German Vacation Question?

Question

Im going to Germany for vacation next year and I want to know if germans are friendly and helpfull towrds americans that visit?

Answer 1

my friend went to germany last summer and said everyone was so nice and welcoming. im assuming it has a lot to do with where you go and if you know anyone over there, but her and her family had a wonderful time!!!

Answer 2

some are some aren't

BERLIN: December 20, 2007

An American was attacked in western Germany by a man who heard him speaking English and shouted "Heil Hitler," police said Thursday.

And then again

American tourists visiting Germany are rarely the victims of criminal activity. If and when criminal activity does occur, the most common incidents include theft of unattended personal property, vehicle break-ins (snatch and grab), pickpocketing, and residential break-ins. Although infrequent, American tourists have had purses snatched and pockets picked in the following areas: train stations, Internet cafes, crowded restaurants and outdoor market places. American visitors to Germany should practice the same sound, common sense personal security practices that are an every-day part of life in any major U.S. city. Recently, crime statistics have indicated that break-ins, both residential and vehicular, are on a steady rise. In the past year, the embassy and a number of its constituent posts have encountered minor thefts of unattended property left unsecured outside residences or inside vehicles. Vandalism of vehicles has also increased in Germany. Rarely are crimes violent and seldom are weapons used. OSAC members and individuals planning to visit Germany may find extensive information regarding crime statistics and German crime prevention programs in several languages on the German Federal Office of Criminal Investigation (Bundeskriminalamt) website at http://www.bka.de.

Answer 3

As in most countries there a both friendly and unfriendly people. Nothing special about Germans in that respect.

However, assuming that you don't speak German you are lucky. In most schools English is taught as the first first foreign language. Therefore and due to the more than 60 years Germans have been used to live side by side with US soldiers most of them speak enough English to help if you need directions or else.  

Would anybody be so nice and tell me why that is a "bad" answer?!!!

Enjoy your stay!

Answer 4

I went to Heidelberg, Germany and Munich, Germany and never had a problem with the Germans.  I found them to be very friendly and would even speak in English if you were having a hard time with German.  It is truly a beauitful country and a great place to visit.

Answer 5

I always found Germans to be helpful when I lived there. But like anywhere occasionally you meet someone who is having a bad day or just doesn't want to bother. Try to learn a few basic German phrases before you go.   Many of the younger generation speak English.  They start a foreign language in elementary school.

Answer 6

Yes yes yes.... in Germany living so many Americans and they don't have any problems with that.

Army spouse.....

Answer 7

Yes in most places especially if you try your best to talk German to them first!! You will find them much more receptive to helping you than just talking in English.

I never had a problem and even learned to speak the language well over time.

Have fun.

Answer 8

I'm from Texas. Just got back from Kohn, Frankfurt, Nurnberg, Munich.  They were very helpful, friendly and in many cases, had a good sense of humor.

I was surprised how many Germans speak English - and speak it quite well.

Also, the places I went were Very, Very CLEAN.

Cleanest country I've ever visited.

Here is a link to my YOuTube vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mskPnGpu1...

Can't wait to go back. Love Germany.

Hey Alwin E.  -  What I ment by being surprised how many Germans speak English is that there are far more Germans that speak English than French or many other EU nationalities that speak English!  Ya!

Answer 9

Germans r friendly and they help u maybe, but there r a lot of germans, who dont speak so much english. The younger people do, because we have to do at school, from class 3 to class 10.

Answer 10

as a native german i would say that most germans are very nice and friendly...but there are also some "black sheep"...well don´t be afraid of the germans ;)

Answer 11

Been there 4 times and never had any problem. Just be nice, don't swagger about like you are some Texan (get the idea) and you will be fine. They like Americans, right now they don't like our government.

Answer 12

Elliot was

> surprised how many Germans speak English

Well, most young Germans who strive for a higher education learn English in their schools, and that's not the simplified version. So with younger people, you'll have no problem. A few words of German, however, will always be appreciated, like "danke" ("thank you"), or "Guten Tag" ("g'day"). It might astonish you, but the German "Entschuldigung!" if you want to excuse for something has been replaced, at least among younger people, by the more common English "sorry".

Don't expect every German's English to be perfect; neither will they expect your German to be perfect. Just be yourself, and you'll have a good time in Germany. Sure I`m talking in favor of my countrylads now, but what else should I do? I'm a German.

You must be aware that Germans like to talk politico, and most probably will ask you for a decisive opinion about the US government. You can utter it freely. Nobody will be insulted by whatever opinion. Maybe that's the first "clash of cultures" you'll experience: Germans speak out their opinion without any respect or political correctness. We just don't care about communications decency. If we think something is wrong, we speak it out bluntly and blatently, and don't care about verbal collateral damage. The worst thing you could do is to take that personal; it's not meant to be that way.

In general, my countrylads are friendly and helpful. Sure they'll be. Just come over and enjoy.

Answer 13

yes...you will love it!

Answer 14

Germany is exactly the same as all other countries on Earth, there are good and bad people there (just the same as the US).

If you show them respect and courtesy, they will do the same for you. Remember, you are their guest, so be well behaved.

Answer 15

You're coming to Germany next year!  Super!  Come in the summer time!  I think everyone is a bit friendlier then, because of the nice, warm weather, and because of all the 'FESTS'.  Beer is flowing, and people are relaxing and smiling.

Take a German course before you come!  I think you'll have more fun if you do.  You'll always find somebody to help you.  It's better to ask at the train station or tourist office, though.

Have fun!  It's a beautiful and clean country!

Answer 16

`Yes Germany is fund - I travel to Hamburg, Germany every year. Very openminded town, great people  - try to avoid East Germany and esspecially Berlin: too man n***s and Communists.

Answer 17

Germans are friendly, if you ask them something, but if you don't have any self esteem they may come across as cold.  Generally, they are very helpful, but will not apologize for knocking into you, as with most europeans.  They find it unnessary to speak to you if they don't know you.  So why apologize if they won't be talking with you later.  After living there for 4 years, I found that Germans are very open thinkers and will tell you what is on there mind.  If you make a german friend, you will have that friend for life, unless you do something to ruin that friendship.  There they take friendship to an all new level than here in the states.  you don't lie, steal, or disrepect your friends.  You are in for the time of you life, because Germans know how to party and have a great time, and are very happy to give you a tour of their city.  You don't have to know German, but I would suggest learning a little, because as with everywhere, except for here... If you try to speak the language of the country they will have a greater respect for you... even if you butcher it terribly.  They will listen to you and if they know English they will interrupt you and talk to you in english.

Answer 18

Yes.  Germany is a fun loving place and 80% speak English.

Cologne is a Great party place and only 2.5 hrs from Amsterdam.  Yea Baby!!

Easy to get around by mass transit.  Cool little Coffee Shops