Things not to do as a Foreigner in Germany? 

For me as a German, it really pisses me off when people are too noisy on public transport or block the sidewalk because they are walking way too slow + need the entire space.

I've heard the 'don't ever jaywalk' on several videos about Germany. I am German, and trust me, almost all of us jaywalk. There is only one unwritten rule about jaywalking. Don't jaywalk when children are present.

I feel like the biggest rules that I see a lot of foreigners breaking is being noisy in public. A lot of Germans hate it, when people talk loudly on the train, bus, but also in restaurants, malls etc. The second one would be standing in the way, or failing to make space for people that want to pass by. One thing about these rules tho: The video was filmed in Munich. In Berlin you would get totally different answers to these questions from people I feel like. Different parts of Germany can be very different when it come to which rules they follow and which they don't. I think Bavaria is generally one of the most law abiding states in Germany, with Berlin and parts of NRW probably being the least.

Do not stay on the cycle path, cyclists are very aggressive.

In Germany, it's cool that most people watch out that no children are nearby when crossing the red light to not be a bad example, because children cannot assess the distance and speed of an approaching car. I also heard that crossing the street on red light has no fine or punishment for pedestrians, except if it causes an accident. Well, a police officer once saw me cross the red light and just stared into my face, shaking his head. 😅

“You can’t argue on the street and hit someone” Bruh come on 💀

For anyone who may have missed it: the the window display depicted Queen Elizabeth II rolling in her "grave" in between England's two latest prime Ministers

Disposing your garbage properly is really important. Don't throw it on the street and/ or leave it just anywhere. The rules for correct recycling will vary from city or "Landkreis". Another issue is loitering and noise level especially in public spaces (parks, lakes, in front of supermarkets, etc). People appreciate and demand their "Ruhe und Ordnung". They won't shy away from contacting police and/ or "Ordnungsamt".

Boy, that's a good point. Being touchy might indeed be considered as flirting, as being touchy isn't something usual in Germany. So if people here are getting touchy, it might be indeed have an intention. I didn't think about that until now. But I like those pragmatic answers 😀 But I guess if you are polite, not too intrusive and if you try to follow the rules you're good. We tend to be reserved, so some people tend to get overwhelmed quickly, but if you consider that you shouldn't have issues.

I think another one is that we've been taught that it's respectful to be quiet on public transport so I get annoyed really easily when people start facetiming their friends and family loudly while sitting next to me on a train - please just use headphones!

What most people get wrong is thinking that we just blindly follow rules just for the sake of it or because we love rules per se. In reality we see it as a sign of respect - yeah I could for example cut in line to get on a bus quicker or listen to loud music late at night - most Germans don't though because others have been waiting for the bus,too or might have had a hard day and really need that quiet time. Not fillowing the rules is usually seen as selfish and inconsiderate of others.

1.people loudly talking, screaming on the phone 2. People watching videos, youtube online in public transportation without headphones 3.walking in thr middle of the sidewalk, not right, not left, so everybody has to squize or pardon thrmselves to get by 4. Crossing the red light 5. Entering U bahn without letting passengers first get out, and actually give them space to do so 6. Getting into a bus and going all the way in so the rest of us can fit 7. Throwing trash or cigarettes on the floor 8. Public toilets, is there really a need to acting like you are in a barn?! 9. Cutting lines anywhere 10. Loud music, gathering with people in buildings without prior notice .... And Im a Balkan girl, born and raised, but today living in Germany. The only place I was at peace was Tokyo, Japan. There is something to be learned from Japanese, and that applies to everyone

Well, I wouldn't say that NOBODY waits in the middle of the night at a deserted street just because the traffic-lights are red BUT I'd consider it quite uncommon in Germany. We teach it to our children though, because we want them to live.

As a Brit looking to move to Germany, this video has got me so hyped about adapting to the many rules I must follow 👊

Once I was in a hurry to catch the train, so I jaywalked right in front of a mother and her little child. When I was close to her, the mother said loudly: "Look darling, that´s how one of these people look like who are killed in traffic."

I think the first turkish guy made a really true observation about us germans: we follow the rules but sometimes we want to breake them, we just need somebody who breaks them first and then we follow. Very smart guy.

