I have read a few stories on reddit about how workers in retail are treated by customers, and I much prefer the German way of dealing. I had a student job in a supermarket during the summer holidays, and my boss was really great. He threw a customer out of the shop because she couldn't behave. His motto was: "If you're an asshole, I'll give up your money and throw you out, there are plenty of other nice customers with money".

@pallao3500

Жыл бұрын

Not only that, but other costumers are annoyed by those kind of people themselfes. So you are doing the majority of your customers a favour by kicking out the few ones that believe they are allowed to do just everything they want.

@stephanweinberger

Жыл бұрын

Exactly. The phrase "the customer is king" also has a second part: "... so he/she should behave like one".

@Danisachan

Жыл бұрын

Yep. That saying should only apply to the nice customers. Assholes don't deserve any groveling.

I am German and now 58 years old. I've only been the victim of a pickpocket twice in my life. And only once within Germany (the other time was in Spain). And in that case, the pickpocket was so nice (and professional) that he left my wallet with the papers on me and just stole the bills from the purse. skillful person

@haggihug3162

Жыл бұрын

Shurely it depends on what you do with your wallet. Especially youg people tend to carry their phones in the backpockets of their jeans. This is like an inventation for pickpocketing. And men often carry their wallets in ther backpockets. Dont do this. Put your things on a sensible place and you will be fine.

@MartinAmbrosiusHackl

11 ай бұрын

@@haggihug3162 Well, I'm 52 and always carry my wallet in the backpocket. It has never been stolen. Yet, I lost it several times, when I took it out, and forgot it in a bus. For sure, the risk to loose it for me is MUCH higher, when I NOT put it in my backpocket, where I can feel it. (If I do not feel it, I tend to put it somewehre and forget about it...)

I once lost my wallet with my passport, drivers license, bank card (debit card) and 1000€ cash in it. It was found and the guy drove to my house to give it back to me with everything inside. He didn't even wanted his finders reward 😊 He said he also would be happy to get his stuff back when he lose it. We drank a beer then 😅

@creepy3ric

Жыл бұрын

I once did the same with a wallet I found on the pavement in Berlin :) ... my thoughts were: I would be pissed if I lost that, so I searched inside for any hints of an address and brought it back (was close to the location where I found it).

Regarding cash payment: This situation has dramatically improved during the pandemic. Most places, even bakeries, will have card readers theses days. I think carrying more than 20 to 50 € on your person should not be necessary. Pick pocketing is as common as anywhere: In touristy places, be reasonably cautious. Otherwise, Germany is a really safe country. I don't recommend bringing a lot of euros with you. Use an ATM from a bank in Germany to get cash (NOT those generic Euronet ones you find in tourist areas, though!). Exchange rates are much better. If asked whether the machine should convert currencies, decline: You always want your bank to do the conversion! Ask your own bank if they have a partner institute in Germany where you can save on fees.

@vonpfrentsch

Жыл бұрын

This is the best comment so far regarding money/money change and ATM. Especially the important last paragraph.

@leDespicable

Жыл бұрын

The catch is that many of these places only accept Girocards, which tourists do not have as it is an exclusively German debit card system. So, at least as a tourist, you should definitely expect to use cash more often than many Germans.

@dirkschwartz1689

Жыл бұрын

@@leDespicable I disagree. This used to be the case, yes, but today most card readers accept all kinds of debit and credit cards as well. I even had the odd experience the other day that a taxi driver's card reader would not accept my bank giro card but accepted a prepaid mastercard without issue. Although I admit that it might vary regionally.

@vonpfrentsch

Жыл бұрын

@@leDespicable News as of yesterday or the day before: Girocards are disappearing/won´t be issued/accepted as of July 2023.

@haggihug3162

Жыл бұрын

@@leDespicable Veto. If there is a usual card-cash system I could use my Girocard as well as my Creditcard. A few month agao my new Griocard got lost in the snail-post and I had to wait until I got a new one, while my acutal card was expired already. I could use my creditcard without problems. But I am not shure if this works with every creditcard, as I have a bankaccount at the Sparkasse and they only deal with Mastercard and Visa.

One reason why Germans often plan weekend (Saturday and Sunday) leisure activities days in advance is because many Germans do not work on weekends and work a lot during the week. So Germans then plan to do something together with others and then look forward to the weekend all week.

There are some people who rely on collecting deposits on the street because they have very little money. So if you put the bottle in front of the rubbish bin or on the top of the rubbish bin, the more socially oriented and enlightened people in Germany will perceive it as very friendly and nice. Especially if you don't need the money yourself, this is a nice way to donate money. /// About the spontaneity - it's mainly older people (with children) who are fully booked. Younger people value spontaneity very much - also in Germany

@janettesinclair6279

Жыл бұрын

I saw an elderly German man collecting plastic bottles on a train and thought he was just collecting the trash, but now I realise that he was supplementing his income by taking these bottles back to get the refund.

Don’t worry much a out pickpocketing, still be cautious but nothing to worry about that much.

@ganymedes62

Жыл бұрын

Not so sure about that as definitely during the summer in big cities it can be a 'problem'. I.e., don't carry your wallet in the back pocket of your pants, as that's just an invitation to get robbed.

@jochendamm

Жыл бұрын

It is not that big of an issue but be aware of it. I recommend you to have 30 to 50 euros per day with you. Just for meals and beverages and as reserve fund. It might be that you don't need to use it a single day and lasts the whole trip as you can use cards or smartphone. Larger sums divided in several places just in case. Several business people carry 500 to 5,000 euros with them on a daily basis without worrying about pickpocketing. Since the pandemic credit and debit cards are more common. Common are Visa and Mastercard, other systems like American Express are rarely supported in comparison. A lot of supermarkets, bakeries and restaurants support them, especially chains. But there is still a lot to improve.

@marcel.s7493

Жыл бұрын

Get a chest pocket 😂 perfect 😅

@thorstenbrandenburg4338

Жыл бұрын

Depends on the region and city. And situation. Especially in big crowds, consider it.

@mJrA83

Жыл бұрын

I guess in big cities like berlin or munich it can be a problem with pickpocketing in large crowds, you most certainly wont get mugged like you would get in american cities thought. I am 40y old now and never was a victim to pickpocketing or mugging. So Not very common, but i think tourists are more targets than normal citizens

One thing to be aware of is the infamous "german stare". Visitors from other countries often report that Germans rudely stare at them all the time. Some times this may actually be the case, but most times it isn't. It's just a cultural difference - Germans tend to hold eye contact with strangers for a few seconds longer, but that's enough to make it look like they are staring rudely or even in a threatening way. On the other hand, Germans often perceive "shorter" eye contact as being evasive or dishonest. It's not a bad thing, just be aware of it.

