You are completely right I don’t like tomatoes and every time I asked to prepare my food without it was no problem except in Berlin. The waitress made it look as if it is a big problem to provide my salad without tomatoes and after some argument about the service quality I just canceled my complete order and left the restaurant. If they don’t want my money I will not force it to them. To summarize Berlin is not Germany and they are specially rude.
@@habi0187 Berlin is special and that is fantastic, i don't know where are you going to eat , if i asked somebody to modify my food i got it, because I am a friendly person. Otherwise I guess there are a lot of food on the menu without tomatoes, so you maybe should order them. I think you are one of the guest that have to complain about everything, only to feel important.
Berlin is a strange place in Germany, it seems. I've never liked it. And it is not representative for the whole country. No problem to modify my food in a restaurant. Living in the north we aren't really famous for talking to much, but it's not generally seen as rude starting a conversation or smiling for some reason. May be it's the neighnourhood to Denmarkthat makes us relaxed and happy.. Same in NRW- ou are seen as rude if you refuse a conversation.
As a person who has lived in Lebanon most of my life , ... I see some Germans do not like to have conversations with people they do not know unless there is a good reason to talk...
Though in nrw, or at least the Rhineland you are expected to be mockingly rude in those conversations. It's some kind of game of goodwilled insults without getting personal.
@natalie storm what? Berliners are notorious for being the most rude and unfriendly people in Germany. They even pride themselves in it and call it Berliner Schnauze...
Recently I ordered fish and salad at a restaurant. I told the guy that I want a steak instead of the fish and fries instead of salad . Was totally fine.
Another one: Congratulating someone to their birthday before it is their actual birthday is a total no-no. People will outright reject your congratulation and tell you that it is too early. It is like with the baby: Do not celebrate before it is there.
I live in the area around Bielefeld and there it‘s very common to ask for modifications. Also in the south or in the north of Germany I‘ve Never had issues with that. Perhaps it‘s Special to Berlin?
It's not a problem in most Berlin restaurants either. If they reject modifications you either chose a particular pretentious place to eat or one that only reheats precooked food.
Ich kenne Berlin nicht wirklich. Trotzdem bin ich so mutig zu behaupten, dass es eben eine Großstadt ist. Also, genauso wie Moskau nicht Russland ist und Russland nicht Moskau, so wie London nicht England oder Großbritannien nicht London ist, ebenso ist Berlin nicht grad der Spiegel von Deutschland. Woll?
I've yet to meat a single person anywhere in the world (though my travels were limited) who doesn't like to be smiled at, but that's only true for actual smiles, put on smiles can even make people agressive.
As a Norwegian i agree with the Germans when it comes to smiling. That way you can also be sure that when someone give you a smile, it is sincere and actually mean something. A smile from a German or Russian actually mean something, a smile from an American does not mean anything at all. Its kind of the same with their overuse of the word "love", if they say they love something or someone, it does not necessarily mean anything, but if a Norwegian or German say the same in their language, it actually means what they say. I like it when things are honest better then to kind of lie every day just to be superficial, false and polite. Actually i don`t think it is so polite to give a false compliment.
@Benny Hill There is a middle ground. And yes, both Germans and Norwegians smile a lot, because we are very friendly. But if a complete stranger smile for no good reason, we will mostly assume one of two things, either he is a bit insane, or he is a salesman.. ;) When a Norwegian, German or Russian gives you a smile, you can be pretty sure that it is a real smile and comes from the heart. I am sorry, but since i can not write a book and only write a little comment on it, it kind of have to be a bit simplistic here, even if i could explain it much more complicated and for a long time.
@@richlisola1 I have not been in Canada my self, but have a lot of friends that have been there. And you are right, i should know the difference. What i say about Americans(not Canadians) are still the same. All my friends that have visited Canada say the same about Canadians, in general they are much more real then Americans. :) I never thought for a second that she was American by the way. Just as i did not think she was Russian or Norwegian, i still also use Russians and Norwegians in my example. ;)
i know im randomly asking but does anybody know of a method to log back into an Instagram account..? I was dumb forgot the password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me
6:28 my view as German: if someone I do not know, came with a bright smile towards me: 1)he may to sell me something 2) he is the joker 3)he just escaped from (mental) prison and is glad to have found his first victim today 4)I have dirt in my face 5)my zipper is open 6)he has seen a friend behind me 7)he is happy for a reason I hope that will not hurt me I guess there are more possible thoughts... but the majority are not positive. Ok, smiling at other people baby’s or making myself weird looking by waving, is something I do also. But in general German do not smile without a reason/as a reflex.
theguy : since 16 I had one or two drinks :-) ... Not smiling does not automatically mean being rude in Germany... in case you plan to visit, please keep that in mind.
@David Coker Being emotionally open would be certainly be a more positive start than hiding your feelings and thus naturally being dishonest though. A put on smile is more of a sign for the other to be careful, even if it's just about being careful to mind the local customs. But I agree that a real smile is a good way to begin a meaing positively, a real smile means you are genuinely happy to meet somebody, what could be more positive? It's just the put on smile that has completely different implications. Anyway a smile perceived as honest is never seen as rude in any country I've ever been in, Germany definitively included.
Berlin is not Germany, for sure. Whenever my west-german husband has to spend time in Berlen he comes back shocked at Berliners´ super rude and unfriendly ways. He says he would never want to live there.
@@matekarlo3430 The best City is Lübeck, just ask anybody in Lübeck they will tell you how theirs is the best city, particulerly better than Kiel, which shouldn't be the capital of the state in the first place.
@@Kaefer1973 eyyyy, I recently moved to Lübeck! I come from an area close to Hannover and I LOVE Lübeck. The city is beautiful, the people are nice and there are so many corvids (crows, ravens etc) which is a plus in my book lol
Here in NRW it is totally fine to modify your dish. Often ppl ask for another side to the menu, other dressing or to leave out something. Never seen that it was a Problem.
It shouldn’t be a problem in average restaurants. But in very good restaurants the dishes are a well composed work of art. You don’t modify a piece of art, you are most probably not the better artist.
this was so heart-breaking listening to! Please don't stop smiling at Babies, Puppies or people! It might differ from region to region - but smiling is globally considered as general kindness - even in most parts of Germany. I had a couple of birthdays at work - and as it happened, I received a fully decorated desk, flowers, birthday gifts from my colleagues and best wishes. It sounds like a very rude company where you are expected to pay for your own birthday. You might want to check on that. The Harry met Sally moment in restaurant, where you specify your order and change some ingredients happens every day - in Germany too. Because many people have IBS or allergies and can't digest certain types of food. It is a strange thing when a restaurant refuses to serve these wishes - you might check again on that, because this might have been just a very, very rude waiter.
How the birthday thing works: typically you will receive an email from a colleague that its his/hers birthday and he or she invites you to the kitchen or so to share some cake or drink. The cake or drink treat is to create a nice atmosphere. Sometimes just a get together in a corporate kitchen drinking coffee from the "company machine" will do as well, but you see the difference, bringing a cake is a bit more personal, cosy and just nice. Why is this: first i dont have a clue when my colleagues birthday is, and having to bring them a gift when they tell you would look weird (like he/she is telling you just to get something). Second you are just colleagues, not necessarily friends (although you may like the others), and there are lots of them (especially in bigger companies). See it this way: you bring cake, we bring love. And dont worry, if you throw a birthday party all your guests will bring presents for you! Oh, and about smiling at babies: They smile at you, you smile back, no issue there in small villages at least, where people know each other. Berlin or other big cities with more anonymity might be different, but i doubt this is in full contrast to north america with the usual "helicopter", overprotective parenting there.
Most people can tell if a smile is honest or put on, if they think it's honest than they are indeed likely to also smile since smiles are infectuous. A smiles is a bit like cough that way.
It always depends on the restaurant. Good restaurants have no problem with modifying your meal. Busy restaurants or bad restaurants might say NO to any extra wish you have. It also depends on the waiter. Some are lazy or are paid badly and do not want to have extra work with your paraphernalia or are not so motivated.
A quiet salon where no one talks would be heaven to me. I've avoided any type of salon just because they always strike up a conversation with me. I just want my hair done because I can't do it myself. I don't need to know their whole life story and I'm not comfortable letting them know anything about me either. Instead of relaxing, I feel pressured to be nice and pretend to care about whatever they're saying and that's just stressful.
I met some Germans here in Manhattan when I was a valet.Very friendly and outspoken. We talked about German vs American cars.What their favorite German car was and they were very impressed with Ford, particularly the Ford Explorer and Mustang. They like muscle cars.
Modifications in restaurants (such as fries instead of potatoes, a different salad dressing...) have never been a problem where we went out to eat. When I get a pedicure people always chat with the person giving them the pedicure. It's never silent. I don't however talk to the other customers as there are curtains in between for privacy.
I will never understand those who think we make fake smiles. Obviously there may be some but me, my friends and family we are always happy. The smile we make means that we are happy to see others and that we are opened to talk to that person. And don't forget that we are Canadians are not Americans and maybe when you say fake smile you think of them not in us because you've maybe never met a Canadian.
The smiling thing, I miss even as a German in Germany sometimes, but the people here. have just a very serious and private mentality but also very loyal.Kris
It's not just Germany, most of the world outside of the Americas doesn't smile unless moved to do so. But even within that area, places with a strong Germany influence won't. It's a lot of work to smile most of the time.
@@SmallSpoonBrigade It's true that people don't smile unless moved to do so, it's an emotional rewsponse to positive emotinal stimulation, it hard to cause it in any other way. But since smiles are naturally infectuous at least among friends or people of a neutral mindset towards each other, they spread rather easily. And it's not just a lot of work to smile most of the time, it's completely impossible. You can have a put on smile most of the time, and that's perfectly easy, but that won't motivate others to have an actual smile, at most it will motivate others to also put on a smile (let's call it business smile), particularly if local customs demand it.
