Austria here, not Germany, but yes, we do make eye contact - even among family members or with friends at home. We also take care to touch glasses with everyone present.
Why does she say “we in Germany” when she talks about personal experiences in a certain city whose gastronomy is geared towards tourists (more than 4 million overnight stays in 2023) and their prejudices and expectations. A German can only shake his head here.
I have watched a couple of videos from this lady. All of them were kind of inaccurate. Half of the things that are common according to her, are definitely not common.
Wenn man in einem Weinlokal ist kommt es durchaus vor das man fremde Gäste an den Tisch gesetzt bekommt…je nach Platzangebot im Restaurant…vollkommen normal 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
Apparently, Bavarians do that in a Biergarten. To anybody travelling to Germany: Do NOT attempt to sit with strangers. We really don’t do that. Exceptions are only where there are very long tables that are obviously meant for more than one group of people (they are like that at the Biergarten and at some public events) OR when all tables are occupied, and I mean all, including the ones next to the bathroom. In that case you can ASK people to share their table with you. Never start a conversation with them, you are still two separate parties.
@@alexneumeister9242 Ok, vielleicht mag das auf ganz bestimmte Arten von Restaurants in bestimmten Gegenden zutreffen. Aber sie redet halt davon, dass das in ganz deutschland üblich sei. Und das ist definitiv nicht der Fall.
Looking each other in the eye when toasting is a normal polite gesture in Germany. Not only in every bar or restaurant, but also at home. [Not doing this will do not cause misfortune but seven years of bad sex.]
@@Nikioko But I don't understand why she doesn't name the misfortune. Maybe it's because she's American? They are often very uptight and superstitious when it comes to topics like sex. They're always afraid of going to hell after death.
One thing is not true at all. „The waiter or the waitress are King“ is absolute rubbish. I have no idea, on which area in Germany she visited restaurants
Honestly, many of the things she mentioned is pure and utter BS. I've seen a couple of her videos and she over-generalizes A LOT and also makes up things here and there (or she is just a very bad food guide and misunderstood a lot of the habits). Either way: Don't take anything she says as a fact.
In Germany it's absolutely not common to wait to be seated, unless you have reserved in advance. Actually there is no Maître d' in restaurants, except in very posh restaurants. Reservered tables are clearly marked. Sitting with strangers is only a thing, if there is no choice to seat at your own table. Even single persons don't share tables with strangers, if there are free tables available. I never ever hang my coat at the restaurant's cloak rack, but allways over the chair back. Using the cloak rack is allways on the guest's own risk.
Where was she eating in the medieval restaurant? Of course the waiter comes when we want him to and not when he wants him to. He keeps coming back and asking if it's OK, if it tastes good, if we would like anything else, etc.
Seriously… the first few things she listed were definitely NOT common in German restaurants. Most of the stuff she mentioned was either referring to rather classy restaurants, franchises from abroad or some very specific types of restaurants like pubs or breweries. No general things.
Stammtisch is hardly in a restaurant, but in a pub/kneipe/lokal In a restauranr they often mark "Reserviert" for booked tables, or they waiters might tell you
Personally i think the most important table manners for tourists or when you go to a standard restaurant (nothing fancy or upper class) are 1. Toasting before taking the first sip by touching glasses with every person (as far as possible) and saying "Prost", yes we usually look at each other's eyes while doing this which can be a bit difficult sometimes if you want to avoid spilling your drink 2. When we get our food we say "Guten Appetit" ("have a nice meal") before we take our first bite. Usually we also wait until everybody has their food but as you said a lot of times we tell people to start eating so the food won't get cold. 3. Chew with your mouth closed and therefore don't talk with a full mouth. All the other things she mentioned kind of depend on the type of restaurant you are at or the people you are with and certainly won't cause a big public outcry if you don't follow them.
The "cheers" story is true, we have eyecontact while do cheers. But the dishes (MAIN-Dishes) arrive at the same time. Just who ordered salad or soup gets this first.
1) Wait to be seated - I`m from German countryside but lived in bigger cities, too. I usually do not wait to be seated, expect if I booked a table. Some exceptions but you get the vibe really quick and ask to be seated. If unsure, just ask, it´s never something wrong. 2) Hat off - Usually always take your hat of inside. Not that important as less people wear hats. Caps can be kept on (my rule for me still is: inside off) 3) Hang your coat - There is a space near the entrance called "Garderobe". You are supposed to put your coat there. I think the point is as she mentioned so that waiters can move around better. Also it means, if it´s raining all the puddles are in one place instead of all around the place. Sharing a table is not normal. If it´s croweded and there is somewhere some seats it can happen. But it´s not the norm. 4) Order ASAP - Usually the waiter asks if you want to order drinks right away. And when the drinks get there you are asked if you have chosen. If not, just tell the staff, it´s okay. 5+6) Bullshit... (Waiter is king, Ladies order first) 7) Eye contact - Okay, but well, not really a big deal. Some places put ice in. But not obsessive amounts, 2 or three small cubes 8) Napkin on the lap - Not really. Or, not everywhere. I do it sometimes. But never with paper ones. 9) Wait fo reverybody before you start eating - It is common that the food arrives at the same time, or almost. You were supposed to wait but this has changed. Start right awway as long as it is hot. Asking is always a nice touch. 10) Hands on table, ellbows off - True. But if you do it different, well, not a big deal. 11) Eat with knife and fork at the same time - True. But again, you do you. And fork is not upside down. 12) Put cuttlery on plate parrallel - True, too. Signals that you are finished. 13) Doggy bag - Yes, ask for it. Stop food waste 14) Ask for the bill - yes 15) Tip - yes, tips are not included. Just do it. Not as much as an american would, waiters do get wages. 10-15% seems okay.
At least I don't know anyone who doesn't make eye contact when toasting! Everyone in Germany probably knows the saying that it means 7 years of bad sex if you don't do it! That's why everyone sticks to it😅🤷🏼
Nobody shares tables in a German Restaurant except a Besenwirtschaft. Thats a special wine Restaurant in the wine Regions of Germany (West and Southwest)
Of course you do .. At least in most traditional restaurants in Bavaria, this is quite common - In Munich for example I don´t know any traditional (bavarian) restaurant where that´s not the case.
Yes, one does not sit at a table wearing a hat or cap. That's impolite. Also, one can ask to join a table, depends on the situation. Nah... but we don't like overly friendly waiters. That's ....odd. ...it is not what we consider good customer service.
I would like to add that in Germany service rarely writes anything down. They are skilled professionals that are expected to memorize the orders of 10 tables , deliver the orders and tend to the customers needs all while seating 3 more groups. It is considered a skill and talent to be a good waiter/waitress in Germany and therefor, yes, they should come first. Respect the service. They have a very hard job indeed.
I'm asking me, in what kind of restaurant she goes to blog the food. I never shared my table with a stranger. I always hang my jacket on my chair. My napkin stays on the table , cause i put my knife and fork on it. Our food came always at the same time and the waiters are always nice, otherwise i won't go there again.
@arnodobler1096 you will not be seated at a table for 6 if you're only two. Most german Restaurants have tables for two and four people. If bigger size needed, they put two tables together.
About the wait to be seated thing: I've only ever been to one, just one, restaurant in Germany where we had to wait to be seated and I have never even heard of something like "you wait to be seated" before I started watching stuff about Germany in those comparisons. At least from my experience, this is completely false. You don't really wear hats anymore so yeah... You could just hang your coat on a rack but you really don't have to from my perspective as I always feel like stealing would be more common if you don't have your coat or jacket near you. We don't share tables unless there isn't a whole family at that table and the whole restaurant is full. You might ask if you can get half of the table and split it or ask for one of the chairs but we really don't share tables. Nobody is the "king". You are expected to be nice and the waiters are also expected to be nice and if there's something wrong with your order, you can ask to get it corrected and it has been corrected every single time in my experience. The waiter won't stop doing what they are doing just to come to you right away but they'll come if they have time and aren't serving another table at the same time you want something from them and if there's an emergency, they probably wouldn't keep on serving. I've never heard of anything about who orders first. In my experience, it's always the person who already knows what to order or sometimes, one person says all of the order. I don't think it's seen as unpolite to order tap water but you wouldn't really order it either. Usually, the waiter asks you if you want sparkling water or not if you order water.
I think she refers to touristic hotspots. I can´t relate to her experiences except the tap water, eye contact when toasting, napkin on lap and parallel cutlery when finished.
I'm British and I've lived in Germany since 1989, I've never heard so much crap as this woman speaks, Germans will sit as far away from other guests as they can, you will always be asked for your drinks order straight away and they will ask later if you're ready to order food. From her accent, I'd suggest she's actually east European and not German
We mostly don't share tables, only in Beergardens and German kind of Pubs. Sometimes if a Restaurant is very full but onnly in casual restaurant. In more high end this is no option. And as a German from neanr Frankfurt I can confirm, in a traditional Restaurant they waiters serve when they have time and they even sometimes refuse to serve you sweet cider (but thats very Frankfurt specific) 😄 And the Cheers with eyecontact is very true and not a class thing at all. You have to look in the eyes of each and every person you cheer with 😬Maybe if its a very large group you can skip but otherwise nope
I think a lot of what she says applies to only super fancy restaurants. In normal restaurants nobody cares if your elbows and hands are on or off the table, also nobody cares if you put your napkin in your lab or just have it on the table and use it when you feel the need to and nobody will give you strange looks, about how you place your fork. You also usually won't get seated but just choose yourself where you want to sit. I've been to the UK a couple of times and didn't notice any differences when it comes to peoples behaviour in restaurants. Anything else (like taking the hat and coat of) is just common sense.
How do I say it politely? If you haven't seen the videos of this lady, at least you haven't wasted any time. Some of her claims made me wonder if this woman had ever entered a German restaurant. With many of her statements, I had the impression that she had taken up any statements from other foreigners without checking them herself. Come to Germany and form your own opinion. We've never killed anyone just because they held the fork in the wrong hand. As long as you don't spit into other people's food, you're fine.
The thing about "how to get seated" - it depends quite a lot on the pub, the location itself. And it changed over the last years - Covid as an enhancer. It mainly depends how the pub handles table/seat reservations. There are the ones who (still) put the reservations on a card, "something on the table (slate etc.)" - and customers can check if the tables are already reserved. By themselfes. And there are the ones without those "physical indicators on the table" - where you just have to ask the service at the entrance (if you don't have reserved your places in advance) "do you have available seats left"? In most cases they will look it up on their IT-System (Tablets are very common) and then say "yes or no" (including "until - if 2 hours are enough for your dinner"). So if you are entering a new location - just look out to the service and ask (politely) how they manage their seats. Even the "Apple wine cellar service" in Frankfurt and the "Köbes" in the Brew houses of Cologne - both know for their (in part) "no nonsense" and by quite a few even considered "unfriendly" way of handling the situation. They appreciate an "ask first before taking a seat" approach very much. Just look out for a staff member that has a book, a tablet (or else) in front of him/her - it's where the reservations were held. If there are seats available - they will be glad to help you.