@aspiringm

Жыл бұрын

The stare could also be an expression of „hopefully you know you should have dumped your trash into the trash can 2 feet away from you instead of just dumping it on the street. Pick it up.“ instead of telling you that verbally. If you ignore it you might get a hiss afterwards or someone might speak loudly that „some people apparently have no manners“ (something indirect usually.

@anabela5536

Жыл бұрын

A disapproving head shake together with the staring is a big sign that they stare at you in a not friendly way

@patocarlos1631

Жыл бұрын

Then, don't go to Spain to endure their 'normal/casual' staring 😂😂

@antares9375

Жыл бұрын

Often they don't stare, even when it looks that way 😂 a German lost in his thoughts, or German daydreaming, or a German thinking about a Problem looks all exactly the same way 😂 we call that "Löcher in die Luft gucken" wich means literally "to stare holes into the air" but really means "you look like you're staring at someone/something but actually your brain is afk" 😂

@johaquila

Жыл бұрын

I am not so sure that even is a thing. I think a lot of people feel they are being stared at when they are abroad simply because abroad they look unusual and at home they don't. Add to this the fact that many Americans rarely travel and that in American society looking at someone may be dangerous, and you get a recipe for Americans complaining that German / Russian / Chinese / ... people are staring at them even if it's not really a national characteristic.

Of course we germans are spontanous: Every second monday of the month from 6:15 pm to 6:50 pm, every last friday from 7pm to 8:05 pm... 😂

Austrian here: Regarding service: in Germany, like many European countries, your table becomes an extension of your personal space once seated. Thus, unless there is a good reason no one will enter it. That would be considered very rude and intrusive. Of course, this also extends to the waiters - unless you signal a clear intention to talk to them, they will ignore you.

@MrTuxracer

Жыл бұрын

I consider it very rude, if there are places left at a table, you ask if you may sit there and the person says no, although he is not expecting someone.

@Ahui87

Жыл бұрын

@@MrTuxracer To be honest, as an introvert I struggle in these situations but share my table. In general I agree with you.

@colorfulsomething5008

Жыл бұрын

@@MrTuxracer Hm... When would you ever be in this situation? I mean most restaurants/cafes are just designed the "normal" way: Tables for one family, some with just two seats, etc. My only experience like this was when I went to Bavaria and there were big tables in normal restaurants, for multiple strangers to sit next to each other, that was a culture shock in my own country

@MrTuxracer

Жыл бұрын

@@colorfulsomething5008 Single Person sitting at a table for four for example. This happens rarely in the evening but it could happen at lunch time or in a fast food restaurant.

@colorfulsomething5008

Жыл бұрын

@@MrTuxracer Oh okay! Now I know what you mean. I guess it depends on whether the restaurant is full and you have to sit next to someome, or if you're just without reason annoying a person who wanted to be alone.

As someone who worked in retail, don´t be sursprised like they said in the video when waiters and chasiers are "rude". I like our mentality a lot more that we´re not reliant on tips and extra money and are allowed to not serve or throw out rude customers. Best part of any job i worked in when i could just tell someone to f*** off if they couldn´t treat me like a human with some kind of dignity and manners xD

@Diana-zn2sl

Жыл бұрын

Ну, иметь возможность отказывать в обслуживании грубым клиентам, и позволять себе грубить клиентам без причины, если ты сам официант или продавец - немного разные вещи.

Some bicycle lanes are colored red so they are more noticable. In the younger generation being more spontanious has become much more accessible. To prevent people from digging through the garbage, just put the bottle next to the bin. There are people on the streets who actually make money from collecting Pfand. Pickpocketing will happen, but to prevent that Germans often have their purses in very difficult to reach places.

@reginaa.t.6827

Жыл бұрын

Never use your backpocket of your jeans

@LexusLFA554

Жыл бұрын

@@reginaa.t.6827 I find that very uncomfortable, so agreed.

@DalaiDrama-hp6oj

Жыл бұрын

​@@reginaa.t.6827 I always do, but I don't film vlogs in English 😊

@E85stattElektro

Жыл бұрын

@@DalaiDrama-hp6oj Yes, speaking English and looking like an American makes you a target for pickpocketers

The level of spontaneity depends a lot on someone's life situation, their job, but also a lot on individual character traits. Some people plan nothing and do everything spontaneous, some plan everything and would never do something that isn't planned in advance. Both exist here in Germany, too. Maybe in different proportions.

@aphextwin5712

Жыл бұрын

I know people when I ask them in June to do something on a weekend this summer, they might say they’ve already planned activities for every weekend over next couple of months.

American Karen in France: The customer is always king! French shop owner: This is France, madame, we decapitate kings.

@winterlinde5395

Жыл бұрын

German shop owner: ok, but we are a democracy

@MrSinclairn

Жыл бұрын

LOL ! UK shop owner: ok,we did it,before France,then 'invited' them back,doesn't it make us 50/50 even ! 😅

@maxmuster7003

Жыл бұрын

Karen: I want to speak with your manager NOW. Ok no problem. Manager speak service 5 min 500 $, i need your credit card please.

Yes, we germans are VERY spontaneous... after proper consideration and planning And the thing about service culture: I was at the bakery in Berlin and the door opened and someone asked "Do you have bread?". The saleslady, without batting an eyelid or even looking up, said "Nah, we only have car spare parts" and continued to serve me.

@jasminsafari1915

Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂😂👍👍👍👍👍

To the payment with cards: I´m working volunterly in a youth & Culture centrum and years ago we planed to offer payment with cards. The monthly costs of the payment software are incredibale high so we decided not to accept cards.

Elevators: Being in a multi story building, at the elevator the buttons are different, the numbers always represent the number above ground , wich is "E" for "Erd- or earth-story" and be aware of the officially used 24 hour time stamp . We say 3 o clock, when we are in daylight, so it is clear ,that it will be in the afternoon, but when speaking of the time officially on any timetable, especially in the future, it is 15h. or 20h for 8 in the evening, midnight can be 24 same day or zero, which the is next day and date. Never fix a date for a meet up or so at 8,9.10 or 11, That could be morning or evening!! Getting used to the metric, it is useful to get an instant imagination : A meter is just a large step on the ground , and two of them would be a tall person of 6 feet 5 or something , and a Kilometer is then 1000 big steps or about 20 minutes to go, just to incorporate this measurements without having to use maths very time. If you use Google maps on your smartphone, i don't know if you have to convert here to metrics automatically or does it stay like in the US? Maybe that's a task for the boring hours on the plane..

I'm Swiss and all of these are important here too. About the spontaneous plans, it's more the "showing up at your home unannounced", it's true, I am not planning on it and it would annoy me extremely. I need to clean my apartment before inviting someone :D but doing something spontaneous outside when I'm already out, absolutely yes. Bring it! It's basically the principle of it.

