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American Didn’t Expect These 14 Cultural Differences Between The US And Germany
We aren't trees. We're allowed to move. And many people do... Some much further than others.
A travel blogger thought she had it all figured out when she decided to move across the world to Germany. For some reason, the American thought it would be a piece of kuchen. But boy, was she wrong!
In a series of entertaining and eye-opening videos, Helene Sula has spoken of the massive culture shocks she's faced since arriving in Europe. The "Helene in Between" blog founder touched down in Heidelberg, Germany with just two suitcases, her husband and their two dogs. But she had to jump through rigid hoops to get there. Here's what she wants us all to know about the German way of life and thinking...
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Multa Nocte 10 months ago
Very much the same in France. It's delightful, and their independence soars, which is why I guess some helicopter parents don't like it. When I am at cafés and marchés and such I notice that everyone keeps an eye out for any children in the area to make sure they don't wander off too far, etc. "It takes a village" - and you don't see French parents screaming at strangers who correct their children if they need it.
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T.M.P Janssen 10 months ago
I mostly stopped doing that, but sometimes I have to because a customers accent is so thick that I do not understand them. I always explain the problem (I have problems understanding accents and dialects for some reason) and most often than not, they understand. We each want something from the other and communication is key. I understand its frustrating though if you wanna learn and speak the language.
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Zig Zag Wanderer 10 months ago
Only a few motorways are still unlimited. We had one in Australia until a few years back, too. Not a freeway, though!
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Multa Nocte 10 months ago
Lidl's comes to mind. I just shove it all into the cart and bag it at the car.
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Zig Zag Wanderer 10 months ago
Rename 'influencer' as a real job name..... First response is valid!
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Roman Arendt 10 months ago
This really gets old. There is no beverage consumed more than water in Germany. You get in everywhere, but you usually have to pay for it (some restaurants may offer free tap water, though, which is safe to drink everywhere because of the extreme high regulation).
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Roman Arendt 10 months ago
I've lived in Germany for 41 yrs. Never once have I heard this term. And I would say it's the opposite: we don't stare at people. It's considered impolite, even rude. And that is something we teach our kids.
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Dorothea Lehmann 10 months ago
I've never seen a German supermarket have roach poison in the same aisle as any type of food, let alone right next to it.
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For All Pedernity 10 months ago
Lived in Germany and visited countless times, I don't recognize half of these situations.
Henrik Knudsen 10 months ago (edited)
Bad list. Looks like a list a tourist "living" there for 3 weeks would do.
Multa Nocte 10 months ago (edited)
Another country has different customs than America - whoda thunkit? Americans, please take note. I was soooooooo grateful to go on-line and learn about France and many of its customs before I moved from the US - it made the transition SO much easier. I still make the occasional slips, but I just say, "Nous sommes anglais" in a pitiful voice and they excuse me because I pretend to be English, as the French generally can't tell the difference between American and English accents. Sorry about that, Brits.
Zig Zag Wanderer 10 months ago
Well, given the general feeling towards the British, especially after brexit, we say we're Australian. Everyone loves Australians!
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For All Pedernity 10 months ago
Lived in Germany and visited countless times, I don't recognize half of these situations.
Henrik Knudsen 10 months ago (edited)
Bad list. Looks like a list a tourist "living" there for 3 weeks would do.
Multa Nocte 10 months ago (edited)
Another country has different customs than America - whoda thunkit? Americans, please take note. I was soooooooo grateful to go on-line and learn about France and many of its customs before I moved from the US - it made the transition SO much easier. I still make the occasional slips, but I just say, "Nous sommes anglais" in a pitiful voice and they excuse me because I pretend to be English, as the French generally can't tell the difference between American and English accents. Sorry about that, Brits.
Zig Zag Wanderer 10 months ago
Well, given the general feeling towards the British, especially after brexit, we say we're Australian. Everyone loves Australians!
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