1. True, unless it is a bar without table service we will wait at the entrance to be seated or offered a selection of tables to choose from 2. Hanging the jacket somewhere far away from the table is only mandatory in high end restaurants. Most restaurants don't care whether you keep it on your seat or next to you or use "official" hangers. I usually prefer to keep my jacket close to me, so I don't have to worry about it being (mistakenly) stolen or messed with. Not that that happens often, but it's just one less thing to worry about while enjoying the restaurant experience. Taking off the hat is kinda mandatory, though. Maybe in fast food restaurant people would not care about the hat, but you should take it off anyway. 3. I have never seen shared tables I think. Not once. In hundreds of different restaurants. The only time this can happen is at a fast food restaurant where people choose their own tables and if it is cramped and tables are full sometimes people may ask to share a table if the group sitting there is only taking up parts of it anyway. 4. Choose what you want to order asap = true. If you want to signal the waiters that you are ready to order all you have to do is closing your menu so the waiters know you are done choosing. 5. Her description of "kings" is also weird. Obviously, we expect to be treated nicely, since we pay for the service. It is true however that it is rude to flip your fingers e.g. to get their attention. You usually wait for them to make eye contact with you when they pass by and only if that fails repeatedly you raise or your hand or say something to get their attention. But that does not mean, the customer is not king. It just means the customer realizes the waiter is a human, too and can only be asked so much at once. It's just about being respectful. 6. Kinda bs :D Nobody cares who orders first. Usually you go by order of seating from one end to the other. Maybe if you have a guy on one end and a girl on the other end the waiter will start with the girl. And sure, if you are very old fashioned then maybe you think this rule still applies. I am sure it was true 50 years ago. Nowadays this simply does not apply anymore. More often than not everybody wants to be respectful of everyone else, so nobody dares to order first and eventually someone makes a move and begins or the waiter just starts on one side as I mentioned. It is kinda awkward tbh, but there is definitely no rule in place - and it has no correlation to the quality of the restaurant either. The only restaurants I can imagine going strictly about such a rule would be medieval theme restaurants :D (no number). True, you usually ask for (still) water and get bottled water. Maybe if you are at some sort of local pub where people don't usually order water you may get tap water anyway, but in 99% of time you will just get fancy bottled water they can upcharge a lot on lol. And yes, coming from someone who only drinks still water you definitely have to mention that every single time or you will get a bubbly surprise. 7. Yes, toasting is normal and not high class. And you have to hold eye contact or it's bad luck (or bad s*x). As long as the drink is in a glass and not in a paper cup like at fast food restaurants you toast. Either with clinking the glasses or without - but you hold eye contact either way. It is a form of acknowledging the nice time you are about to have with your date / mates / family. (no number). Yes, it is a sign of a bad restaurant to put ice in your drinks, because it will dilute your actual drink and also it is a cheap way of saving volume on the actual drink. However, I think 95% of places do have at least ice cubes if you actually want that in your drink.. 8. Putting a napkin on your lap is not common at all nowadays. It used to be etiquette decades ago, but unless it is a fancy restaurant for which they have put on fancy clothing, I would guess 80-90% of people do not do this anymore today. 9. Yes, true, you usually wait for everyone to get their order unless it is like close family and they ask you to start eating, so it does not get cold. 10. Also true, keep a good posture, hands on the table, no elbows (or at least don't lean on them). 11. True as well. Americans are just barbaric in that regard :D You have to hands, make use them and coordinate to eat. It is not hard if you are past the age of being a toddler. 12. True, cuttlery parallel is common sense to be "tidy" and let the waiters know you are done eating. 13. True as well. Doggy bags show that you like it so much you don't want anything to go to waste. Also, we love efficiency, so that really is a no brainer :D 14. True, you have to ask for the bill. 15. Also true, only tip if you are happy with the service and if you can afford to. It is not mandatory, but very common. Usually, 10% is a good amount to go by, 15% is fine as well. Anything above and you know you have an American in front of you lol. ___________ She started of with some shaky points, but the longer we got into the video the more her points were accurate. Even for the points I did not agree with her, you made it an enjoyable reaction to watch, thanks Dwayne :)
The point where she said: "Waiters and Waitresses are the kings/queens." also caught mit off guard. I've never experienced that with any restaurant. As a guest you should treat your server with the same respect you want to be treated with during your stay. I can't stand other guests who treat the already stressed staff like dogs. They're also humans like them and shall be treated with dignity. 😄
A lot of these things are totally wrong: 1. In more fancy restaurants waiting till your seated is a thing, in lot's of cheaper restaurants not that much 2. The need to hang your coat is also mostly a thing in fancy restaurants 3. Sharing a table with strangers is totally uncommon in Germany 4. The waiter or the waitress is not the king / queen, they just don't treat you overly polite like in the US for example 5. They ususally give you some time to study the menu before you order. And if haven't decided yet, there is always the option to tell them you need more time. 6. Most people in Germany drink carbonated water, so this is actually the default. But in restaurants they almost always ask if you want it carbonated or not, if you just order water. 7. Toasting with non alcoholic drinks is not that common. 8. The soft drinks don't have ice because most people in Germany don't drink soft drinks with ice. But that doesn't mean all restaurants don't have ice machines. If they also sell alcoholic drinks with ice they most likely have an ice machine. So if you specifically ask for it you might also be able to get soft drinks with ice. That's just not guaranteed. 9. The usual number of courses depends a lot on the type of restaurant. 10. The food for the whole group should arrive (roughly) at the same time. It can happen that it doesn't but that is considered bad service.
1. It is not usual at most restarants, that you wait to be seated. Some restaurants in Fraankfurt put up signs in the past years, which I would ignore, if it is only written in English, Depending on the restaurant, it is also common to hang your coat over your chair. If you put it on a coat stand you most probably fiind a sign, that tge restaurant is not responsiblr for your belongings. ...
like its said before most things she said are not true for all of germany or restaurants.at some u wait to be seated at others not and so on and take ur hat of is a thing allways indoors not just at restaurants at least for man.if u share the room with others, no hats no sunglasses its a sign of respect has nothing to do with classes.
Hands on the Table, Order straight away, chewing with the mouth closed, cheering with eye contact, wishing guten Appetit and waiting for everyone till staring to eat. That's true and important
Many things she says are not typical of German Restaurants. First of all how many men wear hats nowadays? Sharing tables is not common. To claim that waiters are kings is highly exaggerated and I've never ever heard of this ordering order. To be frank this video is for the most part questionable.
Sharing tables only happens when the restaurant is crowded. But then you do no t necessarily talk to the people you share a table with except of asking if you can sit there and saying goodbye when you leave. Looking in each others eye while you are toasting is a big thing in Germany. I couldn't imagine it without.
All she said HIGHLY depends on the restaurant. There are definitely "high dining" restaurants, but the majority are average and "low class" restaurants. In the average German restaurant: - You WONT get seated, but instead, the tables that you can't sit at, have a "reserved" sign on it. - The waiters WONT take your coats and don't care if you put it on the chair. - I have heard of tables being shared, if the restaurant is EXTREMELY full, but generally that is not the case. (I literally never experienced this!) - Unless the restaurant is full, you usually can look at the menu for quite some time, before the waiter asks you to choose. You should however be quick with your drinks, which are generally served first as well as quickly. - Waitressess and Waiters have to do a LOT of tables to serve and don't have the time to 'coddle' you. That means, they will come to you, when THEY have the time. That doesn't mean "they are the Kings", that is just "first come, first serve". Once they are at your table, they will treat you as the customer as they should. - The order of ordering is completely up to the group. Yes, in general, women are the first to order. That is just polite. But I personally have never heard of the age being a factor for the order. - Napkins are for spills and cleaning your mouth/face. Maybe for putting your cuttlery on (to keep the table cloth clean). You rarely see people putting it on their lap. - Generally you have to flag down the waitress/waiter to get the bill. They rarely come to you on their own. - Most people just round up their bill. Maybe add 5€ for good service, if the bill is above ~50€.
10:20 living here for 35 years and never did it, either in any restaurant or pubs. In Germany waiters, cooks and any that work in restaurants are paid for their work, so you don´t need to tip but those who can afford mostly do it like some tribute for nice service and that you enjoyed your stay.
Please don‘t believe everything what people tell you in the internet! They are not always experts, even if they think they are. It is not common to share tables with strangers, except you are in a bavarian Biergarten or a very traditionell place like a beerhall or something like that. The waiters are not the kings,, but they have not only one table to serve, they have several. So it is normal to wait a second, they will come to you as soon as possible. This girl isn‘t a native german, you can here it on her accent. She said, she is in Frankfurt for 2 years (?), so she is sure to know everything about Germany and german culture. No, she isn‘t, i am s native German and I am sure not to know every tradition in every part of Germany. But it is always very fubby to watch the videos of people who visited Germany for a 2 week vacation and they know this much about our wonderful country to tell others how to do it like a German. Even if they misunderstood a lot. 😂😂😂
It depends on the restaurant if you csn go directly to enter a free table....in the better restaurants you need to wait for getting guided to a free table...in the simple restaurant you can go wherever you want, except "Stammtisch" and when there is a placed card with a time reservation.
die Videos dieser polnischen/russischen (?) Dame, über deutsche, kulturelle Aspekte sind mMn nicht zu empfehlen. wenn man sich ihre Videos anschaut wird schnell deutlich, dass Dinge falsch oder aus einer sehr engen, persönlichen Sichtweise dargestellt werden. P.S. ich empfehle ihr Video "How to Cook Bratwurst on Stove German Way - How to Pan Fry Bratwurst". GRÖÖÖL!
@ 13:50 The part with putting the food on the back/top of the fork... LOL When I was like 12 and on a student exchange in a small town just north of London my - otherwise ;-) - lovely host family was doing that with peas.. which kept rolling back down from the crest. Most went back on the dish, but quite a few peas landed on the table and the floor. I was trying to be polite and did not mean to offend so I didn't ask why anyone would do something _that_ stupid. The next day they were serving something with mashed potatoes which made their technique appear not as bad; however following that, there was a deja vu of the first day, but this time with green beans rolling everywhere. I don't remember the other dishes, but in the end I went home thinking they had been pulling a practical joke on me for a whole week and having a good laugh at the German kid.