It’s true that it’s sometimes difficult to talk to strangers, I had the same experience when I first came here, but it’s not always like that. As far as restaurants are concerned, I’m always asking to have something changed on the menu and it’s never been a problem. Waiters have always been very friendly about it. I smile a lot, even at strangers, and it generally is returned.
When I listen to this, I learn that all the germans in the place where I live would be considered rude in Berlin ^^ Of course, I live kinda at the other side of germany in Nordrheinwestfalen, but here people smile and talk to strangers (well we don't talk to people who look angry at us), order food with modifications (I *always* order hamburgers without pickles :-D) and while we don't have baby showers as such (different traditions), it is very common to buy things for babys before their are born. So yes, I am rather surprised at this. Last time I was in Berlin visiting customers, I just smiled at people like I am used to and they looked happy and just said "Du bist aus dem Rheinland, oder?"
I’ve been living in Kiel, Germany for 3 years now and I’m sorry, but what she says about people finding it offensive when you approach them in Germany being offensive is total bullshit! I have struck up tons of conversations with people especially women in Germany and many of them absolutely love being approached. I got several dates with girls this way and one of them became my girlfriend, despite that that I met her in the supermarket Sky! Just be positive friendly, outgoing, funny and confident. If what you have to say is original and interesting, people will likely be curious to talk to you at least for a bit unless they are having a bad day and are stressed or whatever. So don’t be scared to strike up conversations if you want to even if it defies the social norm! Often they will be pleasantly surprised to have someone approach them even if it is a bit weird and unusual for them!
Another thing to note is that some words don't translate the way a North American English speaker thinks they would. Examples include: "friend" is not "freund" in most cases, and "warm" can be rather tricky in unexpected ways.
srsly: of all expats in germany who make videos on youtube diana talks the most nonsense: starting a conversation with strangers: yeah germans are not big on random small talk with strangers, but you can still start a conversation if you want to without people thinking it is rude. it's maybe a bit unusual but for sure not rude.. and ofc it also depends on the situation and the talking points. so yeah, most people probably would not be in the mood to talk to a stranger while on public transport or at the doctor.. and it also helps having a reason to start a convo helps. just yesterday i got into a convo with a random stranger, because our tram got delayed and we started to talk about the traffic chaos because of one closed bridge due to construction work on said bridge not being able to adjust food in restaurant in germany: complete and utter nonsense... not being able to smile at a baby or a cute dog in germany: complete and utter nonsense. it's also complete and utter nonsense that germans don't smile. yeah our "resting face" is not a burned in smile, but neither a frown. just a simple straight face... and yeah, we don't smile at every random stranger who crosses our path, but greeting the person sitting at the checkout, your bus driver (if you buy a ticket), your butcher or any other sales person or your neighbors with a friendly "hallo" and a smile is standard. i do it always and somehow all these other germans smile back at me at least 90% of the time... i also wonder how it works if you live in a big city in canada: so you smile at each of the hundreds or thousands of people that walk past you? i don't think so.. i also still need to see this constant smiling at everybody. whenever i see video from the USA or canada i don't see all these smiles you talk about. all i see is people in cities walking past each other while ignoring each other baby shower: baby showers are not a common tradition in germany and yet it is still complete and utter nonsense that is frowned upon neither is it taboo nor bad luck. i wonder where you get your information.. its hilarious.. one of your friends tells you they don't want to have a baby shower, because it is not really a tradition in germany, and you pulled all the rest out of thin air. if you wanna have a baby shower throw a fucking baby shower and if you then get weird remarks from your FRIENDS you should maybe overthink the process you use to choose your friends
5:20 „no modification“ ... depends... yes, don’t expect that they change the menücard for you... 1)please ask friendly... 2) ‚normal‘ changes are in the sidedishes.. if they have potatos on other dishes, they might change that. I ANY chase: do not forget: the waiter life not on your tip. He is at his workplace. You do not want to get him angry. He is a human like you. He brings YOU the food, sooner or later, sometimes much later. In the other hand should the waiter treat you as a welcomed guest.
Not sure how it is in Berlin, but talking to strangers is definitely not rude, at least in other parts of Germany. I'd not consider it super common, but still fairly normal.
There's a difference between personal space and mental space. It's the uninvited intrusion into a German's mental space that isn't welcome, e.g. small talk. However, if you bump into someone (personal space) on a crowded tram, it's no big deal, and most people wouldn't say anything at all unless they wanted someone to actually move. Speaking of personal space, if you've got a few extra seats at your table in a restaurant, the waiter or a guest may ask if the seats are free (ist hier frei?). If they are, it's polite to say yes and invite them to sit. You won't be expected to make small talk, though they may wish you a good appetite when your food arrives. So once again, you're sharing more personal space than you would in North America while at the same time preserving mental space. North American visitors new to Germany may take this sort of behavior as rude, aloof, or even sullen, but in actuality, it is a German's way of being considerate. Festive occasions with outdoor drinking would be exceptions to this. During these not so rare events, you're a stick in the mud if you don't smile and laugh and even sign and dance. I hope you like the polka.
Germans, Germany? Well, this is a multiculti country with 180 different nationalities mixed up. A revue performer, cabaret artiste, recently came up with the idea of paying anyone who is able to localize a 100% Teutonic individual is getting a reward of ten thousand Euros. Nobody showed up.
I'm German and I constantly start conversations with strangers! Perhaps I do it in a special "German" way, but I'm bored stiffless in queues and most of the time simply start a conversation. No problem!
Well I'm German and I do 2,3 and 4 regularly, so I think you can do these things but the question is how to do these things... And number 5 well I know some germans who do have baby shower, not as big as in Canada or the US but sometimes... of course it is not very common and it depends upon the mother
I am from Minnesota a very cold weather state really not that different from Canada my question is why would you choose to live in a country that it’s not very warm and the people rather nasty? Wouldn’t rather live in a warmer climate where people are more friendly?
What do you mean you can't modify dishes in Germany? I do that all the time because I don't eat potatoes or rice or noodles. I always get my veggies instead and it has never been a problem.
As a traveler in Germany, I've met a bunch of friendly strangers on several occasions; who pointed me in the right direction when they saw me perusing my city map. Apparently, I looked like a lost tourist so they offered me help without me asking. A German woman I struck a conversation with while waiting for a train even offered me a ride on her car to my destination when we got off the train. That being said, I had a different experience. I am far more comfortable starting a conversation with strangers in Germany than here in Seattle.
Wow, your way of handling birthday at work sounds really nice. It feels others celebrate you instead of you "buying" the others to celebrate with you. Also you may know that Germans create events and invite people, while for some occasions in US, probably Canada as well, people just drop by.
I don't agree with no food modifications. I always ask for a larger side salad, or maybe a different side than French fries, etc. Servers are always happy to do it and I've never had a negative response. OK, those aren't HUGE modifications to the main course, but why wouldn't I ask for exactly what I want in a meal I'm paying for? Sounds like Berlin is a bit rude and not like the rest of Germany that I've come to know...
As a German, I am mildly surprised About some of your findings, and can not really relate to them. But maybe this is something that only happens in Berlin? I talk to strangers very often, I smile at children all the time, I smile at people almost always, and it is quite normal all over the place. But you are on point with baby showers. Nobody will frown upon you if you do it, but Germans do consider it bad luck, same as wishing Happy Birthday before the actual birthday.
True! I remember It cost me so much money on my birthday that I stopped telling when it was my birthday. and restaurant, yes! The waiter is right, not the client!
One thing I found a bit strange was sharing a table with strangers. While sitting with a friend at a table for four, a couple approached our table and asked if it would be OK to have a seat. We of course said “yes”. As for the context, it was at a very busy patio right on the town square.
For about 18 years Ive been modifyring my meals here in germany without any issues if you ask for it while you order it. But I would never expect them to modify my meal after serving it.
@Petter Eliseussen As a Canadian I often smile at strangers just because I felt like it and it made them smile and then they made the next person smile and so on. Spreading joy is not a bad thing, on the contrary! It does mean something and is far more enjoyable than the death stare in my opinion
I've lived Düsseldorf for four years, and I still smile at everyone and talk, sometimes I even make conversation with the cashiers when they ring up my groceries. I don't care what people think, it makes me happy.
The only places I've seen the modifications in restaurants done in Germany is at Pizzerias, Döner Kebabs or at places like Mc Donald's. Usually American tourists who asked for that at the last one 😁 But sometimes Germans too
meal modifications: ask when you order, not when the food is served. people are certainly willing to oblige - within certain limits, of course: french fries without potatos, steak without meat, poached salmon without fish just won´t happen.
"Und für Diana wieder (eine) EXTRAWURST!" we Germans are a people of sausage eaters. So much so that even vegetarians can look forward to a sausage here - at least if it is said to be an extra sausage.
