Germany: 10 Culture Shocks tourists have when they visit Germany 

The most shocking thing in Germany is RTL.

Nice to see our country through other eyes. =)

as a german myself, we dont "hate" nazi jokes, we actually bring up many ourselves and are able to make jokes with that. WHAT we hate is this clischee of "Every german is a nazi"... That really is a problem.. so.. doing jokes about nazis is ok and well probably laugh about them, but never call a german a nazi, we hate nazis and its not unusual that you walk along a street and see that there's a sticker or painting on wall or sth saying "Fuck Nazis!" or "Hate nazis"

Not sure if it's common but the thing that shocked me when I visited Germany was the restaurants would serve beer like it was water, just serving it to everyone of us without even asking, like it was a standard.

who the f flush the toilet while sitting on there???

I'm from Germany and the most shocking thing about this video is why you or the americans find the mentioned topics so shocking at all. I'm sure I have as many wrong ideas about the typical american but I stil find it strange that you have to do a video to tell people how wrong they are about Germany. And why would you make jokes about nazis? What is so funny about a history of killing millions of people. Even if the americans didn't cause the 2nd WW I don't unterstand why they think nazi jokes are funny at all. Do you make jokes about slavery or the civil war in america as well?

Yes, we have to pay in Germany to use public toilets, but we dont have to pay for education ;)

I also lost my father to crack, although it wasn't one in a bed.

Even germans make fun of People with sandals and socks 😂

Actually the people in front of train stations are homeless. I am surprised , that this is shocking you, because I thought there are homeless people in every country.

Traurig dass er in mehr deutschen Städten als ich war

I love Germany. I would honestly love to live there.

As a german, what was really shocking when going to the UK was the customer service. People where so friendly that it actually made me feel bad. Makes you realise what your own country must be like to others.

The part about service in germany is actually about respecting your privacy. The level of service you normally get in the US is somewhat alienating to germans. For example i want to choose my own table and not be seated. Also i don't want a waiter to come every five minutes to ask if i need something or want a refill - i'm there to relax and enjoy time with my friends, so i don't want to be interrupted all the time. So in germany it is the other way around: the waiter comes if you call them and does things if you ask them. it's meant to be a feature to give you your own space and respect your privacy.

Its actually very interesting to watch this as a german. And its so true! A lot of us could be more friendly. Thats just... true.

I loooooved Germany! What shocked me as an American was just how beautiful the country was, how cool everyone was, and how many castles there were - like everywhere. I don't recall paying for toilets unless they were the modern ones that self-cleaned...I don't remember really having to pay anywhere else? And I don't think I ever saw any homeless? I was there like 17 years ago now so maybe some things have changed but it was great...would love to return. :-)

Actually no one wears socks in sandals. Only the old people. We think thats really ugly too.

You dont have to pay for the toilett, its kinda like a tip for keeping the toulet clean 🤗

The shelf is not for observing, it's so that the water doesn't splash when you're doing your business.

It's quite funny watching this as a German. I have this feeling that most of the people who are watching this are Germans 😂

Ist schon witzig, sich das Video als Deutscher anzuschauen. Wir Deutschen sind eigentlich ganz normal.

As a German I have to correct you on the socks in sandals thing. To look like a true German you can't just wear any type of socks. The socks have to be high tennis socks, and most importantly they have to be white and worn along with short trousers.

Never say Penner its not the best when you say it, its better when you say Obdachlose

Making Nazi jokes in germany is similiar to making jokes about slavery and racism in the US in Front of Black People --> Not good :)

How you can be surprised in Germany: Step 1: step out of Alexanderplatz S-bahn station Step 2: look up

I once fell through such a gap in a hotel bed. I don't know where I was but I'm their king now.

Lol I've never been in a train where you have to pay for the toilets and I'm German

I was born in Austria and have often visited Germany. This guy is the real thing. What he says is very very true, with a great sense of humor, but more importantly insight full. He makes me want me to go back tomorrow. Thank you and Bravo.

