British Reaction To The DON'Ts of Visiting Germany This is my reaction to the DON'Ts of Visiting Germany Original Video - • Visit Germany - The DO... Subtitles are available in German (and English)
It‘s a misunderstanding. You can cross the street at pretty much any place you like legally. What he was refering to are traffic lights. German pedestrians usually stop at the red (stop) light for pedestrians and don’t like people violating that (esp. when kids are around). And there is a fine for ignoring the red light. Not for crossing the street where no street crossings are around …
@@Kullioking True, you at least have to be like 50 - 100 meters away, depending on the street, to be freed from the duty to use the crosswalk. That of course is varying by the area. Also, if there is no police catching you, the possibility of you getting fined is about 0%
The deposit is a big thing here. Even if you don‘t want it back, don‘t trow bottles in the trash can. There are people collecting them who depend on that money. So don‘t be the person who makes people search the trash. Put the bottles on the side of trash cans. Respecting others is such an important thing.
As a German, regarding the concentration camps: In 10th grade we had a class trip to the KZ Neuengamme, one of the biggest around my hometown Hamburg. It was pretty cold there because it was January, I had a skijacket and some thick trousers, so I wasn’t sparsely clothed. We also had a guide that did a great job, and I think that the coldness really added to the experience… I just couldn’t properly fathom that people would have to work in those temperatures with basically no clothes. If you visit a KZ I would recommend going there in winter, because it just adds to the experience. Because it was winter, everything was grey, I think going in the summer, the lushness of nature would have felt too comfortable. The coldness, and greyness of the winter perfectly set the mood for such a trip.
We went to Dachau in the heat of summer and let me tell you those 30° had the same effect. Imagining having to work at this heat, without any shade and not enough water humbles you quite a bit.
Despite, or maybe because of the discomfort, I'm really grateful that it is mandatory (I think) for schools to have such a visit sceduled, when the history class reaches this stage. I visited in 10. grade, than changed to schools and in 11. grade, we got it on our scedule for a selective visit on our school trip. Our hhistory teacher encouraged all of those who havent't visited yet, should do so now.
As a german I wouldn't necessarily agree with the "don't wait in restaurants" one. Usually you get seated, order a round of drinks or whatever and then you have more then enough time to look through the menu to pick something. I've never ran into someone who was bothered even if it took 15 minutes before I ordered my food. But yes, there won't be someone asking every 2 minutes if you need something.. so you just might have to wait on them then :D
Also, there's a simple sign for showing whether you still need more time or have already decided: If the menu is open, you are still perusing it. If it's closed, you are ready to order.
I agree. It's okay to take your time. Also, in some restaurants you get seated and in some you just pick a table. In a cafe or bistro I usually just take a seat somewhere but in a proper restaurant I always wait and ask for a table. Most of the time they just say "Just sit wherever you like" but sometimes they seat you. The only thing that's really rushed is the supermarket checkout. You always have to be quick to put everything on the conveyor belt and quickly put everything back in your trolley to clear the checkout for the person behind you. I'm German and it still always stresses me out. Especially when my kids were still small and I had to watch them, throw everything back in the trolley, pay, make sure I don't drop my car keys ... *lol*
yep, usually you'll get to your seat, get the menu and order drinks, and by the time the drinks are brought over you order the food (or tell them you need more time) and it's really no big deal at all. it's not like they're suddenly gone just because they don't check on you every two minutes
As for bringing gifts I suppose it depends on the occasion and your relationship with the people you visit. If it's a more formal occasion you would bring flowers, chocolates, a bottle of something or such. Or if you are at somebody's home for the first time and it's more of a formal relationship (business partner or such) you'd probably bring something, too. If it's a housewarming, you bring bread and salt and often a little gift for the new home but if you just go to visit friends you don't necessarily bring anything. At least you're not expected to. It's a nice gesture to bring some snacks or so but not necessary.
To be fair, the architect of the holocaust memorial in Berlin encouraged people to "interact with it in any way they like". I think he wanted for some people to climb on it and some people to be enraged by those who do. In my opinion it's a brilliant way to spark controversy and make sure that people remember what those concrete blocks actually stand for. Never forget, never again!
"and make sure that people remember what those concrete blocks actually stand for." Generally speaking, I think your comment is perfectly fine, but the quoted statement above is a little bit questionable, because I think not half of all those people doing parcours or duckface selfies on the memorial, actually know what the memorial stands for, they just chase the clout. And I really think that is not what the architect wanted by stating, that people should interact however they see fit. I was there and sitting on the lower stones at the edges of the park is perfectly fine, even climbing on them is not a big deal. But jumping around all over the place while holding a camera and doing the v with silly faces is literally ousting the background and reason of the memorial...
"interact", mmh. I am not sure if that goes for selfies and jumping from on stone to another, when people show no interested what the blocks stand for. So how can there be an interactions?
I would be furious to see someone be so disrespectful. If I saw someone being disrespectful in a KZ I would tell security or maybe even berate that person myself. This is a mass murder site! It's a place to feel terrible and leave wanting to do and be better. The atmosphere there is so dark. And yeah, when I heard about people being disrespectful to the memorial in Berlin, I judge them. I was there trying to feel, what it meant, what the artist was trying to say. I don't fully get it as a lot of people don't, but just because it doesn't look like a memorial means, that you can do Parcours or picknicks on it. And no memorial of any kind is a place, where you can feed your narcissism!
You May consider that those kind of people see the blocks and start jumping over it and having fun, without knowing the meaning of it. Most people I know are lazy at reading. So if we talk about having visited the same city and I tell them that I was amazed by a former function of an old building, it reveals the they may have visit the same place but did not knowing about that former funktion. Why? Because the don't read! I think in some percent of cases the tourist jumping over the blocks, it is just lack of knowlege. Ducface in concentration camps on the other hand couldn't be excused.
As a German and a Civil Engineer I want to share a fun fact of the Autobahn: If the signs don't show a speed limit, there is still a recommended speed limit of 130 km/h. The reason for that is, that for the design of the alignment, a speed of 140 km/h is considered. There are indeed some older sections of the Autobahn, where you really should not go faster than 140 km/h in the curves, I experienced that myself on the A8 once, I think.
And if you are faster than the "Richtgeschwindigkeit" (recommended speed) of 130, it is possible that your insurance will not pay for your crash. And even if someone else is to blame for the accident, it is very possible that you get a part of the blame on you.
