Germany:have you ever been there?If you have what impressed you the most?

Question

If you think there is something I should know before moving there for 2 months,please share your experience with me.

Answer 1

I live in Northern Germany (and I am a German national myself)...What excactly do you want to know?  You haven't written any details.  If interested, you can contact me via email and I might answer all your questions.

Greetings from Germany...

Answer 2

Nothing has impressed me here besides the fact that they still think we are living in the 1800s. Well, I guess I'm a little impressed that their beer makes you gain 5 lbs a glass.

Answer 3

I´m living in germany and personally gotta tell you you have to visit Berlin! Do you speak German? You should try to get some contact with Germans, learn the language, just try to live "German"  :-)

Answer 4

Enjoying yourself on a warm summer evening in one of the beautiful beer gardens in Munich ...

Answer 5

You should get the book: The German Way.  It is about the Germans and their culture.  It is pretty accurate.

It is better to err on the side of being too formal than too casual with the Germans.  Always bring flowers or a bottle of wine if you are invited to someone's house to eat.  Always ask if you should take off your shoes when you arrive at someone's house.  Offer to help the host clean up.

All in all, the Germans are very friendly, especially to Americans.  They can be a bit "uptight" and "anal" but if you follow their rules and are polite, you should have a great time.  

Be sure and learn the basics of the German language before you go!  And be prepared for cool weather.  Even summers can be quite cool sometimes.

I was most impressed by the public transportation (in Berlin).  You can get anywhere so easily.

Answer 6

I've been to Munich and Hamburg, and Germany is a lovely country. The people are very friendly and helpful, unlike the stupid "stereotypes". It is very clean and can be a scenic country.

Excellent memories in Germany and I can't wait till I move over there for a year with University.

p.s. The Beer - very nice!

Answer 7

i haven't personally been there but my grandma nd aunt were born there. they always tell me about it and how nice it is. they go every year and have a blast. they lived in Otterndorf nd they really enjoy going. so have fun when u go. good luck hope u like it

Answer 8

It is the cleanest, safest place you could imagine...

Answer 9

What impressed me most is the safety (I can go out at night alone and not worried), the cleanliness, and amazing public transportation (you should live in the city, tho, country side sucks! The bus only come every other hour). And the Germans tend to follow every rule given, like if you're waiting for your turn for check out in the supermarket, you can be sure if anyone tries to cut the line, it's foreigner!!

Answer 10

My wife...

Answer 11

I think I was impressed with the hashish, but I don't remember.

Answer 12

What's not to like? Its very clean, organized, public transportation system rocks, variety of restaurants. Most people are very nice and helpful, also a lot of people speak english in care your german is not that good.

Bring comfortable shoes since you most likely will rely on public transportation which is awesome since it is really accurate and very convenient. Most of the shopping districts are like strip malls that do not allow vehicles so you will probably wind up doing a lot of walking.

One thing that might take a while to get used to is the hours of operations. Most stores close early around 8pm and are closed all day Sunday. Places like banks, pharmacies, postal offices and doctors offices usually close for a couple of hours during the afternoon and reopen after 2 hours or so. Statutory holidays like Easter for example all stores are closed. If you are in a pinch you might find a small kiosk that is open or you can try the train station sometimes there are little "convenience stores" that are open, but you will find these stores are more expensive than your regular retail ones.

Other than that, having lived in Germany for over 4 years its a great place to live and you will really like it. Depending on why your are in Germany (if its work or pleasure and your age) you might want to stay in a hostel, or look for a student that is renting out a dorm room that you can stay in for those 2 months, much cheaper than staying at a hotel. You can also rent furnished apartments for a couple of months just check the local paper (most are accessible via internet and check their classifieds).

Answer 13

The first time I went in 99, in Heidelberg and cities around, I was impressed with the architecture in the area, the spotless environment and the friendliness of the people - despite the prejudice that they are "cold". This is far from the truth. Maybe they will seem distant at the beginning or formal as other said, but when they become friends, they are the real friends you can rely on. Since then I have very often returned (mainly to Berlin, Stuttgart and Braunschweig) and what I like are in addition are:

- the reasonable prices for dining and especially drinking

- the tolerance they have towards foreigners, g**s, smokers etc.