Well, you can just ignore the toiletwoman, but it would be considered rude. It is simply a tip for the one keeping the toilet clean. At the Autobahn paying is mandatory however - but who complains about THAT never went to a toilet in the pre-2000-era or at our neighbours in France...geez, you'll appreciate a clean toilet then, and hygiene costs money to sustain ^^ And germans being a bit annoyed if you "mention the war"? What a shock...I mean, just imagine I'd come over to the US and make jokes like "Oh, you silly Native-Indian-Killers!" or "Haha, you enslaved all these blacks for centuries!" etc - wouldn't come across as good manners and funny either ... though we eased a bit on the Nazi-stuff in recent years, making fun of that as well, and even laughing at the Panzer-Jokes from the British... Oh, and expecting all germans to wear Lederhosen and Dirndl is like expecting all US-Americans running around in Cowboy-Outfits - Bavaria might be the equivalent to Texas in that regard. And yeah, you usually don't go to restaurants as a german to eat german food/pork-variations. You go to your mom for that ^^ She does the best Schweinebraten anyway...with Knödel and Rotkraut...

Gotta set some things right here before it gets weird: - In restrooms in restaurants or bars you are never forced to pay to go to the toilet, it's just considered good manners to leave a tip for the "toilet woman". On the other hand you can always expect the toilets to be very clean. I've been to Italy once and I've been shocked how dirty most toilets are there. However, some public restrooms (especially those on the Autobahn) force you to pay. But again, they are pretty clean considering how many people use them. - The shelf on the toilet is basically there so that when you poop the water doesn't splash on your butt. Though most modern toilets don't have this shelf anymore, it's just personal preference. - The swastika flag is illegal, though owning "Mein Kampf" is not. It's considered a historical document and thus can't be considered sedition. However it is forbidden to print it in Germany because the owner of the copyright is Bavaria and they don't want it to be printed and didn't give the rights to print it to any publisher. - Regarding Nazi jokes: We don't find it funny because it's not only annoying and boring after 70 years, it's also onedimensional. Germany has a very long history and brought the world a lot of technical and cultural advancement just to be wiped out by a period of time that didn't even last 30 years. Just imagine everyone in the world would only make slave jokes when talking about the USA. It's a part of our history we're not proud of but we accept it but you also have to consider that antisemitism, facism and genocide weren't a German invention alone. The rest is surprisingly pretty much on point :D Didn't think too much about that crack in the bed but you're right. Guess it's because we really like our standard sizes, that goes for mattresses aswell.

Okay habe was über Amerika gelernt da gibt es anscheinend keine Obdachlosen.

You are talking about our millions of homeless people? I thought every country has them?

You can do jokes about Hitler but it's Not nice to make Nazi jokes about the people in Germany.

Nicht nur Würstchen mögen wir auch Döner ist sehr beliebt

I've never seen a shelf toilet...luckily (I'm German)

Just old people wear the "tourist outfit", no young guy voluntary wear something like that, it just looks awkward

germany needs to stop being so ashamed of there past damnit americans never feel guilt about dropping a nuke on japan so they need to chill out a little

I am german and I absolutely loved your video! A lot of times I feel a bit offended by these types of videos but you talk about us in such a positive and lovely way! I just love the video and everything you said was so true- made me smile! We really don't like jokes about Nazis though and a lot of people don't understand that so I really truly appreciate your seriousness when you talked about that. Love having you in my country!

So many memories of riding the train. I started taking it at 15 going to Frankfurt shopping. When I didn't have money to buy a ticket I rode in the bathroom. It was only for 20 minutes. Lol. I rode it to work at 97th as I got older. I lived there from 72 to 96 and then visited every year after until my mother passed away.

and i am shocked about your autofocus

that was funny. I am german and never knew a Toilettenfrau or the two beds pushed together are not the standard 😄

I moved to a German-medium high school in Australia after being bullied at my "mainstream" high school... I couldn't understand all the stereotypes I heard afterwards about how unwelcoming Germans were, because they were so welcoming and friendly to me at school! I fitted in quickly and made friends despite barely speaking any German when I started there... I still don't understand German stereotypes. Haven't been to Germany or Austria since I was 8 but definitely want to go back at some point.

im from germany and I just wanted to say THANKS great Video Thank you for it

I've lived in Bavaria for 5 months now and everyone of these is absolutely true lol thanks DR Wolter for what you do!