I am German decent person, I love to eat sausages, sauerkraut, drink beer, red potato salad, pretzels, etc. I am very glad of my Bavarian cuisine products, Bavarian folk music, Bavarian dance, and the history of Bavaria and Germany regime. 🇩🇪👍🇩🇪✝️🇩🇪🎉🇩🇪
Well, I've lived in germany my whole life and for the most part I can agree with you. You an modify your food in the Most places though. Maybe not like in high class Restaurants because it would indeed offend the Chef! Germans for the most part are pretty rude and don't smile a lot. Sometimes they even feel offended when you want to make Small talk to a Stranger. I guess the Most Germans wouldn't agree with me because they've never been to the US oder Canada and saw how kind people can be
After 17 years in Canada, I came back to Germany and continued to strike up conversations with strangers. I had gotten used to it, and it was the one thing I loved the most about living in Canada...spontaneous, lighthearted friendliness, not fake at all. I was in an elevator and said something about the weather. The German person gave me this irritated look and said: "Kennen wir uns?" Then it hit me - I am back now. Oh my. After 13 years back home, I still strike up conversations with strangers, on the streetcar, in a store, in a cafe. I often get surprised looks, but people engage more than before, I feel, and often an interesting encounter is the result of it. Maybe things have loosened up. I will not give up my favorite Canadian habit - being casual and open. I am grateful to have learned this abroad.
the thing with the changes in resturants I really don‘t see. My mother dosent like stuff like potato wedges or fries so she often ask for like salads or so and never had a problem. Just be nice and ask don‘t demand. Also the servers don‘t depend on your tip so they wn‘t put up with a-hole behavior.
Good one, thank you. I like to watch these 'being a xxx in yyy' sort of clips. Watched the entire series 'being black in Japan' :-) I always get two cultures in one clip. This time I learned about my own country.
I was born and raised in Berlin and lived here all my life, I've never had a problem with modifying my food in a restaurant, I never met anyone who thought being smiled at is weird, I've never met anybody who got mad because someone smiled back at their baby. Also, I've never been expected to buy the first round of drinks for my friends on my birthday, in fact, they always insist on being the ones paying. I don't think a lot of the things mentioned in the video really apply to Germany as a whole or Berlin for that matter. I still really enjoyed the video, even though according to my experience and the experience of the people I know, the things mentioned don't really apply, because I find it very interesting to see what people from other countries experience when visiting Germany. Keep up the great videos. :)
Smiling without a reason or celebrating a childbirth (or a birthday) before it actually happened is very optimistic. How can anybody be so shure, that he´ll live to see the next day? The successful reduction of miscarriages and infant mortality to a point, where it´s the exception and not the norm, just started less than 2 centuries ago. The last big pandemia that killed a big part of the population, just happened a century ago. And 3 following generations that had the luck to grow up in times of peace? That´s something incredibly rare in the history of central Europe. You may have seen the great comedy "A Million Ways to die in the West". Well, the movie is set just a few generations ago. The difference between Europe and the Americas: In the perception of the new world, the 19th century is a long time ago. But from the perspective of the old world, the whole history of the U.S. just started a short time ago. In the U.S., the early industrial tycoon dynasties of the guilded age count as old wealth. Here in Europe, everyone who came after the Medici are the new rich.
So it sounds like germans are introverted, shy, and care about deep connections rather than superficial ones. Where can I get an airplane ticket to Germany from?? (romanian here)
Hey Diana - nice Channel and Videos - love to watch them as a German. As said some times b4, modifiying meals is no problem. Berliners often are just a bit more rude than the rest of Germans 😂 though I like them, I have to admit they‘re..
Come to Cologne and you'll learn that not all Germans avoid small talk. If you sit at the bar in a local pub here, people will start talking to you and often share very personal details. As a Colognian how stayed in Vancouver for a few months, I experienced small talk to be very superficial compared to here.
I would also add that Germans (as well as most Europeans) would find speaking load or "happy" screaming such as "oh my God", "No way!", "That is so exciting", etc (typically North American) as rude. Some other things: talking while chewing, sitting close to strangers, having a mess in your room, misbehaving children and parents, getting drunk and other stuff. Well, you got the idea. The only time I spoke with Germans that I met for the first time was in a pub watching football (not the American one). Ordnung muss sein, as Germans say.
There are many places in Europe where someone smiling without a real reason would be considered an idiot. Americans and Canadians tend to create the image of someone who has had one to many when smiiling at every one.
Du kannst sicher Änderungen an Deiner Essensbestellung vornehmen, solange Du es bei der Bestellung sagst. Wenn Du es erst erwähnst wenn das Essen kommt, dann ist das sehr blöd für den Kellner und den Koch.
@@davefromberlin2274 I´m talking of an ALDI shop in Cologne. Not really a small village. Berlin to me ain´t no place to be anyway. btw: why not talk to other customers if employees are too busy. Which I do if I want to.
BUT: Cologners are from another mentality anyway. If Diana would come out of her Berlin comfort zone she would realize how nice and warm (and talkative) Germans can be.
...I never had any problem asking for modifications. Unless it is something overly complicated, it never was a problem to adjust a meal to my wishes. And nobody ever rolled his eyes at me over it. I also don't think that a baby shower is a problem if you do it as an expat. Different countries, different traditions, Germans understand that just fine and are ready to adjust, though don't expect them to know what they should do for a baby shower. When a German does it, though, it can be considered greedy.
It is not at all rude to modify your order. But BEFORE you order. If you don't like certain vegetables or cheese or whatever and you don't know the dish, just ask in advance if that's in it and if so, ask for a substitute or if the dish is available without that ingredient. It is only rude to order something and then sort it out. We call it "pingelig" and in the best case people laugh at you. About smiles I have to say that it would suit us Germans quite well if we did that more often. But hey, life is a serious thing and it mostly ends with death, so nothing to smile about ;) - Seriously: an occasional smile is great and is often returned. But a permanent smile is funny for us and is almost considered a handicap. Crazy.
Substitutes in a meal shouldn’t be a problem at most restaurants if they are not dissemble the dish totally. If you want fried potatoes instead of fries it should usually fine. Regarding the baby shower, in Germany it is usually done only by the father‘s friends after the child is born. It is called „Kind pinkeln lassen“ and the father and the his friends get drunk. 😉😂
I remember a TV show where they pranked a famous chef by "improving" his meals with ketchup and other barbaric condiments and filmed his (raging) reaction with hidden cameras.
Berlin has like almost 4 million people. All larger cities across Europe tend to be the same, the pace is faster, commuting takes time, people are busy getting around, to, from work, appointments, picking up their kids etc. People don’t have the time nor the energy to be conceived as “smiley” and “perfect”. Germany has a crazy load of burocracy for everything so obviously that is bound to cause frustration. Saying there is more or less only one way of being friendly is ignorant. Different is the word. Without the language, you won’t be able to understand your fellow locals. Because you don’t learn the language, of course you’ll face daily issues and misunderstandings. Most things you wonder about are based on the lack of language. Without German, you won’t understand the historical context, culture or pretty much..anything on a deeper, much needed basis. You won’t understand habits, behaviours, body language. You expect people working at restaurants to understand and explain everything in English. In a non English speaking country. If anyone would move to Canada and not learn any English (let’s stick to English and leave French out) for 3-4 years, I’m sure life in Toronto, Montreal Vancouver, Ottawa would be very difficult, virtually impossible. Small talk is actually very important in Germany. Its a much needed social skill. It’s just done differently in every part. Again, without the language, you don’t pick up any of this. Your a nice hard working girl but surely you have to connect the missing language dots here? :) For your own sake I hope you start learning the language. It’s perceived as awkward when expats complain about things based on their lack of not learning the language and you’ll have a much better life in Germany with some German.
I understand you being weirded out by those cultural differences, but I don't think it is quite accurate to say that Germans find any of your Canadian habits actually rude. They might not respond in kind, but that doesn't mean they are offended. I think it takes a lot to actually offend a German, at least a modern German, because they had to get used to a lot of actually offensive behavior from "southern immigrants". You can accuse me of racism and xenophobia, but stuff like spitting on the ground, littering or playing extremely loud music in public were kind of unheard of in Germany before the age of mass immigration. I am half immigrant myself and there just is no denying that. Don't get me wrong, but I get the feeling that you just wanted to get some frustrations about Germans off your chest and kind of sneakily framed it all as Germans finding your habits offensive. I don't blame you. I know how you feel. I spent a year in China as a student and although it overall was the most fun year of my life and I enjoyed it a lot and made many great friends, I too often was in the mood to just bitch and moan about the cultural differences that annoyed me. I was born and raised in Germany and consider myself German and have basically no ties to the culture my mother came from, but I too find some things about Germany annoying and although I never was in Canada or the USA, from all I know, I think I would actually fit into the Northern American culture and mentality better. Germans always complain and scoff at how "superficial" Northern American culture is. Everybody is always smiling, but it is all fake and superficial and people don't really care behind their friendly facade, they say. To me that sounds good. I like it friendly but distant. I don't want neighbors who get into my business and worry about how I recycle my trash or how often I wash my car.
In my opinion it's totally normal to change food. Maybe not in Berlin; I don't know. But Berlin is not Germany; Germany is much more. Try to find out how people are in the rest of Germany. Maybe you'll be surprised again... Greetings from NRW!
I'm Canadian and my best friend is German (from Nuremberg). Some time ago I flew to Los Angeles to meet him there. We went out for dinner and when we ordered the food/drinks, I forgot to tell the waiter that I didn't want any ice in my Coke, so when the waiter brought the drinks, I let him know that I had forgotten to ask for "no ice". Of course, he replied "no problem", took the drink back and brought it back to me with no ice. My German friend was shocked/amazed, he told me that this would never happen in Germany. If you forget to say "no Ice", then it's your problem, they will not remove it for you. I have been in Germany many times (it is my absolutely favourite place to go on vacation) and it is true, customer service there (and pretty much everywhere else out of North America) really sucks. LOL! It is also true that Germans are very superstitious about celebrating ANYTHING before the actual date. They wouldn't even wish you a "Merry Christmas" if it is not Christmas day (which they celebrate on the 24th of December instead of on the 25th)!
In Italy, baby shower has become a bit more common because people love everything from America. But otherwise here is bad luck too to celebrate the baby before it's born.
