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.

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. 😅

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

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!

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.

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

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.

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."

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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!"

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.

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

It’s really simple, just follow the rules.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

I loved your outfit and the production of the video

Dont be noisy on train or bus

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!!!

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

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 ^^

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 )

TrueBrit....you are hilarious. Awesome channel

it was fun meeting you :)

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 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 🤷‍♂️💚

the quality of the video is clearer than my eyesight

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 😉😉

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.

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)

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.

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

Please make similar kind of videos on The city of Cologne. I heard people of cologne are very friendly.

A lot of those things are quite Munich specific. Münchener are extra spießig and less warm.

Depends on the road, if visibility is good enough I will absolutely cross without waiting. But in complicated situations I will wait, because way too many drivers are way too insane and should not have a license.

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.

The crossing of a street with traffic lights on red costs 5-10 € if you get caught in the worst case driver's license away.

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. ;)

My experience is, that in Bavaria and Baden Württemberg, people are hyper concrete rule followers. Especially in more rural areas it comes close to big brother like surveillance^^. The more north You get, the more chilled it is. But it’s only my personal view on things.

Raddler was invented in Germany in 1922. It's a low-alcohol beer mixed with soda. It's faboulous.

Gosh, the trash bins!! There are so few trash bins on the street that most of the time I carried my trash to back home😁

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

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.

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.

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. 😋

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 :)

Concerning the "waiting at red traffic light" thing: As I understand, these interviews are done in Munich. In Munich is a large police academy. Therefore the streets of Munich are used a lot for training of police trainees, so you can easily be charged there with fines, even for minor traffic offenses. In general people are crossing red lights in Germany as well. But you shouldn't be surprised if you get a fine. Most of all you have a big chance of getting angry reactions if you get in the way of road users that have priority. Following rules in Germany not only means that people accept the restrictions they impose, it also means that they don't like to give up the rights they have through these rules.

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.

sorry but it is a coffin store where the picture of the queen is to be seen : ) it is in the Schellingstrasse

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.

Radio and television tax are actually a fee that everyone has to pay, because it also includes computers and smartphones and the possibility to watch television or hear radio online.

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

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.

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 😂

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

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

Sehr unterhaltsam! :D

Another thing, do not bring in outside footwear while you are training at the gym, if you are going for training at the gym bring another pair of footwear for your workout or they will send you out…. And lastly do not play loud music l, and especially past a certain time in the day or police will be called .

There are many things one can talk about this topic. First thing I learnt here in Germany through an unpleasant experience is, 3-4 Days being in Germany, walked on the side walk meant for bicyclists. The guy came behind me on a bicycle said something to me in an unpleasant tone that I didn't,t understand at that time cause of my poor German skills. It kinda made me sad/ affected me. You can communicate something in a friendlier tone as well. Don't walk on the bicyclists zone/Pavement.

The red light/green light crossing has at least two points: you can get fined for crossing a red light, be it car or bicycle or pedestrian. The other is, if you see red you wait and if it's green you go, no need to watch the whole traffic for any "savages", simply look at the light... and in the night, maybe, just maybe there is a bicycle without lights or reflectors somewhere driving down the street to take you for a ride if you don't follow the rules. ... The cutscene with the cardboard pictures behind the shopwindow might be satire

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

Ignoring invoices would be a huge mistake. Many foreigners do that because of "Why should pay that f***cking ARD? I don't have a TV!" or "Taxes can wait longer, I'm too busy". Don't do that. Because in the end you'll have a lot of headache and will have to pay much more.

my mom is kinda obessed with rules, whereas i am questioning some rules and figure out myself if its neccesary to follow some rules

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

We have a similar drink to radler in the UK, it's called shandy...I'd be very surprised if you've never had it, especially as a kid when you wanna pretend you're an adult drinking alcohol but aren't allowed lol

I hope your bee has recovered from the cold. c:

Especially if you have headphones on, talk quietly on public transportation. Never listen to voicemails loudly when you are in a bar, pub, restaurant, or on public transportation. When children are at the traffic light, never cross the street when the light is red, even if there is nothing going on. And always remember, no matter how tough you are, if you are in a room with a kid and the pink phone rings, you answer it!!!!

Mr YourBrit Can you tell me the music your are using on Background

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

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

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._

If you go to a forest, make sure to find out if there are time restrictions. You might get fined if you disturb the birds at certain hours.

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.

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.

7:48 because you dont wanna get caught from the police, and when you get caught you it can even go that far you can loose your driving license now imagine all these trouble come down, you cant go to work for example no money everything comes on top so you better wait 1am infront of a red light

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

I'm german and at least in larger cities most people jaywalk on the daily if there are no cars around

That thing with the tip is not true. It's seen as a sign of acknowledging a good service, but usually we are not assuming that you must do it and then we are dissapointed. That's simply not true.

I don't get it. Most of this seem fairly simple to me T_T Tbh I feel safer and comfortable doing all this. ALso what is the radio television tax??

Don't be LATE!!!!

The "radio/television tax" is not a tax. It is used to keep certain channels independent of advertisers and politicians + they have an educational mission. It must also be said that they are grossly overpaid and misuse these funds. Nepotism is also a big problem.

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

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