Here's the actual German dining experience: it's exactly the same as in the UK. The only difference is in how you order. Having to go up to the bar to order is much less prevalent and mostly exists only in tiny "drinker holes", "hip" cafes or Irish pubs, otherwise you will have service handling your orders
Sharing a table with strangers is very common in the south, especially in bavarian and swabian Biergardens or beer halls and very traditional restaurants called "Wirtshäuser". Also in Hessia in traditional restaurants were they serve Apple wine with rustic traditional food I saw this happening. You have to ask first of course. In fine dining obviously it doesn't apply.
3:57 Sharing a table is not really common anymore and depends on the location. While it´s not normal for regular restaurants it can happen at festivals (Like the "Oktoberfest"), in traditional german restaurants ("Biergarten") or in a cafe, a cafeteria etc ^^
I am a 62 year old German and have been living in Germany ever since. I have never waited in a restaurant to be seated. Only if you have reserved a table in advance will you be shown the table. Otherwise you can sit wherever you want, unless the table is marked as reserved. Sharing a table with strangers is not common. If it's full and it's a rustic restaurant or a beer garden, you can do it. The waitress is not "King or Queen"! The "order" in which she orders is also NOT the norm! It doesn't matter who orders first. But yes: we Germans make eye contact when toasting. The napkin thing is not common either. Most Germans I know just leave it on the table until it's needed. I have no idea where this woman got her experience from. In the restaurants I go to, the food usually comes out immediately for everyone at the same time. Because it's rude to start while others are still waiting. Conclusion: this woman has no idea about German customs in restaurants.
The thing with tap water: Most restaurants sell their food really "cheep", so they make the most money out of selling drinks. Tap water is for free, so its like saying to the restaurant staff "i dont want to support you or give you ANY money you do not deserve", its seen here as very rude, so nobody will ever order tap water, because you will look stingy, rude and antisocial if you do so. In most cases, you won't be served tap water if you order it and instead, just as rudely as your order was understood, the staff will tell you that they won't bring you any tap water. As for putting the cutlery on the plate after eating: When you put down the fork and knife, they should always point away from you (with the handle facing you). How you put your fork down tells the waiter how you liked the food. If the fork is placed so that the prongs point upwards, it means that the food was tasty. If the prongs point downwards, it means that the food did not taste you.
She's mixing a lot of dining experiences up. Most of this etiquette stuff is for fine dining only. You don't do that fancy napkin-on-the-chair-stuff at a casual local restaurant. Shared tables are a thing for traditional Bavarian Restaurants/Brewhouses and/or Beer gardens outside of the restaurant in summer everywhere in Germany. In some restaurants nowadays the waiters and waitresses also seat you here, when the restaurant is full. If there's almost nobody inside, take a seat yourself (unless it's fine dining). In the evening it's common that some tables are reserved for festivities like birthdays and anniversaries, so please ask the staff, where and if you get a seat there on the evening you're visiting, when you decide it spontaneously. To look one in the eyes while toasting is off medieval ages when the high lords and knights had guests or were guests at a local tavern on their journeys. If the person you toast to keeps eye contact, it means trust. Because it happened these wealthy people often would get poisoned and/or robbed. So if one broke the eye contact too early or didn't even bother to return the looks, it seemed suspicious. The hat and coat stuff also is a thing with many restaurants as well. But nobody every complaint when I took my coat and hat to my seat. I'm a bit anxious it might get mistaken by another guest who's leaving earlier than me. So I keep it close to me (still, fine dining is different and there you must hand your coat and hats over). Also, taking off the hat really is a thing to do inside a building. Some could tell you: "Man, the roof's not leaking and it doesn't rain inside. Why're wearing a hat?" When it comes to ordering. The waiters/waitresses will ask you in advance if you already know, what you want to drink (most people already know what they want). So they will have your drinks ready, while you're left alone to choose from the menu in peace. It's also not intimidating and putting pressure on the guests, when the staff keeps standing there and stares at you. People here feel uneased by that. A restaurant visit should be an event where the guest shall feel relaxed from a stressful day. Also, as I said earlier, when the restaurant is full, they only might have a few servers for maybe over 100 people. They don't have the time to keep others waiting to order or get seated, while they only take care of you the whole time. Most guests might be patient but you can't rely on that for everyone. Especially, if they're there for a party. It's not that the waiters and waitresses are kings, respectfully queens, at the restaurant. She's wrong at this point. They try to treat every guest equal as good as possible. Of course, if you're rude to them, they'll tell you their opinion on your behavior against them. I won't go for the tabwater and ice on the drink stuff, that's been discussed many times. The courses also depend on the restaurant. Some offer 2 or 3 courses. Others maybe just one. Fine dining can have way more than 3. The fork an knife part is a big thing as well and you might get the stares from neighbouring tables in some places, when you only use the fork to eat your food, without holding the knife (I honestly eat the American way sometimes and don't care about the others watching me XD). We also have a thing called "Knigge" which is a book on teaching the right manners not only at the table, but general good behavior. Both at home and in public. You might want to check that out if you're fancy to know more. Sorry for the long text, but I felt this video needed some explanations.
If I pay someone to provide a service, I expect them to know more about the stuff they are doing than I do. A waiter is a food professional. So he's king of course.
Ah…the specific case of apple wine taverns… They usually are very well frequented so the waitstaff if often operating at maximum capacity, meaning they will get to you when they (can) get to you rather than be there nigh immediately at your beck and call. Unsurprisingly table manners are rather similar between germany and Britain (and France for that matter)…
Yes it is a thing in Germany you take your own seat if the tables but you take your coat of most Restaurants have Hangers for your Coat beside your seats.
Sorry but thats a lot of nonsense. You may chose any free table, you can put your coat where everywhere you want. The guest is the king, you may take your time to chose anything and even ask for individual meals. You will aslways be asked if our would like to have still or sparkling water. Conclusion: that lady has no idea of what she is talking about.
It's not at all a question of social classes whether you hold eye contact when toasting or not. It is just impolite as well as superstitious not to hold eye contact when toasting.
As a 40 year old german, i have never shared a table with strangers. I am from the north, so maybe its a southern thing edit: we DO look each other in the eye while toasting, no matter if you are on the couch with family and friends, in a bar or a fancy restaurant, you always have to look each other in the eye, otherwise it is seven years of bad sex. (bad luck it is only when children are around)
About the waiter being king: Just think like you were at a private dinner and them being the hosts. You are at their place, and they want to give you a wonderful time, but let them do it their way.
If you go anywhere inside, you always take off your hat, not just in restaurants. And there is no distinction between formal and casual locations. The hat goes off when you go in.
1 is not common, especially not in restaurants that have a Stammtisch. You usually get seated when you have a reservation. When not, you just sit down at a table that doesn't have a reservation card.
Eye contact while toasting is absolutely mandatory - not just for a certain „class“. Maybe „bad Luck“ is happening to the upper class if they don‘t do so…. In a pub some would say u will have „bad sex“ as a result of avoiding eye contact….
Although the service in Germany is known to be not the best, it is weird to say, that the waiter believes that he is the king. They just wait for signals if you want to order something and they politely disappear as soon as possible, because it is not polite to interrupt guests all the time. This is the big difference compared to e.g. the US. Waiters leave you alone, because they know, you want to enjoy the food or a chat with your friends and family and not with a waiter. But if a waiter doesn’t show up to give you the menue soon after you seated yourself, this is often lazyness or bad organisation. The problem with her channel is, that everything she says is a little old fashioned. I think, she has a husband here, meets his family and friends and all this little group does she translates to: "This is Germany". But everything she says is true in some part of Germany in some restaurants for some people. She is not wrong. But if you, Dwayne, are going to visit us with a cap on your head, don’t worry, you can wear it in a restaurant.
Usually you don't wait to be seated, you just sit and make sure there is no reserviert sign. And yes you should remove any Kopfbedeckung (hat or anything covering your head expect hair) in general if you are indoors.
This is quite normal in many European countries. We are not talking about mc Donalds or Pubs etc. I learnt this from a yount age 1-2 years old. And I promise that this is in my backbone.
Mmmmh.... waiters or waitresses are never kings or queens. they are being paid to do a service job. I don't follow her arguments here. may be she's just to shy to order when she is ready. she should try sometime.
1. get seated: This depends on the restaurant. I guess she is talking about more "highclass restaurants" If the restaurants is very much "booked" and has seating service they will tell you by a sign at the entrance. If not you are very welcome to just come in and take the table you like the most. 2/3. Is also a "class-thing" Taking off your hat and coat is usealy the norm, but if its a casual restaurant and you wear a basecap its absolutely no problem. I just heard that Sido (famous german rapper) got kicked out of a restaurant because he didnt take his hat off. 4. Choose right away is totaly BS. You have all the time you want to order. Most likely you get asked if you have decided what you want and if you havent the waitress will take you drinks first before the meal. But you can take your time.. And sharing a table is also just a thing for pubs when there is a lot of people and no space. Mostly everyone gets their own table. We dont realy like to share the space with random people when we are going out. 5. Waiter is the king: Just WTF? Absolutely Not! 6. Ladies first: Also a Not! Normaly the waitress comes to the table and whoever sits next to her comes first to order and then everyone "clockwise" gives their order.. And to the tapwater.. i have encountered a lot of older people in restaurants who just dont like certain warter-brands and they ask for tapwater instead. 7. Toasting: is a totaly nonsese part.. Many people are telling you to look them in the eyes while toasting just to engange with you, but it is in no way a bad manner. So this is also BS... food portions: depends on the restaurant.. 9. Waiting for everyone: This is true. You wait for everyone to start eating. But if the service is so bad that the food of some people is delayed and your food is getting cold you are very welcome to eat you food warm. Dont let it get cold just because you want to show good manners. This is just a waste. 10. Correct. 12. Correct. Parallel is as far as i know the sign that you are finished. 14. Correct 15. Yes Tips/servicecharges are not included but the service is getting a normal pay. Correct
the looking into eyes while toasting is NOT restricted to a certain class though. Just go out with a group of students or the boys after a football game and they will also make sure to look into each others eyes while toasting. The saying is that, NOT doing so will result in seven years of bad sex…
she talks a lot of "half wise" stuff... maybe she just experienced frankfurt.. i dunno... frankfurt sucks. ;) greetings from the north. ^^ oh.. and when will you explain why you live in thailand?
the course thing is also wrong, 3 courses is very normal with even most pubs having the option. a lot of people like to skip the first course but that doesnt make it uncommon. Also in higher class restaurants it is common to have 5, 7 or even 9 courses depending on the menu you go with.
No, eye contact while toasting is mandatory in every setting. The thing about how americans eat is quite funny to me because that's how small children would eat in Germany.