Diesmal kann ich dir gar nicht zustimmen. Ich habe 6 Jahre im Westen von Kanada gelebt und hatte nicht das Gefühl, dass Kanadier besonders freundlich und kommunikativ sind. Aber wer ist überhaupt "der Kanadier"? Ich sah Inder, Chinesen, Menschen aus dem nahen Osten und sonst woher, alle verhielten sich anders, nämlich so, wie es in ihrer Ursprungskultur üblich war, zumeist aber freundlich. Die, die man als weiße Kanadier bezeichnen würde waren am wenigsten freundlich und sehr wenig an anderen Menschen interessiert, meiner Beobachtung nach. Aber auch das muss erlaubt sein. Das ist ihr gutes Recht, so zu sein. Sie fügten niemandem einen Schaden zu. Man kann einfach nicht verallgemeinern. Ich glaube, die weißen Kanadier meinen, sie seien die wahren Kanadier. Dies finde ich nicht richtig. Es sind alles Einwanderer. Die einen vor vier oder sechs Generationen, die anderen in dieser Generation. Im Grunde sind die Indianer die WAHREN KANADIER.Sie sind die einzigen, die nicht einwanderten. Aber mal ein Beispiel: In Calgary wohnten alle Haus an Haus in teuren Häusern (Calgary ist generell teuer). Keiner kannte dort seine Nachbarn, sie fuhren mit dem Auto in die Garage und verschwanden im Haus. Beim Schnee schaufeln sprach ich mal einen Nachbarn an, einen Canadier, da hat er vor Schreck fast seine Schaufel fallen lassen. Ich denke, dass es auch in Kanada große Unterschiede gibt. Ach, noch eins: Berlin ist nicht Deutschland. Du lebst dort, wo alles etwas anders ist. Die Deutschen, wenn du mal ihre Geschichte studierst stammen von sehr unterschiedlichen germanischen "Stämmen" ab, im Grunde zu vergleichen mit den Indianern. Ein Hesse ist anders als ein Sachse, ein Bayer anders als ein Franke usw. Ein Cree Indianer ist auch nicht vergleichbar mit einem Salish Indianer von der BC Küste, aber diese Unterschiede wollen die Kanadier gar nicht sehen, sie interessieren sich kaum für die Ureinwohner. Ich war oft genug Zeuge von Diskriminierung. Das hatte mich sehr erschreckt. Ist aber ein anderes Thema ...!! Wer ist nun also "ein Kanadier" und wer ist " der Deutsche"??? Genießen wir doch die Unterschiedlichkeit, es macht das Leben wunderbar bunt. Im übrigen lächle ich alle an, ob im Zug oder sonst wo. Mir begegnen zumeist sehr liebenswerte Menschen. ALLES FÄNGT BEI EINEM SELBER AN, ist meine Meinung.
Berlin restaurants and eastern german restos may stand out in that concern (no modifications on meals? not exactly my experience, lets say it may depend)
Actually, since McDonald's is “a facility that prepares and sells food directly to consumers for immediate consumption," it IS ,technically, a (fast food)🍔🍟 restaurant. Is it a restaurant that I frequent? No, BUT it is, nevertheless, a "restaurant."
@@charlies.5777 'since McDonald's is “a facility that prepares and sells food directly to consumers for immediate consumption,"' So is my Dönerbude and that's not a restaurant either. I think there are a few more criteria to meet.
I am born in Berlin and live here, i modify my food all the time. I am known for that. But you are right, they say about Berliners, they are rude and do not smile a lot. And i hate the thing, that when its my birthday, i have to pay for everybody and have to bring cake and everything, so that everybody else have a nice day. I will never get that🤷🏼♀️
an other thig thats diferent is the drinks in resturants. un the us the put so much eis in it that its way too could, and you have only a litle bit too drink. in germany, you get a full glass with the drink you ordert.
I'm a big fan of Canada - in case I would leave germany one day, I'd go there rather than USA or elsewhere. I really love the RUclips videos "Just for laughs Gags" which are always filmed in Québec or Montréal, they are so funny and show how friendly and open-hearted people are there. It's really amazing :-) maybe you know them too. Also Canadian music is very interesting, like Rush, Alanis Morrisette, Nelly Furtado and more.
@@xxj4nn1kxxxxx52 No, I'm forming my opinion based on the information given by her, my experience visiting Canada, being personally acquainted with North Americans over almost five decades in several countries, a keen interest in North American culture and society, and my experiences of living in Germany. I'm not German though.
@@xxj4nn1kxxxxx52 It at least seems needlessly judgemental. Of course a North American smile as described here is not a real smile. A real smile is an emotional response, you can't do it deliberately. But it's meant as a form of respect, and should be seen as such. It's certainly dishonest in a way, but it's also usually intended to be well meaning and respectful. Just like a German wishing you a nice day in a greeting or farewell, even if s/he actually doesn't really care is somewhat dishonest but well meaning and meant to show respect. That doesn't make a business smile a real smile, but it's also not a bad thing either.
I realy wonder what is berlin all about after this Video? Even that I come from a total different part of Germany I never find the citizents of berlin that way as you discriped. I am from the very western part and one of the oldest cities of Germany which is very close to the dutch and belgium border … the town is Aachen in Nordrheinwestfalen. Our mentality is different to berlin and is known as the "rheinischer Frohsinn". In berlin a conversation with citizens sounds kind of rude. But they don't mean it that way. The citizens of berlin are very funny but on a totaly different way than the people here in my area. One thing is true … we do not need to get into a conversation with everybody. And it doesn't mean that Germans are not friendly. If you approch someone to ask something you will certainly get an answer or get into a conversation. Bad thing is since everybody using smart phones they are all buisy with themself and their phones … especially young people. But what I found out is that a lot of people bow their haed when passing by just to avoit an eye contact I rarely take a dish as discribed on the menu and I never had a problem with it. I always get what I want as long they sell it.
That's a maple leaf pillow, nothing Canada about it, but I notice how Germans judge on what they see, otherwise they don't believe it. The Germans wouldn't think Dianna is Canadian if it weren't for the pillow.
I don’t agree with everything that u said, for example with the babyparty, my parents did one, before I was born and the most persons that I know do one, even though it’s a little bit different than in the US or Canada. But a Babyreval party is something that is completely unknown here. I think it’s really depending where u are living. Berlin is a big City for Germans and it’s more individualized, so u r more isolated there than in other cities, but that’s also something what I personally love about Berlin. In other areas it’s really normal just to start to talk to other people but there are also regions that are always declaring this for their region, which is not really true. It’s really always depending where u are.
You can modify your food in Restaurants everywhere in Germany. Only in Berlin it seems to be different ...
You are completely right I don’t like tomatoes and every time I asked to prepare my food without it was no problem except in Berlin. The waitress made it look as if it is a big problem to provide my salad without tomatoes and after some argument about the service quality I just canceled my complete order and left the restaurant. If they don’t want my money I will not force it to them.
To summarize Berlin is not Germany and they are specially rude.
You can modify but it's not normal and it's a bit annoying for the personell.
Which is another great example that Berlin is not like Germany. It’s more like a sometimes hated island of its own
@@habi0187 Berlin is special and that is fantastic, i don't know where are you going to eat , if i asked somebody to modify my food i got it, because I am a friendly person. Otherwise I guess there are a lot of food on the menu without tomatoes, so you maybe should order them. I think you are one of the guest that have to complain about everything, only to feel important.
Because Berlin is a different country, right....
Berlin is a strange place in Germany, it seems. I've never liked it.
And it is not representative for the whole country.
No problem to modify my food in a restaurant. Living in the north we aren't really famous for talking to much, but it's not generally seen as rude starting a conversation or smiling for some reason. May be it's the neighnourhood to Denmarkthat makes us relaxed and happy.. Same in NRW- ou are seen as rude if you refuse a conversation.
As a person who has lived in Lebanon most of my life , ...
I see some Germans do not like to have conversations with people they do not know unless there is a good reason to talk...
Though in nrw, or at least the Rhineland you are expected to be mockingly rude in those conversations. It's some kind of game of goodwilled insults without getting personal.
@natalie storm what? Berliners are notorious for being the most rude and unfriendly people in Germany. They even pride themselves in it and call it Berliner Schnauze...
@@boahkeinbockmehr Da hast du Recht. Berlin ist furchtbar.
I absolutely love Berlin! But yes, it is stressful to live there. I even want to go back living in Berlin.
Recently I ordered fish and salad at a restaurant. I told the guy that I want a steak instead of the fish and fries instead of salad . Was totally fine.
best comment!
Hahaha..picky you..lol
Another one: Congratulating someone to their birthday before it is their actual birthday is a total no-no. People will outright reject your congratulation and tell you that it is too early. It is like with the baby: Do not celebrate before it is there.
If your birthday falls on a weekend and your colleagues on Friday don't wish you a happy birthday, I find that very rude.
@@davefromberlin2274 They wish you a belated happy birthday on Monday.
@Hauke Holst Das passt aber im Grunde nicht zu den jüdisch-christlichen Fundamenten des Abendlandes .. siehe: ruclips.net/video/uUtoskbXQhU/видео.html
I live in the area around Bielefeld and there it‘s very common to ask for modifications. Also in the south or in the north of Germany I‘ve Never had issues with that. Perhaps it‘s Special to Berlin?
I don't know it's your country ask yourself, is Berlin a different country?
@Hauke Holst I have been to all regions of Germany in the 7 years I have been there, have you ??
Same. I live in Bielefeld and never had problems with that. Although I still find the people in Canada nicer :D
It's not a problem in most Berlin restaurants either. If they reject modifications you either chose a particular pretentious place to eat or one that only reheats precooked food.