About paying more with cash... it's also a bit of a 'safety feature' in Germans. Most Germans try to save money (for bad times) as much as possible. So if you have the money you designated for your groceries and free time in cash in your wallet, chances are pretty good that you won't go over your limit. That leads to less credit taking, which means you don't have to pay off any debts. (Or your credit card bill) Edit: by the way.... if you need anything from a waiter in a restaurant or you want to pay: Catch their eye and raise your hand lightly. Otherwise they will leave you pretty much alone.

@Alexandra-dh9kl

Жыл бұрын

I think more older people pay cash. I myself pay just by EC or with my mobilecard, I hate to pay with cash.

@Alexandra-dh9kl

Жыл бұрын

@@ichbinbluna3504 Das weiß ich, ich wollte nur klarstellen, dass nicht alle Deutschen nur bar zahlen.

@juttaweise

Жыл бұрын

@@Alexandra-dh9kl darüber solltest du aber nochmal gut nachdenken. Ein einziger Punkt hier an dieser Stelle als Beispiel: bei einem Blackout von 1-2 Tagen geht es denen am Besten, die noch Bargeld haben. Das Buch "Blackout" ist ein guter Indikator für noch andere Dinge! We will not be able to stop the elimination of cash, but the later it comes the better. It will be a serious tool not only for banks, but a lot of other institutions to control our lifes. Banks are on that way already as you will not find many automats where you can deposit cash. They are being dismantled everywhere. They want to make a law where you can deposit cash limited to 1000€ and that is just the beginning. I pay cash whereever I can. Where i can't I'll leave!

@natsukiilluna6324

Жыл бұрын

Personally I often pay per EC (except for small stalls and markets of course), but safe my money in cash at home so I won't touch it.😂😂😂 (like for TÜV next month).

@Alexandra-dh9kl

Жыл бұрын

@@natsukiilluna6324 😅I never have more then 5 Euro cash in my purse. I also pay one bun with EC card😉

All the points in the video are correct but you should know that if a German sees you are from another country they will be friendly with you. I want to say :"Welcome to Germany". I am looking forward of what you will tell us when you are here. 🙂👍

@johaquila

Жыл бұрын

When I am cycling to work in a hurry and yet another bunch of American tourists is mindlessly blocking a cycling lane painted red in central Berlin, when the pedestrian lane is completely empty, I am not going to be friendly with them but be demonstratively rude so they learn not to do that again. I am probably not going to be bothered by the same people anyway, but I am doing it as a service to my fellow cyclists and expect the same from them.

@divebomb99

11 ай бұрын

@@johaquila As an American planning his first trip, I would want to you yell at me. 🙂

@johaquila

11 ай бұрын

@@divebomb99 Sounds like you won't need it. 😁 Actually, it doesn't usually take the form of yelling. It normally starts with ringing the bell from far away, ringing it again and again when there is no reaction, and finally while somehow getting around the obstacle a medium volume "hullo-o!" that is somewhere between passive-aggressive and reproachful. (The meaning of this is: You are clearly dreaming while in traffic. Please wake up.) The amazing thing is that even though all it takes to prevent the last step is for the obstacle to realize what's going on, even if they are too confused clear the way -- this practically never happens. They are always absorbed into something, and the idea that anything that happens around them might be related to them never enters their mind before you are right next to them.

@divebomb99

11 ай бұрын

@@johaquila Understood! Everything in this video makes 100% sense to me and is already part of my own American personality, especially the part about being punctual. While it's a basic human trait for some people, I often wonder if the German blood I have from some of my ancestors (who emigrated to the U.S. in the 1800s) is what makes me wired the way I am. 🙂

@johaquila

11 ай бұрын

@@divebomb99 I would guess if it's anything but accident then it's not the genes as much as it is cultural transmission. I have long noticed that there is a large minority of Americans who would fit right into Germany society with no effort other than learning the language. In the case of Mennonites for example it's obvious why; it's simply a group of Germans transplanted to the US and mostly doing their own German thing there. It's probably a more general phenomenon in states like Pennsylvania that had massive German immigration; and just like people become German by moving to Germany, the same is likely to happen in traditionally German-dominated regions in the US. But individual variability is always greater than the difference between the averages of different societies. Personally I am more Mediterranean than German in many ways such as failure to be punctual. (I definitely didn't get that from my parents.)

There is also a monetary reason, why too many merchants worldwide dislike credit-card-payments: the fees each merchant has to pay to the card-companies are considered racketeering. While big corporations are able to negotiate somewhat reasonable schemes, small merchants pay e.g. 5%. It was not a long time, when EU imposed some regulation regarding these fees.

@normora5857

Жыл бұрын

I work at a small gas station/car repair shop where we do not accept credit cards because of the high fees, but we do accept (the old) girocard (EC-card). The newly issued bank cards don't work either, IDK how this will be solved, as the other card is going to disappear. I myself pay almost everywhere with my bank card.

Hi Joel, the credit card thing has changed quite a bit during the pandemic. At least where I live (south west Germany) only very small businesses or e.g. on farmer markets you have to pay with cash. But you never know ;-) For the pickpocketing, that is not a real problem in Germany mostly only if you attend to big gatherings or crowded areas like Oktoberfest or such maybe. Regards and have fun when visiting Stefan

@Frohds14

Жыл бұрын

Nein, hat es nicht. Du verwechselst Debitcard mit Kreditkarte. Mit Maestro oder EC zu zahlen, ist nicht dasselbe.

@aspiringm

Жыл бұрын

Yes, debits cards or phone options payments have become more common in places that only accepted cash before the pandemic (due to avoiding germ spreading by handing over cash), but good luck paying a bread roll for 2.99€ with a credit card…

@hanswurst274

Жыл бұрын

@@Frohds14 Hi, first I would like to stick to English. Second, it's a little bit insulting, that you know better than me that my Visa (credit) card is a Maestro/EC? I'm paying with my Visa at the grocery, bakery, gas station, restaurant, what so ever. Anyway might be different where you live...

@hitsuga1230

Жыл бұрын

@@Frohds14 well…where Are you From? Sounds like a rural area in Baveria. I´m paying Nearly everything with my DKB Master Card. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Hi, there, just a tip: dont bring your own money. It will be cheaper to draw at an german atm. Most german banks like Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank or Postbank are partners of the global atm alliance and do not charge high fees. Never use an atm at malls or supermarkets. They are private an dragging the heck out of your card. Its better to take out the whole you need at once. You do not need to worry about pickpocking if you are not close to a train station where it happens most. I hope you have a wonderful time here. And damn try a Döner!

I know that during the summer months, when there are a lot of tourists around, there will also be plenty of pickpockets. Just using common sense will prevent you from falling victim to them, though. I.e., keep your cell phone and your wallet on you. Put any bags or things you have with you within your line of sight instead of just slinging them on the back of your chair. Never wear a fanny pack on your back, but always in front of you. Only take as much cash as you expect to spend and leave the rest in the safe in your hotel room. It's really not rocket science 😄

You don't have to tip. All taxes are already included in the prices in Germany. For example, a coffee with cake costs €6.80 and you give €10, you get back exactly €3.20 in change. Of course, if you want to tip because you were happy with the service, you can say "stimmt so". The waiter will be happy about it. Have Fun in Germany!