Well, I don't completely agree with her. - Take off your cap? Yes, in simple restaurants or with young people, etc. people look the other way, but that's actually a matter of courtesy. - waiting to be seated? In my area a waiter might approach and tell that you can choose any table you want (except the reserved ones oc) or if it's crowded the waiter might give you a choice of table. Some few restaurants inform "Please wait to be seated" but that's not common unless it's fine dining. - Hang up your jacket? I only do this in high-class restaurants, otherwise nobody touches my jacket and the back of the chair has to suffice. - Order drinks etc. immediately? Oh bollocks, just ask the waiter nicely for some time. Friendliness is king, then the waiters are almost always friendly. - Share a table? Possible in a pub, otherwise not. At least in my area, but we in the northwest like our privacy. - Toasting in the pub yes, in simple restaurants yes, but little bit more discreet as in a pub. In fine dining, you raise your glass slightly, nod to the person and make brief eye contact, and that's it. - When I left my elbow on the table as a child, my grandad liked to grab my arm and bang my elbow on the table top, haha! - Yes, you eat if possible with knife and fork, but I often don't do that in simple restaurants. It's a must in fine dining and then I avoid salad because it is sometimes served in huge pieces and has to be folded into bite-sized pieces and I'm a huge klutz and the lettuce leaf unfolds from the fork just before I reach my mouth and makes a mess, nope, I avoid that. - I almost always tip, so far there have only been very few cases where I have refused to tip because I complained about the food and the service was poor.
There where a certain things she said I was like maybe this is the case in Frankfurt but in my area it's not like this. The hat she mentioned is a common thing when you enter churches, restaurants and private rooms. It's kinda polite. If I just can choose a seat or get seated is based on the restaurant. But mostly it will be just easier and polite to ask for a "free" table even there usually is a plate on the table telling you if it's reserved because you don't have to run around the restaurant searching. I guess I never was in a single restaurant with social table...I don't even know any restaurant having this. Usually they will prepare a big table for a big group if they reserve it but there won't be any strangers. On the same table. The service will be fast bringing you the menu and they will literally ask you immediately if you already want to have something to drink. If you want check out first it's fine and they will give you some time and come back later. The guest is the king but if they don't behave or follow some rules the service has the power to ban you from the restaurant. They have to make sure other guests don't get disturbed for example. If service is not friendly or you aren't happy with anything just don't tip in the end. When you order water most cases the service will ask if you want sparkling or natural/still. The food usually comes pretty much all together. If it's a bigger group there might come other services to help your service bring all the plates to the table so everyone can eat together. It's rare someone has to wait a bit longer.
10:53 What you tell about Thailand is also true for Southern India. I've been there for almost a year total (two journeys), and they serve their food just the same way: Rice is always ready, and the rest comes when the cook has finished it. It's just like in some areas of Germany where you get served a small basket of sliced bread beforehand so you can start eating some bread in case you're really hungry. I like that. 13:45 I can assure you, "decent" Germans use knife and fork just like the British do, no cultural differences there. Some people put more food on their fork, some less, and some younger people have yet to learn how to eat at a real restaurant. And, no, fast food chains ain't restaurants! No way! Alright then, I watched it all through, and what she told is mostly true for "posh" restaurants, and yes, some of the rules should be followed everywhere, like taking your hat off. Seems to me like she took all those rules from the "Knigge". The nobleman Adolph Freiherr von Knigge lived in the 18th century and wrote a book titled "Über den Umgang mit Menschen" which is "a treatise on the fundamental principles of human relations that has the reputation of being the authoritative guide to behaviour, politeness, and etiquette. The work is more of a sociological and philosophical treatise on the basis of human relations than a how-to guide on etiquette" (Wikipedia). However, there are many German books on etiquette that relate to Knigge of have him in their title, but I didn't read a single one of them.
Germans don’t do the clicking your fingers or putting you hand up, to be served. The waiting staff is responsible for lots of tables, taking orders and bringing food and drinks. They know which tables need service next, not the other tables.
I think she has a very ancient view of German manners. Hats once were only for use if there's no roof above (outside). In churches e. g. you still have to take your hat off. But nowadays no one cares if you wear your (e. g.) baseball cap in a restaurant. And you don't have to hang your coat at the wardrobe. I NEVER do that. I always have it with me at my table.
The first point is bullshit. In Germany, in 95% of all restaurants, guests choose their own table. (Exception: if you have made a reservation, your table has been set up for you in advance, and of course you cannot choose a table that has already been reserved)
If you are being polite in a conservative way, entering a restaurant as a man and a woman works like this: The man enters first (to make sure there is no enemy lurking behind the door). The lady comes after him. A waiter takes the coats and shows them to their place. Another waiter brings the menu. If it is VERY conservative, he will only give the man a menu and the woman will have to choose from the man‘s suggestions, or she will receive a menu without prices. But honestly, I don’t think either is done anymore. However, a lady will not order but will tell the man what she would like to have, and he will order for both her and himself. Ordering politely in a modern way: The lady will order first, then the gentleman.If there are more people at the table, the waiter will start with one person and go on to the next.
Somethings are very wrong! Seating: Depends on the Restaurant. In „normal“ restaurants, you can seat yourself. If it’s a little bit more fancy, you will be seated. The polite way is to ask to be seated. Better you reserve a table a day or at least a few hours ahead. Hat: Wearing a hat is not common in Germany. If you wearing a hat, hang it. Same for the coat. Hanging the coat on the back of your chair, might some issues for the waiter, because he can stamble. Sharing table: Big No-Go! Germans like to stay private. So you will see a table for four, is only used by a couple. If the restaurant is Rallye crowded, and you seat yourself - a waiter would never ever seat you on a table with unknown people - you may politely ask, if is ok to sit at that table. Never sit down without permission! Extra-Tipp: Look for people of your age. Look for people who are close to finish their meal- the will agree more easily. Ordering: You don‘t have to rush. Take your time - but not to long. The waiter will bring you the card, and asks if you like anything to drink, while you choose. If you get your drinks, and you have not choose at this point, it‘s on big deal. If you‘re unsure- Just ask the waiter, what he suggests. But, as said, take your time. Some folks like to drink one beer to relax, and order then. Tipp: Folding the card is a sign for the waiter, that you like to order. King or not: The waiter is never the king. He is just a „servent“, not more, not less. Treat him with respect. But the guest is the king. Except for Cologne: There are some traditionell restaurants, where the waiter is called „Köbes“. Here is the Köbes king. They have a special rude, but somehow friendly, way to treat the customers. Ice cubes in Drinks: You won‘t get ice cubes in your drinks. If the Drink has to be served cold, you will get it chilled. If not, that not! Except for Drinks Like cocktails where ice is necessary. And never ask for ice for your wine. Food portions: You eat three course! Your in Germany! Don‘t ask for small portions! If you unsecure you can leave Vorspeise und Nachtisch out. But don‘t ask for small portions. Better ask for a doggy back. Most Restaurants will have small portions (Für den kleinen Hunger) or extra portions for seniors. Go for that instead. Start eating: In a group the food will be for all at the same time. Except you leave one course out. If the food, for what reason, will be not at the same time, it‘s ok to start eating - the one missing his food will say some Words (Fangt ruhig schon an. Kalt schmeckt es ja nicht), to give you the permission. You can also ask if it is ok to start.
I find the idea that in Britain, you will often scoop the food onto the BACK of the fork just sooooo funny. Do you also use caterpillars that have a reverse shovel when digging out grounds for a house etc? I just does not make any sense to me…. Or is all of your food really mushy so you can sculpt it reasonably? I am thinking of loose stuff like peas or basmati rice. It would take hours to finish a plate that way…
Sharing tables is not common in fine dining restaurants, but in beer-gardens, so where you sit outside at long tables and eat traditional food and drink beer. THERE the waiters are kings/queens…so don’t mess with them 😀 If you don’t tip you are very rude, since tip is not included in the bill.
if i am eating alone and the place is full and somebody ask to share the table i share it .i don´t know what i would do if they don´t ask before hand.i have heard about the order rule before but we order just in clockwise direction.the most things she´s saying must be from high class resturants.
Toasting without eye contact is NOT considered „bad luck“ …. It means 7 years of bad sex. And yes, somebody WILL mention it if you don’t comply. 👀👁️👁️
I mean…7 years of bad sex is an undeniable sad fate…that is if you get any.
and everybody does this is not a class thing.
7 years bad sex is better than no sex at all 😂
Well, bad sex is still better than no sex. 🤣
German waitresses and waiters are very professional and not submissive to the customer
She missed the most polite thing in all german social classes, before we beginning eating we wish us 'Guten Appetit'
@@o6liv9er1and in the end everything means the same: enjoy your meal!😊👍
@@IrisPatricia you name it
@@o6liv9er1As a Bavarian I have to add: „An Guadn!“ (although that’s just Einen Guten in dialect)
Well, actually - upper class here - its neither at home nor in Restaurants, not even Michelin a thing... it was in Kindergarden
@sandraankenbrand Have you no manners in the upper class?
Austria here, not Germany, but yes, we do make eye contact - even among family members or with friends at home. We also take care to touch glasses with everyone present.
Not doing so means seven years of bad sex. Nobody wants to risk that.
Why does she say “we in Germany” when she talks about personal experiences in a certain city whose gastronomy is geared towards tourists (more than 4 million overnight stays in 2023) and their prejudices and expectations.
A German can only shake his head here.
She is not from Germany, she is one of the 17 million migrants that we Germans inherited from East Germany.
Not Germans, more like backwoods cousins
I have watched a couple of videos from this lady. All of them were kind of inaccurate. Half of the things that are common according to her, are definitely not common.
Yes. I gave up this one. It isn't helpful at all with about half wrong and particularities of different types of localites and regions mixed...
She doesn't sound german either... more of an eastern european accent
In Germany, the customer is king, not the waiter. The waiter or waitress knows this, otherwise there is no tip!
Yes, but you come to their place. So you have to respect their working procedures.
Sharing tables with strangers is not a common thing in germany.
depends on where you are
Glaube sie redet von ner Äpplewoiibar ,die haben oft sowas wie Biergartenbänke.
Wenn man in einem Weinlokal ist kommt es durchaus vor das man fremde Gäste an den Tisch gesetzt bekommt…je nach Platzangebot im Restaurant…vollkommen normal 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
Apparently, Bavarians do that in a Biergarten. To anybody travelling to Germany: Do NOT attempt to sit with strangers. We really don’t do that. Exceptions are only where there are very long tables that are obviously meant for more than one group of people (they are like that at the Biergarten and at some public events) OR when all tables are occupied, and I mean all, including the ones next to the bathroom. In that case you can ASK people to share their table with you. Never start a conversation with them, you are still two separate parties.