Don't forget the sign for "no speed limit". Then you're allowed to drive as fast as you want. But true, you should'nt exaggerate it. Safty first. And be carefull on the left side. Another one could be faster than you.
@@Winona493not necsessarily. Modern cars have gotten very safe in that manner. Additionally, since most cars on the Autobahn are still normal-sized and relatively light, your chance of survival of a high speed crash is much higher than probably anywhere else. Also, the guarding rails on the Autobahn are designed to withstand these types of crashes at high speeds (to a point of course). You will be (probably even heavily) injured, but not necsessarily dead. Stay safe!
The Last one always gets me. I mean as a German I know e don't all live in Fachwerkhäusern, but I also never even thought about another country not having a modern city scape. If I'd go to china I'd not expect people to live in bamboo made straw huts between rice fields only. That's a bit like expecting Cowboys on every corner next to a saloon when going to Washington DC. Maybe that's a german thing but I don't even know anyone else that would assume anything like that. Or am I just in a weird crowd and that's normal otherwise ?
I strongly disagree on the "order right away in a restaurant" thing. It might be different in different regions or just big cities compared to villages where you'll also have smaller restaurants. But normally waiters want to gain money by selling you drinks. They might already ask you if you want something to drink right away while handing you the menu. But that's not about the food. You'll get your drink, get into first conversations with the people you're dining with, and sometimes even order a second drink before finally ordering food. The unwritten sign that you want to order is either looking at a waiter while they are walking by or politely raising your hand at them, but waiters will see that you are ready to order when you close the menu or stop looking at it. So you won't have to wait for long if you don't order right away. Doing the "quick-hurry up" culture that Germans are famous for in restaurants is actually not very useful and won't make you much money as a restaurant owner. You want people to order second drinks and dishes, and that they'll only do if they have enough time to do so.
Thats very true. Also, as you said, most German restaurants welcome you to stay as long as you like (as long as you order something every now and then), thus they gain money. There may be exceptions when its really crowded but thats not the norm like e.g. in restaurants in the States.
Agreed. I believe the creator of the original video is American and used to the over the top American restaurant service, where waiters check in on you every 5 minutes and ask you if you want anything else, offer refills, ask if everything is OK etc. He just didn't know that in Germany, waiters usually leave you alone to let you study the menu in peace and take all the time you want before ordering your food and you have to signal them that you are ready to order by closing the menu and looking their way and/or raising your hand when they look your way. If you do that, they will come to your table to take your order very quickly, unless the restaurant is very croweded and the food and drink deliveries are queueing up (in the latter case it is actually smart and might save you some time to be ready to order when they bring your drinks, in any other case that is certainly not a social rule and more the exception than the norm)
Just to touch on the part about crossing streets: If there is no red light you can just cross the road. If possible do it in a civilized manner and use pedestrian crossings or Zebra Streifen. If that is not possible just find any other suitable spot, but make shure to look left and right to not get run over. If there is a red light, use it. Have a quick look and see, if there are any children around. If there are children around, lead by good example and wait until the light turns green. If there aren't any children around, proceed at your own discretion. Most people won't judge you, if you cross a red light, so long, as you don't interfere with traffic and you aren't setting a bad example for kids.
About the shoes in the house thing: Not in every house you have to take your shoes off. I would say in about 70% it is the case tho, but it always depends on the person you are visiting. I can give the advice to just ask "where should I put my shoes" when you are at someones place for the first time. Usually they will say where to put them or if you can keep wearing them, without getting in a weird moment.
For the Autobahn: Yes, on some parts of it you really can drive as fast as you like. But there are two things to remember: The left lane is only for overtaking someone. If you're done with it, you should be change back to the right lane. The second thing: No matter, how fast you're driving... there is ALWAYS someone faster then you. Most of the other drivers wait patiently, that you switch back to the other lane. But like in every other country, there are some really bad apples out there, who try to force you back
I take my time, regardless of the behaviour of the car behind me. I don't want to school anybody how to drive, but sometimes it's just not safe to switch to the right lane, because you have to squeeze your car in a far to small space. Also people that ignore the safety distance tend to have almost no situational awareness. I leave even more space to the next car in front of me, if I have someone 1 meter behind me for the simple reason that I then can't break hard, because the car behind me would not have enough time to react.
I have to correct you: You can NEVER drive as fast as "you like" in germany. When there's no sign you can go as fast as the situation allows it without endangering anybody else. Meaning: When there's any traffic you are basically not allowed to speed like a moron. German law expects you do be responsible.
I am Scottish living I’m Germany. I am glad you had this person on … he is correct. The Americans you had on was shameful. I lived also in the USA … I have dual nationality. Proud to be Scottish … I hope you and family can manage to visit Germany … you would love it.
Running/playing around on the memorial in Berlin is actually COMPLETELY fine. It's what the architect intended. "But there are no dead people under my memorial. My idea was to allow as many people of different generations, in their own ways, to deal or not to deal with being in that place. And if they want to lark around I think that's fine." -Peter Eisenman
Jaywalk and crossing the streets while lights are red: in my childhood it was not so strict and so pronounced. But at that time (70s) our society was very educational. And we believe that as adults, we need to set a good example for our children. How can I tell my child to stop at red pedestrian lights for the way to school if I don't do it myself and see others not complying with them?
Typical situation at a restaurant would be: You sit down somewhere. A waiter arrives and give you the menu and asks if you know what you want to drink. You can always say you'll decide later. It's not frowned upon. He goes to get the drinks, comes back a few minutes later and asks if you know what you want to eat. You place your order. So, no hurry.
So in Germany it's allowed to cross any normal Street at any point. BUT if there is a Traffic light it usually means that there is traffic, so for safety reasons and to be able to cross the street the cars have to stop and we pedestrians can safely cross the street. Of course if there's no traffic or at night time people cross the red light 😊 there is a unspoken rule if there are children standing at the red light we do not cross and try to be a good role model ❤
Modeling good behavior also helps recent immigrants to integrate. What with foreign famines and wars Germany and Europe in general have a lot of recent immigration. So for me it's not just children but immigrants too. Essentially anyone who is still learning the rules.