@johaquila

Жыл бұрын

Let's also be clear about this: In restaurants where you get served at the table and some other situations, it is pretty rude not to tip at all if you can afford it and there was nothing wrong with the service. The staff should generally get a living wage, but tips are a welcome and expected bonus. These tips are generally less than in the US, but more than in France. In France, tipping typically means something like rounding up to the next Euro. In Germany it's more like adding 5 to 10 % in such a way as to reach a round sum. Employees who get a personal tip don't have to pay tax on that. Tips for the business owner or non-personal tips for employees must be taxed. (Whether they actually are is a different question.)

@Axion2020

Жыл бұрын

@@johaquila I can only speak for myself and I'm from Germany. I always tip and always based on feeling. I don't even start counting what percentage of anything I give extra. Whether I give anything and how much is at my discretion. Joel should just know that it's not necessary to give more than what's on the bill, but of course it's more decent and polite to do it anyway if everything was ok.

@johaquila

Жыл бұрын

@@Axion2020 I'm German as well. I merely wanted to make it clear that tipping, though not required in Germany, is still normal, and more so than in some other European countries. Knowing that prevents cringey situations such as one American trying to tip and another stopping them and lecturing them that one must not tip in Germany -- in front of a waiter or waitress.

@futurefox128

Жыл бұрын

Tipping should be around 10%, rounded to some integer. The unwritten thumb of rule is: Often times richer/older folks tip more than that, while poorer/younger people/students tip much less on average. Waiters usually are understanding and well aware that people have different socio-economic statuses.

@Axion2020

Жыл бұрын

@@johaquilaich wollte nur klar stellen, dass das kein muss ist. Ich hab es schon erlebt das Amerikaner in dieser Situation nervös wurden und nicht ganz durchblickten, da sie es so nicht kennen. Es war nur ein gut gemeinter Rat.

Yes, you can just put your bottles next to the trash can or on the edge of it in Germany. Especially in the inner cities, there are always bottle collectors on the road and the bottle doesn't stay there for long. In some cities there are even extra bottle holders on the bins. If the police or the public order office is standing next to it, you might not want to do it, but the general public will find it OK.

Great you’re coming over! I hope you’ll have a fabulous time! Please let us know if the reality matches the impressions you got from all the videos. A very big welcome for you!

Traveling advice... You have to visit Dresden. Its a beautiful city with a famous baroque city centre. You can do really nice things and visit tons of museums etc. Nearby are nice wine cities like Radebeul woth nice view over Radebeul and Dresden. Than you have the old medieval town of Meißen. Famous for porcelain and a nice castle. The highlight beside Dresden is the near by Sächsische Schweiz. Its one of the most beautiful national parks in Germany with nice rock formations and magical hiking tours or climbing. Near Dresden are many beautiful castles too either they are many castles in Dresden themselve. It's a must visit if you are in Germany!

@DavidPaulMorgan

Жыл бұрын

Dresden is a really good place to visit. Historical, East & West and you can drive a Trabi on the Trabi Safari!

Taking a bag (plastic or paper, mostly paper nowadays) in a grocery store has an additional cost (10ct to 1€, depending on the bag). Bring your own kind of container to avoid that, if you want to :D Most people actually combine bringing back their deposits (bottles and cans) and then use the same bag to do the actual shopping

Spontaneity: yeah, it kinda is a German trait that we usually don't do stuff spontaneously. Flip side: ask someone what they've got planned in three weeks and they might tell you about their plans to go to an awesome concert or exhibition or sporting event you might have missed otherwise. But I am not the typical German; I can drop almost anything and do something spontaneous. We went to the Stadtpark, the Hamburg Citypark, with it's integrated concert stage, to listen to Deep Purple last summer. Mind you, just from outside the hedge blocking you from the relatively small concert area. A guy approached us with two legitimate tickets for standard sale price, so I bought the two tickets right there for me and a friend. Awesome concert, spur of the moment decision. Edit: pro tip: check with your credit card company way before you leave if they have an automatic cut-off limit or foreign block should you travel to any other country. Some credit card providers advertise this as a safety measure (which it MAY be), but it can also be a terrible shock if you want to withdraw money from an ATM or pay in a store and your card gets rejected because of this safety feature. Also check the expire date on your cards as well as your passport and driver's license. Nothing busts a vacation if you suddenly find yourself cut off from either money, or the ability to rent a car, or legally drive it. All of those things happened to me once throughout my life; not something I care to repeat.😂

@reginaa.t.6827

Жыл бұрын

It happened to me to in Poland

Living here in Germany, i don't use cash at all for the most time. Supermarkets always offer contactless / card payment and many restaurants and backerys have updated, too. Mostly, only small backerys, flea markets still demand cash.

Don't stress yourself out about cash payments. The video you were reacting to was from 2020, we have since all being forced to re-consider thanks to the pandemic and most places will accept cards. HOWEVER, some may only accept what is called an EC card which is a very German card. It is basically a cash card linked to your bank account. You will see signs at the door whether an establishment accepts cards and which ones they do. Taxi's are another matter, so to be safe, ask before taking a ride. For public transport you will have to buy a ticket before starting your journey in most places. In some cities you can buy it on the train/tram/bus. All machines have a button to switch to English and they all take cards. If you have a VISA or Mastercard, you will be fine. Enjoy Germany, it's a great place!!

The deposit on plastic bottles is returned as a voucher or coupon for your next purchase at that store. That’s why people collect them at home and bring them in bulk. Not all plastic bottles have a deposit though. There is a symbol that shows if a bottle has a deposit or not.

About superstition: There is one thing I remember clearly because I really didn't that expect from my mom - she had a scissor underneath her driver's seat (in our family car) "to be able to cut corners without accident" (German: Kurven schneiden ohne Unfall). Sometimes things are really strange...

@DalaiDrama-hp6oj

Жыл бұрын

I like that, makes people laugh 😂

It's pretty rare these days that it's not possible to pay with a card, but it does occasionally happen (small family run cafés etc.), or sometimes there's a minimal amount for card payments. Also, occasionally, payment systems fail and then it's best to be prepared. But you'll get quite far with just cards these days. The thing about service culture is absolutely true, but a lot of establishments are catching on that customers are happier when they receive good service. I think the difference has much to do with the fact that service staff is paid the general minimum wage and they're not dependent on tips as much, so they're not as "motivated" to be nice. I hate that though. I think it's just common courtesy to be nice to customers AND service staff mutually. Makes life a lot easier.