The rules in Germany can get out of hand, to be honest, but they hold society together and make sure things go in (mostly) predictable lanes. This is quite an achievement if you ask me.

The Turkish man in the video found the radio and television tax ridiculous, but in Turkey these taxes are higher and are deducted from most things. Learn about your own country first kanka

As a German I disagree with the third person. You definitely SHOULD as questions about the war. If you do it in a respectful way, I'm sure nobody is offended.

It’s really simple, just follow the rules.

Whenever you go and live in a new country you will notice rules that you are not used to and they will stand out in your mind. You are less likely to notice if rules from your home country do not apply.

My take on why we follow the rules so much. Warning: tough subject matter. Everyone, no matter which culture they come from, has a huge set of internalized rules that they follow and expect others to follow as well; if others flagrantly break them, reactions from shock to aggression may follow. The real question is then, why are Germans so eager to internalize the law, however inconsequential? IMHO, part of it has to do with the aftermath of WWII and the resulting 'culture of remembrance', like so many things for us. It's paradoxical of course, since blindly following rules was the worst thing one could do back then (morally)-but still, the excruciating, ubiquitous desire to virtue signal, inwardly as well as outwardly, that "I'm a good person" can indeed be satisfied to some degree by never, ever making one step out of line. You have to understand the amount of shame many Germans are still made to feel, even today, about who they are and their legacy. And I can't even *begin* to imagine how my grandparents felt in that regard, the men forced to fight at the front, while the women at home had to witness neighbors and friends vanishing, powerless to do anything. And these people were deeply religious. If you weren't a true Nazi (most weren't), all you could do was rot inside, in your infinitely magnified original sin. Trust me, at least until a generation ago, this point was really brought home in schools and education, that we are not a good people, that we're somehow flawed. It was brought home in my education. Capitalism and economic success have painted a pretty facade over all this, but the trauma reaches fucking deep. We just want to be told we're a good boy, and a good boy does what he's told.

Don't throw rubbish on the street. I live in a small town in East Westphalia and in recent years the level of street pollution has increased dramatically. The number of foreigners has also increased significantly

What I, as a German, have had to realize over the past few decades is that many foreigners bring their bad habits with them, for example when it comes to cleanliness in public. They leave their rubbish everywhere, just like they usually do in their homeland. This is not a prejudice, but rather facts that can be expressed without being pigeonholed into a certain category. Of course, this doesn't apply to all people of other origins. For example, some beautiful corners in my region were closed to cars because rubbish was always left behind from forbidden barbecue parties and the culprits were usually of foreign origin. This can also serve as an example that some Germans are no longer so particular about cleanliness.

A lot of Germans tip only if the service was good 👍

A short comment for crossing the street on red: There is the unwritten rule to not cross the street on red if a young child is next to you. If there is no child.... Feel free ^^

Chile is actually a very German country. They follow rules to a degree not seen in other LatAm countries. I was there with a Mexican friend of mine when he was getting scolded by a cop for jaywalking. He said to my friend something along the lines of, "that isn't something you'd do in your own country, would you?" My buddy was thinking, "yes!"

In general just be aware of your surroundings. Foreigners are often too loud in confined spaces where nobody can leave (train, café, dentist lobby, etc.) and stand around blocking designated pathways, bycicle lanes, shopping mall entries, etc. Bureaucracy here pisses off everybody btw, even Germans and the digitalisation is happening way too slow in almost every institution.

I am Brazilian and I would get in trouble because I’m a touchy person . And I mean that serious , it’s automatic for us to do that . I would say sorry often after see the people reaction

8:25 What? If you have an aggression problem, don't go to Germany at all. First solve your problems.

Dont be noisy on train or bus

Rules are rules and there for a reason. Why are people so shocked with rules. That is the problem, no one wants to have rules. The big problem in the US no one follows rules and laws.

An important rule is not to ask foreign looking people where they are from. Some families live here in third generation. They are sometimes even more "kartoffel" than bio germans. So sometimes third generation (with turkish anchestry) people complain about migrants who do not follow the rules. So "Where do you (originally) come from? is an annoying question.