Ich kenne Berlin nicht wirklich. Trotzdem bin ich so mutig zu behaupten, dass es eben eine Großstadt ist. Also, genauso wie Moskau nicht Russland ist und Russland nicht Moskau, so wie London nicht England oder Großbritannien nicht London ist, ebenso ist Berlin nicht grad der Spiegel von Deutschland. Woll?
I’ve never received weird looks when smiling at people in Germany. Most often I realize that I must have been smiling because people smile back at me.
I've yet to meat a single person anywhere in the world (though my travels were limited) who doesn't like to be smiled at, but that's only true for actual smiles, put on smiles can even make people agressive.
We’re smiling back, because we’re nice people, but we don’t want to talk to strangers haha smiling is no problem tho
As a Norwegian i agree with the Germans when it comes to smiling.
That way you can also be sure that when someone give you a smile, it is sincere and actually mean something.
A smile from a German or Russian actually mean something, a smile from an American does not mean anything at all.
Its kind of the same with their overuse of the word "love", if they say they love something or someone, it does not necessarily mean anything, but if a Norwegian or German say the same in their language, it actually means what they say.
I like it when things are honest better then to kind of lie every day just to be superficial, false and polite.
Actually i don`t think it is so polite to give a false compliment.
@Benny Hill There is a middle ground.
And yes, both Germans and Norwegians smile a lot, because we are very friendly.
But if a complete stranger smile for no good reason, we will mostly assume one of two things, either he is a bit insane, or he is a salesman.. ;)
When a Norwegian, German or Russian gives you a smile, you can be pretty sure that it is a real smile and comes from the heart.
I am sorry, but since i can not write a book and only write a little comment on it, it kind of have to be a bit simplistic here, even if i could explain it much more complicated and for a long time.
She’s Canadian, not American. At least have the basic respect to pretend you know the difference
@@richlisola1 I have not been in Canada my self, but have a lot of friends that have been there.
And you are right, i should know the difference.
What i say about Americans(not Canadians) are still the same.
All my friends that have visited Canada say the same about Canadians,
in general they are much more real then Americans. :)
I never thought for a second that she was American by the way.
Just as i did not think she was Russian or Norwegian,
i still also use Russians and Norwegians in my example. ;)
Politeness should be a general rule. It doesn't have to do with honesty, but with BASIC HUMAN DECENCY.
i know im randomly asking but does anybody know of a method to log back into an Instagram account..?
I was dumb forgot the password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me
6:28 my view as German: if someone I do not know, came with a bright smile towards me: 1)he may to sell me something 2) he is the joker 3)he just escaped from (mental) prison and is glad to have found his first victim today 4)I have dirt in my face 5)my zipper is open 6)he has seen a friend behind me 7)he is happy for a reason I hope that will not hurt me
I guess there are more possible thoughts... but the majority are not positive.
Ok, smiling at other people baby’s or making myself weird looking by waving, is something I do also. But in general German do not smile without a reason/as a reflex.
Ja, das stimmt. Leider.
Sounds like Germans need a drink!
theguy : since 16 I had one or two drinks :-) ... Not smiling does not automatically mean being rude in Germany... in case you plan to visit, please keep that in mind.
@David Coker Being emotionally open would be certainly be a more positive start than hiding your feelings and thus naturally being dishonest though. A put on smile is more of a sign for the other to be careful, even if it's just about being careful to mind the local customs.
But I agree that a real smile is a good way to begin a meaing positively, a real smile means you are genuinely happy to meet somebody, what could be more positive? It's just the put on smile that has completely different implications.
Anyway a smile perceived as honest is never seen as rude in any country I've ever been in, Germany definitively included.
Berlin is not Germany, for sure.
Whenever my west-german husband has to spend time in Berlen he comes back shocked at Berliners´ super rude and unfriendly ways. He says he would never want to live there.
Berlin is the best city in the world its open mind and not so strict by the rules like other citys in germany...
@@matekarlo3430 Sure. But it's like New York: Much more open and much more rude than the rest of the country.
@@matekarlo3430 The best City is Lübeck, just ask anybody in Lübeck they will tell you how theirs is the best city, particulerly better than Kiel, which shouldn't be the capital of the state in the first place.
Meine Fresse ditte is die Berliner-Freundlichkeit weste. Da darf man halt nich so etepetete sein.
@@Kaefer1973 eyyyy, I recently moved to Lübeck! I come from an area close to Hannover and I LOVE Lübeck. The city is beautiful, the people are nice and there are so many corvids (crows, ravens etc) which is a plus in my book lol
Here in NRW it is totally fine to modify your dish. Often ppl ask for another side to the menu, other dressing or to leave out something. Never seen that it was a Problem.
It‘s the same in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein...
But in Berlin, depending on the Restaurant you’re in, could be different.
It shouldn’t be a problem in average restaurants. But in very good restaurants the dishes are a well composed work of art. You don’t modify a piece of art, you are most probably not the better artist.
I'm from Düsseldorf and never had a problem with this :) In any restaurant I could modify my meal :)
@@louismart Yeah but to be honest, if you go into a restaurant you usually are not there to buy a piece of art.
Maguss well, sometimes I go to a restaurant to get decently full. But if I pay 80€ per person or the double or the triple, I am expecting art.
When I see a cute dog… I smile. Can't help it, I love dogs.
this was so heart-breaking listening to! Please don't stop smiling at Babies, Puppies or people! It might differ from region to region - but smiling is globally considered as general kindness - even in most parts of Germany. I had a couple of birthdays at work - and as it happened, I received a fully decorated desk, flowers, birthday gifts from my colleagues and best wishes. It sounds like a very rude company where you are expected to pay for your own birthday. You might want to check on that. The Harry met Sally moment in restaurant, where you specify your order and change some ingredients happens every day - in Germany too. Because many people have IBS or allergies and can't digest certain types of food. It is a strange thing when a restaurant refuses to serve these wishes - you might check again on that, because this might have been just a very, very rude waiter.
How the birthday thing works: typically you will receive an email from a colleague that its his/hers birthday and he or she invites you to the kitchen or so to share some cake or drink. The cake or drink treat is to create a nice atmosphere. Sometimes just a get together in a corporate kitchen drinking coffee from the "company machine" will do as well, but you see the difference, bringing a cake is a bit more personal, cosy and just nice. Why is this: first i dont have a clue when my colleagues birthday is, and having to bring them a gift when they tell you would look weird (like he/she is telling you just to get something). Second you are just colleagues, not necessarily friends (although you may like the others), and there are lots of them (especially in bigger companies). See it this way: you bring cake, we bring love. And dont worry, if you throw a birthday party all your guests will bring presents for you! Oh, and about smiling at babies: They smile at you, you smile back, no issue there in small villages at least, where people know each other. Berlin or other big cities with more anonymity might be different, but i doubt this is in full contrast to north america with the usual "helicopter", overprotective parenting there.
Aww keep on smiling 😊 we Germans need more smiling Canadians. I am sure when they turn around they secretly smile because you smiled at them 😉
Most people can tell if a smile is honest or put on, if they think it's honest than they are indeed likely to also smile since smiles are infectuous.
A smiles is a bit like cough that way.
It always depends on the restaurant. Good restaurants have no problem with modifying your meal. Busy restaurants or bad restaurants might say NO to any extra wish you have. It also depends on the waiter. Some are lazy or are paid badly and do not want to have extra work with your paraphernalia or are not so motivated.
A quiet salon where no one talks would be heaven to me. I've avoided any type of salon just because they always strike up a conversation with me. I just want my hair done because I can't do it myself. I don't need to know their whole life story and I'm not comfortable letting them know anything about me either. Instead of relaxing, I feel pressured to be nice and pretend to care about whatever they're saying and that's just stressful.
Haha very true 😅😅
Yikes!!! Hope I never run into you in a dark alley, lol.
As an Canadian I relate to this. Hate small talk at salons
I met some Germans here in Manhattan when I was a valet.Very friendly and outspoken. We talked about German vs American cars.What their favorite German car was and they were very impressed with Ford, particularly the Ford Explorer and Mustang. They like muscle cars.
Modifications in restaurants (such as fries instead of potatoes, a different salad dressing...) have never been a problem where we went out to eat.
When I get a pedicure people always chat with the person giving them the pedicure. It's never silent. I don't however talk to the other customers as there are curtains in between for privacy.
I will never understand those who think we make fake smiles. Obviously there may be some but me, my friends and family we are always happy. The smile we make means that we are happy to see others and that we are opened to talk to that person.
And don't forget that we are Canadians are not Americans and maybe when you say fake smile you think of them not in us because you've maybe never met a Canadian.
The smiling thing, I miss even as a German in Germany sometimes, but the people here. have just a very serious and private mentality but also very loyal.Kris
It's not just Germany, most of the world outside of the Americas doesn't smile unless moved to do so.
But even within that area, places with a strong Germany influence won't. It's a lot of work to smile most of the time.
@@SmallSpoonBrigade It's true that people don't smile unless moved to do so, it's an emotional rewsponse to positive emotinal stimulation, it hard to cause it in any other way.
But since smiles are naturally infectuous at least among friends or people of a neutral mindset towards each other, they spread rather easily.
And it's not just a lot of work to smile most of the time, it's completely impossible.
You can have a put on smile most of the time, and that's perfectly easy, but that won't motivate others to have an actual smile, at most it will motivate others to also put on a smile (let's call it business smile), particularly if local customs demand it.
It’s true that it’s sometimes difficult to talk to strangers, I had the same experience when I first came here, but it’s not always like that. As far as restaurants are concerned, I’m always asking to have something changed on the menu and it’s never been a problem. Waiters have always been very friendly about it.
I smile a lot, even at strangers, and it generally is returned.