I always carry at least a 150€ with me to cover all eventualities. And never ever in my life I've got stolen even a single cent from me. It's not a real problem at all as far as I'm concerned, it's probably more realistic to lose it yourself. Of course you still should be cautious and avoid being to obvious in crowed places like having a chain on your Portemonnaie. It's like a big red pointer to where your money's at. @10:30 it's exactly like that in pretty much any restaurant you can find in germany, also tipping is a thing here too. The difference is, it's not mandatory here, no unwritten rules about it. So it really comes down to good service = generous tipping, like it was intended to be.

Since C. You can pay alot with card in Most Supermarkts and drugstores, Restaurants it depends. So yes you need some cash but not to much. I would start with 200€ i think should be enough.

Check with your local bank whether they have any connection / agreement with a bank in Germany. This might save you some charges when you use cash machines

As far as I know, many smaller shops or restaurants in Germany, that don't have an electronic payment system, don't get them because it costs them quite a bit which can be unreasonable if they want to keep prices low but don't have many customers. So from what I read a card reader can cost up to a couple of hundred euros once and have ongoing costs of a few percent (I found 3%) of the revenue. Also there may be additional bureaucratic effort needed. I didn't research this long, so don't quote me on this, but those are the most common reasons I heard from the vendor side.

You don't always get 25cents. The bottle has to have a special logo on the back. Otherwise, the machine will just reject the bottle, and you're left to find another way to dispose of it.

@DalaiDrama-hp6oj

Жыл бұрын

Mehrweg plastic bottles (like the one in the video I think) are different: 15ct afaik and different or no logo

@DalaiDrama-hp6oj

Жыл бұрын

@@ichbinbluna3504 Yes there are, google it! All the ones (plastic and glass) you can buy in a "Kasten" /beverage crate (except most beer). They all get cleaned and reused, not schredded - much better, Günter Jauch should know that too (advertizing the wrong ones imho)! -> Mineral water, Limo, even BLUNA 😂 -> Milk and cream in bottles and yoghurt glasses also

9:20 Pickpocketing does occur. Especially in crowded areas of large cities. Around train stations in major cities for instance. You can mitigate the risk, however, by keeping your valuables in pockets on the inside of your jacket for example. And of course by paying extra attention in crowds, or if someone bumps into you.

You can also return empty bottles at Kiosks (convenience stores) and has stations. So if you are near those you can return them there, too

Tipping: in Germany the prices for food and drinks are calculated including the tip for the salary of the waitress/ waiter. Most times people give a (small) tip though for appreciation. As far as I know tipping in the U.S. is not included and the waitress/ waiter has to rely on it to top up the salary.

On bottles with deposit, there is a little symbol with a green bottle and an arrow, so this way you will be able to recognize if a bottle has a "Pfand" (deposit) or not. Beer or soft drink cans have a deposit too btw.

@DalaiDrama-hp6oj

Жыл бұрын

Funny how he said 25ct with that plastic bottle but it was a "Mehrweg" one that is 15ct. Only the "Einweg"-ones and cans with 25ct have that sign I think

Being spontaneous is definitely a thing, but DO NOT just randomly show up at someone's door and expect them to want to do stuff with you - they are likely to already have other plans, or just be upset that you didn't ask first. Even if you're good and close friends. It's easy these days to just text ahead - as long as you don't take a no to be a slight against yourself.

~ 5:40 Placing bottles next to a trash bin is btw. illegal ("illegal dumping") in Germany. Many people continue to do this, that others who could need the money do not need to search the bin. But it is a very bad idea to tell foreigners to do it and you can even get a fine for it if someone sees you doing it. Furthermore the bottle could roll away by e.g. the wind and could cause problems elsewhere. Illegal dumping includes every (unofficial) placement of an object that is not intended for the respective object.

@DalaiDrama-hp6oj

Жыл бұрын

I always take it with me, but how I would probably do it: - On a windy day right next to a road or bikeway? Bad Idea. - In a park full of people where you can be sure that there are collectors and much more bottles around? Yes! - Cops or "Ordnungsamt" around next to that bin in park? Maybe ask them quickly by gesture if it feels right or wait/other bin... (the park bins are often too small anyway, better bottles outside of the bin than later plastic bags and sausages)

Pick-pocketing in Germany CAN be some problem, depends on where you are. I got pick-pocketed only once in my whole life, and it was late at night, in Berlin, on crowded Kotbusser Tor place, and i was super drunk and didn't care where i put my purse (in my butt-pocket of my pants)... but if you are a bit carefull, you should be safe basically.

In most supermarkets u can pay with ur credit card but theres smaller shops and restaurants they don’t have the credit card scan. By the way not every plastic bottle gives 25 cents, watch out for the deposit sign on the bottle

If you are always early, then you are already a German by heart. 😅 The typical German arrives 10 minutes early and waits infront of the door until it's the right time. At least that's what I do most of the time.

@pinkhope84

Жыл бұрын

Yes allways because i worry i‘ll be late 😅

@HalfEye79

Жыл бұрын

In school, sometimes I was so early, that I thought, I hadn't gotten something and that wouldn't happen.

Cash really is king in Germany. I am Dutch, and I always forget to bring cash when I go somewhere. Here in The Netherlands, since this year there are just as many places where you can only pay cash, as there are places where you can only pay by card: 6%. That means that in 94% of all places where you can pay for something, cards are accepted. If I go to Germany, it sometimes seems to be the other way around. And then there is the famous saying if they do accept cards: "Nur EC" meaning "Only EC". EC is the German-only card payment system... So no creditcards or foreign debit cards.

Joel, but put the empty bottle next to a trash can. Leaving it somewhere is considered pollution and you can be fined for it. There is a saying in Germany: "The customer is king, but the waiter is emperor". That really says it all about the service culture. But there is another saying: "As it calls into the forest, so it echoes back". So if you are nice, you will also get nice salespeople and waiters. Always see the people and not just one person who has to serve you, then you won't have a bad experience. Pickpockets also exist in Germany. Watch your belongings when you are in crowds - especially at train stations, festivals and pedestrian zones. Be vigilant when the strangers speak up. They distract you if a second person were stealing the money. The same safety rules apply as worldwide. Germans don't make small talk, they see it as a waste of time. A hello is usually enough. If they like you, they'll be curious and start a conversation. Just give a German some time. If they are direct and criticize, then it is not necessarily meant in a bad way. Germans are usually honest. They don't usually spread sugar in conversations. Keep in mind that on Sundays and public holidays shops are not open, or only for a short time. It's not as strict as Shabbat in Israel, but if you don't take precautions on Saturday, it can get uncomfortable. In Germany you tip about 10-15% if the service was good. In shops, the final price (i.e. with taxes) is always signposted, unlike in the USA. When it comes to friendliness, Berliners are very special. There is the "Berliner Schnauze", which means that they can be very unfriendly. They think that's OK. The rest of Germany sees it differently. I come from the Ruhr area. We're also direct and frank, but we're always respectful when we're treated with respect.

1:30 I saw that bicycle lane a mile off - I did the same mistake in Munich in 1984. I think the problem was that the cycle lane was at the same level as the pavement/sidewalk, whereas I was expecting it to be part of the road.

