5 Things Americans Love & Hate About Germany
Berlin? Frankfurt? Munich? Cochum? No matter where you go in Germany there will be things you will love as a tourist and things you will not like as a tourist. Here we go through some honest feedback on what to expect on your next vacation to Germany, Deutschland.
Filmed in Bamberg, Germany
Original 2010 video: https://youtu.be/vF_RJLGjSwk?si=dLODsCc1qNCF99zo
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46 Comments
I loved the year I lived in Germany
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard you talk so fast! Great video, looking forward to visiting!
I unexpectedly became fast friends with a German from Stuttgart while backpacking in Oz. Friends for life indeed. 😊
I enjoyed this video (and all of your videos) so much. I am always planning my next trip to Germany and it is always fun to what your perspectives on German culture. I am proud to call you "Freund".
So I was in Frankfurt to see Rush in 2011. The hotel where I was staying had me on the 20th or so floor. I opened the window, changed and took off for the concert. Upon my return from what was a great concert…it's Rush…I'd forgotten about what everyone who knows where this is going. I swear every flying insect decided to share my room! Yes…do NOT forget they do not put screens on the windows! Thankfully, when I called the front desk to ask for a vacuum, they were gracious enough to move me! Totally my fault but the hospitality was beyond expectation.
Growing up with mostly my German-side as well as a very Germanic immigrant city I so appreciate the German culture of directness and orderly lifestyle. It's not that way anymore and I do miss it so. Thank you for showcasing my favorite place in Munich, the G. Schneider & Sohn Weisses Brauhaus! I MISS THAT PLACE!
Im german and this is 100% accurate.
I Heard Germans Invented TEXAS Chicken Fried Steak?
Regarding the "Hallo culture": what you are saying is complete nonsense, you are shoving your own misinterpretation into our heads and pretending that this is our reality. The underlying metacognition is completely different, it is the fundamental difference between your concept of freedom and ours. The principle here is: the freedom of each individual ends where the freedom of others begins! And we may defend this limit of our freedom a little more clearly than others! It is not about rules or even the compulsive adherence to the rules that Americans (like you) like to and often accuse us of, it is fundamentally about the fact that we do not want others to cross the limits of our freedom unless it is necessary! Americans obviously have a completely different concept of freedom and, on top of that, different behaviors to defend freedom – both more defensive and more aggressive! If you stand on private property in Germany, you will not be shot, perhaps – extremely rarely – you will hear a "Hallo"!
Was für ein top Video. Mit super vielen und passenden Informativen u Aussagen. Die Leidenschaft spricht aus jedem seiner eigenen Worte u. Erfahrungen. Ein wahrer Botschafter.. für unser Land.
Well Done.
Grüße aus dem Sauerland Home of 1000 🌲⛰️🌲 North Rhine Westphalia
I’ve traveled to many cities in Germany. It’s one of my favorite countries to visit
I love your videos! I was stationed in Würzburg and Stuttgart 84-91 and I go back as often as I can. I don’t get annoyed by anything in Germany. I get annoyed at Americans when I come back. Especially American drivers. I haven’t been to Germany during Christmas time for the markets in a long time. I’m from Florida so I really don’t like the cold weather. I should go back for the Christmas markets at least one more time. I like being there for spring and autumn. I’ll be back this April. The DB used to always be on time until East and West joined. Maybe one day they will get it together.
As a German I'm always wondering what you mean with the order habits in restaurants… What is the difference to orders in the USA?! I mean… If you are in crowded tourist restaurants then it can take a little longer of course… But I think usually they are nicer and more helpful than in the USA… I'm feeling always rushed in US restaurants 🤭
Never realized Mark was a Frankfurt hater…lol
For years I didn't visit Germany when I went to Europe because I just assumed there was nothing to see…everything had been destroyed in the war. Then my business took me to Berlin and I realized how wrong I was! Castles, Palaces, monuments, fascinating natural sites…Germany has everything a tourist could want, and more. I should add the coffee, the bread and the pastries are the best!
Munich residents are not considered Bavarians at all!😂
The German "HALLOOO" is equivalent to the American "Excuse me?!?!". Both can end in a useless discussion.
I was living in Pirmasens in 1995 with my ex and my 2 year old son. We went to Munchin, Frankfurt, Kaiserslautern, and a few other small towns. The people were very nice except in the country near Pirm. They were a bit racist. That was the only place that occurred and I am excited to visit again ❤
If the tip was for the toilet women I had no problem with it, but unfortunately she wouldn’t be able to keep it
You don't need to order right away. It's quite usual to order drinks first while you decide on the main dish.
As someone from the Frankfurt region, I indeed do take offense about you thinking Frankfurt is not a good place to visit in Germany. Next time you visit, you'll get me personally guiding you to some truly awesome places there.
The "halloooo…" behavior that you criticize didn't exist before the Back to the Future movies. It derives from how the antagonist Biff treats Marty McFly's father George in the 1950s, knocking on his head saying "Hello? Anybody home?" to make him appear stupid and brainless. So this is a recent and not particularly German thing.
Can you do a video while staying outside Frankfurt Hauptbanhof at night?