I like it. - Make interviews at a german Recylinghof on a saturday.

about the stoplight and jaywalking, i just dont feel pressure to get over the road quickly, so i wait ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

How come nobody mentioned not being Punctual...? The biggest issue many foreigners face in my humble opinion...

You asked why. I believe it trickled down into our society due to our history. It's less about rules, and more about a general mindset to reduce the probability of catastrophy. Rules are just a generalized practical side effect of that. Individualized example: when i smell smoke, i always search for the source, sniffing around until i find it. Looks funny. Actually prevented a house burning down a few weeks ago due to it. So, the "beware" rules may look funny. But when the shit hits the fan, as it did in Germany, it may be your only silver lining. I believe that's the underlying answer to the why. Btw. awesome videos. 👍

The strict standing at the red lights is for/bc. of the children. To be a good role model. Grownups can estimate whether a car might be coming and it is dangerous, but not the kids! So if _they_ just walk at red lights it might quickly lead to a problem. That's all to it.

People do jaywalk at night, that part I don't agree with. But, I've been recently in London again and every single person jaywalks in that crazy traffic and it fucks up the traffic even more. Many rules make reaaaaaally sense. 😂 Also, in Germany you would get murdered crossing traffic. Drivers have no mercy 😂

Don’t forget to say „Mahlzeit“ to EVERYONE you meet while going to canteen for lunch break! No matter if you work in a company with 5 or 5000 employees 😉😉

Thank you for not putting everything I said during the interview. 😂 And, thank for this lovely video. I like it. ❤🎉

in germany you can drink beer and wine at the age of 14 under supervision of ur parents, at 16 you are allowed to buy/drink it by urself and at 18 theres nothing you cant buy :D

6:12 The Rundfunkgebühren (Broadcasting fee) is really annoying, yes. The guy in question had to pay it because a pc/notebook can also be used to listen to the radio online. The broadcasting fee is paid for the upkeep of the national owned TV channels ARD+ZDF. I haven't watched either in a decade and still have to pay. They have no way of verifying their use I guess, so you have to pay because you cant proof not watching it, some way or another.

I like that you talk to a variety of nationalities and identify them. I learn as much about other countries' thinking as I do about German thinking.

The reason why we Germans don't cross the street when it is red is not because we are so obedient. But because we are efficient. Pedestrian lights cost money and if we don't use them, the money was thrown out the window. So we use these pedestrian lights according to their purpose, so that the output had any meaning. 😋

The last one hit me hard 😂. If you have problem with post then u r F* up 😂

The problem with jaywalking is not so much disobeying rules. Instead you really practice ignoring the traffic light, thus desensitizing yourself to a red light, which can become dangerous in certain situations (esp. if there are multiple lanes and traffic goes with different speeds... This should not be underestimated. I have saved several tourists from being hit by a car by yanking them back on the kerb in the very last moment here in Cologne, who were totally shocked and grateful afterwards.) Plus, you are setting a terrible example for kids (who might be watching even if you aren't aware of them). If I am in a true hurry I prefer crossing the street where there is no traffic light in sight. ;)

Regarding e-mail one more thing! In Germany, a signature is currently only valid by mail or fax. An e-mail is not valid.

What kinda bugs me with most of you ,,Foreigner in Germany"-Channels is, that you primarily seem to be active in southern Germany (BW & Bavaria) or Berlin and still act like this being representative for Germany as a whole. For a federal country like Germany, that doesn't seem correct. Obviously you don't actually state, but neither do you put in a part where you in a sentence or two, that one should be careful with generalisations in this regards, rather taking those experiences with a grain of salt. Just bringing it up, might help getting foreigners a better understanding.

Munich is hardly Germany.

Lol bro you are such a good interviewer. You bring such a fun and humble energy, I can see even the most shy of person enjoy having a quick chat with you. Love watching these!

Never mistake a garbage can for plastics for a garbage can for biomüll... NEVERRRR

Be quite on sundays please, because Sonntag in Germany is "Ruhetag" or "rest day" so to say. No loud noises. For examples no vacuuming the flat, no loud music/tv/talking/ powertools and so forth.

Again, don't speak about germany, if you only live in munich, germany is very different by region.