You have to visit Vienna in Austria aswell when you’re travelling to Germany and are near! One of the most beautiful cities and totally different people than in Germany, even though we are neighbours. Greetings from Vienna! 😊

its really great to hear that you're finally coming to our lovely country

@holgerlinke98

Жыл бұрын

now we need someone to prevent him from eating bavarian food in Berlin.

@dan_g-DreadMassaker

Жыл бұрын

@@holgerlinke98 :P yeah maybe try the "regional" stuff were it originally comes from.

@holgerlinke98

Жыл бұрын

@@dan_g-DreadMassaker exactly, to figure out what is regional and actually great seems to be pretty hard on the english internet tho.

In bigger citys thiefes are a problem. When I'm in Berlin, Hamburg, etc., I carry a small wallet with not so much money in it and the most important cards. In Berlin, I have had my money and mobile phone stolen 2 times in 5 stops at the train station. Just be a little bit attentive and don't let strangers come too close.

6:15 deposits also apply to cans. Be aware: not all plastic bottles are part of the system. You'll find logos on the labels to tell you what kind of bottle it is.

The cash issue kind of changed during the pandemic, even small bakeries now often take cards and not cash only. Most of the time Apple pay and google pay also work (though the place has to accept credit cards for it to work, often smaller places only take local bank cards) it is still advisable to carry some cash though the situation somewhat improved

You can typically withdraw money from an ATM in Germany with an American credit or debit card. Most ATMs accept international credit and debit cards issued by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. However, it's advisable to check the fees and exchange rates associated with your card before your trip, as there may be foreign transaction fees or other charges involved. Additionally, it's always a good idea to notify your bank or credit card company in advance about your travel plans to ensure that your card can be used smoothly overseas.

The planning of days or entire weeks beforehand is absolutely true in my case. But that doesn't mean I am not spontaneous, I am, just in the most German way possible. I actually plan days / evenings, where I don't have any plans so I can do something spontaneous. 😄

On the videos of 'easy german' you should always read the comments, because they have a really big international croud with interesting comments to the topic and they mostly answer to these comments too. So you will get even more informations there 😉

I agree, spontanious actions always "lift you up" - 😊

As a German, a few things I would add: - being punctual means being ON time, neither late nor early (though it’s fine to be a little bit early to official appointments). For leisure appointments it depends, especially parties tend to be more like „starts at 8 pm“ or whatever and most people will show up at 8:30 or later. But it’s different when there is an event with a planned meal or something, then it’s polite to be on time. Personally, I also consider it highly important not to be early at someone’s house (unless you got more leeway because you are close with them); it’s a bit rude to show up early since there’s the chance the host is not ready to welcome you yet. - I have seen people comment that tipping is not required. That is true but it’s still a little rude not to tip. Usually you do 5-10%, unless you really disliked the service then you can signal that via not tipping. But I encourage the habit to tip within the recommended range, I have had Swedish exchange students visit me and they did not tip at the restaurant (since it’s not common in Sweden as far as I know) and the staff secretly was not amused. - service: don’t take it personally, it is indeed just different in Germany. Especially in Berlin, I recommend just trying to roll with it, and most importantly don’t think it’s anything you did, there’s just a certain charm (or lack thereof) in terms of Berlin service staff. - cash is king: I used to live in a smaller city in Germany and yes, I could not use card everywhere but in most cases I could. Which made it all the more surprising when I moved to capital Berlin and found a lot more cash only signs. Honestly, I agree with you, it’s so annoying to have to carry cash (I am constantly low on cash in my purse and it’s a pain in the behind). I would recommend looking if you can get a credit card with no withdrawal fee for ATMs. I have a visa card that allows me to withdraw money without a fee from any ATM with a visa sign worldwide (but obviously I don’t know whether that’s an option in the US). But if you get one of those you won’t have to carry a lot of cash around, which I would refrain from, at least in certain parts of certain towns. Because yes, pickpocketing is a problem, especially in touristy areas. - traffic laws: generally I agree that rules are mostly adhered to. Except in the case of bikes (especially in Berlin): many bike owners in Berlin think the red light rule does not apply to them. And people are generally less likely to frown at you for jaywalking in the big cities, though there is somewhat of an unspoken rule not to do it when kids are around as you should be a role model then. Also just to add by editing this comment, in an Alman fashion I only thought about getting to the point and I forgot the most important thing: Thanks for your videos, I have been enjoying them a lot since I found your channel a few weeks ago and I hope you’re gonna have an amazing trip! Greetings from Berlin :)

@kingofshit303

Жыл бұрын

who cares if someone comes early, as long as all are there at the right time. Some people like to wait, others not...

@kn9250

Жыл бұрын

@@kingofshit303 in terms of being early I only mean that I would not show up early when someone invited me to their home, and if I happen to be early anyway I will wait until the agreed upon time before I ring the doorbell. If we meet somewhere else, a place that isn’t anyone’s home neither a venue where the host who invited me is likely to run around preparing until the very last minute, meaning I won’t stress anyone by being early, then I consider it fine obviously.

@kingofshit303

Жыл бұрын

​@@kn9250 OK now I got it. That is a thing I wouldn't do either.

@alexanderwalter2253

10 ай бұрын

According to traffic laws: I think this is true for all major cities and I might add that cyclists generally think that no traffic rule will apply to them at all, and even worse with scooters. Sometimes when standing at a red light I‘m thinking I‘m the only gifted one in town who‘s able to see the color red. But I prefer sitting on my bike, waiting and „staring“ at people walking by rather then lying below the wheels of a car. This thesis will also explain why there are so many accidents with cyclists.

Ahby the way, in regards of cash, last year there was a big issue with one if the biggest makers of card reading machines, so you had to be prepared to bring loads of cash for shopping, because you never knew if that certain shop can or can't read any card...

Don't stress about it. Much of what has been addressed is stereotyping. There are also unpunctual Germans, Germans who block the bike lane and sometimes even salesmen are friendly to you ;) Also the cash thing is not so serious anymore. I can now pay almost everywhere (even at the bakery) with Apple Pay.

Thank you for doing this. I am in the early stages of planning my first trip and I'm paranoid about this type of stuff. Don't want to be perceived as being disrespectful. Thanks again!

Customer service: I worked as a sales assistant for many years and I can tell loads of stories of customers behaving badly. So, just be nice, and sales assistants will most likely be nice to you as well. BUT: That includes not speaking in English to someone without asking whether they actually do (want to) speak English. Always offer someone a German greeting like Guten Tag first, then ask in German Sprechen Sie Englisch, bitte? (formal) or Sprichst Du Englisch, bitte? (informal) and if this someone says yes, then ask whatever you want to know. Pickpockets: I was stolen from twice in my life by a pickpocket, once in a German train station, once in an Italian bus. It's not very common, just maybe don't keep your cards, phone and money in your trouser's back pockets like most men do but in a more hidden place. And leave your passport in the hotel, just take a paper copy (or photo on your mobile) with you during the day in any case, then this can't be stolen at all. You will love Germany, I'm sure, you're a positive person, enjoy everything!