When I listen to this, I learn that all the germans in the place where I live would be considered rude in Berlin ^^ Of course, I live kinda at the other side of germany in Nordrheinwestfalen, but here people smile and talk to strangers (well we don't talk to people who look angry at us), order food with modifications (I *always* order hamburgers without pickles :-D) and while we don't have baby showers as such (different traditions), it is very common to buy things for babys before their are born. So yes, I am rather surprised at this. Last time I was in Berlin visiting customers, I just smiled at people like I am used to and they looked happy and just said "Du bist aus dem Rheinland, oder?"
Im happy to hear thats the case in nrw 😁 i am going to live there soon.
I’ve been living in Kiel, Germany for 3 years now and I’m sorry, but what she says about people finding it offensive when you approach them in Germany being offensive is total bullshit! I have struck up tons of conversations with people especially women in Germany and many of them absolutely love being approached. I got several dates with girls this way and one of them became my girlfriend, despite that that I met her in the supermarket Sky! Just be positive friendly, outgoing, funny and confident. If what you have to say is original and interesting, people will likely be curious to talk to you at least for a bit unless they are having a bad day and are stressed or whatever. So don’t be scared to strike up conversations if you want to even if it defies the social norm! Often they will be pleasantly surprised to have someone approach them even if it is a bit weird and unusual for them!
Another thing to note is that some words don't translate the way a North American English speaker thinks they would. Examples include: "friend" is not "freund" in most cases, and "warm" can be rather tricky in unexpected ways.
The title would be better phrased as "in Berlin " city in western and southern Germany are different it seems. Happy 2o2o!
srsly: of all expats in germany who make videos on youtube diana talks the most nonsense:
starting a conversation with strangers: yeah germans are not big on random small talk with strangers, but you can still start a conversation if you want to without people thinking it is rude. it's maybe a bit unusual but for sure not rude.. and ofc it also depends on the situation and the talking points. so yeah, most people probably would not be in the mood to talk to a stranger while on public transport or at the doctor.. and it also helps having a reason to start a convo helps. just yesterday i got into a convo with a random stranger, because our tram got delayed and we started to talk about the traffic chaos because of one closed bridge due to construction work on said bridge
not being able to adjust food in restaurant in germany: complete and utter nonsense...
not being able to smile at a baby or a cute dog in germany: complete and utter nonsense. it's also complete and utter nonsense that germans don't smile. yeah our "resting face" is not a burned in smile, but neither a frown. just a simple straight face... and yeah, we don't smile at every random stranger who crosses our path, but greeting the person sitting at the checkout, your bus driver (if you buy a ticket), your butcher or any other sales person or your neighbors with a friendly "hallo" and a smile is standard. i do it always and somehow all these other germans smile back at me at least 90% of the time...
i also wonder how it works if you live in a big city in canada: so you smile at each of the hundreds or thousands of people that walk past you? i don't think so.. i also still need to see this constant smiling at everybody. whenever i see video from the USA or canada i don't see all these smiles you talk about. all i see is people in cities walking past each other while ignoring each other
baby shower: baby showers are not a common tradition in germany and yet it is still complete and utter nonsense that is frowned upon neither is it taboo nor bad luck. i wonder where you get your information.. its hilarious.. one of your friends tells you they don't want to have a baby shower, because it is not really a tradition in germany, and you pulled all the rest out of thin air. if you wanna have a baby shower throw a fucking baby shower and if you then get weird remarks from your FRIENDS you should maybe overthink the process you use to choose your friends
5:20 „no modification“ ... depends... yes, don’t expect that they change the menücard for you... 1)please ask friendly... 2) ‚normal‘ changes are in the sidedishes.. if they have potatos on other dishes, they might change that.
I ANY chase: do not forget: the waiter life not on your tip. He is at his workplace. You do not want to get him angry. He is a human like you. He brings YOU the food, sooner or later, sometimes much later. In the other hand should the waiter treat you as a welcomed guest.
Not sure how it is in Berlin, but talking to strangers is definitely not rude, at least in other parts of Germany. I'd not consider it super common, but still fairly normal.
Where in Canada are you from? We certainly don't do that striking up with conversations or smile at each other in Toronto.
There's a difference between personal space and mental space. It's the uninvited intrusion into a German's mental space that isn't welcome, e.g. small talk. However, if you bump into someone (personal space) on a crowded tram, it's no big deal, and most people wouldn't say anything at all unless they wanted someone to actually move.
Speaking of personal space, if you've got a few extra seats at your table in a restaurant, the waiter or a guest may ask if the seats are free (ist hier frei?). If they are, it's polite to say yes and invite them to sit. You won't be expected to make small talk, though they may wish you a good appetite when your food arrives. So once again, you're sharing more personal space than you would in North America while at the same time preserving mental space.
North American visitors new to Germany may take this sort of behavior as rude, aloof, or even sullen, but in actuality, it is a German's way of being considerate.
Festive occasions with outdoor drinking would be exceptions to this. During these not so rare events, you're a stick in the mud if you don't smile and laugh and even sign and dance. I hope you like the polka.
Germans, Germany? Well, this is a multiculti country with 180 different nationalities mixed up. A revue performer, cabaret artiste, recently came up with the idea of paying anyone who is able to localize a 100% Teutonic individual is getting a reward of ten thousand Euros. Nobody showed up.
I'm German and I constantly start conversations with strangers! Perhaps I do it in a special "German" way, but I'm bored stiffless in queues and most of the time simply start a conversation. No problem!
Well I'm German and I do 2,3 and 4 regularly, so I think you can do these things but the question is how to do these things...
And number 5 well I know some germans who do have baby shower, not as big as in Canada or the US but sometimes... of course it is not very common and it depends upon the mother
I am from Minnesota a very cold weather state really not that different from Canada my question is why would you choose to live in a country that it’s not very warm and the people rather nasty? Wouldn’t rather live in a warmer climate where people are more friendly?
What do you mean you can't modify dishes in Germany? I do that all the time because I don't eat potatoes or rice or noodles. I always get my veggies instead and it has never been a problem.
As a traveler in Germany, I've met a bunch of friendly strangers on several occasions; who pointed me in the right direction when they saw me perusing my city map. Apparently, I looked like a lost tourist so they offered me help without me asking. A German woman I struck a conversation with while waiting for a train even offered me a ride on her car to my destination when we got off the train. That being said, I had a different experience. I am far more comfortable starting a conversation with strangers in Germany than here in Seattle.
Wow, your way of handling birthday at work sounds really nice. It feels others celebrate you instead of you "buying" the others to celebrate with you. Also you may know that Germans create events and invite people, while for some occasions in US, probably Canada as well, people just drop by.
I don't agree with no food modifications. I always ask for a larger side salad, or maybe a different side than French fries, etc. Servers are always happy to do it and I've never had a negative response. OK, those aren't HUGE modifications to the main course, but why wouldn't I ask for exactly what I want in a meal I'm paying for? Sounds like Berlin is a bit rude and not like the rest of Germany that I've come to know...
As a German, I am mildly surprised About some of your findings, and can not really relate to them. But maybe this is something that only happens in Berlin?
I talk to strangers very often, I smile at children all the time, I smile at people almost always, and it is quite normal all over the place.
But you are on point with baby showers. Nobody will frown upon you if you do it, but Germans do consider it bad luck, same as wishing Happy Birthday before the actual birthday.
True! I remember It cost me so much money on my birthday that I stopped telling when it was my birthday. and restaurant, yes! The waiter is right, not the client!
You can usually modify your meal in germany everywhere but when you order it and not after you got it. 🙈
asking for while ordering is always ok.
One thing I found a bit strange was sharing a table with strangers. While sitting with a friend at a table for four, a couple approached our table and asked if it would be OK to have a seat. We of course said “yes”. As for the context, it was at a very busy patio right on the town square.
For about 18 years Ive been modifyring my meals here in germany without any issues if you ask for it while you order it. But I would never expect them to modify my meal after serving it.
@Petter Eliseussen
As a Canadian I often smile at strangers just because I felt like it and it made them smile and then they made the next person smile and so on. Spreading joy is not a bad thing, on the contrary! It does mean something and is far more enjoyable than the death stare in my opinion
I've lived Düsseldorf for four years, and I still smile at everyone and talk, sometimes I even make conversation with the cashiers when they ring up my groceries. I don't care what people think, it makes me happy.
The only places I've seen the modifications in restaurants done in Germany is at Pizzerias, Döner Kebabs or at places like Mc Donald's. Usually American tourists who asked for that at the last one 😁 But sometimes Germans too
meal modifications: ask when you order, not when the food is served. people are certainly willing to oblige - within certain limits, of course: french fries without potatos, steak without meat, poached salmon without fish just won´t happen.
"Und für Diana wieder (eine) EXTRAWURST!"
we Germans are a people of sausage eaters. So much so that even vegetarians can look forward to a sausage here - at least if it is said to be an extra sausage.
I am German decent person, I love to eat sausages, sauerkraut, drink beer, red potato salad, pretzels, etc. I am very glad of my Bavarian cuisine products, Bavarian folk music, Bavarian dance, and the history of Bavaria and Germany regime. 🇩🇪👍🇩🇪✝️🇩🇪🎉🇩🇪
Well, I've lived in germany my whole life and for the most part I can agree with you. You an modify your food in the Most places though. Maybe not like in high class Restaurants because it would indeed offend the Chef! Germans for the most part are pretty rude and don't smile a lot. Sometimes they even feel offended when you want to make Small talk to a Stranger. I guess the Most Germans wouldn't agree with me because they've never been to the US oder Canada and saw how kind people can be
After 17 years in Canada, I came back to Germany and continued to strike up conversations with strangers. I had gotten used to it, and it was the one thing I loved the most about living in Canada...spontaneous, lighthearted friendliness, not fake at all. I was in an elevator and said something about the weather. The German person gave me this irritated look and said: "Kennen wir uns?" Then it hit me - I am back now. Oh my. After 13 years back home, I still strike up conversations with strangers, on the streetcar, in a store, in a cafe. I often get surprised looks, but people engage more than before, I feel, and often an interesting encounter is the result of it. Maybe things have loosened up. I will not give up my favorite Canadian habit - being casual and open. I am grateful to have learned this abroad.
the thing with the changes in resturants I really don‘t see. My mother dosent like stuff like potato wedges or fries so she often ask for like salads or so and never had a problem. Just be nice and ask don‘t demand. Also the servers don‘t depend on your tip so they wn‘t put up with a-hole behavior.