- the fantastic modern architecture in Berlin

- the restored historical centres in many towns

- the perfect railway (although expensive) and Autobahn network

- the cultural life even in the smallest towns (opera, museums)

- the sports infrastructure

- the many parks in their towns

- their recycling system and in general the organisation of the state, as well as the social services provided (although there have been major cutbacks the last years).

I guess I pretty much covered it all - I always wonder why so many Germans complain about their weather....

Answer 14

Cologne Cathedral in Cologne..(Koln Dom) what they call it~

Answer 15

I like others presently live in South West Germany. I am an American married to a German man. He lived in America with me for 10 years. When we decided to have kids we moved to Germany. I have been here for 3 years now and I love it . Everything the others answered to you is 99% accurate. It is a super country. All the pleasures the rich  Americans enjoy in the USA are pretty much standard living for German people. The cars, appliances, the Bier Beer the food quality, the list goes on and on . You will not want to return any time soon!

Answer 16

The people great food good clubs

Answer 17

I went to Berlin for just 2 days in 2005. Most impressive was the cleanliness and timeliness of public transport. We travelled on the underground (or U-Bahn) and buses. Everything was spotless, on time and couldn't be faulted. On the underground they even had a local paper hanging from a strap at each end of every carriage for passengers to read. People would read them, carefully fold them and hang them back on the strap for the next person. Can you imagine that happening in the UK or USA? They would be ripped to shreds or set fire to within minutes!!!

Answer 18

I am German. And I am impressed with the traffic, the nature, the chancellor, the conciousness for environment and waste.

What I don't like is the loooooots of burocratism... There is such a lot of papers and such, if you have a problem.

If you have specific questions, e-mail me...

Answer 19

I lived there for more than half my life.  I think I have a unbiased opinion on it.  I live in the states now.  I loved Germany.  The number one thing that I miss about it is the safety.  Also, they are so open-minded there.  The cleanliness is great.  You know how you don't stop at a rest-area on the highway here.  No worries there.  The only problem that you typical American has is translation.  The older Germans don't like to help Americans.  The feel that if you live here you should speak the language.  They all speak English though.  It's mandatory in school.  Public transportation is great too.  Bahnoff is train station. U-bahn is subway.  Like everyone says, Germans are very efficient.  You shouldn't have any worries.  You do have to hit the clubs.  Clubs here don't even compare.  I miss them! ; (

Answer 20

As a 12 year old at the time:

Munich during octoberfest

Balvaria

Mad King Ludwig II Castle (MUST SEE! and TOUR)

The Alps

Cologne Cathedral

I was also in Southern Germany a few years ago and went to the Eagle's nest (Hitler's escape) It is a waste of time to go there as they have turned it into a restraunt and the american tour that is there you could find out by reading a little article about the place....great view though.

Answer 21

I came for for my job(computer company, not US Military) and I was supposed to stay for 1 year. That was 20 years ago. Of course I was lucky, at that time the computer/networking industry was really growing.

Where will you be working in Germany? And, will it be in any way connected with the US Military? It makes a difference on how you live in Germany. For example, US Military do not have to worry about all the paperwork involved in getting German living and working permits.

What has impressed me about Germany? Many things; concern for the enviroment(recyling, good public transport, etc), I live a healthy lifestyle, for example I actually walk to stores, post office, bank, and other services all near my home. I have a good health insurance plan thru my job and 30 days vacation.

Ok, the down side? No Waffle House or Denny's for when you get hungry at 3 in the moring.

Now, depending on where you are moving, 2 months is no problem. For example in the Big/Little City of Frankfurt if you walk thru the Zeil(large walking street/plaza(another thing I like about Germany) in the center of the city) do not be surprized if you hear English and 20 other langauges spoken - Frankfurt is the banking and stock market center for Germany.

So, bring good comfortable walking shoes and have a fun time. Good Luck!

P.S. Germans tend to be exact. Do not take it personally.