30 things that I found out after I went to Germany
When he set foot on German soil, he was full of anticipation and curiosity. However, in his eyes, Germany has gradually become a country full of cheats. Here are 30 things he found in Germany that surprised and puzzled him.
1.Delivery speed: He found that delivery speed in Germany was quite slow. He used to live in other countries, and takeaways were usually delivered within a short time, but in Germany, he waited almost an hour to receive his food.
2.Online payments: He found that Germans prefer to pay with cash rather than using credit cards or mobile payments, as is the case in other countries. This makes him often need to carry large amounts of cash when shopping.
3.Store opening hours: He realized that store opening hours in Germany were relatively short, especially on weekends. He often found his store doors closed on Sundays, unable to buy the items he needed.
4.Breakfast habits: He was amazed at the breakfast habits of the Germans. The German usually eats bread, yogurt and coffee, which is very different from the hearty breakfast he is used to.
5.Garbage sorting: He was baffled by Germany's garbage sorting system. He had to separate the garbage into different categories, such as plastic, paper, and organic waste, and put them in the corresponding bins.
6.Quiet in public: He found that in public places in Germany, people rarely make loud noises or talk. This is a clear difference compared to the country he came from.
7.Lunchtime: He realized that the Germans took lunchtime very seriously. At lunchtime, shops and offices are usually closed, and people spend longer hours eating and resting.
8.Double-sided doors: He comes across many buildings with double-sided doors, but he always gets the wrong direction on the first attempt and goes to the wrong side.
9.Eating habits: He was surprised by the eating habits in Germany. He found that Germans usually had early dinners and that meat and potatoes were the main foods.
10.Public transport: He appreciates the efficiency and punctuality of Germany's public transport system. However, he also found that during rush hour, the crowding on the buses was uncomfortable.
11.Cashless payments: Although the German prefers to pay with cash, he has also noticed that more and more shops and restaurants are starting to accept cashless payments.
12.Holiday culture: He was amazed at how much the Germans value holidays. During the summer and Christmas seasons, people usually take a break from work and enjoy a long vacation.
13.Environmental awareness: He found that Germans take environmental protection very seriously. People ride bikes, take advantage of them, and work to reduce their impact on the environment.
14.Social rules: He came to learn that there is a specific set of social rules in Germany, such as not talking loudly in public and keeping distance in line.
15.Long holiday customs: He was struck by the German custom of exchanging gifts during the holidays. He realized that in some cases, not giving a gift might be seen as rude.
16.Dietary regulations: He was confused by the dietary regulations in Germany. For example, in some places, they are not allowed to eat on the street and must instead enter a restaurant or café.
17.Non-smoking areas: He noted that there are many non-smoking areas in Germany, including public places, restaurants, and bars. This is a challenge for a smoker.
18.E-invoicing: He found that receiving e-invoices and e-bills was a common practice in Germany, unlike the paper invoices he was used to.
19.German Challenge: He tried to learn German, but found that the grammar and pronunciation of German was a big challenge for him.
20.Slow-paced life: He noticed that Germans lived a relatively slow-paced life. People pay more attention to work-life balance than in other countries.
21.Long-distance driving: He found that Germans were accustomed to driving long distances, and even for short trips, they tended to use cars rather than public transport.
22.Souks: He likes to shop at the souks in Germany. He found an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables and specialty foods.
23.Eco-friendly packaging: He appreciates the Germans' focus on eco-friendly packaging. He found that the packaging of many products was ** or biodegradable.
24.Rental rules: He found that renting a house in Germany has a unique set of rules. Both the terms of the contract and the quitting process need to be carefully followed.
25.High consumption tax: He was surprised to find that the consumption tax in Germany is quite high, which makes shopping more expensive.
26.Surname ordering: He noticed that Germans usually put their surnames before their first names, which was different from the order of names he was used to.
27.Retail receipts: He found that retail receipts in Germany often list all purchases, not just the total price.
28.Strict Parking Rules: He was intimidated by the strict parking rules in Germany. Parking violations may result in fines or towing.
29.Cultural activities: He enjoys participating in cultural events in Germany, such as conferences, art exhibitions and traditional celebrations.
It's a social occasion, and Germans usually show up on time.
Although he experienced many things in Germany, he gradually adapted to the culture and way of life of the country. He began to appreciate the punctuality, environmental friendliness and efficient work attitude of the Germans, while also respecting their traditions and customs. During his time in Germany, he not only experienced new things, but also met many friendly and welcoming people. Germany became a special and unforgettable journey in his life.