20 German rules you shouldn't break

Ever wondered about the do's and don'ts in Germany? When I first came to Germany I didn't know many of these rules, so in this video, I dive into a list of cultural no-gos that might surprise you (they definitely surprised me, when I came to Germany 😅).
From not putting ice in your beer to respecting quiet hours.

0:00 Intro
00:22 Ice & Beer
02:34 Recycling and Bottle Deposits
03:20 Punctuality Matters
04:02 Shoe Etiquette in German Homes
04:29 Navigating Public Conversations
06:50 Understanding Public Transportation
08:16 Jaywalking and Public Order
09:12 Addressing People
10:07 Cycling Lane Awareness
11:02 Quiet Hours and Public Decorum
11:55 Handling Money and Tipping
12:50 Privacy
14:25 Alcohol Etiquette
17:49 Culturally Sensitive Topics
19:01 Outro

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Hi, I'm Uyen Ninh but please just call me Uyen!
Originally from Vietnam, I now explore life in Germany, sharing my unique perspective through my videos on my way to be your favorite Ausländer! 😁

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Videos and Shorts: @uyenninh

[uyenninh]

Hey guys, if there are any other rules or special customs that you shouldn't do when you visit Germany, let me know!

[Vera-nlc]

The Green Black combi suits you extremly well! I usually dont care how people look, but this makes you extra radient!

[Neleeni]

I want to say something about that talking to strangers topic at 5:40.
I grew up in a small town and moved to the city when I was about 27. And it was a shock for me. No one noticed what was happening around them.
When I moved back to my old little cute mini town I was so very happy. You go for a walk and random people that you've never seen before walk by and smile and everybody greets everyone.
So that "distance-problem", as I call it, is not an issue in smaller towns or villages. I think it's a problem in bigger cities. There are so many people, it's impossible to greet everyone.
In small towns it's considered normal to greet someone in the street and it's weird to not greet back when they say Hello.

[afpwebworks]

I hope you won’t find this makes you feel uncomfortable, but you are charming, friendly, relaxed and likeable. You made me smile, and I was a bit disappointed when we came to the end of the video. Thank you. You made this old man smile

[ambramarrs]

Thank you- it’s amazing All the little unspoken rules or nuances we grow up and live within our own cultures that seem soo normal, but are not in the cultural norms of others. Please keep sharing what you learn in your new country.

[DustyTheDog]

6:38 yes people in America do this A LOT. If you go to the South, or the Midwest(look into the regions on a map), then people will just talk to you. Tell you their family history and all the advice they've heard over the years. In the state of Indiana, we call it "Hoosier Hospitality, " because we are for some unknown reason called Hoosiers.(hoo-zher). You might even leave the encounter with one of many coveted family recipes, depending on the conversation.

[nici]

I live in a small town in Germany and I say "hallo" and smile to everyone I meet.😊 Well, not in 'Downtown" where many people are, but in the calmer streets and in the forest. Most people answer, there are only few people who don't.

[pompommania]

To mind the noise I make from 10pm-7am is common sense for me. Even during the day. My neighbor works nights. When people have this "I do whatever I want" kind of attitude, I find it disrespectful toward others.

[Frameton.]

When someone smiles at me in public I immediately have a mental crisis, not because I don't like the smile but because I think that person must know me but I don't recognize them. My mind starts filtering though every single memory trying to find that persons face somewhere and put a name to it

[SpoonyBird]

The traffic light thing is so funny. I'm German, but visiting my girlfriend in France I had to try really hard to unlearn waiting for the green light because I'd be the only fool still waiting at the side of the road while everyone else would just start walking the moment no car was close, no matter the colour of the traffic light.

[timothycooper]

As someone from the United States with an appreciation of history and a love of both Southeast Asia and Germany. You both are adorable people. I love your videos and am so glad you can share so much. you and German bf/future husband are good people. I'm glad your families appreciate each other.

[jonathankolberg]

Regarding the privacy thing. My take as a German is, we had two dictatorships in the past which tried to take away all privacy, now we have it and we want to keep it.

[Sonisingh-frgc]

As a cardigan lover…I just love your cardigan❤

[ariel]

As an American I just wanted to comment on the small talk part! I know that other countries comment on how we’re “fake” or “don’t actually care about you” but that’s just not what it’s about. We do it for the same reason you said you personally like it! It’s just a really nice feeling to be able to socialize and connect with other people even if it’s only in a short window. It makes an otherwise ordinary day interesting and more memorable. I think if others were more open to it they’d find they actually enjoy how it feels to have a short conversation with a stranger too. I get the impression that people who aren’t used to this part of American culture probably get the same feeling from our small talk that we do if someone’s trying to sell us something unprecedented. But human beings are meant to connect with others and even small moments with a passing stranger just makes you feel good if you allow it to.

[annahill]

Deine Videos sind immer so richtig, lustig und wertschätzend, vielen Dank für deine tolle Arbeit!

In zwei Punkten möchte ich dir noch einmal recht geben. Als ich das letzte mal in der Sauna war (wir sind ja nicht immer und überall nackig 😅) waren drei amerikanische Männer da die ständig starrten und dachten wir verstehen sie nicht.... ausgesprochen unpassend was da so alles ausgesprochen wurde. We already understand 😅

Bitte mach so weiter!

[taniasteyn]

You're simply my favourite Content Creator. So real, and so humble. ❤

[mg-dkqz]

What a cute video! I love the part about the communal quiet time 😂Sounds like a great place for an introvert to be.

[traczebabe]

My brother is fluent in German, from high school German class! He wore a t-shirt, that had “You’re too young to know.” Printed on it in the German language. So when people asked what his shirt said, he would smile and say, you’re too young to know. 😂it was funny.

[kayf]

As a German, I can confirm that everything you said is 100% correct. It was a very good presentation, probably the best I ever have seen on that subject. You are a very good observer. Also the way you presentation is very smart, empathic, friendly and entertaining. Thank you very much

[beingnanaone]

I’m not sure how I found your channel but I find you adorable. I’m from Arizona, USA. I find you refreshing! Thank you. 🙏