@@alexneumeister9242 Ok, vielleicht mag das auf ganz bestimmte Arten von Restaurants in bestimmten Gegenden zutreffen. Aber sie redet halt davon, dass das in ganz deutschland üblich sei. Und das ist definitiv nicht der Fall.
Looking each other in the eye when toasting is a normal polite gesture in Germany. Not only in every bar or restaurant, but also at home.
[Not doing this will do not cause misfortune but seven years of bad sex.]
Seven years of bad sex *is* a misfortune.
@@Nikioko But I don't understand why she doesn't name the misfortune. Maybe it's because she's American? They are often very uptight and superstitious when it comes to topics like sex. They're always afraid of going to hell after death.
This girl is some Eastern European, not German. It’s nonsense what she is talking about.
There is a lot of nonsens in this Video 😮
Yes. Her accent is not german.... and she has no clue.
One thing is not true at all. „The waiter or the waitress are King“ is absolute rubbish. I have no idea, on which area in Germany she visited restaurants
Köln, the Köbes is indeed king
The Köbes is not an ordinary King, he's God 😅❤️🤍
Honestly, many of the things she mentioned is pure and utter BS. I've seen a couple of her videos and she over-generalizes A LOT and also makes up things here and there (or she is just a very bad food guide and misunderstood a lot of the habits). Either way: Don't take anything she says as a fact.
Germany here 🤔 is she taking about Frankfurt in Germany?? She does not have a German accent and i can not agree what she is saying 😅
In Germany it's absolutely not common to wait to be seated, unless you have reserved in advance. Actually there is no Maître d' in restaurants, except in very posh restaurants. Reservered tables are clearly marked. Sitting with strangers is only a thing, if there is no choice to seat at your own table. Even single persons don't share tables with strangers, if there are free tables available. I never ever hang my coat at the restaurant's cloak rack, but allways over the chair back. Using the cloak rack is allways on the guest's own risk.
Oh, you don't choose your table yourself anywhere in Munich for example besides Beergardens
Where was she eating in the medieval restaurant? Of course the waiter comes when we want him to and not when he wants him to. He keeps coming back and asking if it's OK, if it tastes good, if we would like anything else, etc.
Seriously… the first few things she listed were definitely NOT common in German restaurants. Most of the stuff she mentioned was either referring to rather classy restaurants, franchises from abroad or some very specific types of restaurants like pubs or breweries. No general things.
Stammtisch is hardly in a restaurant, but in a pub/kneipe/lokal
In a restauranr they often mark "Reserviert" for booked tables, or they waiters might tell you
Blödsinn!
Personally i think the most important table manners for tourists or when you go to a standard restaurant (nothing fancy or upper class) are
1. Toasting before taking the first sip by touching glasses with every person (as far as possible) and saying "Prost", yes we usually look at each other's eyes while doing this which can be a bit difficult sometimes if you want to avoid spilling your drink
2. When we get our food we say "Guten Appetit" ("have a nice meal") before we take our first bite. Usually we also wait until everybody has their food but as you said a lot of times we tell people to start eating so the food won't get cold.
3. Chew with your mouth closed and therefore don't talk with a full mouth.
All the other things she mentioned kind of depend on the type of restaurant you are at or the people you are with and certainly won't cause a big public outcry if you don't follow them.
The "cheers" story is true, we have eyecontact while do cheers. But the dishes (MAIN-Dishes) arrive at the same time. Just who ordered salad or soup gets this first.
First course first, except if you ask the waiters to get it as main course
1) Wait to be seated - I`m from German countryside but lived in bigger cities, too. I usually do not wait to be seated, expect if I booked a table. Some exceptions but you get the vibe really quick and ask to be seated. If unsure, just ask, it´s never something wrong.
2) Hat off - Usually always take your hat of inside. Not that important as less people wear hats. Caps can be kept on (my rule for me still is: inside off)
3) Hang your coat - There is a space near the entrance called "Garderobe". You are supposed to put your coat there. I think the point is as she mentioned so that waiters can move around better. Also it means, if it´s raining all the puddles are in one place instead of all around the place.
Sharing a table is not normal. If it´s croweded and there is somewhere some seats it can happen. But it´s not the norm.
4) Order ASAP - Usually the waiter asks if you want to order drinks right away. And when the drinks get there you are asked if you have chosen. If not, just tell the staff, it´s okay.
5+6) Bullshit... (Waiter is king, Ladies order first)
7) Eye contact - Okay, but well, not really a big deal. Some places put ice in. But not obsessive amounts, 2 or three small cubes
8) Napkin on the lap - Not really. Or, not everywhere. I do it sometimes. But never with paper ones.
9) Wait fo reverybody before you start eating - It is common that the food arrives at the same time, or almost. You were supposed to wait but this has changed. Start right awway as long as it is hot. Asking is always a nice touch.
10) Hands on table, ellbows off - True. But if you do it different, well, not a big deal.
11) Eat with knife and fork at the same time - True. But again, you do you. And fork is not upside down.
12) Put cuttlery on plate parrallel - True, too. Signals that you are finished.
13) Doggy bag - Yes, ask for it. Stop food waste
14) Ask for the bill - yes
15) Tip - yes, tips are not included. Just do it. Not as much as an american would, waiters do get wages. 10-15% seems okay.
"Caps can be kept on"... Warum?
@@tubekulose No, caps go off as well.
@@Nikioko 👍
it's absolutely NOT normal to share a table with strangers! I don't know where and how often she made this experience.
At least I don't know anyone who doesn't make eye contact when toasting! Everyone in Germany probably knows the saying that it means 7 years of bad sex if you don't do it! That's why everyone sticks to it😅🤷🏼
Today is a great amazing incredible day because it is a Dwayne's Lens day. 🥳
Nobody shares tables in a German Restaurant except a Besenwirtschaft. Thats a special wine Restaurant in the wine Regions of Germany (West and Southwest)
Unless its really crowded, and then its more an Cafee thing. Or of course I f you sit at the counter... that would be at the Brauhaus.
As an almost lifelong restaurant worker, I've seated thousands of people together when it was busy.
Of course you do .. At least in most traditional restaurants in Bavaria, this is quite common - In Munich for example I don´t know any traditional (bavarian) restaurant where that´s not the case.
It might happen, when it's very crowded. Usually you will be asked. Or be warned beforehand that you might be expected to share.
And Biergarten...
Yes, one does not sit at a table wearing a hat or cap. That's impolite.
Also, one can ask to join a table, depends on the situation.
Nah... but we don't like overly friendly waiters. That's ....odd. ...it is not what we consider good customer service.
You generally take off your hat when you enter a building. That is not specific for restaurants.
I would like to add that in Germany service rarely writes anything down. They are skilled professionals that are expected to memorize the orders of 10 tables , deliver the orders and tend to the customers needs all while seating 3 more groups. It is considered a skill and talent to be a good waiter/waitress in Germany and therefor, yes, they should come first. Respect the service. They have a very hard job indeed.
I'm asking me, in what kind of restaurant she goes to blog the food. I never shared my table with a stranger. I always hang my jacket on my chair. My napkin stays on the table , cause i put my knife and fork on it. Our food came always at the same time and the waiters are always nice, otherwise i won't go there again.
If there are two of you at a table of 6 or 8, you can't take up the whole table when it's busy.
@arnodobler1096 you will not be seated at a table for 6 if you're only two. Most german Restaurants have tables for two and four people. If bigger size needed, they put two tables together.
About the wait to be seated thing: I've only ever been to one, just one, restaurant in Germany where we had to wait to be seated and I have never even heard of something like "you wait to be seated" before I started watching stuff about Germany in those comparisons. At least from my experience, this is completely false.
You don't really wear hats anymore so yeah... You could just hang your coat on a rack but you really don't have to from my perspective as I always feel like stealing would be more common if you don't have your coat or jacket near you.
We don't share tables unless there isn't a whole family at that table and the whole restaurant is full. You might ask if you can get half of the table and split it or ask for one of the chairs but we really don't share tables.
Nobody is the "king". You are expected to be nice and the waiters are also expected to be nice and if there's something wrong with your order, you can ask to get it corrected and it has been corrected every single time in my experience. The waiter won't stop doing what they are doing just to come to you right away but they'll come if they have time and aren't serving another table at the same time you want something from them and if there's an emergency, they probably wouldn't keep on serving.
I've never heard of anything about who orders first. In my experience, it's always the person who already knows what to order or sometimes, one person says all of the order.
I don't think it's seen as unpolite to order tap water but you wouldn't really order it either. Usually, the waiter asks you if you want sparkling water or not if you order water.
Waiting to be seated is a modern thing that came from America. It's still not usual in some older restaurants on the country side
Definitely no hats on the dining table. Not at home or in the restaurant
Not anywhere inside. If you go in, the hat goes off.
I think she refers to touristic hotspots. I can´t relate to her experiences except the tap water, eye contact when toasting, napkin on lap and parallel cutlery when finished.
The parallel cutlery signals the waiter that you're finished. Cross over knife and fork to say 'I'm still eating' .
Frankfurt here, we only share a table in one kind of restaurants and that's the cider restaurant. But f.e. not at an Italien or Greek restaurant.
If there are two of you at a table of 8, you can't take up the whole table when it's busy.
I'm British and I've lived in Germany since 1989, I've never heard so much crap as this woman speaks, Germans will sit as far away from other guests as they can, you will always be asked for your drinks order straight away and they will ask later if you're ready to order food. From her accent, I'd suggest she's actually east European and not German
I agree with you. It's crazy what people make videos like this with so little knowledge about the country. Sometimes it's a lot of nonsense.
We mostly don't share tables, only in Beergardens and German kind of Pubs. Sometimes if a Restaurant is very full but onnly in casual restaurant. In more high end this is no option.
And as a German from neanr Frankfurt I can confirm, in a traditional Restaurant they waiters serve when they have time and they even sometimes refuse to serve you sweet cider (but thats very Frankfurt specific) 😄
And the Cheers with eyecontact is very true and not a class thing at all. You have to look in the eyes of each and every person you cheer with 😬Maybe if its a very large group you can skip but otherwise nope
I feel Like to make this clear. I dont think she ist right. I am 33 years old. And German btw.
The woman in the video has a very outdated view. I think she read a book form ancient times or only went to restaurants with guests over 80years. 😆
I think a lot of what she says applies to only super fancy restaurants.
In normal restaurants nobody cares if your elbows and hands are on or off the table, also nobody cares if you put your napkin in your lab or just have it on the table and use it when you feel the need to and nobody will give you strange looks, about how you place your fork. You also usually won't get seated but just choose yourself where you want to sit.