On the topic of money on 12:55 The view regrading cash is quite mixed here in Germany, though it is very rarely "Cash vs Credit Card" but "Cash vs Debit Card" - Credit cards are a lot more rare in Germany and card devices support them less, but most people with a bank account do have a debit card, while people pretty much only have credit cards if they plan to visit or have visited a country like the US. The usage then is also situational, I for example pay my groceries or gas pretty much always with my debit card, but on smaller shops, restaurants, etc., I usually use cash. Reasons people have to prefer cash can be for example convenience (in the older generations), reduced traceability, support for the restaurant/shop because the banks have fees in wire transfer, being surer that when you tip in restaurants, money actually stays with the staff. Specifically on phone-based money transfer, mistrust in the technology, the device, or implications on stolen devices come to mind. But often it comes down to the personal preference. Obligatory anecdote: A group at my workplace thought it would be nice to visit the close-by Christmas Market after work. When there, the HR person who initiated this plan noticed, that they might not be able to pay as they mainly use their phone for payments, while I (software engineer) would not for the foreseeable future trust my device enough to do more than being a 2-factor-athentificator when it comes to money. Both of us are in a similar age group, me being born 1994.
4:40 depends by daytime and street size but most important is that when in absolutely most cases we don’t cross it if there’re children near by u and can see that.. that’s something like social agreement, don’t do wrong things when kids around you So if it’s 23pm and there is not so much traffic we cross also the red traffic lights But in total yes, we all learn it in school: wait, look to the left, to the right, to the left again and then u can go 😄
@@strandkorbst9643 This question never came to my mind. I was just talking about the situation he was starting to explain his discomfort about. He was talking about some guys or should I say buffoons he reacted a couple of days ago and how much disrespect to they've showed. They were from the US. In opposite to them Mert happened to be a Scotsman with manners, hence a civilized European.
06:10 That realy depends on the house. There are households that will tolerate no shoes at all and there are households that have like "Shoe free zones" For example, by Family home, a house from the late 1800s, base level is mostly covered in timber flooring and tiles. That is the area where a visitor would not be asked to take of their shoes. But if you want to go into the "Privat" or "Living Area" where there is carpet on the floor, you will be asked to take of your shoes. That is of course different in every household, so it is best to just ask if you should take off your shoes.
My parents allow guests to keep their shoes on, but at my aunts and uncles you have to not wear them inside. Then at my sister's in laws you get house slippers. It really depends on the household. Do they mind the mess shoes make? Or do they want their guests to feel more comfortable? I'd say it's 50/50. Also a long time friend or someone staying longer might have different rules, too. It's difficult, so everyone asks. Or they just start to remove their shoes and the family tells them, if they don't have to.
Our house had a “no shoes” policy for so long, that when someone came in wearing their shoes which, considering we lived in a village, could’ve stepped in all kinds of sh+t and other stuff like snails beforehand, it made me feel really offended. Meanwhile at my grandparents’ house, if you’re not wearing shoes, you gotta wear slippers, that’s just how things go. After all, everyone has their own house rules.
Hi Mert, I really like your channel and your genuine interest in Germany and its people and culture, so both thumbs up! I would have two comments. First on the friendliness of germans. This can vary quite a bit between areas. I found that in the south people are much more friendly, while in the north people are more reserved. And in Berlin area the locals can even come across quite rude in the first place. We call it "Berliner Schnauze" which is very blunt or provocative when you are not used to it. But actually they don't mean to be rude and it is rather a certain sense of humor. Secondly, on the cash payment thing. Germany is also getting there but very slowly. Corona changed a lot but in particular elder germans still prefer their cash. Before Corona you could only pay cash in a bakery for example, this has changed now. But at most Döner places they still only accept cash. I hope you can make it to Germany some day so you can make your experience first hand and I am pretty sure you will like it :)
The absence of "half timbered houses" in the heart of big cities has a kind of sad historic background. Building with stones and concret is faster and sturdier, after the area was burned down and distroyed in WW2. I'm sure it's the same thing in french and englisch big cities.
Im German and grew up in in a small village that had only 1 single traffic light that was on the way to the local school. On it there was a sign, that reminded ppl to stop at red and be an example for children. That always stuck to my head. Now i live in a big city in Austria and here a lot of ppl dont care. Only a few weeks ago i saw a women with a girl around 10y jaywalking acrolls a street with 4 lines... the whole traffic had to stop for that dumbass and she was grinning from ear to ear as if she was proud of that accomplishment. Many years ago i was at a workshop and when we had our big break during the day, me and another dude that was there went to a nearby super market. For that we had to cross a narrow street with a traffic light. He always went if it was red and no cars approaching, i always stopped...he asked me if i was autistic cause i felt the need to wait for the traffic light to get green, lol.
Yeah, that's pretty much it. There's a big difference between smaller towns and bigger cities. As with a lot of other things I feel like people in the bigger cities are generally more liberal :)
I have a little anecdote to jaywalking in Germany: I was going home late in a big city and stood at the red light out of habit. I could see no cars because it was foggy. A guy to my right started to cross the road on a red light and out of the fog, red and blue police lights flare up and their microphone beeps. "Wouldn't do that if I were you." Generally, the rule makes people at least look around before jaywalking and often times people stay still when they see little kids because they don't want to set a bad example. The red light shows who was raised by strict german parents.
Hey, your comments about behaviour in a foreign country seem quite appropriate to me. But don't forget: The guys whose video you reactioned to are Americans, I am sorry to have to say that .. .. reg. disrespect: do you remember that woman who climbed up a Maya pyramid some weeks ago to make selfies dancing on the top although it was strictly forbidden and it would hurt the religious feelings of the native people? Same story. Nothing more to tell. It has all to do with respect - and the lack of it. And of course the landscape and the region form and shape people and "friendliness" and openess. People in Franconia are like their dialect: a little clumsy, not very charming, terse - they need a lot of time to warm up and trust perfect stranger, they are not easily to be enthused but when the ice is broken they are very very welcoming, humerous (a very very dry humour! lol) and helpful. Viele Grüße!
- Don't jaywalk with children in sight. That's the big rule as far as I'm concerned. You need to know the rules before you can figure out when to break them. But on occasion I really just wait for red for no real reason. - I stopped using Paypal once a lawyer explained their TOS and what audacities they have in there (we decide whatis wrong, we decide the fine, we take it from your bank account - what dio you mean 'due process'? Sue us!). Since then, I absolutely prefercash and had to cancel some services that need it. Going cashless is good for authoritarianism and banks earning on the debt, but its convenience makes people happily trade in freedom. And control. There's no thought behind "ah, just charge my credit card", no feeling that you just spend money like going to the ATM gives you.
