MASSIVE CULTURE SHOCKS AS A CANADIAN LIVING IN GERMANY 

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I'm always amazed how much people from abroad like our windows.

The trick on the supermarket checkout is to plan your strategy for bagging while you put your stuff on the band. Heavy, bulky items first, fruits, veggies, breakable stuff at last. Then prepare your bags in the cart. These 2 things will make you win every checkout battle! 😊

You don't have to sugarcoat it. Free public toilets in Germany aren't "relatively nasty". They are utterly disgusting and as a German I'm very ashamed because of this disgrace.

We (my now-ex and our daughter) on holiday in London, standing at Red Light while anybody is Crossing the street. Another couple stops beside us while others walking on. Sight... "auch deutsche?" "yupp!" 😂🤣😂

i'm from germany, but the grocery thing is a struggle everyone has😂

I‘ve never seen a German apartment that came without light switches. Those definitively belong to the apartment and not the tenant!

What would a review of Germany be without the WINDOWS?

Germans lost interest in single-use bags years ago. You still get them, though you have to buy them for ~25-40cents each, but they're bad for the environment and Germany loves avoiding trash and recycling. The newest trend is to not even bag your veggies!

This yoga pants story reminds me of my dads aunt coming to Germany in the early 90s. She is American and visited us here as I was a small child. She went shopping with curlers in the hair and very casual clothing. We heard that a day later from neighbors because half of the city knew about that strange woman talking English and looking like she didn't belong there or even fled a retirement home. (very small city and word travels fast).

She is way too nice about free toilet on the german highway. I'm from Germany and those toilets are disgusting! Please never go there unless you would otherwise make in your pants and even then you better go in the bushes. Seriously I'm german and I am embarrassed for my country to offer those toilets to anybody. The other toilets on the highway cost 0,70€, but they are just fine 95% of the times I have used them.

That jaywalking thing is mostly relevant for drivers so they dont have to slow down when they come near traffic lights because they have to be worried of people randomly crossing the road. In general, that whole follow-the-rule thing in Germany might appear a little annoying to foreigners but its actually just a part of the culture to leave a part of your ego at home to serve the community. Other examples are mandatory health insurance that makes everyone pay for each others healthcare or always being on time. Many foreigners I know consider it pedantic but its actually just about respecting others and everyone will benefit from it at some point, maybe without even noticing

Tips on Grocery shopping a) Pre-sort your groceries on the conveyer belt b) Have shopping bags open and lined on in your cart c) Don't panic, if you're not as fast as the Cashier...let them wait. If there is no space for them to put the Groceries they will slow down by necessity

"People wearing yoga pants have the lost control of their lives" (Karl Lagerfeld)

Re: water in restaurants You don’t get free water because the drinks are the main source of profit for a restaurant. That’s why they don’t want to give you tap water. It’s an unwritten social rule, to order drinks or bottled water in restaurants. We all drink tap water at home but in a restaurant, you buy the drinks. The food prices are kinds low, so the restaurants don’t make huge profit from the food. In a Café, it’s okay to ask for a water with your coffee because that’s an Italian thing do, and it’s become more normal. You train yourself to drink less in restaurants in Germany. While I lived in the US for a year, I got sooo used to drinking huge amounts of water with my food. I do this at home now, but not in restaurants.

I'm German and I haaaaate these big pillows. It's right that they're almost everywhere in hotels or whatever but I don't own a pillow like that bcs I hate em 😂😂😂😂

I like watching channels where the life in Germany is compared with other countries and I think there is a misunderstanding a lot of expats have when coming to Germany: You are not supposed to bag your groceries at the checkout as it slows down the process. You are supposed to put them back into your cart as quickly as possible and make room for the next customer. Afterwards, simply go to your car with the cart and load your car directly from the cart (I usually have foldable boxes in the trunk to fill there). In case you do not do grocery shopping by car , a lot of supermarkets and discounters have areas behind the checkout to bag stuff but clear the checkout and do not hold up the line.

If I ever migrate to North America and build a home there, I will import windows from Europe. I also will build all load bearing walls with brick, even if I have to do it myself. I probably have to fight a bit to get everything up to code, but I will *never* give up Kipp windows :D

Two separate duvets are essential for any good relationship.

