1. Differences between us and them The differences between us and the Germans are what is going to make this trip fun and exciting. If things in Germany were like the way they are here at home, then it would be pretty boring!

2. Unterschiede When being introduced to a German, they will always shake hands. According to etiquette, the older person will offer their hand first. You will also do this when you see people whom you know--when you go into their homes, whatever. You only shake hands on the street if you are planning to talk a longer period of time. Germans like their privacy. They keep their doors closed. It is not being unfriendly. If you don’t want someone walking in on you in the bathroom, be sure to lock the door. Germans love to walk!! Try it! It will be very interesting.

3. Differences If you are on the bus or train and an older person comes in when all seats are full, please stand up and offer the older person your seat. Stores are not open like they are here. They are open until 8:00 P.M. Everything is closed on Sundays except museums and restaurants and in the morning bakeries are open for fresh bread.. Museums are usually closed on Mondays and/or Tuesdays. When going into a small shop, be sure to say “Guten Tag!” or the appropriate greeting for the time of day. Also don’t forget to say “Auf Wiedersehen!” when you leave. These are just using good manners.

4. Unterschiede You usually will seat yourself at a restaurant. Restaurants always have a menu out from to check the prices and what is offered. In casual restaurants, people also sit with strangers. You may see some free seats. Ask: “Ist hier frei?” or “Ist dieser Platz besetzt?” If nobody else is sitting there, then the chair is yours. Tips are included in the price of the meals along with the tax. If you are very satisfied with the service, round up the price. Tell the waitress the amount and you will get the proper change. Don’t expect service like here in the U.S. You will find that the Germans live a much slower pace of life.

5. Differences Don’t forget, Germans eat with their fork in their left hand and their knife in their right hand when they are eating meat or a main meal. For desserts where you would only use a fork, then use your right hand and rest your left wrist (or right, if you are left-handed) on the edge of the table. You may not be good at this at the beginning, but you can practice before you leave home. In a restaurant, don’t pick up your food with your fingers. You will have the ENTIRE restaurant looking at you--even when eating pizza. Eat using your knife and fork. Don’t be surprised to see dogs, especially smaller ones like Dachshunds, in stores and restaurants. Little German ladies take their dogs everywhere. WC or OO indicate the public restrooms (Wasserklosett oder Toilette). Remember, don’t ask for the Badezimmer. That always has a bathtub, and not necessarily a toilet! “Wo ist die Toilette?” is what you want to ask for.

6. Unterschiede When going to public restrooms, be sure to pay the woman. You will get yelled at if you don’t. Remember, that is her job. Amount: €0.50, € 1 or €2! Don’t walk on the bike paths or jaywalk. Bikes will go faster and ring their bells, and cars will lay on their horns and aim for you. The pedestrian DOES NOT have the right-of-way in Europe. Around 3:00 Germans love to have Kaffee und Kuchen. You will get it “mit Schlag”, with whipping cream, unless you ask for it without--ohne Schlag, bitte.

7. Differences Remember, when you are warm or hot, you say: “Mir ist warm (heiß, kalt)”--not: ich bin warm (heiß, kalt). When going shopping, be sure to have some kind of a bag. You will be charged for plastic shopping bags. You will be wise to get a net or collapsible bag before you leave. When purchasing fruit, sometimes the clerk insists on choosing the fruit her- or himself--especially at a fruit stand at a market place. If you pick, they will not be happy! Be observant – watch what other customers do.

8. Unterschiede Ask at movie theaters if the seats are numbered. If they are and a group of you doesn’t have one person ordering all of the tickets, you will all be sitting in different places. When in line, don’t stand back. Germans--and Europeans in general--can appear to be very pushy. If you leave a space between you and the person in front of you, you will see a new person between the two of you--especially little grandmother types with umbrellas. Don’t litter. If you do, someone may come up to you and tell you to pick of your trash. The reason Germany is so beautiful and clean is that the Germans take pride in their country and the way it looks.