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In Deutschland

So ist das hier... 😅

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Hallo! Ich bin Juliane. Und ich hatte die Idee, einen Guide zu erstellen, der euch dabei helfen soll, Kulturschocks in Deutschland zu vermeiden. Entdeckt typisch deutsche Eigenheiten und helft mit, indem ihr eure eigenen Erfahrungen teilt.

 

Die Idee kam mir ursprünglich, als ich mitbekommen habe, dass in einem Restaurant ein Kellner zu englischsprachigen Gästen beim Zeigen der Rechnung gesagt hat: „The tip is not included in Germany. The tip is not included in Germany.“ 😅 Er hatte ganz klar Angst, dass die Gäste nur den Betrag auf der Rechnung bezahlen und ihm kein Trinkgeld dalassen würden. 😄 Daher ist dies auch die erste Kategorie:

Generally, in Germany, you should pay about 10% of the total amount as a tip. You don't leave the tip on the table. Instead, when paying, you say the full amount - regardless of whether you are paying in cash or with a card. It's common to round up to a certain amount, which is around 10%. So, for example, if the bill is 24.80 €, you could say 28 €. - That'll be 24.80 €, please. - Twenty-eight. (And gives 30 €.) - Thank you very much. And 2 € back. Have a nice day. - Thank you, you too.

In Café und Restaurant

Cafés and restaurants

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It's not always easy to know when to use the formal "Sie" or the informal "du" in German. As a general rule, if you don't know the person well or it's a formal context, you should use "Sie" - unless the person is a child. This definitely applies in formal situations such as on the phone with an insurance company, at the doctor's reception desk, with the gas station attendant, or with the plumber who is repairing your washing machine. However, if you are in the same situation with others, it is often common for two adults to use "du". For example, among parents who drop off their children at the kindergarten, among acquaintances at the playground, among participants in a German course, sometimes even as a buyer and seller in a second-hand portal, while playing video games...

Interaktionen

Interactions

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In buses and trains, some seats are marked with a sign. They are located near the exits and are specifically for disabled individuals, people with impaired mobility, elderly or frail individuals, expectant mothers, and passengers with small children. If the bus or train is full and you are sitting in such a seat, you should stand up and offer it when you see one of these people board. However, it is also good etiquette to give up non-marked seats when you see someone else who is in greater need of them than you.

Öffentliche Verkehrsmittel

Public transportation

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In Germany, there is a mandatory health insurance. This means that you must be privately or legally insured, either through your employer or "on a voluntary basis." With a statutory health insurance, the amount of contributions depends on your income. The costs are directly billed with the doctor or hospital. The insurance covers, for example, the costs for doctor visits, prescribed medications, and treatments for accidents. Even when transported by ambulance in an emergency, you only need to pay a small portion of the costs yourself. Children and unemployed family members do not need to pay anything. They are covered for free under the parents' or the working family member's insurance, called "family insurance." With private health insurance, the amount of contributions depends on the patients' age and health status. Young people pay only very low insurance contributions. The insurance company transfers the costs to you and you then forward them to the doctor or hospital. Advantages are that, as a private patient, you often get appointments faster and more additional benefits are completely covered. Some practices exclusively accept private patients.

Versicherungen

Insurances

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In primary school, there is usually one class trip per school year. The class teacher goes on "vacation" with the entire class. Depending on the age of the children, it may be nearby or a bit further away. Usually, another teacher or parent comes along to help out. It is a great opportunity for students to get to know each other in an extracurricular context, become more independent, and experience adventures together.

Große Kinder

Big kids

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What is an excellent way to learn German or improve your German? By reading a lot! There is surely a library in your area as well. If you live in Germany, be sure to register there. It is not expensive. In libraries, you can find not only books, but also CDs, DVDs, games, and events, such as reading days for children. By the way, a library card is free for children.

Bücher

Books

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At the supermarket checkout, you can buy simple or sturdier plastic bags and paper bags for a small fee. However, most Germans bring their own tote bags or reusable plastic bags for their shopping. Free, very thin plastic bags are still available in some fruit and vegetable departments, but even these are gradually being replaced by paper bags or special fruit and vegetable nets (which you can buy and then reuse).

Im Supermarkt

At the supermarket

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10 pm to 6 am is usually "Nachruhe" time. During this time, you should refrain from being loud in your apartment, and not assemble furniture, drill holes in the walls, play a loud instrument, or listen to loud music. Please check your rental contract if this period might already start earlier. And even if there is nothing about it in the contract, depending on who lives in your building, I recommend not being too loud already after 8 pm. In addition, you should keep quiet all day on Sundays and public holidays. Planning a party? Not a problem. Just notify your neighbors beforehand, so they can prepare for it! Write a friendly note explaining the reason, date, and politely requesting understanding that it might get a bit louder. Maybe you can even invite your neighbors to come over for a beer. 😉

In Deutschland wohnen

Living in Germany

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If the traffic light for pedestrians is red, in Germany, you should definitely stop and wait until it turns green. Even if no car is in sight? Yes, even if no car is in sight. Well, at least if there are other pedestrians standing at the traffic light with you - and especially if there are children with you. Adults want to set a good example for them.