True with the autobahn! Get yourselves up slowly on it and observe the flow and habit of traffic for a while before going on the fast lane. Especially: always look in your rear mirror and always blink in good time before you change lanes. It's often difficult to judge how fast other cars are approaching you from far back, if you're not familiar with such speeds!!! Suddenly they're right behind you and start honking like crazy 😉
I'm from Austria, but I just wanted to tell my single Geman Autobahn story (which coincidentally was also my first solo experience on a highway since getting my license) I was driving an older company owned Fiat Doblo (max speed 161 km/h) to make a quick delivery over the weekend I was going between 100 and 130 most of the time because whenever I tried to go any faster the car started to make concerining noises At some point, in a more rural area, I went around a turn and saw three long trucks driving up a decent incline in front of me, so I started to accelerate a bit so I could overtake them (accelerating is being very generous here, because of the incline the car barely picked up any speed) Distances are hard to guess at those speeds, but when I got close to them I was already pretty far away from the turn I checked my mirrors, couldn't see anybody and switched to the other lane (only two lanes because it was a rural area) But then when I was halfway past the three trucks, I suddenly had a car behind me who kept flashing their headlights trying to get me to change lanes And honestly, I would've... The issue: the three trucks were so close behind each other that me trying to squeeze in even if I tried to and I also couldn't really go any faster because I was already going full throttle So yeah... Autobahn was fun...
I know that feeling. I was going something about 140 in the left lane, so of course I had a german car behind me, flashing their lights at me.y Only issue was, we had not reached the border yet and were still in Austria. German drivers really can be entitled idiots on the Autobahn.
Don't get stressed out by those idiots. I always slow down, when someone is that pushing. I stay on the left lane until I pass the car I was overtaking and then slowly go on the right lane again. Gotta teach them the lesson that the more they push the less they get what they want. And YES I find it very exhausting to drive on the Autobahn and I definitely hope that we will get a speed limit some day. The fact that you can drive as fast as you want definitely brings out the worst in the people. They can't handle the power.
It‘s also illegal to flash the lights to signal the person in front of you to move aside. Don‘t let yourself get stressed, although you have to understand that whenever there‘s no speed limit, you have to watch behind you if there‘s a car on the “fast lane”, as you can easily misguess their speed and it could end up dangerously.
As an Austrian car owner, where many of us own smaller cars with top speeds around 160-180 because that's by far enough for our highway limit of 130, I also have such stories. Whenever I have to go on the German Autobahn, once I switch to the left lane, I keep one eye on the rear view mirror. If a little dot appears on the horizon that frantically flashes its headlights, I know I have about 2 seconds left to get back into the right lane. Because that's how long (or rather how short) it will take for that German Porsche or Audi or whatever doing 205+ to sit right behind my car and sniff my exhaust with me going pedal to the metal at 165. Now try to find a large enough space between trucks doing 80-100 in the right lane. Like, of course I'm not sticking around on the left lane for fun, but often there's just no way to get back into the right lane that quickly. I really wish Germany would only have no limits sections when there are 3 lanes and would limit all 2 lane sections of Autobahn to more reasonable speed limits. Because these speed differences are pretty dangerous when you have nowhere to go. I don't mind high speeds per se, eg. my parent's car is much bigger and more powerful, so, yes, I've driven 200 myself on occasion and if the weather and visibility are good and there's enough space for everyone there's nothing to it. But 2 lanes and a mix of slow trucks, medium speed cars and then some people going 200+? Not so good.
@@katharina7195Ist leider beides Nötigung. Du kannst, wenn Du einen Zeugen hast, Anzeige erstatten wegen Nötigung. Und selbst, wenn Du nicht unmittelbar etwas davon hast, so kriegt der Typ irgendwann Probleme, wenn sich derlei Anzeigen stapeln. Dann braucht der das 49€-Ticket. Erzieherische Maßnahmen stehen den Bedrängten nicht zu. Und solche selbsternannten Sheriffs halten mit ihrer Rache dann auch die auf, die eigentlich ganz manierlich fahren, weil jemand dann links mit 100 gaaaanz langsam ein paar LKW überholt, die 90 oder 95 fahren. Und da krieg ich dann einen Fön auf beide Idioten. Sollen sich die Drängler und die Racheengel doch auf einem Rastplatz duellieren und uns andere fahren lassen, denn ich bekomme diese Zeit vom Racheengel auch nicht zurück.
8:11 It actually is reasonable to say that because sometimes there will just be a iron plate with the information in the ground and it's quite easy to overlook. But sometimes like in my home city we have things quite similar to that and it was just made for people to climb, have fun,etc.
I live in Hamburg and I prefer crossing roads at the traffic lights, but especially if the streets are regularly empty or traffic is slow, it is okay to cross wherever you think is safest. I've seen mothers crossing roads that way with their children. As a German, I guess you see pretty quickly where you can cross and where you can't. BUT if you want to cross at a street light, always wait for at least five minutes before you decide to cross when it is still red. It's good etiquette
I don't see the Holocaust Monument as a historical monument. There is no one buried and the place is not linked in a historical way. The whole concept was to experiance the monument in the way you like and feel: walking, climbing, running and so on. It was controversial from the beginning and I don't understand why the choose this design when they did not like the purpose of the design. The architect himself had not the idea of a sacred place. "SPIEGEL ONLINE: Now that the memorial is finished and open to the public, it probably won't be long before the first swastika is sprayed on it. Eisenman: Would that be so bad? I was against graffiti protection from the start. When a swastika is sprayed on, it is a reflection of what people are feeling. If it stays there, it's a reflection of what the government thinks about people scrawling swastikas on the memorial. It's something I can't control. When you hand the project over to the client, he can do with it what he wants - it's his, he has the work. If you want to knock over the stones tomorrow, honestly, that's fine. People will picnic in the field. Children will play tag in the field. There will be mannequins posing here and films will be shot here. I can well imagine how a shootout between spies in the field would end. It's not a holy place." It is a difference when you go to a concentration or forced labour camp where real people suffered and died. I would not set places like Buchenwald or Auschwitz the same as the Holocaust memorial.
