon as a kid stands wants to cross a street, everyone stands still, even though there are no cars in sight

[andreascoolvids]

"Germans dont wait"

Deutsche Bahn: Im gonna pretend i didn't see that

[EmpressTiffanyOfBrittany]

"Don't be disrespectful at the Concentration Camps"


That's a sentence I never thought I would have to see or hear.

[vegantoclafane]

You are in Germany when you walk with your Laterne and your Laterne walks with you.

[NeXt]

"public transport will get you anywhere"
Ha ha
*Cries in German*

[tazman]

I lived in Germany from 1987-92 when I was in the RCAF, and I'm sure that this rule still stands today. When entering a Gasthäus take a quick look around at the tables. There is always one that is different from the others. It may have flowers on it, a tablecloth, (or not if the others all do), it may be a different shape than the others, a lamp may hang over it, or there is a sign on it. That is the "Stammtisch." It is the "regulars" table and it is improper to sit there, (if you become a regular, it is an honor to be asked to sit and please show your appreciation for the invite).

[friendlykraut]

As a german I can say that we usually don't cross the street when the light is red when children are nearby.
When there's an empty street with no living soul in the next 100km, we don't wait for the light to get green :D

[flossyhd]

"...public transport will get you anywhere on time"



**Deutsche Bahn left the chat**

[gerttho]

Dont go illegal on the public Traffic, had the tram in Munich and I had to pay €60 for 100 meter

[ahmoehrendorf]

4:35 is not completely correct. Please don´t think you have to hurry in german restaurants. Usually the waitress/waiter brings you the menu and leaves it with you. You´ll have plenty of time to study the menu. Life hack: as long as one person at your table is reading the menu the waitress/waiter will wait to come to your table, because one of you obviously has not decided yet. As soon as all persons at the table close the menu the waitress/waiter will come to receive your order. The reason behind: in german restaurants everyone at the table should get their meal at the same time so the group can enjoy their meals together. To place the order at the same time as well helps the kitchen to deliver it on time.

[chrisanson]

You know you are in Germany when there is allways time to open a window for "frische Luft".

[luemmel]

Don't lean on strangers' cars. For most Germans, their cars are sacred. ;-)

[menaceiisociety]

Dont cross the streets when the lights are red. Because a child can stay next to you. At this moment you have a role model for the child. This is the way how we germans think.

[Englandfan]

Thank you. As a German I think your advice is spot on. Don't confuse Germany and Bavaria. Your last point about modern Germany and half-timbered houses was great. It just winds me up when Americans think we run around in Lederhosen and drink beer all day. Just as America is a diverse country with different accents, customs, traditions and local food specialities, so is Germany.

[athinawalther]

I'm German and whenever I see people posting selfies or pictures with them posing at the holocaust memorial in Berlin i get so pissed of so thank you for putting that in!

[elonmush]

I am German and I think your list is valid. If you let people know that you're a tourist (and believe me, your English German pronunciation will give it away) they will be patient and helpful. I think the German stereotype of being cold comes from the fact that Americans basically use "friend" and "I love you" very inflationary and Germans don't.

[juless.]

You forgot: Germans dont like people who are very loud in public. Doesnt matter if you are in the phone or talking to each other.
I hate it when i am sitting in a train for example and there are groups of tourists that are talking so loud that everybody could join the conversation. nobody wants to hear what you want to say! ;)

[thirdcoffee]

Also important if you stay in an Airbnb / hotel / apartment here in Germany: Generally there's so called "Ruhezeiten" (quiet times). You're not allowed to make loud noises after 10 pm in the evening or your neighbors can call the police on you.