Moving to Germany is nothing less than a Culture Shock to most. Learning a new language, adhering to new laws, different dialects are just a few to start with. Read below 10+ things that you will definitely find unusual in Germany as an Expat.
1. Why is it einundzwanzig (one and twenty) and not zwanzigundeins (twenty and one)?
4000 years ago I was 1 and X was 10, so IXX was 21. For long this was followed all over Europe and the British too said one and twenty. And then around 500 years ago the Arabic numerals were introduced in Europe and this changed the way many nations count, but not the Germans. To date they say einundzwanzig.
2. Why does Oktoberfest take place in September?
The first Oktoberfests from 1810 always took place in October. Often the weather was terrible. Thus, since 1872 Oktoberfests have been taking place in September. The name however remained the same.
3. Why does the Cashier’s desk at the Supermarket feel like a scene out of Mortal Combat?
Many Supermarkets do not have the patience until their customers can pack away all their items in a pace that they’d like. That’s why the packing zones after the cash registers are particularly short. Your purchases must go into the shopping cart immediately after scanning. The faster the purchases, the more profit for the Supermarket. This is also the only way discount supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi can offer their low prices.
4. What is ‘Nachtruhe’?
In Germany, ‘Nachtruhe’ is a term for Noise Pollution Control during the night between 10 pm and 6 am. Every state has a specific set of laws on what is allowed and not allowed. In general, most activities that create a lot of noise are prohibited, like playing loud music in the apartment. In cities, cars must also be driven slower to prevent noise pollution in the night.
5. Does this mean I can’t flush the toilet during Nachtruhe?
Yes, you can. You can also have a shower or roll the window blinds down as they are all part of normal life. So are children allowed to laugh, cry or scream!
Here are 5 more things you will find really unusual in Germany!
6. Why is there no such thing as Speed Limit or ‘Tempolimit’ on German motorways?
Only 45% of the German motorways have some kind of speed limit.
Most Germans would also prefer a general speed limit to reduce environmental and noise pollution but the strong German auto lobby has been fighting against it and since this industry is more important than in any other country, it has been successful so far.
7. Why is sorting Garbage or ‘Mülltrennung’ so important?
Two-thirds of the garbage in Germany is recycled which is a record for Europe.
The Green Dot, the system of recycling Plastic and Metal heavily promotes the recycling of Plastic and Metal.
It works great with Paper and Glass but many critics believe that recycling Plastic is more complicated and believe that a lot lesser that two-thirds is recycled.
8. Why are there so many types of Bread in Germany?
Until the 19th Century Germany was not a nation but a union of many smaller states.
Each state had its own culture, tradition, and even BREAD! This led to the option of more than 300 types of Bread, a variety like no place other!
9. Why are there no 24/7 Supermarkets anywhere?
Since 2006, Shop timings are regulated by each state. In 8 states, shops are allowed to be open 24 hours on weekdays and you can find them in cities like Berlin. For most stores it simply isn’t worth it. Other than a few exceptions such as special days or in some train stations, on Sundays and public holidays, shops must remain closed.
10. Why do pedestrians always stop for the Red Signal (even at 3 am with no car in sight)?
Unlike many other countries, pedestrians crossing the road while the Signal is Red can be subjected to a fine of 5€ if spotted by the Police.
Most Germans also do this out of honesty or good behavior. Even if it is 3 am and not a single car in sight.
11. Is it true that Adidas and Puma come from the same German town?
In 1923 brothers Rudolf and Adi Dassler together founded a Shoe factory in Herzogenaurach (Bayern). Everything went well until 1948 when they split and founded two different companies: Adi, Adidas, and Rudolf, Puma. Both stayed in Herzogenaurach and grew really big. So today, two global players come from a small town in Germany.
Have you asked any of these questions before? What did you find as the most unusual thing in Germany or when you moved here? Let me know in the comments!