I've been to the UK a couple of times and didn't notice any differences when it comes to peoples behaviour in restaurants. Anything else (like taking the hat and coat of) is just common sense.
How do I say it politely? If you haven't seen the videos of this lady, at least you haven't wasted any time.
Some of her claims made me wonder if this woman had ever entered a German restaurant. With many of her statements, I had the impression that she had taken up any statements from other foreigners without checking them herself.
Come to Germany and form your own opinion. We've never killed anyone just because they held the fork in the wrong hand. As long as you don't spit into other people's food, you're fine.
To be seated is not common in Grmany.
The thing about "how to get seated" - it depends quite a lot on the pub, the location itself.
And it changed over the last years - Covid as an enhancer.
It mainly depends how the pub handles table/seat reservations.
There are the ones who (still) put the reservations on a card, "something on the table (slate etc.)" - and customers can check if the tables are already reserved.
By themselfes.
And there are the ones without those "physical indicators on the table" - where you just have to ask the service at the entrance (if you don't have reserved your places in advance) "do you have available seats left"?
In most cases they will look it up on their IT-System (Tablets are very common) and then say "yes or no" (including "until - if 2 hours are enough for your dinner").
So if you are entering a new location - just look out to the service and ask (politely) how they manage their seats.
Even the "Apple wine cellar service" in Frankfurt and the "Köbes" in the Brew houses of Cologne - both know for their (in part) "no nonsense" and by quite a few even considered "unfriendly" way of handling the situation.
They appreciate an "ask first before taking a seat" approach very much.
Just look out for a staff member that has a book, a tablet (or else) in front of him/her - it's where the reservations were held.
If there are seats available - they will be glad to help you.
1. True, unless it is a bar without table service we will wait at the entrance to be seated or offered a selection of tables to choose from
2. Hanging the jacket somewhere far away from the table is only mandatory in high end restaurants. Most restaurants don't care whether you keep it on your seat or next to you or use "official" hangers. I usually prefer to keep my jacket close to me, so I don't have to worry about it being (mistakenly) stolen or messed with. Not that that happens often, but it's just one less thing to worry about while enjoying the restaurant experience. Taking off the hat is kinda mandatory, though. Maybe in fast food restaurant people would not care about the hat, but you should take it off anyway.
3. I have never seen shared tables I think. Not once. In hundreds of different restaurants. The only time this can happen is at a fast food restaurant where people choose their own tables and if it is cramped and tables are full sometimes people may ask to share a table if the group sitting there is only taking up parts of it anyway.
4. Choose what you want to order asap = true. If you want to signal the waiters that you are ready to order all you have to do is closing your menu so the waiters know you are done choosing.
5. Her description of "kings" is also weird. Obviously, we expect to be treated nicely, since we pay for the service. It is true however that it is rude to flip your fingers e.g. to get their attention. You usually wait for them to make eye contact with you when they pass by and only if that fails repeatedly you raise or your hand or say something to get their attention. But that does not mean, the customer is not king. It just means the customer realizes the waiter is a human, too and can only be asked so much at once. It's just about being respectful.
6. Kinda bs :D Nobody cares who orders first. Usually you go by order of seating from one end to the other. Maybe if you have a guy on one end and a girl on the other end the waiter will start with the girl. And sure, if you are very old fashioned then maybe you think this rule still applies. I am sure it was true 50 years ago. Nowadays this simply does not apply anymore. More often than not everybody wants to be respectful of everyone else, so nobody dares to order first and eventually someone makes a move and begins or the waiter just starts on one side as I mentioned. It is kinda awkward tbh, but there is definitely no rule in place - and it has no correlation to the quality of the restaurant either. The only restaurants I can imagine going strictly about such a rule would be medieval theme restaurants :D
(no number). True, you usually ask for (still) water and get bottled water. Maybe if you are at some sort of local pub where people don't usually order water you may get tap water anyway, but in 99% of time you will just get fancy bottled water they can upcharge a lot on lol. And yes, coming from someone who only drinks still water you definitely have to mention that every single time or you will get a bubbly surprise.
7. Yes, toasting is normal and not high class. And you have to hold eye contact or it's bad luck (or bad s*x). As long as the drink is in a glass and not in a paper cup like at fast food restaurants you toast. Either with clinking the glasses or without - but you hold eye contact either way. It is a form of acknowledging the nice time you are about to have with your date / mates / family.
(no number). Yes, it is a sign of a bad restaurant to put ice in your drinks, because it will dilute your actual drink and also it is a cheap way of saving volume on the actual drink. However, I think 95% of places do have at least ice cubes if you actually want that in your drink..
8. Putting a napkin on your lap is not common at all nowadays. It used to be etiquette decades ago, but unless it is a fancy restaurant for which they have put on fancy clothing, I would guess 80-90% of people do not do this anymore today.
9. Yes, true, you usually wait for everyone to get their order unless it is like close family and they ask you to start eating, so it does not get cold.
10. Also true, keep a good posture, hands on the table, no elbows (or at least don't lean on them).
11. True as well. Americans are just barbaric in that regard :D You have to hands, make use them and coordinate to eat. It is not hard if you are past the age of being a toddler.
12. True, cuttlery parallel is common sense to be "tidy" and let the waiters know you are done eating.
13. True as well. Doggy bags show that you like it so much you don't want anything to go to waste. Also, we love efficiency, so that really is a no brainer :D
14. True, you have to ask for the bill.
15. Also true, only tip if you are happy with the service and if you can afford to. It is not mandatory, but very common. Usually, 10% is a good amount to go by, 15% is fine as well. Anything above and you know you have an American in front of you lol.
___________
She started of with some shaky points, but the longer we got into the video the more her points were accurate. Even for the points I did not agree with her, you made it an enjoyable reaction to watch, thanks Dwayne :)
The point where she said: "Waiters and Waitresses are the kings/queens." also caught mit off guard. I've never experienced that with any restaurant. As a guest you should treat your server with the same respect you want to be treated with during your stay. I can't stand other guests who treat the already stressed staff like dogs. They're also humans like them and shall be treated with dignity. 😄
A lot of these things are totally wrong:
1. In more fancy restaurants waiting till your seated is a thing, in lot's of cheaper restaurants not that much
2. The need to hang your coat is also mostly a thing in fancy restaurants
3. Sharing a table with strangers is totally uncommon in Germany
4. The waiter or the waitress is not the king / queen, they just don't treat you overly polite like in the US for example
5. They ususally give you some time to study the menu before you order. And if haven't decided yet, there is always the option to tell them you need more time.
6. Most people in Germany drink carbonated water, so this is actually the default. But in restaurants they almost always ask if you want it carbonated or not, if you just order water.
7. Toasting with non alcoholic drinks is not that common.
8. The soft drinks don't have ice because most people in Germany don't drink soft drinks with ice. But that doesn't mean all restaurants don't have ice machines. If they also sell alcoholic drinks with ice they most likely have an ice machine. So if you specifically ask for it you might also be able to get soft drinks with ice. That's just not guaranteed.
9. The usual number of courses depends a lot on the type of restaurant.
10. The food for the whole group should arrive (roughly) at the same time. It can happen that it doesn't but that is considered bad service.
You summarised it pretty well in my opinion. The way you put it are also my experiences as a german.
1. It is not usual at most restarants, that you wait to be seated. Some restaurants in Fraankfurt put up signs in the past years, which I would ignore, if it is only written in English, Depending on the restaurant, it is also common to hang your coat over your chair. If you put it on a coat stand you most probably fiind a sign, that tge restaurant is not responsiblr for your belongings. ...
like its said before most things she said are not true for all of germany or restaurants.at some u wait to be seated at others not and so on and take ur hat of is a thing allways indoors not just at restaurants at least for man.if u share the room with others, no hats no sunglasses its a sign of respect has nothing to do with classes.
Hands on the Table, Order straight away, chewing with the mouth closed, cheering with eye contact, wishing guten Appetit and waiting for everyone till staring to eat. That's true and important
Northern Germany = The guest ist King , but the master of the house ist emperor.
Many things she says are not typical of German Restaurants. First of all how many men wear hats nowadays? Sharing tables is not common. To claim that waiters are kings is highly exaggerated and I've never ever heard of this ordering order. To be frank this video is for the most part questionable.
Sharing tables only happens when the restaurant is crowded. But then you do no
t necessarily talk to the people you share a table with except of asking if you can sit there and saying goodbye when you leave.
Looking in each others eye while you are toasting is a big thing in Germany. I couldn't imagine it without.
In Germany, you normally tell the waiter how many persons you are, and they tell you that you can pick the table you like, unless it is reserved.
Every German makes eye contact and takes it pretty seriously when toasting! 😊
All she said HIGHLY depends on the restaurant. There are definitely "high dining" restaurants, but the majority are average and "low class" restaurants.
In the average German restaurant:
- You WONT get seated, but instead, the tables that you can't sit at, have a "reserved" sign on it.
- The waiters WONT take your coats and don't care if you put it on the chair.
- I have heard of tables being shared, if the restaurant is EXTREMELY full, but generally that is not the case. (I literally never experienced this!)
- Unless the restaurant is full, you usually can look at the menu for quite some time, before the waiter asks you to choose. You should however be quick with your drinks, which are generally served first as well as quickly.
- Waitressess and Waiters have to do a LOT of tables to serve and don't have the time to 'coddle' you. That means, they will come to you, when THEY have the time. That doesn't mean "they are the Kings", that is just "first come, first serve". Once they are at your table, they will treat you as the customer as they should.
- The order of ordering is completely up to the group. Yes, in general, women are the first to order. That is just polite. But I personally have never heard of the age being a factor for the order.
- Napkins are for spills and cleaning your mouth/face. Maybe for putting your cuttlery on (to keep the table cloth clean). You rarely see people putting it on their lap.
- Generally you have to flag down the waitress/waiter to get the bill. They rarely come to you on their own.
- Most people just round up their bill. Maybe add 5€ for good service, if the bill is above ~50€.
10:20 living here for 35 years and never did it, either in any restaurant or pubs. In Germany waiters, cooks and any that work in restaurants are paid for their work, so you don´t need to tip but those who can afford mostly do it like some tribute for nice service and that you enjoyed your stay.
Please don‘t believe everything what people tell you in the internet! They are not always experts, even if they think they are. It is not common to share tables with strangers, except you are in a bavarian Biergarten or a very traditionell place like a beerhall or something like that.
The waiters are not the kings,, but they have not only one table to serve, they have several. So it is normal to wait a second, they will come to you as soon as possible.
This girl isn‘t a native german, you can here it on her accent. She said, she is in Frankfurt for 2 years (?), so she is sure to know everything about Germany and german culture. No, she isn‘t, i am s native German and I am sure not to know every tradition in every part of Germany.