I just watched 3min and LOVE that you bring up the difference that Germany is not only Bavaria! THANK YOU! That`s a like from me! ;D

Hey, the bums and street punks here (or Assis, they don't mind mostly) are almost universally nice and cool people; they simply fell through the cracks of our social system (which is mostly functional, but far from perfect.)

Two things that were amazing : The Autobahn ( public rail system) in Munich seemed to be for people who were quite tall as compared to some other countries where the passenger cabin height is lower. The second thing that I noticed in Munich was how crystal clear green the river which runs through the city is. To stand by the river on a hot summer day is an unforgettable experience because it is so very refreshing! We saw black rolling thunder clouds in the afternoon while driving just East of the Munich area. What a fabulous sight!

Very interesting to hear this as a German.

Common im from bavaria and nobody walks ther with a Lederhosen!!! Only on Oktoberfest!!!!!!!!

Well, that service lady in Hannover was probably making fun of you.

Thank You for This Video. Learned Lots.

When I visit Germany I was amazed at the pay toilets and that it was a hunt to find the flush button, valve etc. I swear I giggled every time😅.

Witzig wenn man das als Deutsche/r guckt haha

Please don't call the homeless people 'Assis' because that's an insult. Furthermore it's bad slang. Kids or inmature people may use this expression but it's not suitable for a serious conversation. The term 'Obdachlose' would be fine without negative connotation. Other than that: good video. I'm sure foreign travellers will get some helpfull advice.

Great video! I’m going this summer! Can’t wait!

Haha, so accurate! The crack in the bed of my parents was always an adventure :D

Been to Germany a few times never had to pay for a toilet.. I had to pay in Holland & Czech Republic tho.

Nice that you like our country ^-^

Hi Wolter, I am from Germany and we are travelling in the US very often. It is very interesting, to see what people from the outside think of us.

Nice Video! Agree in all points...

Who would find nazi jokes funny :O

wow im german and sad that people believe the stuff in this video ...

Thank you for the great content !!!!

Great Video Thank you for sharing! I love Germany!

You dont have to pay the Toilette woman its just nice because they keep everything clean

I live in Germany and These Thinges schock Germany too... Except the Pork fact... Give me my Steak and my Chips/Pommes with Ketchup!!!! ;D And those ugly Tourist Outfits are just those 70+ Year Old people ;) (i think)

I went to the northern part of Bavaria at Rothenburg ob der Tabur, I absolutely loved the people there, they were so friendly and kind, they were all together fantastic! I miss Deutchland!

I am german and I am shocked because most oft these facts I've never heard before. For example fact 10. Fact 10 is horrible...

You are so right. I moved to Germany in 2000. I have experienced all those things except the Nazi jokes which I feel are totally tasteless in a country where the generation that experienced the war were probably not more than 10 years old and hate what happened with the 3rd Reich. It took time to learn German (not an easy language grammatically) and to get to know my neighbours. They were wonderful. They welcomed me with open arms, helped me to learn their language and are still close friends 15 year later. I made so many mistakes with the language and they laughed with me , never at me. I really didn't expect to love Germany as much as I do today. I now live in Bavaria and all the traditions that go with the Bavarin culture. It is a lot of fun and I would recommend anyone who wants a holiday where one feels secure, cared for and 'well-fed' to come to Germany.

As a German I find it shocking that it's shocking for people that Germany is a modern country tbh

I love your videos. Very helpful😊. Much love from Ghana.

A perfect list! Me as a German I only can say great job mate :)

it is quite hurtful to think the whole world believes us to be cold-hearted.. but ok

Bavarian White Sausage is made of calf, not pork ;)

the crack in the middle of the bed is the best part for a children in Germany :D it's amazing! I loved it, too!

You mentioned the sausages, but Germany is also the home of bread. They have every kind of bread and pretzel, and if you wait too late in the morning to visit your local bakery, they could all be sold. Along with the bed cracks goes the absence of a cover sheet. In Germany it's all about the duvet! No AC can be a shocker in the southern cities during the summer. They also don't have fans or screens on the windows. Of course the bugs aren't as bad here as in the States, but we still get SOME flies, bees & moths. They're just way more comfortable with it in Germany than we are.

ok and we think all Americans sit on a horse and swing a lasso round

Was die anderen von uns denken 😂😂 hart 👻

Bamberg and the surrounding area has so many fantastic beers. Love visiting Bamberg.