Oh damn... i totaly get the one about the E-Mail. Im german and once had an appointment in court and i did not recieve the letter since at that time some shady guy stole mail from the mailboxes in our Street. i had to pay a 300€ fine for not appearing in court even tho i didnt know i had to go. Treid to communicate the situation... no chance!!!

Fantastic my brother😂👏🏻, success✨ greetings from brasil😎🇧🇷

For the algorithm 👊 😉

In Germany you have to pay a punishment fee if you cross the lights (Ampel!) and the police catches you. Other than that ppl in Germany are taught to be a good example for kids in order to prevent kids from crossing the lights. It is just a way of trying to avoid accidents (especially because kids often do not pay enough attention)

When in rome be a roman they say, immigrants have to follow the rules of the land they want to live, one likes it or not. Simple.

As a man, don’t wear sandals without socks, it’s not just impolite, it’s a cultural crime! 😉

gönn dir ein gösser radler

Come to Cologne. Everybody crosses through the red lights in this city. But... Unfortunately we have quite a few deaths because of this habit. 😕

For the television tax guy. As a uni student you can be exempted by sending a proof that you're studying

Not making way for people getting off trains or busses or the like. Not letting everybody off before getting on. Not being able to use escalators, standing on both sides instead of letting people walk by on the left. In general, standing in the way without need. Being delicate when people criticise anything.

Nice video Lad 👍🏼. That was some quick editing 😃. It was a pleasure meeting you guys.

Crossing the street with a red light is pretty normal here in Berlin 😂😅( except when there are little kids people SOMETIMES try to not cross the street )

Very important: Do not flirt, if she is wearing a ring on her right ring finger! Because that means, she is married!

03:21 i guess this needs a little explanation... there is the german saying "sich im Grabe umdrehen"... roughly translated as "somebody turning around in his/her grave". so basically, the queen is even after death so embarrassed and disappointed in the prime minister, she starts turning around in her grave. the look of her face gave me some lols :)

I would say be reliable so If you cant make it to a meeting say that early enough and just dont let the people wait. But I cant think of much more. Just be friendly and like the finnish woman said dont assume that you know how things Go 🤷‍♂️💚

Jeez germans are so smart everything they say souds like coming out of a freaking textbook

That turkish boy was going pretty hard on germans, got me dying of laughter hahaha

Best answer is "Don't rely on the Deutsche Bahn". Never, never do that. An extreme valid rule.

Had a dream I flew to Germany lol then I see this just posted

3:30 Considering she doesn't have a good reputation in england, I don't question her precense in a window with the upset queen rotating in her coffin.

As a german: i hate it so much that so many foreigners are so noisy in public traffic and that the use their cellphones and videocalls in public transport in such a loud way. Because of this i stopped using the metro and go to office by bike. 40 km each day. A friend of mine is sure: two hours with this noisy people in public traffic and two peoples more are friends of AFD.

Something tells me Germany and Japan should have been neighbouring countries.

In Germany, i dislike sitting with strangers. So when someone asks to sit, or when someone sits next to me, i just stand up and walk away. I know it seems rude, but i value my privacy a lot.

Oh no. I was flirting up a storm on my vacation in Germany then. Oops. Just kidding. I did it on purpose 😇😉

The tip thing confuses me. I've been living in Hamburg for almost 3 years. I tried once to give tip after a meal in a restaurant. The Kellner stopped me and said it was included in the bill so literally I didn't have to tip at all. This applies generally everywhere. So I'm very confused. I don't think in Germany it's normal to give tips.

1:12 - Zuerst hatte das Matriarchat das Sagen, dann das Patriarchat - und jetzt das Sekretariat. _First the matriarchy was in charge, then the patriarchy - and now the secretariat._

The guy with the traffic lights is totally overinterpretating. Actually we Germans love security and being save, we love following rules that make sense and hate being forced to follow stupid rules. You don't jaywalk to be a good example for children and we prefer not to die. The reason why Germans also start walking when you break the rules, it's not because we secretly want to, it's because we are used to each one following the rules, and if we are not paying attention (smartphone, tired, drunk, depressed, thinking) and you start walking we do too because we guess it has to be green then. We just trust in you being as correct as us. Some will call you out because you are a bad example for children, but most will be quiet, because they hate having naively trusted you. However when there is no car around for minutes and the long red phase makes no sense people will start crossing at red or feel relief if someone else does the first step. Because as said, we only love rules that make sense.