Mark, have you discovered a new German city or town, "Cochum"? (It's in your video description.) Is that a mixture of Bochum and Cochem? Wonder how that would look…
Hopefully you will forgive us a charactersistics specially in smaller villages in southern bavaria when you entering a beer garden or restaurant that the people are curious to speak with you,want to know from where you are and invite you to sit on the same table.
don,t be afraid or upset because you can have a very nice time and lots of fun.
so be welcome.!
B💋NN love! 😍
Well Mr. Wolter
Since we have our rules and regulations ( I know you know that ) we want them followed because 99 % make perfect sense. For Example Jaywalking.
Little Kids see – little Kids do – Not a good idea leading by horrible example.
And after I did live in the US for 18 years – I do know that they have also rules and regulations that they like followed, even by tourists.
Like in some States – No drinking Out ON streets or parks – even If you are 60 years old – you go to Jail 🙄😂
Are you a DOD Civilian living in Bamberg? You speak perfect german. The Love and Hates are so true… 🌝Sometimes as a German i put that aside 👏👌😉
My babysitter is the new head of the Chicago renaissance hotel maybe they will sell chogokin franky necklaces in the renaissanc gift shop 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
As for the beer…if you go to a “Brauhaus” (that’s often a local brewery with restaurant) one really ought to try the brewery’s beers.
So ist Deutschland. ALLES KLAR.
Bar geld.
An Egyptian young man. I want to work and travel to America. Can you help me travel and work? Thank you
Ik kom met mijn vrouw heel vaak in Duitsland en het klopt wat je allemaal zegt. Hier zijn wat extra tips:
1) spreek vreemden of collega's nooit aan met "du" want dat is onbeleefd. "Du" zeg je tegen je vrienden, familie of kinderen. Tegen vreemden of je collega's gebruik je "sie".
2) Hou er rekening mee dat het Duits een wereldtaal is en is het meest gesproken taal van Europa. Wij zijn op heel veel plekken geweest waar mensen amper tot geen Engels spraken en alles in het Duits stond. Zelfs in het toeristenbureau stonden alle folders en borden in het Duits. Alleen de persoon achter de balie kan dan Engels. In de grote steden wordt meer Engels gesproken en zul je informatie in het Engels vinden (of andere grote talen).
3) Hoewel er genoeg Duitsers zijn die Engels kunnen wordt het erg gewaardeerd als je een paar woorden Duits kan.
let me know when you are in the Frankfurt-area next time. Would be happy to show you the hidden gems of my hometown. They need to be discovered for sure.
In the US it's "Do as you want."
In Germany it's "Do as we tell you"
I've had issues evsrytime with the DB,always something.
Karen in our DNA? HAAAALLLOOOOO??!!?!???
Hey Mark! I just wanted to thank you for doing these videos. My wife and I found your channel many years ago while planning our honeymoon, and now we find ourselves going through the playlist to see where we should spend our anniversary this year. We had a lot of fun joining the live streams during the COVID lockdowns, but I just wanted to let you know that we appreciate what you're doing here and looking forward to your future videos! Cheers!
punctuality is a matter of respect.
All of Germany has a special place in our hearts. We had 11 German exchange students back in the 90's and early 2000's. We have stayed friends with 8 of them thanks to the internet. We have visited Germany 16 times in all these years. You hit the 5 & 5 spot on. Thanks to our "German kids" we have visited North & South, in homes, at holiday times (Easter,Christmas,Summer,Autumn,2 weddings) and can navigate through all those situations that are different from American culture. In fact, last month 2 of them came back to visit our area (Oregon) now 12 years after their exchange time. And next week another one comes back for an extended stay with us so she can visit schoolmates, families, friends she made on her exchange over 20 years ago. Friends for life for sure. Oh and just to add to that, the parents of those exchange kids have become BEST friends with us and we double date vacation together with them in other countries. Only one thing to mention about the menus. We have found (completely by accident) that some restaurants have different prices on the English menus compared to the German menus. Make sure to ask for both. Favorite area – Schwartzwald, it looks like Oregon (home) to us. Favorite food – Brat Kartoffelen (me) All Wrust (hubby). Favorite tourist castle Linderhof, Favorite event Kaltenberg Ritterturnier (renaissance faire at a real castle).
Hello! I'm hoping to take my dad to Germany in the summer of 2025. I'm looking for a small Black Forest town/village to village that is accessible by train. Do you have a suggestion? I'm thinking about adding it on to a night or two in Freiburg. Thanks!!!
Completely off-topic, but do you have any recommendations on where to stay near the Frankfurt airport to make it easy to catch an early flight out of Frankfurt the next morning?
The negative tone 'hello' isn't specifically pointed at strangers. It's indicated at any person who is apparently doing something wrong. Mostly connected to not following traffic rules (crossing the street at a red light, throwing away trash out of the car window) ecetera.
Germany is the only place I’ve been to where if you show up 5 min before check in time at your hotel they won’t let you in untill the exact time… also Germany was adamantly cash only. Even England had tap and pay bathrooms.
I really like German leaders from the past.
Have you ever been to the Ore Mountains, especially Seiffen, at Christmas Time? It's magical. I've been there once and want to go back there.