But it is always very fubby to watch the videos of people who visited Germany for a 2 week vacation and they know this much about our wonderful country to tell others how to do it like a German. Even if they misunderstood a lot. 😂😂😂
You 100% right. It's crazy what people do with so little knowledge of the country. A lot of nonsense, rubbish. And people believe it.
It depends on the restaurant if you csn go directly to enter a free table....in the better restaurants you need to wait for getting guided to a free table...in the simple restaurant you can go wherever you want, except "Stammtisch" and when there is a placed card with a time reservation.
The waitor is Not the King in Restaurants, guest is King...
The waitor is more like a moderator in germany
die Videos dieser polnischen/russischen (?) Dame, über deutsche, kulturelle Aspekte sind mMn nicht zu empfehlen. wenn man sich ihre Videos anschaut wird schnell deutlich, dass Dinge falsch oder aus einer sehr engen, persönlichen Sichtweise dargestellt werden.
P.S. ich empfehle ihr Video "How to Cook Bratwurst on Stove German Way - How to Pan Fry Bratwurst". GRÖÖÖL!
heyyy i totally overlooked that you cracked the 20 k subs... congrats ;D
@ 13:50 The part with putting the food on the back/top of the fork... LOL
When I was like 12 and on a student exchange in a small town just north of London my - otherwise ;-) - lovely host family was doing that with peas.. which kept rolling back down from the crest. Most went back on the dish, but quite a few peas landed on the table and the floor. I was trying to be polite and did not mean to offend so I didn't ask why anyone would do something _that_ stupid. The next day they were serving something with mashed potatoes which made their technique appear not as bad; however following that, there was a deja vu of the first day, but this time with green beans rolling everywhere. I don't remember the other dishes, but in the end I went home thinking they had been pulling a practical joke on me for a whole week and having a good laugh at the German kid.
Here's the actual German dining experience: it's exactly the same as in the UK. The only difference is in how you order. Having to go up to the bar to order is much less prevalent and mostly exists only in tiny "drinker holes", "hip" cafes or Irish pubs, otherwise you will have service handling your orders
Sharing a table with strangers is very common in the south, especially in bavarian and swabian Biergardens or beer halls and very traditional restaurants called "Wirtshäuser". Also in Hessia in traditional restaurants were they serve Apple wine with rustic traditional food I saw this happening. You have to ask first of course. In fine dining obviously it doesn't apply.
3:57 Sharing a table is not really common anymore and depends on the location. While it´s not normal for regular restaurants it can happen at festivals (Like the "Oktoberfest"), in traditional german restaurants ("Biergarten") or in a cafe, a cafeteria etc ^^
I am a 62 year old German and have been living in Germany ever since. I have never waited in a restaurant to be seated. Only if you have reserved a table in advance will you be shown the table. Otherwise you can sit wherever you want, unless the table is marked as reserved. Sharing a table with strangers is not common. If it's full and it's a rustic restaurant or a beer garden, you can do it. The waitress is not "King or Queen"! The "order" in which she orders is also NOT the norm! It doesn't matter who orders first. But yes: we Germans make eye contact when toasting. The napkin thing is not common either. Most Germans I know just leave it on the table until it's needed. I have no idea where this woman got her experience from. In the restaurants I go to, the food usually comes out immediately for everyone at the same time. Because it's rude to start while others are still waiting. Conclusion: this woman has no idea about German customs in restaurants.
The thing with tap water:
Most restaurants sell their food really "cheep", so they make the most money out of selling drinks.
Tap water is for free, so its like saying to the restaurant staff "i dont want to support you or give you ANY money you do not deserve", its seen here as very rude, so nobody will ever order tap water, because you will look stingy, rude and antisocial if you do so.
In most cases, you won't be served tap water if you order it and instead, just as rudely as your order was understood, the staff will tell you that they won't bring you any tap water.
As for putting the cutlery on the plate after eating:
When you put down the fork and knife, they should always point away from you (with the handle facing you).
How you put your fork down tells the waiter how you liked the food. If the fork is placed so that the prongs point upwards, it means that the food was tasty.
If the prongs point downwards, it means that the food did not taste you.
She's mixing a lot of dining experiences up. Most of this etiquette stuff is for fine dining only. You don't do that fancy napkin-on-the-chair-stuff at a casual local restaurant. Shared tables are a thing for traditional Bavarian Restaurants/Brewhouses and/or Beer gardens outside of the restaurant in summer everywhere in Germany. In some restaurants nowadays the waiters and waitresses also seat you here, when the restaurant is full. If there's almost nobody inside, take a seat yourself (unless it's fine dining). In the evening it's common that some tables are reserved for festivities like birthdays and anniversaries, so please ask the staff, where and if you get a seat there on the evening you're visiting, when you decide it spontaneously.
To look one in the eyes while toasting is off medieval ages when the high lords and knights had guests or were guests at a local tavern on their journeys. If the person you toast to keeps eye contact, it means trust. Because it happened these wealthy people often would get poisoned and/or robbed. So if one broke the eye contact too early or didn't even bother to return the looks, it seemed suspicious.
The hat and coat stuff also is a thing with many restaurants as well. But nobody every complaint when I took my coat and hat to my seat. I'm a bit anxious it might get mistaken by another guest who's leaving earlier than me. So I keep it close to me (still, fine dining is different and there you must hand your coat and hats over). Also, taking off the hat really is a thing to do inside a building. Some could tell you: "Man, the roof's not leaking and it doesn't rain inside. Why're wearing a hat?"
When it comes to ordering. The waiters/waitresses will ask you in advance if you already know, what you want to drink (most people already know what they want). So they will have your drinks ready, while you're left alone to choose from the menu in peace. It's also not intimidating and putting pressure on the guests, when the staff keeps standing there and stares at you. People here feel uneased by that. A restaurant visit should be an event where the guest shall feel relaxed from a stressful day. Also, as I said earlier, when the restaurant is full, they only might have a few servers for maybe over 100 people. They don't have the time to keep others waiting to order or get seated, while they only take care of you the whole time. Most guests might be patient but you can't rely on that for everyone. Especially, if they're there for a party. It's not that the waiters and waitresses are kings, respectfully queens, at the restaurant. She's wrong at this point. They try to treat every guest equal as good as possible. Of course, if you're rude to them, they'll tell you their opinion on your behavior against them.
I won't go for the tabwater and ice on the drink stuff, that's been discussed many times.
The courses also depend on the restaurant. Some offer 2 or 3 courses. Others maybe just one. Fine dining can have way more than 3.
The fork an knife part is a big thing as well and you might get the stares from neighbouring tables in some places, when you only use the fork to eat your food, without holding the knife (I honestly eat the American way sometimes and don't care about the others watching me XD). We also have a thing called "Knigge" which is a book on teaching the right manners not only at the table, but general good behavior. Both at home and in public. You might want to check that out if you're fancy to know more.
Sorry for the long text, but I felt this video needed some explanations.
"I dont think, that all germans keep eye contact when toasting" 😂
Oh boy, you have no idea... 😅
No hat/jacket is a big thing also toasting while looking in the eyes is a must and wishing ’Guten Appetit‘ before you eat.
If I pay someone to provide a service, I expect them to know more about the stuff they are doing than I do. A waiter is a food professional. So he's king of course.
Ah…the specific case of apple wine taverns…
They usually are very well frequented so the waitstaff if often operating at maximum capacity, meaning they will get to you when they (can) get to you rather than be there nigh immediately at your beck and call.
Unsurprisingly table manners are rather similar between germany and Britain (and France for that matter)…
Yes it is a thing in Germany you take your own seat if the tables but you take your coat of most Restaurants have Hangers for your Coat beside your seats.
Sorry but thats a lot of nonsense. You may chose any free table, you can put your coat where everywhere you want. The guest is the king, you may take your time to chose anything and even ask for individual meals. You will aslways be asked if our would like to have still or sparkling water. Conclusion: that lady has no idea of what she is talking about.
It's not at all a question of social classes whether you hold eye contact when toasting or not. It is just impolite as well as superstitious not to hold eye contact when toasting.
As a 40 year old german, i have never shared a table with strangers. I am from the north, so maybe its a southern thing
edit: we DO look each other in the eye while toasting, no matter if you are on the couch with family and friends, in a bar or a fancy restaurant, you always have to look each other in the eye, otherwise it is seven years of bad sex. (bad luck it is only when children are around)
About the waiter being king: Just think like you were at a private dinner and them being the hosts. You are at their place, and they want to give you a wonderful time, but let them do it their way.
If you go anywhere inside, you always take off your hat, not just in restaurants. And there is no distinction between formal and casual locations. The hat goes off when you go in.
1 is not common, especially not in restaurants that have a Stammtisch. You usually get seated when you have a reservation. When not, you just sit down at a table that doesn't have a reservation card.
Eye contact while toasting is absolutely mandatory - not just for a certain „class“. Maybe „bad Luck“ is happening to the upper class if they don‘t do so…. In a pub some would say u will have „bad sex“ as a result of avoiding eye contact….
Although the service in Germany is known to be not the best, it is weird to say, that the waiter believes that he is the king. They just wait for signals if you want to order something and they politely disappear as soon as possible, because it is not polite to interrupt guests all the time. This is the big difference compared to e.g. the US. Waiters leave you alone, because they know, you want to enjoy the food or a chat with your friends and family and not with a waiter. But if a waiter doesn’t show up to give you the menue soon after you seated yourself, this is often lazyness or bad organisation.
The problem with her channel is, that everything she says is a little old fashioned. I think, she has a husband here, meets his family and friends and all this little group does she translates to: "This is Germany". But everything she says is true in some part of Germany in some restaurants for some people. She is not wrong. But if you, Dwayne, are going to visit us with a cap on your head, don’t worry, you can wear it in a restaurant.
Usually you don't wait to be seated, you just sit and make sure there is no reserviert sign.
And yes you should remove any Kopfbedeckung (hat or anything covering your head expect hair) in general if you are indoors.
This is quite normal in many European countries. We are not talking about mc Donalds or Pubs etc. I learnt this from a yount age 1-2 years old. And I promise that this is in my backbone.
We tell our children that there are two places where you have to behave at all costs. The church and a restaurant.
Service charge is sometimes included in Germany.
Mmmmh.... waiters or waitresses are never kings or queens. they are being paid to do a service job. I don't follow her arguments here. may be she's just to shy to order when she is ready. she should try sometime.
1. get seated: This depends on the restaurant. I guess she is talking about more "highclass restaurants" If the restaurants is very much "booked" and has seating service they will tell you by a sign at the entrance. If not you are very welcome to just come in and take the table you like the most.