The reason why shops don't offer card payments is often that there's a transaction fee that the shop owner has to pay to the provider. Having a 10ct fee on a 50ct Brezel is just painful so they choose cash only.

In the supermarkets at the checkouts you always have to hurry a lot, because the cashiers work much faster than in other countries.

10:01 Your reaction is understandable, but please keep also in mind that the electronic paying system is also expensive for the vendor who is paying a fee. Not a problem for huge chains, but can be difficult for these small cute individual shops in the side roads or street vendors. Everywhere else (supermarkets, etc) you can pay with a card. However I do not know which cards Americans have, and again - it can become tricky to pay with a credit card (instead of a debit card) occasionally.

Especially most supermarkets or other chains do accept Apple Pay or Google Pay. The most widely accepted creditcard is probably VISA (pretty much everywhere in the EU), Mastercard and American Express... well, not so much. Try to get some Euros BEFORE arriving anyway, because Money Exchange Companies charge you a foot and a leg - avoid them! Instead make sure you can use your creditcard (VISA, ideally - as mentioned before) is valid for transactions in the EU (just ask your bank or creditcard company). Then you can use them at any ATM and get some Cash at the ACTUAL daily exchange rate.

The deposits on bottles are a bit tricky: essentailly, most glass bottles have this type of deposit, and the majority of plastic bottles as well. To be more precise, plastic bottles for sparkling drinks (like sodas) do have a deposit, whereas plastic bottles for non sparkling beverages (like juices) so not. On the other hand: wine bottles and bottels for champagne are a one-way-item, which are supposed to be dropped into special containers are use. Rather confusing for anyone who is not used to it.

@JaniceHope

Жыл бұрын

No, that's not true... unfortunately all my juice comes in plastic bottles but they also have a deposit of 25ct. When in doubt check for the symbol...

Thanks for posting. Re the customer is king. The last time I was in Berlin I bought a few items in a tourist shop - postcards, fridge magnets, T-shirts etc - which came to around 30 Euros. I handed over a 50 Euro note. The guy behind the counter made a big deal of it and effectively accused me of tendering a counterfeit note. It wasn't! He was such an arrogant p**** that I just left the items on the counter and walked out. He lost a sale. I went elsewhere where the person had no problems with the note. On the other hand I had nothing but great customer service in department stores, book stores and restaurants so it seems to depend on the person serving - just like in many other countries.

9:09 it can happen, especially at tourist attractions. but it is not very common.

If you go to Germany, visit Hamburg and eat a "Franzbrötchen". A very tasty sweet pastry. It is very common in Hamburg and you should find it there in any bakery, but gets more and more rare as you go away from Hamburg.

@MrTuxracer

Жыл бұрын

It is not tasty, if you don't like cinnamon.

@dr2okevin

Жыл бұрын

@@MrTuxracer there is also a variant with marzipan instead of cinnamon. Also very tasty.

@MrTuxracer

Жыл бұрын

@@dr2okevin I don't like marzipan either. Give me one with chocolate.

@dr2okevin

Жыл бұрын

@@MrTuxracer chocolate versions do also exists, but these are usually normal cinnamon version just with some additional chocolate. But in general the cinnamon in a Franzbrötchen creates a unified taste, so you don't taste the cinnamon directly. It is the mix that makes the taste.

@maxmuster7003

Жыл бұрын

​@@dr2okevin Persipan not marzipan.

I am 44 years old and live in Germany. My wallet has never been stolen. I always have €100-300 with me.

In Germany you need cash, but more and more stores /cafes are now taking card payments. (thanks to the pandemic) - another fact about payment is "you pay what you see" - taxes are already included in the end price. Sometimes it's on the sign in stores "inkl. 19%Mwst." - the taxes in Germany are 7 or 19% - depending on what you have (services are 19% and groceries are 7%, so you can get 2 different prices at a bakery for example - in-house eating is like a restaurant, a service, and you pay 19% BUT when you take your stuff to go, sit on a bench outside and enjoy your food or coffee there, you just pay 7% because you bought it without the servíce...)

I think lately most merchants should have a reader for bank and credit cards. In some bigger shops, you might even find some checkouts which are cards only, and cash is only accepted at some of the checkouts. And a few days ago I read an article, that Aldi is trying out a new shop concept in the Netherlands, where the customer scans the items with her/his cell phone and there's no checkout anymore. Therefore there are only card payments possible. Only at street merchants, farmer's markets, or sometimes at very small shops, cash payment might be required.

They always leave out the second part of "Kunde ist König/ customer is king". The full line is "Kunde ist König, aber kein Kaiser. / customer is king but no emperor." Meaning customer service has its limits.

@Ilogunde

Жыл бұрын

And always remember what we Germans did to our kings: We continuously questioned and eroded their power and finally told them to f*** out. Well, at least we're not the French in this regard...

You should visit Weimar. It is very beautiful and there you can visit the houses of Schiller and Goethe. Related to the cash money, it comes from the bis crisis after the war. And I must say, even if I am an avid praiser of cards, I had times when all the card readers in Germany stopped working and I wasn't able to pay my groceries and I had to go to get cash and go back to the store. So, take cash with you. Also, talk to your bank to spare you from additional fees if you take out cash from German ATMs. For example, I have a certain card and if I go to a different bank to an ATM, it costs 7.5 euros.

I never carry more than 20€ in cash. Things are changing rapidly and those cash-only place are less and less common.

5:08 Next week on Tuesday at 18:30 o'clock I am planing to be spontaneous for an hour. 😊

And Do not drive with high speed on the Autobahn without experience

pickpocketing may happen in crowded or touristy areas, so keep your wallet safe (like an inner pocket), i'd be especially careful if you go clubbing. also nowadays a lot more places accept card payments however you should check with your bank if your card works in germany for payments like that since there are different types of cards and they german system might not support all of them!

never had problems with pickpocketing but i recommend use smaller bills like 10 or 20 euro and just 1or 2 50euro . some small shops don´t like it if go there at certain times and put a 50 euro bill or more on the table then you hear sorry can´t change it right now or so

Btw. in the USA you still issue your tax declaration on basis of trust. In Germany the tax authorities can look into your bank accounts! So, when you want to decrease your revenues to lower your taxes, you are dependent on cash. Its still hard, because every sale you do, even on markets or in a bakery has to be executed via a registry, but with cash you still can gamble a bit. As long as the customer doesn't want/need a receipt, you could try to not enter the deal, or do it with the beautiful "trial" button, established for trainees. Whenever there is an electronic transaction by credit or debit card, you can't hide it from authorities anymore. And thats why some smaller shops, restaurants, etc. might tell you that they only accept cash, that their card reader is actually broken or some other stuff to make you pay cash

06:14 In big cities this is definitely ok. There are even cities that have flat bins on top for this reason. So people „donate“ their Flaschenpfand to others (who are in need) who would have to search in the bin otherwise. You will also see people looking for these bottles on street festivals etc.