I left Germany for New Zealand in the early 90s to study in New Zealand. My tutor always said to me that he really hopes I'd soon developed a sense of humor.. he was American and i told him that he shouldn't worry too much about it as we Germans occupy a large part of Michigan/Illinois with a quarter of the population being of German decent. 😂
about cash: from what i've head from shop keepers of smaller shops, those card reader machines are usually rented from a bank and especially paying with a credit card comes with a hefty fee for the shop, so especially shops which mostly sell cheaper items would have to raise their prices for those losses
One thing about taking your shoes off when entering a home: In some other countrys this is an almost spiritual thing. It is a gesture to show respect and modesty. In germany we just don´t like dirt on our floors.
The jaywalking thing is something that's more or less strictly seen depending on the region, location, and situation. In bigger cities within more traditional regions, you're more likely to get reprimanded for crossing on a red light, even if the street is empty, but in more diverse regions it's more about the situational awareness. Don't cross on red while children are around because they might pick this up as a habit while not having the awareness of danger an adult will have, but on a Saturday morning on an empty street no one will bat an eye - again depending on the region. Also the thing about waiters in Germany... it might be more extreme in bavaria, but in other regions you can ask the waiters to come again a few minutes later if you don't know yet what you want to order. Depending on how busy it is, it might take a while before they appear again though. The German government and banks are definitely trying to get towards a cashless society, and younger folks tend to be more open about using cards and phones for purchases, but a lot of the smaller shops and older people are apprehensive about cashless payments. The tech for making cashless payments is tied to a monthly fee for the system itself as well as for the bank dealing with them, so unless you're making so much money that you don't mind paying these fees, or you get so many customers who want to only pay cashless that they make up the potential majority of your profits, it's a financially sound decision to not offer cashless payments. On the customers side the decision is often due to having a physical object that makes it blatantly clear how much money you actually have and how much you'll have left after a potential purchase, which can cause you to re-evaluate how much you actually need or want something. Another reason is privacy. Not everyone who could potentially be able to get a look into your bank account needs to know every kind of purchase you have made over the years. The fewer purchases they can track, the better.
Sie hatten sich in Ihrem Kommentar gefragt, warum wir Deutschen Bargeld bevorzugen - nun, für jede Transaktion per Karte, entstehen Kosten für alle Geschäfte, Restaurants etc. Wenn ich also beim Bäcker 1 Brötchen kaufe, entstehen der Bäckerei höhere Transaktionskosten, als was das Brötchen wert ist, was dann natürlich bedeutet, das Geschäft hat höhere Ausgaben als Einnahmen..! Seid etwa 1 Jahr, kann man aber auch vermehrt in Bäckerein und weiteren Kleingeschäften mit Karte zahlen. Machen Sie weiter so, ich finde Ihre Kommentare und Reationen ( besonders was deutsche Satiresendungen angeht) echt toll !! Endlich mal jemand mit Humor !! 👍😄
The cash thing was correct before covid - especially because there was a " minimum prize cap" on cards (of 20 € or up - card is ok) . Since covid that has changed, most places take cards even for such small amounts as 0,01€.
I am german and no one who visit my house has to put off his shoes . I also do not know everyone who wants this to do by their visitors. I also do not want to bother a visitor by buying a gift for me . The traffic in germany gets more and more dangerous because the behaviour of people is very ruthless
So you sit inside your house with your shoes on? You deserve to be shamed. I think keeping your shoes on is ok when you're just dropping by and don't intend to stay or you're carring something but if you're sitting down with your shoes on I'd find you weird. Even more so if there's carpet around. That makes me even cringe when I see this on RU-vid.
Cash or cashless depends on the generation using it. My children are more prone to paying with their mobiles than me but I do use credits/debit cards occasionally. And using cash prevents one from falling into the debt trap a lot of Americans are prone to.
I stopped using Paypal once an online lawyer explained their TOS and what audacities they have in there. Since then, I absolutely prefercash and had to cancel some services that need it. Going cashless is good for authoritarianism and banks earning on teh debt, but its convenience makes people happily trade in freedom. And control. There's no thought behind "ah, just charge my credit card", no feeling that you just spend money.
We Germans just really love our data to be safe, I imagine. When having your cash, nobody will be able to look unnoticed into your savings. The state will not know you payed at a certain shop for certain items just by checking your credit card info. Same goes for all the companies connected to contactless paying. I'd rather know who (can) know about my personal information. And ofcourse paying 20 euros feels more realistic when using cash. A piece of paper in my hand makes me realize the amount of ice cream I could buy with that better than a number on my phone.
The thing with the red light and crossing the street like @erikschlicksbier said is that you can do it but ignoring it will give you a fine and i usually cross the street while always making sure to check both sides of the road to see if any cars are coming or not
in germany, creditcards are mostly used to buy stuff in other currency. for example you buy a jacket from the UK and have to pay in Pound but only have Euro in Germany. You can also use paypal for that matter. Most of the time you will pay cash or with a EC-Card / Debit-Card in germany. Fancy people can use their phone to pay stuff via Apple Pay or Google Pay but its not used everywhere like Debit-Cards or Cash.
Walters World is an amazing channel and as for his videos about Germany I never had anything to complain (I´m german)! He travelled a lot und it shows.
some points to clarify: in german restaurants you dont need to order right away everything. order the drinks when they bring the menu and ask for some time to pick food for example when they bring the drinks. works everywhere. and to the cash point: allmost all shops now accept cards now. the only one that dont are mostly small family businesses with low traffic. they cost of the card system doesnt offset the few more customers they would have. and yes that is a dircet influence of covid. oh and another thing: if you get in trouble and are ordered to pay a fine:pay it right away... dont try to give a fake adress and expect nothing to come from it: they will find you and you will pay that fine. those guys are like Liam Neelson in Taken. say you are a tourist and you might even get lucky with a verbal warning if its nothing serious.
The Redlight thing for pedestrian is more, at the time when it's possible kids could see you by jaywalking. And more in bigger cities like MUC … in smaller Towns it's not so strict
I'm from a smaller town in Germany so I don't min crossing the street on a red light since there's not that much traffic anyway, but I don't do it if kids are around. For the "don't wait" part: again this could be because of me being from the country side but I've never had a waitress or a waiter stand next to me while I choose what to get, even when visiting bigger cities. They hand out the menus and come back after a while. And if they don't just make eye contact and raise your hand, they'll be with you shortly. Yes Germany is moving towards cashless pay but you still have to pay cash in a lot of places. So always bring cash, you don't want to sit on a 60€ bill in a bar when they only take cash. I haven't seen a place yet that doesn't accept cash anymore.