2/3. Is also a "class-thing" Taking off your hat and coat is usealy the norm, but if its a casual restaurant and you wear a basecap its absolutely no problem. I just heard that Sido (famous german rapper) got kicked out of a restaurant because he didnt take his hat off.
4. Choose right away is totaly BS. You have all the time you want to order. Most likely you get asked if you have decided what you want and if you havent the waitress will take you drinks first before the meal. But you can take your time.. And sharing a table is also just a thing for pubs when there is a lot of people and no space. Mostly everyone gets their own table. We dont realy like to share the space with random people when we are going out.
5. Waiter is the king: Just WTF? Absolutely Not!
6. Ladies first: Also a Not! Normaly the waitress comes to the table and whoever sits next to her comes first to order and then everyone "clockwise" gives their order.. And to the tapwater.. i have encountered a lot of older people in restaurants who just dont like certain warter-brands and they ask for tapwater instead.
7. Toasting: is a totaly nonsese part.. Many people are telling you to look them in the eyes while toasting just to engange with you, but it is in no way a bad manner. So this is also BS...
food portions: depends on the restaurant..
9. Waiting for everyone: This is true. You wait for everyone to start eating. But if the service is so bad that the food of some people is delayed and your food is getting cold you are very welcome to eat you food warm. Dont let it get cold just because you want to show good manners. This is just a waste.
10. Correct.
12. Correct. Parallel is as far as i know the sign that you are finished.
14. Correct
15. Yes Tips/servicecharges are not included but the service is getting a normal pay. Correct
the looking into eyes while toasting is NOT restricted to a certain class though. Just go out with a group of students or the boys after a football game and they will also make sure to look into each others eyes while toasting. The saying is that, NOT doing so will result in seven years of bad sex…
she talks a lot of "half wise" stuff... maybe she just experienced frankfurt.. i dunno... frankfurt sucks. ;) greetings from the north. ^^
oh.. and when will you explain why you live in thailand?
the course thing is also wrong, 3 courses is very normal with even most pubs having the option. a lot of people like to skip the first course but that doesnt make it uncommon. Also in higher class restaurants it is common to have 5, 7 or even 9 courses depending on the menu you go with.
No, eye contact while toasting is mandatory in every setting.
The thing about how americans eat is quite funny to me because that's how small children would eat in Germany.
Well, I don't completely agree with her.
- Take off your cap? Yes, in simple restaurants or with young people, etc. people look the other way, but that's actually a matter of courtesy.
- waiting to be seated? In my area a waiter might approach and tell that you can choose any table you want (except the reserved ones oc) or if it's crowded the waiter might give you a choice of table. Some few restaurants inform "Please wait to be seated" but that's not common unless it's fine dining.
- Hang up your jacket? I only do this in high-class restaurants, otherwise nobody touches my jacket and the back of the chair has to suffice.
- Order drinks etc. immediately? Oh bollocks, just ask the waiter nicely for some time. Friendliness is king, then the waiters are almost always friendly.
- Share a table? Possible in a pub, otherwise not. At least in my area, but we in the northwest like our privacy.
- Toasting in the pub yes, in simple restaurants yes, but little bit more discreet as in a pub. In fine dining, you raise your glass slightly, nod to the person and make brief eye contact, and that's it.
- When I left my elbow on the table as a child, my grandad liked to grab my arm and bang my elbow on the table top, haha!
- Yes, you eat if possible with knife and fork, but I often don't do that in simple restaurants. It's a must in fine dining and then I avoid salad because it is sometimes served in huge pieces and has to be folded into bite-sized pieces and I'm a huge klutz and the lettuce leaf unfolds from the fork just before I reach my mouth and makes a mess, nope, I avoid that.
- I almost always tip, so far there have only been very few cases where I have refused to tip because I complained about the food and the service was poor.
There where a certain things she said I was like maybe this is the case in Frankfurt but in my area it's not like this.
The hat she mentioned is a common thing when you enter churches, restaurants and private rooms. It's kinda polite.
If I just can choose a seat or get seated is based on the restaurant. But mostly it will be just easier and polite to ask for a "free" table even there usually is a plate on the table telling you if it's reserved because you don't have to run around the restaurant searching.
I guess I never was in a single restaurant with social table...I don't even know any restaurant having this. Usually they will prepare a big table for a big group if they reserve it but there won't be any strangers. On the same table.
The service will be fast bringing you the menu and they will literally ask you immediately if you already want to have something to drink. If you want check out first it's fine and they will give you some time and come back later.
The guest is the king but if they don't behave or follow some rules the service has the power to ban you from the restaurant. They have to make sure other guests don't get disturbed for example.
If service is not friendly or you aren't happy with anything just don't tip in the end.
When you order water most cases the service will ask if you want sparkling or natural/still.
The food usually comes pretty much all together. If it's a bigger group there might come other services to help your service bring all the plates to the table so everyone can eat together. It's rare someone has to wait a bit longer.
10:53 What you tell about Thailand is also true for Southern India. I've been there for almost a year total (two journeys), and they serve their food just the same way: Rice is always ready, and the rest comes when the cook has finished it. It's just like in some areas of Germany where you get served a small basket of sliced bread beforehand so you can start eating some bread in case you're really hungry. I like that.
13:45 I can assure you, "decent" Germans use knife and fork just like the British do, no cultural differences there. Some people put more food on their fork, some less, and some younger people have yet to learn how to eat at a real restaurant. And, no, fast food chains ain't restaurants! No way!
Alright then, I watched it all through, and what she told is mostly true for "posh" restaurants, and yes, some of the rules should be followed everywhere, like taking your hat off. Seems to me like she took all those rules from the "Knigge". The nobleman Adolph Freiherr von Knigge lived in the 18th century and wrote a book titled "Über den Umgang mit Menschen" which is "a treatise on the fundamental principles of human relations that has the reputation of being the authoritative guide to behaviour, politeness, and etiquette. The work is more of a sociological and philosophical treatise on the basis of human relations than a how-to guide on etiquette" (Wikipedia). However, there are many German books on etiquette that relate to Knigge of have him in their title, but I didn't read a single one of them.
Germans don’t do the clicking your fingers or putting you hand up, to be served. The waiting staff is responsible for lots of tables, taking orders and bringing food and drinks. They know which tables need service next, not the other tables.
I think she has a very ancient view of German manners. Hats once were only for use if there's no roof above (outside). In churches e. g. you still have to take your hat off. But nowadays no one cares if you wear your (e. g.) baseball cap in a restaurant. And you don't have to hang your coat at the wardrobe. I NEVER do that. I always have it with me at my table.
100% you always look in the eyes when toasting! No matter where you are toasting. Student bar or very posh restaurant!
The first point is bullshit.
In Germany, in 95% of all restaurants, guests choose their own table.
(Exception: if you have made a reservation, your table has been set up for you in advance, and of course you cannot choose a table that has already been reserved)
If you are being polite in a conservative way, entering a restaurant as a man and a woman works like this: The man enters first (to make sure there is no enemy lurking behind the door). The lady comes after him. A waiter takes the coats and shows them to their place. Another waiter brings the menu. If it is VERY conservative, he will only give the man a menu and the woman will have to choose from the man‘s suggestions, or she will receive a menu without prices. But honestly, I don’t think either is done anymore. However, a lady will not order but will tell the man what she would like to have, and he will order for both her and himself.
Ordering politely in a modern way: The lady will order first, then the gentleman.If there are more people at the table, the waiter will start with one person and go on to the next.
Somethings are very wrong!
Seating: Depends on the Restaurant. In „normal“ restaurants, you can seat yourself. If it’s a little bit more fancy, you will be seated. The polite way is to ask to be seated. Better you reserve a table a day or at least a few hours ahead.
Hat: Wearing a hat is not common in Germany. If you wearing a hat, hang it. Same for the coat. Hanging the coat on the back of your chair, might some issues for the waiter, because he can stamble.
Sharing table: Big No-Go! Germans like to stay private. So you will see a table for four, is only used by a couple. If the restaurant is Rallye crowded, and you seat yourself - a waiter would never ever seat you on a table with unknown people - you may politely ask, if is ok to sit at that table. Never sit down without permission! Extra-Tipp: Look for people of your age. Look for people who are close to finish their meal- the will agree more easily.
Ordering: You don‘t have to rush. Take your time - but not to long. The waiter will bring you the card, and asks if you like anything to drink, while you choose. If you get your drinks, and you have not choose at this point, it‘s on big deal. If you‘re unsure- Just ask the waiter, what he suggests. But, as said, take your time. Some folks like to drink one beer to relax, and order then. Tipp: Folding the card is a sign for the waiter, that you like to order.
King or not: The waiter is never the king. He is just a „servent“, not more, not less. Treat him with respect. But the guest is the king. Except for Cologne: There are some traditionell restaurants, where the waiter is called „Köbes“. Here is the Köbes king. They have a special rude, but somehow friendly, way to treat the customers.
Ice cubes in Drinks: You won‘t get ice cubes in your drinks. If the Drink has to be served cold, you will get it chilled. If not, that not! Except for Drinks Like cocktails where ice is necessary. And never ask for ice for your wine.
Food portions: You eat three course! Your in Germany! Don‘t ask for small portions! If you unsecure you can leave Vorspeise und Nachtisch out. But don‘t ask for small portions. Better ask for a doggy back. Most Restaurants will have small portions (Für den kleinen Hunger) or extra portions for seniors. Go for that instead.
Start eating: In a group the food will be for all at the same time. Except you leave one course out. If the food, for what reason, will be not at the same time, it‘s ok to start eating - the one missing his food will say some Words (Fangt ruhig schon an. Kalt schmeckt es ja nicht), to give you the permission. You can also ask if it is ok to start.
Fork pins up or down. As you said it depends. Sometimes you have to scoup. 😊
I find the idea that in Britain, you will often scoop the food onto the BACK of the fork just sooooo funny. Do you also use caterpillars that have a reverse shovel when digging out grounds for a house etc? I just does not make any sense to me…. Or is all of your food really mushy so you can sculpt it reasonably? I am thinking of loose stuff like peas or basmati rice. It would take hours to finish a plate that way…
Sharing tables is not common in fine dining restaurants, but in beer-gardens, so where you sit outside at long tables and eat traditional food and drink beer. THERE the waiters are kings/queens…so don’t mess with them 😀
If you don’t tip you are very rude, since tip is not included in the bill.
if i am eating alone and the place is full and somebody ask to share the table i share it .i don´t know what i would do if they don´t ask before hand.i have heard about the order rule before but we order just in clockwise direction.the most things she´s saying must be from high class resturants.
No social classes in Germany, but more or les classy/expensive restaurants exist -- and pubs, Lokalw, Grille..