You basically explained the difference in service yourself^^ It's not that easy to make an acquaintance and no one expects the waiter/waitress to become an acquaintance. People who go out to eat want to sit with their friends and have a nice conversation with their friends - no be interrupted every 2-5 minutes by an overly friendly waiter. That just gets annoying very fast.

Actually, plastic money is accepted in a great many of places, just not regular credit cards like VISA or Mastercard. The European flavour is called EC (eurocheque) card, which is a debit card issued mainly by banks, and you can pay nearly everywhere with that, upwards of the baker and newsagent. The reason being that the credit card companies charge the shops a HELL of a lot of money, but the EC card system does not, and everybody who has a checking account at a bank automatically gets an EC card and PIN.

only germans in the comments. I can imagine people watch this are 99% german :D

THANK YOU FOR THESE AMAZING VIDEOS, I WILL BE TRAVELING TO MUNICH FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEPTEMBER, AND THI INFO HAS COME VERY HANDLY.

I LOVE Bamberg. i lived here from 2000 to 2004 as an American soldier at Warner barracks. Some of the best years of my life!

One thing that shocked me about Germany was their inability to run trains on time. We had more punctual trains in Italy. Perhaps we were unlucky, but from the four trains we took from Heerlen (the Netherlands) via Aachen to Cologne (Köln) and back, only the first one left on time. Driven by a Dutch driver, I should add. Also, at the time (but this is like 10 years ago) you needed a Ph.D. to understand the ticketing machines at a railway station. Since all Germans have a Ph.D., it's not a problem for them, I suppose.

I am german but for me it's a joke :D

Thanks for the views in Bamberg. I was there from 1969 -1972. I LOVED it!! You won't believe that I brought a toilet home with me. I certainly use it every day!! Yes, I drove thru the Rothaus to get to "old town", and the Dom. I toured the Old Residence many times. I used to put 50pf in a box on the bridge and the houses of "little Venice would be lit at night. From *my* toilet in the barracks, I could look out and see Shloss Altenberg in the distance. Yes, I went up there many, many times and usually snuck up into the tower. I have pictures of Bamberg on many of my walls here at home now. I even recreated the herringbone floors like the ones I loved to keep polished in the barracks. Lastly, I loved the bratwurst. Once, in 40 years, I found brats, here, that tasted the same as the ones in Hertie Platz. Yes, they were made with swine from Germany, and not the bland US pork.

nice explained. thx :)

The only thing worse than wearing sandals with socks are the television programms in germany and the rise of hipsters.

This "typical German tourist " as you described it is normally 60+. Wearing a vest a sandals with socks is definitely not a "normal " tourist thing here.

Thank you for the information.

Greetings to all from germany. Younger people visit Berlin.... the older ones having a look at Munich. And a good beer you can drink everywhere in Germany.

Im german and its funny to watch this because I felt complimented when you said Germans can be friendly :D Its actually funny that you mentioned so many things that I thought were normal and didn't even notice... but okay haha I know more about my own country now 😂

Sorry mate. Credit cards are welcome in germany. Also in supermarkets.

You know I love your intro. Dont change it. "Hey there fellow travelers, Mark here with Wolters World"

on the beds, move the mattresses 90 degrees. no more cracks. hangs over a bit but it all works out.

Why do you say "Sauerkraut" and then show a picture of "Blaukraut"? :D

Lol the punks at the stations are fucking cool guys usually

Toilet shelf and sandal tourists was very funny!

Thank you Wolters World! I look forward to coming to Germany-will be staying in the south (Bavaria). I appreciate the heads up about a few things to keep in mind, like the 'toilet' and the pork. I worked with a lot of Germans abroad and most of them were such lovely folks - so kind and so helpful. I also taught a few German students at international schools - I was their English teacher. I love German food, but will check if they have other varieties of sausages - and absolutely I love their bread, cakes, pastries and coffee...the Germans are excellent at baking! When worked overseas, I went German bakeries to buy bread and ate at a few German restaurants so I can't wait to taste the food in Germany.