Your videos have helped me reach over $180,000 in trading by age 23! Thanks Life in Germany. Keep the videos coming. 👍🏽

Cashier at Rewe here. Out of boredom I sometimes play a game with myself and the customer not knowing about it. The goal is to be faster in scanning than the customer in packing his groceries lol. I'm sorry if that stresses you out but let me asure you, besides from maybe some annoyed customers behind you, me and all my colleagues could'nt care less about how fast or slow you pack your stuff. In fact. I even enjoy these 20 to 40 seconds of waiting because I can drink some water or just have a little break.

If you want to buy your groceries cheaply, you will have to live with the fact that the supermarket only employs a small number of staff to save staff costs. These few staff not only have to cash in quickly, they also have to load and tidy up goods. All customers always want to be served immediately and no one wants to wait, but when you are at the checkout yourself, the cashier should kindly check out slowly and not rush. The checkout speed is controlled in supermarkets and the cashiers receive instructions that they have to checkout quickly. And when customers then complain to the supermarket operator that things are going too fast and too hectic, the cashier gets a guilty conscience. No matter how you do it, the cashier is always the stupid. By the way, I'm at the cash register.

Thanks for sharing your stories! I'm also an American in Germany who bikes a lot, and I also find myself biking on the sidewalk sometimes. I think part of it is just an infrastructure problem. Sometimes the bike lanes in Germany are great and super well marked, but then all of a sudden they stop and it can get overwhelming. I think if I lived in the Netherlands for example, I would never end up biking on the sidewalk because it's so well laid out there.

Wow! Thanks again for this video. Good to know about the apartments, I will take a note on that!

Thank you for your video. I am moving to Dusseldorf from Hong Kong in July! So excited!

Hello, as a person who lives in Germany, it’s hilarious to hear an outsiders opinion on the German Culture. 😂

It is so funny, because it is sooo true! 😄 I (german) see the packing of my groceries like a regular challenge. Who will be faster, me or the cashier. If you want to take this game to the next level and be as german as me and still use these old school coins and bills to pay instead of this new plastic money ;) , try to pre-calculate the price and shock the cashier by having the exact amount of money in your hand BEFORE he is done! This will make HIM eventually cry and let you leave with a feeling of pure triumph! 😄

I am also a Canadian in Germany, some experiences I have had as well. I just thought the toilet buttons should be explained. They are to save water. If you poop it's the big button but pee is the smaller button. One has more water or less water. Also on some toilets it tells you to shut the water off if you don't do a number 2

Hello Jenna. Thanks for creating and sharing this great video! I am an international (South African) who also moved to Düsseldorf a few years ago too with my family. I fully relate to every topic you cover in this video, and could also add a few more to your list. The funniest was when people often asked me WHY I moved here from SA! I look forward to watching more of your videos. I have thought about writing about my experiences living here as an international and you have definitely inspired me to get going with this idea! 2 weeks after moving here, in the middle of winter (from an excellent summer) I was ready to head back home, and it took the first summer and many interesting, learning and challenging experiences (similar to what you have shared) for me to understand how great it is to live here, and now also call Germany home.

Most discount stores (i.e. Aldi) have additional shelves after the checkout, where you can calmly pack the things from your cart into the bags. Unfortunately, not all (Rewe, Penny, for example, do not have it...). Free water in the restaurant... For example, I don't like "totes Wasser" (still water), as I always call it. So I order something else... e.g. any juice spritzer. But my wife usually asks for a BOTTLE of water (0.7L or 1L) when ordering, which is effectively cheaper. And water from the tap is not allowed to be served in a restaurant! And cycling on the sidewalk.... yes, that's crap! But here in KA it's the other way around! Here there are many bike lanes right next to pedestrian walkways and if you run there as a pedestrian on it, you are immediately snubbed by some cyclist!

Ich finde es super witzig, dass deutsche Fenster so eine Besonderheit darstellen 👍 Kann man die Fenster in Kanada etwa nicht ganz öffnen??