Good one, thank you. I like to watch these 'being a xxx in yyy' sort of clips. Watched the entire series 'being black in Japan' :-) I always get two cultures in one clip. This time I learned about my own country.
I was born and raised in Berlin and lived here all my life, I've never had a problem with modifying my food in a restaurant, I never met anyone who thought being smiled at is weird, I've never met anybody who got mad because someone smiled back at their baby. Also, I've never been expected to buy the first round of drinks for my friends on my birthday, in fact, they always insist on being the ones paying. I don't think a lot of the things mentioned in the video really apply to Germany as a whole or Berlin for that matter. I still really enjoyed the video, even though according to my experience and the experience of the people I know, the things mentioned don't really apply, because I find it very interesting to see what people from other countries experience when visiting Germany. Keep up the great videos. :)
I don't eat tomatos and when I say to the Service i don't Like them they don't put them on the food.
Smiling without a reason or celebrating a childbirth (or a birthday) before it actually happened is very optimistic. How can anybody be so shure, that he´ll live to see the next day? The successful reduction of miscarriages and infant mortality to a point, where it´s the exception and not the norm, just started less than 2 centuries ago. The last big pandemia that killed a big part of the population, just happened a century ago. And 3 following generations that had the luck to grow up in times of peace? That´s something incredibly rare in the history of central Europe. You may have seen the great comedy "A Million Ways to die in the West". Well, the movie is set just a few generations ago. The difference between Europe and the Americas: In the perception of the new world, the 19th century is a long time ago. But from the perspective of the old world, the whole history of the U.S. just started a short time ago. In the U.S., the early industrial tycoon dynasties of the guilded age count as old wealth. Here in Europe, everyone who came after the Medici are the new rich.
So it sounds like germans are introverted, shy, and care about deep connections rather than superficial ones.
Where can I get an airplane ticket to Germany from?? (romanian here)
Hey Diana - nice Channel and Videos - love to watch them as a German. As said some times b4, modifiying meals is no problem. Berliners often are just a bit more rude than the rest of Germans 😂 though I like them, I have to admit they‘re..
....A bit on the weird side
5:58 That's my favorite 😍in my country, if you don't smile a lot they consider you anti-social. I really HATE smiling to strangers.
Come to Cologne and you'll learn that not all Germans avoid small talk. If you sit at the bar in a local pub here, people will start talking to you and often share very personal details. As a Colognian how stayed in Vancouver for a few months, I experienced small talk to be very superficial compared to here.
vancouver is Canada's berlin when it comes to small talk. that would explain it. ontario is known for small talk
I would also add that Germans (as well as most Europeans) would find speaking load or "happy" screaming such as "oh my God", "No way!", "That is so exciting", etc (typically North American) as rude. Some other things: talking while chewing, sitting close to strangers, having a mess in your room, misbehaving children and parents, getting drunk and other stuff. Well, you got the idea. The only time I spoke with Germans that I met for the first time was in a pub watching football (not the American one). Ordnung muss sein, as Germans say.
There are many places in Europe where someone smiling without a real reason would be considered an idiot. Americans and Canadians tend to create the image of someone who has had one to many when smiiling at every one.
Du kannst sicher Änderungen an Deiner Essensbestellung vornehmen, solange Du es bei der Bestellung sagst. Wenn Du es erst erwähnst wenn das Essen kommt, dann ist das sehr blöd für den Kellner und den Koch.
I like your smile, keep on smiling, maybe you can change Berlin. Don't say it loud, but they are really rude compared to the rest of Germany. 😘
I start small talk oftentimes for example at/with the ALDI cashier. None looks weird at me.
@@user-sm3xq5ob5d Nein, lediglich ein Zeichen von Extraversion
Maybe in a small village you can chat to the employee, in the city like Berlin they speedrace to get you cashed out fasttttt
@@davefromberlin2274 I´m talking of an ALDI shop in Cologne. Not really a small village. Berlin to me ain´t no place to be anyway. btw: why not talk to other customers if employees are too busy. Which I do if I want to.
BUT: Cologners are from another mentality anyway. If Diana would come out of her Berlin comfort zone she would realize how nice and warm (and talkative) Germans can be.
@@zeldazyklus7044 yes perhaps Berliners are different but overall many Germans are friendly just takes very long to break the ice with them.
...I never had any problem asking for modifications. Unless it is something overly complicated, it never was a problem to adjust a meal to my wishes. And nobody ever rolled his eyes at me over it.
I also don't think that a baby shower is a problem if you do it as an expat. Different countries, different traditions, Germans understand that just fine and are ready to adjust, though don't expect them to know what they should do for a baby shower. When a German does it, though, it can be considered greedy.
It is not at all rude to modify your order. But BEFORE you order. If you don't like certain vegetables or cheese or whatever and you don't know the dish, just ask in advance if that's in it and if so, ask for a substitute or if the dish is available without that ingredient. It is only rude to order something and then sort it out. We call it "pingelig" and in the best case people laugh at you.
About smiles I have to say that it would suit us Germans quite well if we did that more often. But hey, life is a serious thing and it mostly ends with death, so nothing to smile about ;) - Seriously: an occasional smile is great and is often returned. But a permanent smile is funny for us and is almost considered a handicap. Crazy.
I had a layover in Frankfurt, Germany, while flying from Majorca to Barcelona. Yikes......
Substitutes in a meal shouldn’t be a problem at most restaurants if they are not dissemble the dish totally. If you want fried potatoes instead of fries it should usually fine.
Regarding the baby shower, in Germany it is usually done only by the father‘s friends after the child is born. It is called „Kind pinkeln lassen“ and the father and the his friends get drunk. 😉😂
I remember a TV show where they pranked a famous chef by "improving" his meals with ketchup and other barbaric condiments and filmed his (raging) reaction with hidden cameras.
Diana, are you familiar with the German custom of the Polterabend before a couple marries?
Berlin has like almost 4 million people.
All larger cities across Europe tend to be the same, the pace is faster, commuting takes time, people are busy getting around, to, from work, appointments, picking up their kids etc. People don’t have the time nor the energy to be conceived as “smiley” and “perfect”.
Germany has a crazy load of burocracy for everything so obviously that is bound to cause frustration.
Saying there is more or less only one way of being friendly is ignorant. Different is the word. Without the language, you won’t be able to understand your fellow locals.
Because you don’t learn the language, of course you’ll face daily issues and misunderstandings. Most things you wonder about are based on the lack of language. Without German, you won’t understand the historical context, culture or pretty much..anything on a deeper, much needed basis. You won’t understand habits, behaviours, body language.
You expect people working at restaurants to understand and explain everything in English.
In a non English speaking country.
If anyone would move to Canada and not learn any English (let’s stick to English and leave French out) for 3-4 years, I’m sure life in Toronto, Montreal
Vancouver, Ottawa would be very difficult, virtually impossible.
Small talk is actually very important in Germany. Its a much needed social skill. It’s just done differently in every part. Again, without the language, you don’t pick up any of this.
Your a nice hard working girl but surely you have to connect the missing language dots here? :)
For your own sake I hope you start learning the language. It’s perceived as awkward when expats complain about things based on their lack of not learning the language and you’ll have a much better life in Germany with some German.
Most people do a baby shower afterwards in germany (so after the baby is born) and it's called "pinkelfete" 🤦🏼♀️😂
Thanks for sharing 😊
Ahem that must be a local traditition of your region, never heard of that. VG from Hamburg
Same in the USA (at least in Michigan) where on your birthday, you bring in doughnuts for your colleagues.
I understand you being weirded out by those cultural differences, but I don't think it is quite accurate to say that Germans find any of your Canadian habits actually rude.
They might not respond in kind, but that doesn't mean they are offended. I think it takes a lot to actually offend a German, at least a modern German, because they had to get used to a lot of actually offensive behavior from "southern immigrants". You can accuse me of racism and xenophobia, but stuff like spitting on the ground, littering or playing extremely loud music in public were kind of unheard of in Germany before the age of mass immigration.
I am half immigrant myself and there just is no denying that.
Don't get me wrong, but I get the feeling that you just wanted to get some frustrations about Germans off your chest and kind of sneakily framed it all as Germans finding your habits offensive.
I don't blame you.
I know how you feel. I spent a year in China as a student and although it overall was the most fun year of my life and I enjoyed it a lot and made many great friends, I too often was in the mood to just bitch and moan about the cultural differences that annoyed me.
I was born and raised in Germany and consider myself German and have basically no ties to the culture my mother came from, but I too find some things about Germany annoying and although I never was in Canada or the USA, from all I know, I think I would actually fit into the Northern American culture and mentality better.
Germans always complain and scoff at how "superficial" Northern American culture is. Everybody is always smiling, but it is all fake and superficial and people don't really care behind their friendly facade, they say. To me that sounds good. I like it friendly but distant. I don't want neighbors who get into my business and worry about how I recycle my trash or how often I wash my car.
Regarding the fourth statement, its more a city thing, people from rural regions are bit different.
