Living in Germany can sometimes be quite complex and hard to understand. Here are some simple dos and don’ts to make life less stressful:

 

Do’s

• Be friendly and polite with everyone - makes life so much easier for everyone. This includes all service staff.

• Be on time - Germans love punctuality

• If you want to tip in a restaurant, 5-10% is totally fine. Not tipping is also accepted!

• If there are rules - follow them. Germans stick to rules and expect everyone to also follow them.

• Blend in but keep your identity. Most Germans prefer the mix of assimilation while not shedding your roots.

• Separating garbage from recycling and disposing of them in the proper place:  each has its own respective bin!  

 

Don’ts

• Walking in the bike lane. Never!

• Throwing garbage, chewing gum, cigarette buds on the ground. Throw everything into a garbage can

• Rushing past a line of people to get into a door, bus or anywhere else. Standing in line is not as strict as in Britain, but close.

• Stumbling drunk down a street singing at night - the “Nachtruhe” (noise sensitivity at night) should not be disturbed

• Failing to pay bus/train fares. It will cost you: more money and dignity.

• Talking about money (having it or the lack of it) is considered to be somewhat rude. However all Germans complain about life being too expensive and rising prices.

• Getting literally too close to people unsolicited.  Germans respect personal space!