I think it's so nice, that you don't talk bad about the things and germany and rather just objectively describe them!! That's realy polite and appreciating 😊

great hack for grocery shopping: most fruits and vegetables are weighed at the checkout by the cashier. The duration is often a little longer. if you spread these things on the tape you have a short time to catch up with packing compared if you have the veggies only at the end🙈 Also lay the stuff in the order you want to get it. Heavy stuff first, then lightweight stuff.

its been ages since i got my "bicycle license" (childrens take them around age 8 .. at least it was around that age when i was in school...) where they learn to drive safely on the road and learn when they can drive on the sidewalk... if memory serves correctly kids up to 8years Have to drive on the sidewalk,.. between 8-12 you CAN drive on the sidewalk.. 12+you have to drive on the street...

Ordering tab water actually becomes more common in recent years. I always do it and sometimes they even give me packaged water for free because of some rather restrictive hygienic rules concerning tab water. But yes, you will earn some not very pleased reactions if you order tab water without anything else. The trick is, to order it as a side-drink: "I'd like to have a glass of tab water with my coffee/beer/cocktail". The reason for this hassle is, that restaurants tend to beat down the price of the food and are making their main profit with the served beverages. The idea is probably that low food prices will lure customers and then they'll drink stuff, too.

I loved your video! Such a nice & cozy apartment too! 🌿❤️

Your story about the rush at the grocery store... I feel you. 😂 no shit: I also prepare! Just like you... putting my hair up... so funny.

I think its fair that they charge when you're only drinking water, but if you ask for a glass of tapwater with your alcohol or coffee I think it should be free or at least low cost.

So funny to hear how normal those things are for me as a german... Thanks for sharing this!

So many interesting points, thanks girl lol I'm subbing

Hey Jenna! Loving the videos, I moved here to Bayern last year July, so definitely finding the videos helpful but also entertaining haha Things seems to be a lot different here in Bavaria though by the sounds of things compared to how things are in Düsseldorf.

I worked at a grocery store and sometimes it was fun to see how fast I can go 😂 I put all my things on the band and in the end I out them back in my cart. At my car I put it in my bags. It is more relaxed:)

"I don't eat meat. I only eat chicken." Wait, what? o.O ;)

Hello fellow Canadian! I'm from Calgary originally but have been living in Germany since mid-2013. Really cool to see a Canadian speaking about their experiences in Germany! I live in Leipzig but work in Bayreuth.

Nice video! ☺️👍

What helps me with the grocery bagging stress is to bring a basket instead of bags (I use one of those foldable plastic baskets) and place it in the shopping cart. Way easier to stack your stuff in there fast than in a fabric or paper bag. Good planning on the belt (as Reen de Winter already mentioned) is also crucial.

the check-outs in german grocery stores are not designed for you to bag your groceries. The idea behind it is you may bag your groceries wherever you want but not at the register where you'd block everyone and create jams. Put your stuff back into the cart and bag at your car for example.

The grocery store thing is so true, it's always such a race with the cashier LOL

Loved your Video😁 Here are some tips to step up your game to grocery bagging 😉 1) When you put your groceries on the belt to be scanned, put in on in the order you want to pack it in afterwards (heavy things first, fruits to the end ....) 2) Have your bag and wallet ready before encountering the grocery bagging speed race with the cashier 3) Put your backpack/ purse in your shopping cart, to have free range of arm and hand motions ......... good luck player ...... and may the odds be ever in your favor 😂

Shopping tip: Get a massive blue Ikea bag and throw most of the things in! The only problem is that you have to carry it!! Nice accurate summary of the culture shocks! Splitting the bill individually is another one (zusammen oder getrennt?!)

If you think German pillows are massive you never have seen Austrian one, they are 90x70 cm. :) In Germany you can find two kinds of pillows, full size 80x80 and half size 40x80. I recon you prefer the half size pillow.

That was so much fun for me as a german to watch this! 😄 Fantastic to see üeverything i am so used to from another perspective! Thank you so much for this! Nice to have you here 😊👍

@5:58 Yeah, but there is a consignment sale between a major gas station chain and a super market chain available called Rewe to go available. That means you can go grocery shopping on sundays and still pay about the same prices.

