Germans are friendly and helpful, but some everyday habits surprise visitors. Knowing them helps you feel at home and avoid awkward moments. Here are the ten things we explain to every group.
Ten things to know
- Be on time. Tours, trains and dinner reservations start punctually, and five minutes late already counts.
- Shops close on Sundays. Supermarkets and most shops are closed, but museums, restaurants and stations stay open.
- Watch out for cycle lanes. Red or marked lanes on the pavement belong to bikes, and cyclists will ring their bell.
- Wait for the green man. Even on empty streets, many Germans wait at red lights, especially near children.
- Say hello and goodbye. A short “Guten Tag” when entering a small shop and “Tschüss” when leaving is polite.
- Pay the deposit. Bottles and cans carry a deposit (Pfand) of 8 to 25 cents, refunded at machines in supermarkets.
- Separate your rubbish. Hotels and public places have bins for paper, plastic, glass and other waste.
- Quiet hours matter. After 10 pm and on Sundays, keep noise low in hotels and residential areas.
- Water is not always free. In restaurants you order and pay for bottled water; tap water may be served on request.
- Toasts with eye contact. When you clink glasses, look the other person in the eye and say “Prost”.
Do not worry too much
Visitors are warmly welcomed, and nobody expects you to know every rule. A smile and a “Danke” go a long way, and your guide will always help.
Our guides speak English, German and Vietnamese and help you understand local customs throughout your tour.
