Things About Germany That Might Surprise Or Even Horrify Americans, As Shared By This Woman

While most of us have a basic understanding that people in other places live differently, it can be hard to grasp what that looks like until you’ve experienced it. Often this means no small amount of culture shock as it redefines what it means for something to be “normal.” So it’s not surprising that the internet has all kinds of content just showing people some of the differences.

Content creator Laura Love went viral for sharing some examples of life in Germany that might sound truly unhinged to Americans. We reached out to her via email and will update the article when she gets back to us.

It can be easy to forget that the way some folks live is just so vastly different

German woman in a pink shirt sharing cultural insights in a garden setting.

German woman Laura Love shared her observations of things that might be pretty surprising to Americans

Text about German woman's insights on sick day policies, mentioning six weeks of fully paid sick leave and partial income coverage.

Text about job security in Germany, noting that a doctor's note protects against firing without cause, and requires advance notice.

Text about German maternity leave duration, surprising cultural insight.

German cultural insight: a bathroom with a shelf toilet bowl and toilet paper on tiled floor.

Image credits: flickr (not the actual photo)

“Text reading 'Our shelf toilets. Google it.' reflecting German cultural insights.”

Text about a German woman's cultural insights on smiling norms.

Text about cultural insights highlights cigarettes and coffee as breakfast.

Text about German cultural insight on coffee and ice cream.

Text about German cultural insights on small talk and cashiers' behavior.

Woman in a grocery store with fruits in a cart, using a phone. Cultural insights from Germany influence her shopping habits.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

Text about German cultural insights: bagging and paying for grocery bags.

Text on German cultural insight about restrictions on mowing lawns or doing loud work on Sundays.

Text about German cultural insights on traffic rules and right-of-way regulations.

Open window on a minimalist white wall, symbolizing surprising cultural insights.

Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text reading 'The windows.' on a simple white background, related to cultural insights.

Text highlighting a cultural insight: ordering water in Germany often results in receiving sparkling water unless specified otherwise.

German woman discusses cultural insights on restaurant drink practices, noting no free refills or tap water.

Text highlights a cultural insight: Public drinking is allowed in Germany.

Text highlights a cultural insight shared by a German woman about preferring walking over driving.

Person driving a car, offering cultural insights related to German perspectives.

Image credits: pexels (not the actual photo)

Text about German driver's license cost and time requirements.

Text saying "The staring." illustrating a cultural insight by a German woman.

Text about a German cultural practice of paying for restroom use in gas stations and malls.

Text about German woman discussing car price differences between Germany and the US.

Text highlighting German cultural insights about rare AC use in homes.

Text about eggs and milk not being refrigerated in German stores, highlighting cultural insights.

Text on a white background sharing a cultural insight about Germany's open container policy compared to the US.

Text about German culture, noting stores and gas stations closing early on Sundays in small towns.

Numerous McDonald's soft drinks in paper cups, highlighting cultural insights from a German perspective.

Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text illustrating German woman’s cultural insight on fast food portion sizes compared to the US.

Text discussing German cultural insights on vehicle sizes compared to America.

Text discussing cultural insights on rent differences between Germany and the U.S., highlighting cheaper costs in Germany.

Text highlighting cultural insights about German food, mentioning yogurt dressing instead of ranch dressing.

Text about German cultural insights on police checks for car safety standards.

Three dogs on leashes enjoying a sunny day on the patio.

Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)

“Text reads: You pay yearly taxes on the dogs you own, highlighting cultural insights from a German perspective.”

Text discussing German property taxes related to grass or gravel surfaces.

Text explaining German recycling fees and bottle returns.

Text highlighting German cultural insights on financing, focusing on cash preference.

Text showing cultural insights from a German perspective about raw pork consumption.

Text highlights a cultural insight: "No coffee creamer because it's illegal," reflecting German cultural views.

Text about German culinary culture using ground pork frequently instead of ground beef.

Text about German cultural insights, mentioning Fasching as a holiday for fun and entertainment.

A man in a traditional Bavarian outfit drinking beer at a German festival, surrounded by people and festive decorations.

Image credits: pexels (not the actual photo)

German woman comments on Oktoberfest, calling it a tourist trap.

Text highlighting a cultural insight: "It is cheaper to order beer than it is to order water.

Text discussing German cultural insights on renting and housing costs.

Text about red light districts being legal in Germany, highlighting cultural insights.

German cultural insights about mandatory TV and radio subscription fees.

German woman describes clubbing experience at 14 with her mom.

German cultural insights text on legal drinking ages for beer, wine at 16, and liquor at 18.

Text highlighting a cultural insight from a German woman about driving age restrictions.

Text explaining German cultural insights about apartments lacking kitchens.

Text describes window shutters as unusual, linking to cultural insights shared by a German woman.

Text about German McDonald's serving food with silverware and glasses at Autobahn gas stations.

German woman walking with a stroller in a park, sharing cultural insights.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

Text expressing cultural insights on expensive baby strollers.

Text about German cultural insights highlighting absence of credit scores.

Text about German cultural insights, highlighting the need for a special driver's license to pull a trailer.