You might already know since you live here for years, but you can always go in a cafe or restaurant without ordering something and use their toilets. Since they are bound by law to have one and to let you use it. Everything is closed on sundays is something that many North Americans say. And that is simply not true. Besides public authorities of course the only thing that is closed on Sundays are shops. Everything else that somebody could go to on sundays is open. Museum, galeries, funpools, exhibitions, zoos and so on.

Grocery-stores in the Netherlands: same stress at the check-out - and the Netherlands is my place of birth. But if you shop in a village, instead of a city, the pace is more normal, friendlier. And nowadays I prefer the self-scan.

Hi Jenna, I`m a german living in Zürich Switzerland. It is interesting how you see Germany. Like your video go ahead ....

Kipp is also great for room climate in the summer :) The fresh cold air falls down right behind the window - into your room - at the same time warm air - which is concetrated under your ceiling - leaves the room. This way it creates a circle, constantly refreshing the air whilst keeping the room relatively cool. In winter you should open your windows completely for shorter time (like 5 min) but more often. That pulls fresh air in and so pushes used air out - very quickly. What is best for you depends on your priorities , like warm feet, climate, costs, everything. By the way, I was Born in Germany and I find grocery shopping evenly exhausting. I need to be very focused and tactically moving. Phiu... They can sell more in shorter time. That’s why...

You covered a LOT of ground clearly. Thanks.

Free tap water little trick: When you're asking for a glass of tap water, you may include a passing mention you'd need to take your medicine... I did not encounter one single restaurant which charged me for that glass of tap water. Even though it is usual in other European countries to give out a glass or even a decanter of free tap water when ordering something to eat, in Germany it is not and every restaurant is free to choose if they set a price on it or not. In February 2018 a EU Directive was published to give out free tap water in restaurants, but this did not make it into a law and still is a guideline only.

Jajajajajjaa 100% identified with the tap water thing … I still keep looking everywhere to find some as it should be 🤣

Great Video!

I had to smile a lot about what kind of things you mentioned... :) some of the points you're talking about are also vice versa: I wish somebody would bag my groceries.....:D:D:D Anyway: I love the way you talk, nice and friendly without judging.

We actually bought an insect screen as an option to our new window. It's a nice frame that can be inserted into any window of this type, of course, it's width and height can't be adjusted, so it was made to our measurements. So, maybe few people choose it as an option, but it is still possible.

btw: The REWE market in the airport arrival (DUS) is open EVERY day 5-24... ordinary prices. 🙂 And the dm drugstore in Düsseldorf main station is open 6-23 also every day (Sunday -22).

Hello Jenna, I loved this video lol. You had e cracking up "I hope that they don't spit in my food" lol lol. I am with you about the water thing. I like to drink water when I am eating and I just go ahead and order the big glass of "no gas" water off the bat. Your pillow flopping was awesome by the way lol.

Dear Jenna, the groceries challenge depends on the shop, Aldi and Lidl are just awful, but in my hometown we have an Edeka chain and the people there wait for you. 🙈

As a german I would love a bottle of tap water at the restaurant. It‘s usual and free in so many other countries!

Hi! 😀 I’m a wife & mama of 3 from North America! I’m absolutely loving your channel!! My Uncle actually moved to Germany when I was a child & he still lives there today! 😀 And absolutely loves it! He met his wife while there & has a beautiful family. 🥰 My husband has visited Germany as well on business & enjoyed his visit! He ordered water without carbonation & the waitress said “you want car wash water?!” Lol But I did just watch a lady’s video from Hamburg (she moved there from America a couple of years ago & too loves it, & she said she requests “tap water” when she orders water 😊 So you can request it in that term at least in Hamburg 😊 Thank you for sharing your experiences & all that Germany has to offer! I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things from everyone that has been there & or lives there! 😀🥰👌

Thank you for sharing your life experience.every Where to some extant there is new habit and cultural shock may be.but every thing shall be learn.