In my opinion it's totally normal to change food. Maybe not in Berlin; I don't know. But Berlin is not Germany; Germany is much more. Try to find out how people are in the rest of Germany. Maybe you'll be surprised again... Greetings from NRW!
Baby showers are done, at least here in Bavaria, but after the birth of the baby. Only then it makes sense because the baby can be seen. ;)
At Bürger König I always ASK for modifications, thats a good was to geht a fresh burger. Extra chalapenios are always free!
I'm Canadian and my best friend is German (from Nuremberg). Some time ago I flew to Los Angeles to meet him there. We went out for dinner and when we ordered the food/drinks, I forgot to tell the waiter that I didn't want any ice in my Coke, so when the waiter brought the drinks, I let him know that I had forgotten to ask for "no ice". Of course, he replied "no problem", took the drink back and brought it back to me with no ice.
My German friend was shocked/amazed, he told me that this would never happen in Germany. If you forget to say "no Ice", then it's your problem, they will not remove it for you.
I have been in Germany many times (it is my absolutely favourite place to go on vacation) and it is true, customer service there (and pretty much everywhere else out of North America) really sucks. LOL!
It is also true that Germans are very superstitious about celebrating ANYTHING before the actual date. They wouldn't even wish you a "Merry Christmas" if it is not Christmas day (which they celebrate on the 24th of December instead of on the 25th)!
@SHIGARU It seems you didn't understand my comment, it was not me who said they wouldn't remove the ice, it was my GERMAN friend!
Being a Canadian brought up by German parents, I know German people are very reserved and always right. I just let them roll with it.
In Italy, baby shower has become a bit more common because people love everything from America. But otherwise here is bad luck too to celebrate the baby before it's born.
I smile alot myself and i have walked passed people who looked so mad back at me,i was wondering if i should run,actually it does scare me sometimes.
Another great video 😊😊. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
Mach mal ein Video auf Deutsch , Bitte . Schönen Sonntag , den letzten in diesem Jahr , grins ....
Diesmal kann ich dir gar nicht zustimmen. Ich habe 6 Jahre im Westen von Kanada gelebt und hatte nicht das Gefühl, dass Kanadier besonders freundlich und kommunikativ sind. Aber wer ist überhaupt "der Kanadier"? Ich sah Inder, Chinesen, Menschen aus dem nahen Osten und sonst woher, alle verhielten sich anders, nämlich so, wie es in ihrer Ursprungskultur üblich war, zumeist aber freundlich. Die, die man als weiße Kanadier bezeichnen würde waren am wenigsten freundlich und sehr wenig an anderen Menschen interessiert, meiner Beobachtung nach. Aber auch das muss erlaubt sein. Das ist ihr gutes Recht, so zu sein. Sie fügten niemandem einen Schaden zu. Man kann einfach nicht verallgemeinern. Ich glaube, die weißen Kanadier meinen, sie seien die wahren Kanadier. Dies finde ich nicht richtig. Es sind alles Einwanderer. Die einen vor vier oder sechs Generationen, die anderen in dieser Generation. Im Grunde sind die Indianer die WAHREN KANADIER.Sie sind die einzigen, die nicht einwanderten. Aber mal ein Beispiel: In Calgary wohnten alle Haus an Haus in teuren Häusern (Calgary ist generell teuer). Keiner kannte dort seine Nachbarn, sie fuhren mit dem Auto in die Garage und verschwanden im Haus. Beim Schnee schaufeln sprach ich mal einen Nachbarn an, einen Canadier, da hat er vor Schreck fast seine Schaufel fallen lassen. Ich denke, dass es auch in Kanada große Unterschiede gibt. Ach, noch eins: Berlin ist nicht Deutschland. Du lebst dort, wo alles etwas anders ist. Die Deutschen, wenn du mal ihre Geschichte studierst stammen von sehr unterschiedlichen germanischen "Stämmen" ab, im Grunde zu vergleichen mit den Indianern. Ein Hesse ist anders als ein Sachse, ein Bayer anders als ein Franke usw. Ein Cree Indianer ist auch nicht vergleichbar mit einem Salish Indianer von der BC Küste, aber diese Unterschiede wollen die Kanadier gar nicht sehen, sie interessieren sich kaum für die Ureinwohner. Ich war oft genug Zeuge von Diskriminierung. Das hatte mich sehr erschreckt. Ist aber ein anderes Thema ...!! Wer ist nun also "ein Kanadier" und wer ist " der Deutsche"??? Genießen wir doch die Unterschiedlichkeit, es macht das Leben wunderbar bunt. Im übrigen lächle ich alle an, ob im Zug oder sonst wo. Mir begegnen zumeist sehr liebenswerte Menschen. ALLES FÄNGT BEI EINEM SELBER AN, ist meine Meinung.
Berlin restaurants and eastern german restos may stand out in that concern (no modifications on meals? not exactly my experience, lets say it may depend)
I hope to vitsit Canada someday💚
Berlin isn't really Germany.. more like a different planet
Modifications: not true. Maybe at McDonald's. Not in restaurants.
furzkram I mean McDonald’s is not really a restaurant although people from North America tend to call it restaurant
Exactly. Always modifying my meals in restaurants.
Actually, since McDonald's is “a facility that prepares and sells food directly to consumers for immediate consumption," it IS ,technically, a (fast food)🍔🍟 restaurant. Is it a restaurant that I frequent? No, BUT it is, nevertheless, a "restaurant."
@@charlies.5777 'since McDonald's is “a facility that prepares and sells food directly to consumers for immediate consumption,"' So is my Dönerbude and that's not a restaurant either. I think there are a few more criteria to meet.
DMSG1981 ...actually, that qualifies as a take-out restaurant, but a restaurant nonetheless.
no modifications on meals? not exactly my experience, lets say it may depend...
I am born in Berlin and live here, i modify my food all the time. I am known for that.
But you are right, they say about Berliners, they are rude and do not smile a lot.
And i hate the thing, that when its my birthday, i have to pay for everybody and have to bring cake and everything, so that everybody else have a nice day. I will never get that🤷🏼♀️
an other thig thats diferent is the drinks in resturants. un the us the put so much eis in it that its way too could, and you have only a litle bit too drink. in germany, you get a full glass with the drink you ordert.
Dianna, I don't get why asking for modifications in a restaurant are rude and why servers roll their eyes when asked this.
There’s so much resemblance between German and Russian culture !
I'm a big fan of Canada - in case I would leave germany one day, I'd go there rather than USA or elsewhere. I really love the RUclips videos "Just for laughs Gags" which are always filmed in Québec or Montréal, they are so funny and show how friendly and open-hearted people are there. It's really amazing :-) maybe you know them too.
Also Canadian music is very interesting, like Rush, Alanis Morrisette, Nelly Furtado and more.
MultiScooter63 I’m a native Montrealer and yes, just for laughs is SO funny. I hope you come to visit sometime!
Well another great information and funny video!!
Thanks Jody! 😊❤️
So fake smiles and emotions, self-centredness and crass consumerism versus genuine emotions, sharing, and environmental responsibility. Cool.
Pretty onesided view
@@xxj4nn1kxxxxx52 No, I'm forming my opinion based on the information given by her, my experience visiting Canada, being personally acquainted with North Americans over almost five decades in several countries, a keen interest in North American culture and society, and my experiences of living in Germany. I'm not German though.
@@xxj4nn1kxxxxx52 It at least seems needlessly judgemental. Of course a North American smile as described here is not a real smile. A real smile is an emotional response, you can't do it deliberately. But it's meant as a form of respect, and should be seen as such.
It's certainly dishonest in a way, but it's also usually intended to be well meaning and respectful. Just like a German wishing you a nice day in a greeting or farewell, even if s/he actually doesn't really care is somewhat dishonest but well meaning and meant to show respect.
That doesn't make a business smile a real smile, but it's also not a bad thing either.
@@Kaefer1973 jo hast schon Recht Brudi...Thema wirklich gut aufgearbeitet von dir🙈Kuss geht raus😘
I realy wonder what is berlin all about after this Video? Even that I come from a total different part of Germany I never find the citizents of berlin that way as you discriped. I am from the very western part and one of the oldest cities of Germany which is very close to the dutch and belgium border … the town is Aachen in Nordrheinwestfalen. Our mentality is different to berlin and is known as the "rheinischer Frohsinn". In berlin a conversation with citizens sounds kind of rude. But they don't mean it that way. The citizens of berlin are very funny but on a totaly different way than the people here in my area.
One thing is true … we do not need to get into a conversation with everybody. And it doesn't mean that Germans are not friendly. If you approch someone to ask something you will certainly get an answer or get into a conversation. Bad thing is since everybody using smart phones they are all buisy with themself and their phones … especially young people. But what I found out is that a lot of people bow their haed when passing by just to avoit an eye contact
I rarely take a dish as discribed on the menu and I never had a problem with it. I always get what I want as long they sell it.
What if it’s your birthday but decide to keep it to yourself? Literally not say anything about it?
Love the pillow (Canada...)!
That's a maple leaf pillow, nothing Canada about it, but I notice how Germans judge on what they see, otherwise they don't believe it. The Germans wouldn't think Dianna is Canadian if it weren't for the pillow.
Dave FromBerlin the maple leaf actually is our national symbol, so it’s a pretty obvious link to Canada
I don’t agree with everything that u said, for example with the babyparty, my parents did one, before I was born and the most persons that I know do one, even though it’s a little bit different than in the US or Canada. But a Babyreval party is something that is completely unknown here.
I think it’s really depending where u are living. Berlin is a big City for Germans and it’s more individualized, so u r more isolated there than in other cities, but that’s also something what I personally love about Berlin. In other areas it’s really normal just to start to talk to other people but there are also regions that are always declaring this for their region, which is not really true.
It’s really always depending where u are.