Germany: The Good, The Bad & The Awesome!

June 20, 2016 by California Globetrotter 44 Comments

After living in Germany now for almost four years, there are many things that I have learned or even adapted into my expat life. These adaptations make living in Germany much easier as now I look and sound like I belong here rather than just some American tourist.

The Good

• You say ‘Grüß Gott’ as a greeting in Bavaria.
• You say ‘Guten Appetite’ before every meal.
• You ride a bike every day, rain, snow or shine.
• You have an insurance policy for everything: Your health, your house, your car and your friend’s TV.
• You’re obsessed with conserving electricity, water & gas because you want your yearly refund.
• You have a case of beer on hand at all times
• You’re a dish washing pro.
• You maximize the most out of little space.
• You’re OCD about recycling everything properly: plastic, paper, brown glass, green glass, white glass….
• You know the dangers of saying “Happy Birthday” before someone’s birthday.
• You might have a Masters degree. Or two.
• You might carry an extra tote bag in your purse/backpack for shopping purposes and kick yourself when you forget it.
• You have one favorite football (soccer) team and hate all the rest
• You have a shot of schnapps after every big meal.

The Bad

 

• You have been let down by the Deutsche Bahn more times than you can count so you bought a car.
• You get annoyed when there are long lines and only 2 registers are open out of 10.
• German banks annoy you.
• You miss air conditioning.

• You get road rage when someone is driving slow in the fast lane.
• You carry an umbrella with you at all times.
• You hate the German stare and have started asking people, “Can I help you with something?”
• A corner of your house is stuff to the max with bottles waiting to be taken back for your Pfand.
• You hate GEMA for blocking all those awesome videos.
• You know how frustrating it can be to make a Dr’s appointment.
• You begin wearing scarfs 24/7 because everyone constantly says without one you’ll catch the “Zug”.
• You’ve hate when someone honks at you within a second of the light turning green.
• You make dinner reservations even if it’s a casual dinner.
• You go grocery shopping every 2-3 days.
• You despise the loud drunken singing at 4am after soccer games
• You know the dangers of a lunatic driver trying to pass you on a windy country back road.
• You’ll suddenly find that making “small talk” is difficult…
• You hate that the stores close at 8pm and you need something at 8:05pm.
• You avoid the grocery stores before & after public holidays because you know it’s like shopping during the Apocalypse.
• You can only handle so much of German perfectionism

 

The Awesome

• You PROST every chance you get.

• You can cook schnitzel like a pro.
• You love driving fast on the autobahn and hate the slow bits.
• You look forward to the Christmas Market season all year.
• You look forward to your ‘Feierabend’, preferably with a beer, in a beer garden.
• You eat Brotzeit as often as possible
• You wear your Lederhosen or Dirndl to every festival (if you’re in Bavaria)
• You have a trendy grocery/wicker basket.
• You’re day feels incomplete if you haven’t said “Genau” at least 10 times.
• People might think you’re crazy when you have your windows open before it’s warm outside.
• You have a favorite Döner shop & they know you’re name!
• You enjoy the crazy, sporadic thunderstorms.
• You BBQ every sunny day at the nearest park, river, lake.
• You have a particular potato salad you like the best.
• You can navigate the bus/train system like a pro.
• You have walked down the street, in public with a beer in your hand AND not been arrested.
• You love Spargel season.
• You can pour a good head on a beer.
• You know which glass is for which beer.
• Once you go Audi, BMW, Merceces-Benz or VW, you never go back.
• You reserve your lounge chair with a towel at 8am.

 

This post was inspired by My Meena Life.

Have you got more to add to the list? Share your thoughts!

If you’re interested in visiting Germany and are looking for more information, I highly recommend using the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide! Without these guides, I would be lost! This is my travel Bible!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!

Check out other related posts!

Strange German Superstitions to be Taken Seriously

19 Reasons Why You Will Never Be The Same After Living in Germany

Liked this post? PIN IT FOR LATER!!

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save