Hi from Munich area :) I don't know whether SARS-CoV-2 will change something about German pedestrian areas but you should be able to find a toilet and/or a room to change diapers in bigger, multilevel stores like Karstadt and Kaufhof and even at large book selling chains like Hugendubel or Thalia. Also, every café and each restaurant has to provide at least toilets, so feel free to ask. You may be charged 50 cent to 1 Euro if you just come to the place to use the toilet, it depends on the owner. Places providing a large number of public transport - central railway stations, airports, ferries - or some kind of festivals usually have public toilets also. At the railway stations those are not free of charge but relatively clean. Being German myself I actually regard people from other nationalities as being dressed better than I - especially Turkish girls and women, but also most women of African or Russian/Slavic descent ... When it comes to fashion, France - especially Paris - has quite a reputation to stand for 'haute couture' and of course this prejudice is still vivant in Germany. As you might have found out already, one can buy nets to block insects from entering your rooms. Apart from that, there's also (electronic) devices to scare insects of, either by light or some vibration/sound which is not heard by humans. Just check out your local 'Baumarkt'. :) I think restaurants, cafés and such have contracts with beverage providers which cater beer, water and some juices. Often the name of the beer (or its producing company) can be seen on the outside. I assume that mainly because of those contracts there is no tap water available in Germany. Actually the quality of the tap water is really good but it has not always been that way - or not equally in all regions of Germany. Some legislation on hygiene may also play a role here.

I really like these "culture shock" videos. 😄 So, if the pillows are to big get one of the 40cm x 80cm. I personally use the big ones only for decoration.

European windows typically have THREE opening options: besides presented full (lever to the side) and crack (lever towards the ceiling), there is a third one called "micro ventilation" (lever at a 45-degrees angle, just halfway between side and top directions). This is useful for example in winter time, or when it would be too easy for a burglar to get access to the window from outside (there is tool available, which makes it easy to fully open a cracked window from outside the house).

A tip for the grocery shopping issue; you can sort your stuff on the Belt in the order you want to put then in your bag Or you can quickly put all your stuff back into the cart and sort them into a bag at your car or outside or at the side of the counter there's actually always some space for exactly that :)

As the famous designer Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel) once said, "If you are wearing yoga pants outside of your home in public you have lost control about your life". I am working for more than 20 years now in 5*/4* hotels and I never understood the "obsession" with free water in north america. From a business standpoint - why should i gave my customers free water/coffee and have the cost for my employes to serve the customer with that?With wine, cocktails, coffee and so on you are makeing most of your money in this business, not with the food. The "kitchen thing" is not everywhere is germany. In the north, where i live, it is uncommon. It is more a thing more to the middle or the south of germany and I will never understand why I have to carry my kitchen from one place to another! Crazy!

XD Ive heard about this grocery thing before . . guess for us Germans its normal, "Reen de winter's" tip is the essential tactic to apply ! Bottled water costs money, but you can always ask for Tap water which should be free in most cases.

you can buy different sizes of pillows. You don`t have to use the big one. At a hotel you can usually ask for a smaller one too.

Good to have you over Here in Germany

Just in case you're having a cat or plan to get one let me tell you this. A window on "Kipp" can become a deadly trap for a cat! Either have them closed or have both windows tilted so the cat can't jump into the gap.

Biking on the street can be terrifying, but biking on the sidewalk can get expensive, because it's only allowed until the age of 14.

In America growing up everything was closed on Sunday, except maybe gas stations (who put gas in the tank for you and offered to clean your windshields, check your oil and radiator ...) Family "Sunday Drive" or Neighbors invited for lunch, was the norm after church. Sears was the last hold out at staying closed on Sundays back in early 70? I remember being a bit sad over their decision. (that was in L.A. County, CA.) Blue Laws

5:20 This is why there is often that long counter right opposite the cash register - to allow for you to repack your items. There is another trick :) And that is - space out your groceries on the belt.

There used to be areas where you could bag your groceries, but many supermarkets got rid of them. This stresses me out everytime I go grocery-shopping, regardless of how well prepared I am. I've written that I want bagging areas back countless times into these feedback folders at the exit of the shops (that probably go directly to Altpapier). No luck.