Credit Cards are more and more accepted. Small shops, bakeries, market and such often don't accept credit card. I'd say any place, where the usual transaction is a small amount of 10 or 20 € are likely not to have credit card reader. It is also often frowned upon, making small payments with credit card (the shop has to pay fees)
i think the "germans are rude" stereotype exists because we do tend to have rather stern resting faces 😅 (just to deter any nay-sayers: obviously that's not a rule. not everyone is like that. but i live here. i see the tendency daily. and i see it in myself. walking past a window, i often am like "oops. gotta look a little more friendly" 😂)
My family waits at traffic lights until they change to green. When we were in London last year, we actually started to cross the street with red lights on because it was so slow to change. In Germany you don't wait long for changing of the traffic lights so waiting is normally no problem.
I am a foreigner living in Germany for more than 20 years, and what is shared in the videos are all true. I love the Germans and their observation of the their rules. It a normal thing for Germans, however foreigners might have difficulties with something they aren't grown up with. Germans are hard to get into contact with but once you do, oh boy, you have friends for life. Germans aren't proactive in someone's else needs. Do not expect they come to you proactively and ask you if you need help. However, they are extremely helpful if you ask or need help. And be exactly with your needs. If you generalize you needs, they would say they do not know.
With the traffic lights it depends on where you are because of high traffic then you have to follow the rules but in small streets you can cross them without going to the traffic lights.
4:17 i did that once but my entire class did that too so it was peer pressure but there were no cars. I don't remember how many people are in my class.
13:00 Yes, since covid, a LOT of places have switched to be able to pay cashless, but Cash is still a big thing in places like christmas markets and little food stands and stuff like that... places that are to small to have a card reader.
You probably don't know what happened to Estonia, all cashless Society hacked by Russia,as I told you ,germans are culturally conservative.we love to test waters before sailing.
The thing with cash has mostly changed after covid yes you will be able to pay cash everywhere and you might find places that only accept cash but ever since covid most places will accept cards but dont expect anyone to accept a check
Ever since a Nazi party (AfD, which has creepingly transformed itself from a Euro-critic party into a Nazi party) has been squatting in our parliaments, becoming more and more radicalised and gaining more and more support, respect for the victims of National Socialism has dwindled. As a result, disrespectfulness against the victims and the memorials has become more and more socially acceptable, which is of great concern to many of us Germans.
most people on Autobahn and myself too drive with a speed of 100- 130km/h. Big cars containing business men drive up to 160 (as CEO i did it too) and very few are faster. My opinion it is very relaxing to drive and not to get sweaty hands.
13:34 Germans often think of Cash beeing the safe thing. You have the most controle over your money... also you are always prepared for anything that could come up if you have cash with you.
okay the restaurant one is semi true. our waiters don’t come to the table every 5minutes to check, yes. but they do come to hand you the menu relatively quickly (if it’s not already on the table), by then you can either already order your drinks if you know what you wanna drink or you take your time to check the menu. you don’t necessarily need to hurry. the waiters probably won’t come by themselves so you either signalise them to come take your order by closing the menu and putting it aside or you can politely raise your hand if they look in your direction so they know that you’re ready to order. as soon as your food is served they will usually not come to your table again unless there are dishes to take away or you raise hand again to either get the bill or ask for another drink/more food. waiters just wanna leave you alone to eat and enjoy your time there :)
I think the reason why foreign people think we are bad is bc of two worldwars of course - and bc a lot of germans like to live peacefully. There is not much communication with strangers on the street (aside from festive activities of course and it also might differ from region to region) but you really will get on the bad side of a german if you are too loud and noisy and overly extroverted with everyone. We like to be approached in a quiet and respectful manner xD I've also heard a lot that our language sounds aggressive to foreign ears and that might also be a reason why people think we are unkind...
I’ve had that experience with the language as well. I’m a native speaker, and lived there for a bit, but when we moved away, and later came to visit, I would find that German sounded kinda… harsh. Not sure how to describe it. Especially among the younger population (think “Hey Alter! Was is? Soll’n wir einen saufen gehen?”)
quick addition to the traffic light stuff: as you mentioned, Germans are on time with everything. So, who would've thought that even traffic lights at crossings for pedestrians and cars are sequenced with certain timings to allow everyone to cross without waiting for the green light too long (maximum traffic in the least waiting time for every direction). This means, if the light turns red on your side, the road crossing your way gets a green light shortly afterwards (sometimes only 1 second later). This means running a red light because you think to yourself "ah it turned red only half a second ago, I can still cross that" will put you on the street in front of onrolling traffic, which will delay traffic and also endanger yourself. And nothing annoys a German more than that one guy who thought "ach geht schon noch", or "die Ampel war noch kirschgrün".
In terms of crossing the road: people here in Germany do cross roads pretty much anywhere but when you're already at a stoplight you wait the freaking half a minute or whatever for the green light XD If you desperately want to walk when there isn't a green light fight a spot where there isn't a traffic light XD
to clarify, we don't like it when the traffic light is red and someone crosses the street WHEN there are other people waiting as well. It sets a bad example. If there are kids present that see you, an adult who should be a role model, break the rules, for example. If there's nobody else around... it doesnt matter.
about the autobahn: some are actually without a speed limit but on others you’re not allowed to go faster than 120km/h. also, even on the ones without a speed limit, you’re recommended to only go 130km/h, by law. it’s a recommendation though so surely you can go faster, that’s what the left lane is for. you’re not supposed to stay on in for too long though, it’s mostly just to overtake others and then switch back to the right one. as for three lane autobahnen: right lane is for trucks and slower cars. middle is for those who go around 130km/h and left is for anyone going faster. but as i’ve said before, you mostly only use the left lane to overtake others on the middle lane as we have the „rechtsfahrgebot“ (law that you have to drive on the right side of lanes, though it only applies as sort of a recommendation or wish on the autobahn nowadays)
11:00 If you are on the "Autobahn" and you stick to the right Lane nothing can happen to you: it's kinda reseved for trucks and slowpokes. No one expects you to go faster than 80 km/h (we have a kind of a tollerance on that so trucks might take you over)
Little secret tip for people vistiting the far west of Germany: Monschau is a beautifult small town close to the border to the Netherlands. You can even reach it by bus from Aachen without a single transfer. They also have the best selection of mustard in all of Europe. (and probably the rest of the world)
There is one specific traffic light in my area where I feel like I am the only person who waits until it's green because everyone in my area is so much under time pressure.