Text explaining German cultural insights about child support payments.

Text discussing cultural insights from a German perspective, mentioning no food stamps or WIC.

German cultural insight on job salaries with a text reading "99.9% of our jobs are salary.

Text reading "You get around 30 days of PTO every year," highlighting German cultural insights.

Text highlighting German cultural insights about eating sandwiches for dinner.

German cultural insight about school system, text explaining direct progression from elementary to high school.

Text explaining German cultural insights on healthcare costs and employment status.

German woman's insight on nursing job policies allowing pregnant staff to stay home with a doctor's note.

German flag waving outside the Reichstag building under a blue sky.

Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text discussing cultural insights about German flag displays.

Text discussing the surprising thickness of German house walls and construction quality.

Text image about German cultural insights on hotel costs compared to America.

Text comment about the smaller size of German grocery stores compared to the US.

Text about German cultural insight regarding wedding ring finger placement.

Text describing affordable daycare costs shared by a German woman.

Text about German cultural views on nudity, highlighting acceptance and comfort with nude beaches and spas.

Text highlighting German woman's cultural insights on dining and socializing.

Image credits: lauraloove

You can watch the full video below

@lauraloove Please google the toilets lol #germaninamerica#germanwife#germangirl#americanfacts#ausgewandertnachamerika#lebenindenusa#europeanfacts#germanfacts♬ original sound – Laura love

There are a few clarifications to make

German flag waving in front of historic building, showcasing cultural insights.

Image credits: Ingo Joseph / pexels (not the actual photo)

It is important to clarify that some of the things she says in this video are not entirely true. For example, Germans are not, in fact, given three years of maternity leave, the minimum by law is 14 weeks. Certainly, there might be a company here or there that could have a significantly longer leave, but three years is almost unheard of.

For example, the longest maternity leave by law is in Bulgaria, at 410 days. That is, quite noticeably, almost two less years than three. That being said, the US has no provisions and can only offer unpaid maternity leave, according to Federal law. Incidentally, German law sets the minimum paid time off for workers at 20 days a year.

Similarly, while “coffee and cigarettes” are a stereotypical European “breakfast,” the Germans are actually not at all unique by EU standards. The EU and German average is 24% of the population being smokers. This would suggest that the average German is either skipping their cigarette breakfast or just eating something else.

On the other hand, many Americans are often surprised that in most places around the globe, you do bag your own groceries. The very idea of a cashier doing this rather easy task for you is practically unthinkable in Europe or really anywhere else. However, stores being closed on Sundays is more specific to Germany and other Central European countries, as well as Chick-fil-A restaurants in the US, for completely different reasons.

It’s not rocket science to say that different countries have different norms

German woman in yellow coat taking photo of a harbor, sharing cultural insights.

Image credits: mali maeder / pexels (not the actual photo)

All that being said, you can’t really blame a person who has only lived in the US for probably having a good deal of culture shock when moving elsewhere. Remember, there is a pretty clear difference between visiting as a tourist and actually living somewhere. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the feeling of “I could live here” when you are staying in a hotel and only visiting the nicest parts.

Buying groceries is one thing, but learning even how the garbage works can be a lot more time intensive than one might first think. For example, Germany in particular is famous (or notorious) for its pretty strict recycling laws. There are strict fines for non-compliance and various sub-rules for things like Christmas trees.

This is all to say that if you are feeling a bit “insulted” take a step back and remember that millions of people all over the world have changed their place of residence. Going through some degree of surprise is normal, indeed, “culture shock” is to be expected. And if you get offended at the idea that folks in another continent think they live better than you, you should probably work on your self-esteem issues.

People shared their thoughts and observations

Comment highlights cultural insights on maternity leave differences between Germany and America.

Comment discussing cultural insights on recovery time expectations, with 42.9K likes.

Comment on U.S. firing notice policy from German cultural perspective.

Comment highlighting German woman’s insight: 11 sick days as a teacher annually, with 1089 likes.

Comment about cultural insights, with mention of German shelf toilet, posted by user ashep.

Comment discussing introversion related to German cultural insights with 6666 likes.

Comment from German woman on cultural insights, mentioning no smiling or small talk, with 4162 likes.

Comment about German cultural insight on noise restrictions on Sundays.

Comment on cultural insights comparing Midwest US small talk habits.

Comment discussing German cultural insight on milk refrigeration.

Comment reacting to surprising cultural insights about ranch dressing.

Comment expressing shock about cultural insights shared by a German woman.

Comment about German law requiring water to be cheaper than beer in a discussion about cultural insights.

Comment on Oktoberfest preference, highlighting cultural insights.

Comment discussing German cultural insights related to coffee creamer and beef preferences.

Comment on cultural insights from a German woman with 54 likes.

Comment discussing German cultural meal habits, highlighting a preference for a big lunch and sandwiches for dinner.

Comment comparing European and American healthcare costs, highlighting surprising cultural insights.

Comment on moving to Germany, expressing nervousness about the experience.

Comment appreciating cultural insights about Germany, with a user's profile photo and likes.

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