The whole bathroom thing confused me until I realized you weren't talking about actually taking a bath or shower in the bathroom. :D

Usually you can go to any Restaurant and ask if you could use the bathroom and its ok. This is free. Sometimes there is a plate where you can leave a tip for the cleaning woman, but not mandatory. And the ones that cost money are usually at Train stations or Highwaystops. But they are clean. You should have seen them before ;-) And i never saw one with 1€, usually 50cents and often you get a 50cents discount receit you then can use in the shop at a Highwaystop. For groceries if you arent that fast you can always put it back your cart after paying and pack your bag later. There is a little space usually where you can pack your bag. Especially those with the "short" end of the counter without the divider. Like in Discounter shops. There is no space at the end of the counter because its actually meant for you to put your cart there. Dont get stressed about it.

You're very much right about tap water. Many people, me included, use only tap water and never buy bottled water. I even own three Soda Stream machines, because I like water sparkling. One is at home, one in my office, and one in my caravan, so I don't have to carry any machine around.

Hope you have a great time living in my hometown.

good video! two things: change your pillows, those are even for germans old fashioned :-) and perhaps there is no kitchen or floor or lights in the new apartement. The light switches und plugs will be there, otherwise someone tries to cheat you ;-) i like your video style, therefore +1 and like, greetings from Bavaria (btw, i also get cultural shocked, when i have to go to Düsseldorf, and i am a german, hahaha)

You can also get half pillows here. But most of germans like the 80x80 Pillows. But there are also small options with 40x80

For shoppe I've noticed it often depends on the grocery store. In bigger "fancier stores" you have more time and space than in the discount stores. Those stress my out as well. But the tip of sorting your things from heavy to light weight or fragile is a life saver!

I often order a drink and then ask if I can have a glass of tap water with that. I have never been refused, even in Germany.

Free water in restaurants: They don’t do it because the margin for drinks makes them the money. Earning money with the food is really hard if you pay your staff ‚well‘ (of course the pay could still be a lot better).

Thank you very much for your video. I only lived in Canada for a short time (Winnipeg, Edmonton) and did a B.S. (they say there) at Ohio State University. If you only have a few things to get at the supermarket, you can put your bag into your cart and throw stuff in as you get it. Otherwise, I just put it back in the cart. A lot of supermarkets have spaces to sort away from the cash registers. There is a severe insect die-off in Central Europe due to intensive agriculture and pesticide use, but sometimes you still get mosquitoes if you leave the windows open at night, and you do miss screens. The insect die-off threatens agriculture because there are too few pollinators now. Contrary to Canada, there are almost no nature areas in Germany. Best of success in Germany. Je Suis Samuel.

A tip for grocery shopping checkout: scatter your loose vegetables throughout all the groceries on the conveyer belt! This slows the cashiers down every now and then to weigh the vegetable and tip in the specific number

Very interesting, hearing this from your perspective, as a German! ;) It's a nuisance though, if you're walking, to have people riding a bike right next or in front of or towards you! You can take your bike onto the sidewalk- I do so too sometimes for safety reasons, same as you described- but then you walk, too, and push your bike! Makes perfect sense to me, just out of consideration for pedestrians!

7:14 If they'd give me free water I wouldn't buy any drinks at all.

bavarian here, I do like you and your comments

I find it fascinating when I hear expats´ experiences like yours... and honestly, you put so much energy and great vibes on your video(s) -I´ve only seen one, that I TRULY LOVE IT. I lived many years in Germany, and I'm thinking to move back... It is an amazing country and we all went through those experiences hahahaha. Do you have videos sharing staff about life with kids there? ;) Cheers and stay safe!

I just watched a video by a Russian living in Germany and noting that she was surprised that people don't dress up other than in Russia.

also das mit dem Wasser in Restaurants find ich auch albern. Aber okay, dafür kann man ja zuhause Leitungswasser trinken wie man will. Ist ja auch nicht in jedem Land so, also von der Qualität her.

„Fenster Kippen“ nice Video, my husband moved to Germany too so we know :) FYI your sound/Mike is maybe a touch to close and it sounds ruff even after adjusting the volume. Thanks for sharing :)