There is an interview with Peter Eisenman, the architect of the memorial on Spiegel Online from a couple of years ago. He said: "Menschen werden im dem Feld picknicken. Kinder werden in dem Feld Fangen spielen. Es wird Mannequins geben, die hier posieren, und es werden hier Filme gedreht werden. Ich kann mir gut vorstellen, wie eine Schießerei zwischen Spionen in dem Feld endet. Es ist kein heiliger Ort." English: "Interview with memorial architect Peter Eisenman. "People will picnic in the field. Children will play catch in the field. There will be mannequins posing here, and movies will be shot here. I can well imagine how a shootout between spies will end in the field. It's not a sacred place." So I think in a typical German maner there are many Germans who take the significance of the memorial more seriously than it was actually intended.
Nun, es stellt sich die Frage, wieviel weniger "ernst" man diese Sache nehmen kann und darf. Fest dürfte doch wohl stehen, dass man reflektieren sollte, ob das eigene Verhalten nicht vielleicht einfach respektlos ist.
@@heha6984 hat weniger mit Respektlosigkeit zu tun, sondern mit menschlicher Kreativität. Was man zweckentfremden kann wird der Mensch auch zweckentfremden, und dieses Denkmal ansonsten ziemlich langweile Monument ist sehr leicht anderweitig zu nutzen. Da hätten die Leute die das genehmigt haben einfach besser nachdenken sollen, und das nachdenken jetzt nicht von denen fordern die sich nicht dafür interessieren bzw es nicht einmal wissen. Da sind beispielsweise die Stolpersteine aus Kupfer oder Bronze deutlich klüger, da durch das vermeintlich respektlose drauftreten dafür gesorgt dass es lesbar bleibt. Sprich, solange du da nicht gerade deinen Kaugummi draufspuckst o.ä. ist es praktisch unmöglich wirklich respektlos dazu zu sein. Es ist einfach ein langweiliger und sinnfreier Ort, der leider auch nicht allen Opfern gewidmet ist. So groß und mitten in einer Stadt... da hätte man definitiv was kreativeres machen können, was scheinbar auch dem Architekten selbst klar ist. Gedenken muss nicht immer langweilig und traurig sein, insbesondere da hier ja nicht einmal Opfer begraben liegen oder große Gräueltaten stattgefunden haben.
@@danielhopkins2277 Schon mal drüber nachgedacht, dass "Kreativität" durchaus respektlos sein kann? Es geht doch nicht darum, ob ein Denkmal schön ist oder langweiig oder grade Dir nicht gefällt, sondern WOFÜR es steht. Wie weit doch die Wahrnehmung auseinanderdriften kann: In München, glaub ich, war's, wo die Stolpersteine abgeschafft wurden (auch auf Bestreben der jüdischen Gemeinde), weil man es eben für respektlos hielt, das Andenken, welches jene Steine repräsentieren, im wahrsten Sinn des Wortes "mit Füßen zu treten" - ist nicht von mir, diese Begründung. Man wird immer irgendeine Rechtfertigung für alles finden - ob man auf jeden Rechfertigungszug ohne weitere Reflektion aufspringen muss, ist die große Frage. In diesem Sinn noch einen schönen Tag.
@@danielhopkins2277 The architect was saying this during the induction: Mr. Chancellor, Mr. Bundespresident, Members of the Kuratorium, Distinguished guests, My Family, My Friends, My Colleagues! I speak as an architect and as just another human being; this is a momentous day for all of us. It is and has been a humbling experience. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work together with my colleagues and with members of the Kuratorium to finally be here today. Yes, there has been debate, controversy, and disagreement among us, as Paul Spiegel has pointed out. But this is healthy, and I believe it has brought us to a better project than when we began. It is clear we will not have solved all of the problems, or have satisfied everyone present. But this cannot have been our intention. To have done so would have been to have done nothing. To have known our result before we began, we would not have begun. Much of what we have produced is the result of the confidence that the members of the Kuratorium had that we would together succeed. But today’s success is not our purpose, for it is only transitory. Rather, our purposes have been twofold. First was to establish a permanent memory, to record what has been in this capital city. Second, and perhaps more importantly, was to begin a debate with the openendness that is proposed by such a project, allowing future generations to draw their own conclusions. Not to direct them what to think, but to allow them to think. For these reasons we have challenged most existing ideas of what a memorial could be. We were not trying to be provocative in itself but rather attempting something that would simply convey the ordinariness, the mundanedness, that all of those who suffered experienced. And perhaps it is in this simplicity that the work becomes provocative. In this course we have all taken risks, but for me personally, I have learned when to fight for what I believed was right for the Memorial, as well as to back down when I was wrong. I want to say that I was wrong about the inclusion of the Ort [Information Centre]. I think the Ort and the field together are very important. As the Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben writes in »Die Zeit« this week: there are two ideas of memory. One is the unforgettable, which is the silence of the field; the other is the memorable, which is recorded in the archives, in the Ort. Together they are what make this memorial possible. As I said at the beginning, this experience has been humbling, and it is important for me to reiterate that. But perhaps most of all, through this process I have become closer to my Jewishness. Orthodox or reform, religious or secular, Ashkenazi or Sephardi, German or Pole, we were all the same in their eyes. For now it remains for me to become silent, to give this Memorial to the German people, now and in the future, and to let your Memorial speak to and for the German people and to the world. At heart I am a New Yorker, but from today, part of my soul will always remain here in Berlin. Thank you. The request that future generations should make their conclusions is there, but there is no request to have "fun" in that monument ... at least if this would be not the ignorant conclusion the future generations would make.
Unwritten Rule of the Autobahn: "Dont use the left lane when you drive under 200 km/h (137 mph). Use it if you are to pass the car in front of you, driving in the middle lane, but get right back afterwards to keep the left lane free for the people that really need (or want) to get from point a to point b
Ah at 6:00 it depends on how deep your friendship already goes. I dont get any pressents to my visited places. Im german but i guess if you wanna get some extrapoints by germans i guess you can make gifts like allmost in every country.The shoes thing isnt everywhere like he said. If your shoes arent super dirty you can wear them.
12:50 "Cashless" is more and more accepted, but we trust what we can touch. Also: if you figet for money people get annoyed, even if they don't show it. If you eat at a table at the restaurant it is good tone, to give a round 10% tip (10€, 15€, 20€, 25€...)
