In order to humour my other expat friends across the globe, I figured I’d share with you 20 of the weirdest things I’ve learned about German life while living here in Freiburg, Germany.
1. Toilet Buttons
While many Canadians have lever’s, all German toilets have big buttons. A big button for a job well done!
2. Big Light Switches
Apparently the little light switches that flick on and off in North America just don’t cut it in size for the Germans. These massive buttons allow for an easy on and off. Have you ever tried to turn on the light in the dark feeling the entire wall before finding the switch? Not in Germany!
3. Room Heaters
My personal favourite – they use small heaters built into every room which use heated water to warm the room. Not only do I think it is better for the environment but it gets you toasty warm without waiting hours for the heat to reach the upstairs of your home. My hero!
4. Jail Blinds
…or so I call them. Many German homes have the same blinds. Though it offers a guaranteed sleep in the pitch black, I find it rather spooky. While walking down the road as it gets darker in the evening you can hear people all around you shutting their blinds. After I hear a few more slamming metal blinds I look around and all of a sudden you feel so much more alone on the streets. I love people watching – in the least creepy way possible haha, I enjoy learning other people’s stories. In Germany it is not always so easy to know what your neighbors are doing.
5. Wide Open Windows
This is possibly the best window there is! I feel so free when I wake up, open the window wide and hang half my body outside for some crisp, clean, fresh morning air. The levers on these windows don’t only open sideways but from the top too!
6. See! These windows are amazing!
7. They Have Beer – every night.
In Canada don’t get me wrong, beer is a huge part of our culture… but the Germans take it to a whole new level.
8. They Have Bubble Water
I am not saying this is a weird thing, what I think is weird is that whenever I ask someone for tap water they look at me like I have a third head. Bubble water is their entire world of water here.
9. They Have Style When it Comes to Buying Groceries
Perhaps not every German, but when I go to the market in Freiburg I see so may of these little wicker baskets or little cavas bags. Way to take the reins on eco-friendly shopping Germany!
10. They Leave Their Milk and Eggs out of the Fridge
I have seen this in a few other countries as well but it is definitely different from the way we do things in Canada.
11. They Eat this like it’s Candy
Red Cabbage – definitely not a Canadian thing!
12. They Like the way Italians Cook
Many people use these little Coffee Brewers for single cup espresso every morning.
13. The Germans, they use funny words like ‘Dusch’ and ‘Urea’ to explain their healthcare products. Duschgel is a body wash.
14. Each person sleeps with their own blanket – either that or my boyfriends hates me.
15. Glüwein
A new Christmas tradition I had never heard of. You can choose red or white wine with sliced orange and Christmas spices … Yummy!
13. Creative Cross Walks – only known in Berlin but so neat!
16. Square Pillows
I still haven’t figured out if I like them or not… you don’t need to use 2 pillows because these ones fold up so nicely, but sometimes when they twist up while I am sleeping it is hard to fold the pillow the way I had it in the first place.
17. Not only are their Ingredients all in German, but they’re very different and if you’re trying to bake from a Canadian recipe, chances are there will be a lot of ‘substitutes’.
18. They Blow up Fire Works here like they’re Harmless.
Spend a NYE in Germany and you’ll swear you’ve stepped foot into the middle of a war zone.
19. They have LEGAL bonfires? Crazy!
Okay – perhaps not in a central city like Dusseldorf, but Freiburg in the black forest was never a problem. (please note: I will not be held liable if you select an illegal destination for a campfire and face fines – burn at your own discretion)
20. They eat Sandwiches for Breakfast.
After visiting Germany 3 different times and totaling almost 2 months, there are many things I find to be different .. These were the ones I always felt like sharing 🙂
Hahahaha for me as a German this is so funny – some things I never even recognized before 🙂
Haha I know right? Still after almost one year in Germany, I still haven’t gotten use to some of these things! Like sandwiches for breakfast or having my own blanket in bed :P.
From my perspective, as your neighbour, I found out a few similarities (e.g. 1,5,7) but some things surprised me 😉 But I think my favourite Berlin is a bit different than other German cities. For sure it stands out !
That’s true! I noticed most of these things in Freiburg when I lived there. Now that I’m in a new city – I notice even more! 😛
Love this post! reminded me so much of Bosnia!. I think alot of it is European traditions and way of life. that cabbage in a jar cracked me up! Bosnians eat that like its candy, the fresh one tastes amazing, not sure how jar one would taste like. and the bubbled water, even in Vienna i had to make sure i was getting spring water, not mineral. But my fav is the windows. All the houses in bosnia have doors and windows that way, its a door and a window in one!
Hahaha this is an amazing comment! I’ll be visiting Bosnia in a month or so and I am beyond excited! You’re right about it being more European ways than anything! The more I explore Europe the more differences I find between North America and the the more similarities I find between certain European countries. Still so in love with this continent 😀
I lived in Duesseldorf for a while and I could include more weird things (from an Italian point of view):
– they do not use mozzarella on the pizzas
– they do not use table cloth during the meals
– they do not have the bidet
– they rent the houses without furniture
– in the gyms they take showers (naked) in front of people with no discomfort
– after a date men do not pay the bill, it is 50% haha
– men do not approach women XD
Anyway, I had a great experience in this country, it was fun. Where are you in Germany?
Hahahahahahhaha! I literally stopped going to a gym because I couldn’t get past the fact that all the girls walked around naked in the shower and the change room (I was the only one awkwardly looking for a stall to change).. I ended up just walking home in my sports wear! ?
I also laughed so hard when I read your comment about paying the bill… Its so true!!!!
I’m currently in Düsseldorf, I lived in Freiburg for about 8 months too ?.
Hello Jenna and Jeniffer …the public naked culture at Spa, Gym and even Gardens, Lakes, Rivers and Beaches i grew up with was/is always about the first few moments of irritation until i can enjoy the comfort of zero energy….no need to hide or think about …just enjoy 90° celcius ,,,, or swimming,..a shower , or just reading in the sun …. F(reie)K(örper)K(ultur) seems to be strange…..https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Naturist_Federation
after Adolescence, a little Training and a shovel of ” what the Fuck! ”
i enjoy the comfort of beeing naked between naked people sharing benefits of the place without thinking about my look….well maybe sounds strange ..but feels liberating jumping naked into a cold fresh lake after a day inside a workroutine in a crowded city …
Haha! I couldn’t agree more! It definitely took me a couple years of adjusting to… but it’s a liberating feeling knowing that you can roam the beaches or spas nude without having a million bystanders staring at you as you walk past. I quite enjoy it now!
I like the blanket part! But I made sure I buy the largest blanket available in Hamburg for me and my Partner–and it is not very easy to find one and double blankets come expensive. The first couple of weeks — we were in bed together but I was alone in bed… LMAO
Hahaha I feel you! I still struggle with these tiny blankets! ?