Im Straßenverkehr

On the road

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Are you pregnant in Germany? Then you should remember to look for a midwife in good time. They are often booked up well in advance and their capacities are limited. Their work is covered by health insurance. The midwife accompanies you - in addition to your gynecologist - through the pregnancy, performs examinations and answers questions. And she is also there for you and your baby after the birth. She comes to regular, agreed appointments and helps, for example, with the baby's first bath, regularly checks its weight and provides assistance with breastfeeding and general baby care. She has answers to all the questions that arise during the postpartum period. So-called "Beleghebammen" can also be called to be present at the birth. Then you know that this trusted person will help bring the baby into the world.

Schwangerschaft & Geburt

Pregnancy and birth

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Most children in Germany are six years old when they start school. There are specific cut-off dates for this, which vary from state to state. In Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein, it is June 30th. In Thuringia, it is August 1st. In Rhineland-Palatinate, it is August 31st, and in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Berlin, it is September 30th. All children who turn six years old before this cut-off date will start school in that academic year. There are also so-called "Kann-Kinder" (meaning "can-children"), who will only turn six years old after the cut-off date, but may still start school earlier if a request is made. Conversely, in special cases, children can be held back if it is determined that they are not yet ready for school.

In der Schule

At school

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Just like when driving a car, overtaking is done on the left side. So, if you have time and want to stand on the escalator, do it on the right. If you need to hurry, you can pass the standing people on the left.

Anderes :)

Miscellaneous

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It may take some getting used to, but in Germany, people don't go shopping on Sundays. Even supermarkets are closed. Only bakeries, gas stations, and flower shops are open on Sundays - and of course, restaurants and cafes. There are a few exceptions, known as "open Sundays," which occur during the Christmas season, for example. This is regulated differently from state to state. On open Sundays, stores are allowed to open, but they don't have to. Supermarkets may not necessarily participate, unless they are located in a shopping center. Holidays are treated the same as Sundays. Almost everything is closed on holidays in Germany.

Shoppen und Einkaufen

(Grocery) Shopping

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If you plan to travel within Germany by train, make sure to check out the "Tickets and Offers". Here you can see, for example, that you can use the so-called "Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket" to travel by regional trains throughout Germany in groups of up to 5 people for a total of €44 to €72. Starting from May 1st, 2023, there will also be the monthly €49 Germany-Ticket. With this ticket, there is unlimited travel by regional trains throughout Germany and you can use public transport within cities. However, this ticket is only available by subscription and is therefore not suitable for tourists. The Stadt-Land-Meer-Ticket costs €40 for a round trip between the cities of Berlin, Wismar, Rostock, and Stralsund. Stops along the way are allowed and the ticket is valid for 2 days per direction. There are many other regional offers available.

In Deutschland reisen

Travelling in Germany

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In Germany, there is a mandatory health insurance. This means that you must be privately or legally insured, either through your employer or "on a voluntary basis." With a statutory health insurance, the amount of contributions depends on your income. The costs are directly billed with the doctor or hospital. The insurance covers, for example, the costs for doctor visits, prescribed medications, and treatments for accidents. Even when transported by ambulance in an emergency, you only need to pay a small portion of the costs yourself. Children and unemployed family members do not need to pay anything. They are covered for free under the parents' or the working family member's insurance, called "family insurance." With private health insurance, the amount of contributions depends on the patients' age and health status. Young people pay only very low insurance contributions. The insurance company transfers the costs to you and you then forward them to the doctor or hospital. Advantages are that, as a private patient, you often get appointments faster and more additional benefits are completely covered. Some practices exclusively accept private patients.

Ärzte und Gesundheit

Doctors and health

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A useful tip for parents with babies and toddlers: DM drugstores have changing tables equipped with diapers and wet wipes that you can use for free to change your child's diaper, without any obligation to buy anything afterwards.

Kleine Kinder

Small kids

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Nobody wants to see dog feces on sidewalks and in parks. It's just not pleasant. That's why dog owners have an obligation to clean up after their dogs. In some parks and urban areas, there are boxes with plastic bags for this purpose. However, every owner should always carry a few bags themselves to pick up the poop and dispose of it properly in the trash.

Hunde

Dogs

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[Disclaimer: Dieser Guide beruht auf Beobachtungen. Eventuell sind nicht alle Informationen in allen Regionen Deutschlands richtig. Gewohnheiten können abweichen. Wenn ihr etwas bestätigen könnt, oder so überhaupt noch nie erlebt habt, dann fügt euren Kommentar hinzu oder kontaktiert mich über das Kontaktformular.]

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