About the thing at the beginning with crossing the road, I did see some comment about it but I've recently experienced something that, in my opinion, points out again why we dislike it so much. As some others said, we simply dislike when people don't follow the rules IF there's a red light, if there's none, obviously you may just cross the street but just recently in a rather small city I was driving with my mother and I've had my license for exactly 3 months. Picture this, you're driving with 50km/h cause you're in a city and this is the maximum you're allowed to drive, then you see there's a crossroad about 50m ahead and to your right on the sidewalk is a delivery car parked. You cannot look lächelnd it and suddenly you see a woman standing right behind that car attempting to cross the road. Where she can't see ANYTHING. And that is what pisses us off, if you literally see the crossroad, USE IT. Those extra few meters won't hurt you. Like, why would someone think it's smart to just crossing the road when you're invisible behind said delivery car, where is the common sense. So yeah that's that for me xD
Hey, I was born in Cologne and lived in Germany my whole life, but actually I didn't meet many people that want you to take off your shoes in their apartment / house. It's kind of a thing that some people want, but most people don't in my experience. Also, it is a nice gesture but not really necessery or expected by most Germans to bring presents with you :-) PS: Nice video though
interesting. here, in the eastern part of germany, we see it as rude if people don't take off their shoes. guess it depends on where in germany you are.
The claim about the traffic lights is not entirely correct. I am from Cologne. When someone stops at a red light here, it's usually people who aren't from the city. I only stop at red when children are waiting at the traffic lights. ✌🏼🍀
The selfies at th memorials reminded me of something: I went to Scotland this year and happend to pass by the Commando Memorial in the highlands. So being a soldier myself we pulled over and spend about half an hour there. And there is a small spot dedicated to fallen soldiers from Scotland but also the whole of UK, killed in Afghanistanand other wars. There were little plates with their names and pictures Eventually some other German tourists came along, talking in German, and the first thing we thought was how cheerful and loud they were talking, like it was completely not suitable for that moment. But the worst was when we heard a man, maybe in his mid twenties, say (in German): "well there still is much space left here" and at that moment my girlfriend and I just went away. I already took a deep breath to go at them but in the last second decided I decided that what I was about to say wouldn't be suitable for that memorial neither. Still regret it a little. I couldn't believe how one could be so disrespectful to the people and their families and stories behind these names. It still makes me furious when I think about it.
on the "autobahn" point: don't take "if you don't know what your doing" as a challenge. It's not about your driving skills. It's just about foreign people not being used to that speeds, so it can be really difficult to estimate how long it will take that mercedes in the back mirror to reach you because there is no training data for them to refer to. People will pull out thinking that mercedes is faaar far away, but don't take into account that in germany it could reach you in seconds.
It’s totally save to drive on the autobahn. You don’t have to speed. And if you really want to go as fast as you can, do it at 2 am when the street is empty so you don’t endanger others.
As a German i can say dont bring me flowers or wine or anything you can bring some sweets but its not like a rule to bring something you can but dont have to shoes on the other hand right inside u take them off normally but at big partys mostly you dont take them off if ur in an restaurant and ready to order just raise ur hand and say "bestellen bitte" and then they will make your order
Thank you both for the details about memorials. I can only add: your Ancestors died on Omaha Beach, fighting for a freedom, as we all here enjoy for our lifetime. God bless you all !
about the jaywalking, there is also a saying "no mather how cool you think you are, if there is a child waiting at a red light, you do not freaking cross the road until the light turns green."
Yes I cross the street at red lights, when there are no kids (and cops). Another thing that confuses me is the "order at the restaurant right away". I've never done that. Take your time! 🖖🏻
Maybe it's because I lived abroad so long, but I don't care about red lights on slow streets and the looks I get. I won't, however, do it if kids are around. Addition to the Pfand: Don't put beer bottles/cans in the trash, put it beside it so people that rely on collecting Pfand for a living don't have to dig through the trash. About the gifts, I'd like to say that's not the case, it is a thing, but it really depends. When I'm invited to a party, I bring some wine or beer. If I'm just invited for a coffee at a friend's place to hang out for an hour or two during the afternoon, I don't bring anything. I drive on the Autobahn almost daily, I used to since I got my license, so it's no big deal. The part I use is mostly w/o limits, so I drive 120-140 km/h or if I feel like getting home fast and burn a bunch of fuel I go 180 km/h but above that my car gets very uncomfortable.
I mean, the bring something and shoes off, I never experienced that personally. Our vistors usually kept their shoes on and they are usually not mandated to bring something. Except it's some kind of occasion, or you are invited for Coffee then sometimes you would bring cake or Kaffeestückchen. Same if we visited other people. Asking someone, or being asked to take the shoes off, seems weird to me.
As a german, I drive on the autobahn with my car with 120 or 130 km/h on a long drive like 2 ore 3 houres, more speed is not necessary because you don't arrive realy earlyer. only 10 or 15 minutes and you need a lot more gas and you have much more stress.
I never got sideeyes for crossing a red light. But typically does are less traveled roads, not some main road. Sometimes our streets don't have buttons to push and it's correlated to time / other lights and instead of stopping the main road, I just cross the red light at a tiny road (never in my life did I see the light on green). 😂 And bringing gifts? That's not typically german imo. Sure, if you have a get together you kinda speak about what is needed. Eg yesterday we grilled outside and 2 brought salats, other bread or fruit and stuff. But it's not something you have to do but it's nice to split up and what friends are for..? 😆 But for formal business like meetings this is true! :) Cash: Nope, I usually don't have cash on me nowadays. I just use my phone or have my card for backup. If I know I need cash, I'll get it beforehand but typically no more cash for me (for a few years now).
Hey Mert! I never got any Presents when People visited me, just to visit me. I mean when it´s not my birthday or something like that and also no one had to take off the shoes in my home. Probably a bavarian thing! :-)
thats so sad but true that you cannot pay by credit card anywhere. i hope we will get into that one day because it sucks. if you dont have exact amount of the money u often get the question if you don't have some more cents here and there. and i often think "dude, let me pay with credit card or fill your cash reserve"
3:45 In Germany ( i am german) while the rode is completely clear schurr you do not need to wait for the signal but when there is traffic yes do not go over while red but we have something else called zebra Streifen theses are white stripes over the rode there just walk over sure look from side to side but there it would be rude if you wait if you see a car slowing down at a zebra Streifen walk over do not wait it would be rude but look at the driver and smile this means like thanks for slowing down