3:43 shots fired against DB😂😂

When I'm in Berlin, I've rarely had to pay by cash (there have been some occasions at restaurants), but normally it's fine.. I tend to take a small amount of Euros and withdraw more from a cashpoint when needed.

A Tipp, if you use an escalator stand on the right side and walk on the left. If you block the left side someone defenetly will tell you.

Don't worry about the payment. During Corona a lot of the restaurants and cafes as well as supermarkets, grocery and nearly any other shop has electronic payments but here especially a debit card as this is free for the shops. Credit cards are not that often used as in other states especially in Northern Europe.

@DalaiDrama-hp6oj

Жыл бұрын

He probably has no debit

@pwessling6271

Жыл бұрын

@Dalai Drama I know this isn't so common for Americans but I have only written how it's handled.

There is an another reason (not only because of trust), why some shops and others only accept cash, because they get more than by using digital ways. For example, right now many merchants/retailers don't like the new replacement of the EC-Card (debit card) because, with the new one, the fees are much more higher than before, almost five times more. So, if they get 5 Euro cash for something, than the profit would 5 € (taxes incl.), but a payment with card, they will earn lesser, because of the fees/charges.

Hi. You learned a lot it seemes. About the cash: yes, we do love to have some cash in the poket and we don`t use creditcards everywhere. But we although have our debitcards which we use. About pickpokets: yes you should be carefull. Don`t have your money in your bagpack outside.

As for customers in Germany, "Customer is king, but we are a republic now" or "The customer may be right, but I am politically left". 😀It may even happen other customers will side with the employee, not with you. Especially since you are a foreigner. As for cash money. Just have 10 to 20 euros with you at hand. Either keep the rest in your room or in a belt pcket that you can hide under your shirt. Pickpockts are not that much of a problem, but of course they are pros and spot an unsuspecting tourist in a crowd. The good thing about the bottle deposit fee is that you can usually return it in any grocery or beverage store. You don't even have to buy something new. You just hand the bottle and take the money or show the coupon at the cashier. Also a way to have cash at hand. ^^

@MoreJps: Notwithstanding our passionate German discussion below regarding credit card acceptance: You might sometimes run into problems with American credit cards in Europe because we use a chip and pin security system that the U.S. has not yet adopted. Even if your bank provides you with a pin, your card might not be fully compatible with the European system, so you may still have to sign for a purchase. Therefore it may actually be wise to carry some more cash. My tipps about ATM's still stand, though.

Since Covid it is not that bad with card payment anymore, also in supermarkets or other "big" businesses it never was, you could always pay with card. Where this was/is true is for small businesses like bakeries, kiosks, diners etc., but also most of them are accepting card payment now, but there still might be restrictions such as you can only pay with card from 5€ upwards. Also if you pay with card in Germany, it is absolutely uncommon to pay with a credit card, the most common card in Germany is a german banks debit card system, which is known to most people as "EC card", although the original EC payment system is gone long ago, most people call the now used Girocard system, still EC card. The only things Germans use credit cards is for booking hotels, rental cars etc. or when they travel to other countries.

The loss of flexibility in time management comes with the age. You are 20 and 20 years ago I would have said the same just like you. I am close to 40, got no daily routine (thank god), but it's not easy to let things fall just to hang around, because within all these years, you realized other things are more important. Hanging around is ok, but the work has to be done first. You're still feeling the freedom of youth. That will change in the future, sadly. Pickpocketing in Germany? Yes, in big cities not uncommon but no big deal.

About pickpocketing: When I was young there were no cell phones and we used phone boxes. One time when I was probably between 11 and 13 years old; i left my purse in a phone box and from that day on I always chained my wallet to the jeans, which not only helps against forgetfulness but also against pickpocketing. Though I had some experience with pickpocketing. Recently I entered the tram at the central train station of my hometown with my bike. Though there were not many people at that tram stop, I felt a woman behind me jostling and pushing me when I was heading for a door in the front area of the tram. At first, I didn't think about it. Then I saw from the outside through the window, that the space reserved for bikes was already in use, so I turned to go to the back of the tram, which has a space for bikes, too. And believe it or not, at the very moment I turned, the woman behind me also changed her mind and suddenly also was heading for the door at the back and continued to push. Though she didn't manage to steal anything I called the police in order to ask them to have a closer look at the women at the tram stop. On another occasion a few decades ago I experienced a theft. I was walking from Picadilly Circus to Carnaby St. in London. I wanted to check the time and tried to look at the wristwatch on my left wrist. Unfortionally the wristwatch wasn't there anymore I and I don't have the slightest idea how that was possible. A third occasion I experienced in Palma de Majorca a decade ago, where in the pedestrian zone a woman approached me from the front to give me a flower. Since I had heard that is a usual tactic of pickpocketers in Italy and Spain I decided to immediately put my hands into the front pocket of my jeans instead of accepting the flower. It turned out to be more difficult to put my hand into my right pocket than I had expected. The reason was that my pocket already was occupied by a different hand.

I dont really know about pickpocketing especially as a tourist or in touristy areas, but normally (in the south) they arent really an issue. Still, id recommend keeping an eye on your belongings (mainly in City Centers or big places/tourist attractions) but dont be paranoid haha.

something that is spezial for you.. if you see a Price.. pay That.. not more.. the Taxes are includet into the Price... on restaurants you can give a tip, we germans do it like "how good was the Service" so we give 0-5€ as a tip... on high prices sometimes more(most time we round up :D for example: you have to pay 16,99€ you give 20 and say, "its ok rest is for you") i know in the US is it much different, you see a Price and you have add the Taxes and tip and all that stuff... in big Stores we dont give Tip`s only in very small shops(Kiosk for example, but its very confusing becaus not everything what is small is a smal shop :D ) Buy always a Ticket for the Public Transport BEFORE you enter it!... or by the Driver(bus... by Trains is it not an option, but we have vending machines for Train-Tickets) if you enter a Public Transportation ... is it Possible you become a big Problem, so they send you Weeks Later a Letter with a HIGH payment... most Stations have a vending machine to buy a Ticket :) uhh and Have ALWAYS your ID card on you... or the Police comes and take you to a Police Station and check your stuff(in your case, ID Card and Passport!) we have something that is calling "Ausweispflicht" that means you have your ID card always on you...

There are pick pockets, especially in the hotter tourist spots. But the issue with the electronic payment is, no power, no payment. And also, not updating certificates, no payment. There was an issue with that a few years ago. About the customer is king, that is true, too. But most kings lost their heads in the last 2 centuries 😃