A German friend of mine got so upset when I tried to break the officialities between us. She is very serious all the time, and since that day she rarely takes to me now lol.

If there are children on the other side, you need to waitfor the green light. If there is no child, just feel free to cross

I live in Germany and Germans complaining about Deutsche Bahn is so annoying. Most countries in Europe have worse delays.

Are you saying that anglosaxon men don't think you're flirting when a beautiful woman like you touches them? What I generally hear is that many men believe you're in love with them (and act on it) when you're just being kind. Not even touching.

i found a post on 4chan today that sums it up nicely: "Another major issue with the germans is that they act according to their theoretical thoughts & calculations only, even for daily life stuff. >If i greet my neighbour nicely today, he surely will treat me nicer too...but since i haven´t done that in 10 years it might look fake as hell, in that case he will actually hate me more. I better be prepared on his hateful moves on me... i better call the cops on his ass for letting that branch grow 3 centimeters over my fence " as german i agree with that overthinking - you may not do small talk, because they find you ok but you dont and then they want to talk to you again - so we do a bit of small talk and then let the silence become cringy, so people know that this may have been a one time thing

Once you become parent you will understand why no jaywalking. Kids are very early on the independent ticket in Germany. They will go to school by themselfs, some even at kindergarden age. Trafic education is very important, for kids, for grown ups and for foreigners. Red and green are fundamentally important, if you reach only three cheese high. For the same reason we do not have a red light right turn free to drive here as well - too dangerous for little ones.

I don't know about Germany but here in Czech Republic crossing street on red light is illegal, you can actually get a fine for it. That being said people still do it.

Nah u can cross the street. Some ppl will follow u as well😂😂 they always need someone to make the first step forward

Was soll dieses Vid?? Das meiste stimmt nicht ! Trinkgeld musst du gerade in Deutschland nicht geben !!!! Siehe USA :-)

I miss my life in the UK. Feel myself as a foreigner here in Germany. A lot changed her not for good and am pissed off because Germans are so unflexible and do not accept changes and stick to there million years old routines and meals and are frighten to try something else. In example card payments. 80% of payments have to be done in cash. I don't understand it. In the UK sometimes I could make payments even at the Mr. Woopy's ice van. Germans are still stobbern not all but the most. I can say so because am German and see it on a daily base.

In the area south of Munich Hbf, drivers don't even stop when it is time for pedestrian crossing. It feels like a different continent in that area and I always have to watch for cars.

Foreigners should expect to be asked where they are from.

Come to Frankfurt everybody Jailwalks in Frankfurt :D

Not just this that or here and there. these problem will see in days everywhere in the world

I am always surprised when the topic of jaywalking comes up. Yes, in Germany the rules are taken more seriously than elsewhere, especially when children are around, but I've never experienced being approached by strangers when walking on red. Or maybe it's stricter in conservative southern Germany than here in the north? After all, most of these videos come from Bavaria....

The brazilian woman's so cute! Saw the thumbline, had to watch the video for her :)

Stopping as a pedestrian at a red pedestrian light even though there is no car in sight is simply a matter of setting an example for children who might be watching you.

In Jogginghose raus gehen zum Einkaufen, zu laut in der Öffentlichkeit sein, Unpünktlichkeit das ist gar nicht gut, beachte und berücsichtige die Regeln/Gesetze der Gesellschaft...

As a Berliner, I have found that districts with a high proportion of foreigners and alternative residents are the dirtiest there. Many of our foreign guests who have been living here for a long time hardly speak German and do not follow the rules of general coexistence. Many of our guests assume that we all speak and understand English or even their local language. Many often have no manners, respect, are rude and inconsiderate. Many do not even have decency or respect for other people. Even respect for someone else's property has dropped to a very low level. That is very worrying then. Often you don't even consider the feelings of others. It is regrettable to note that the crime rate has risen significantly due to the influx of many foreigners. In the meantime, large and public places have been declared dangerous places by the Berlin police. What I see with my own eyes every day makes me sad.