What kind of information would travellers to Germany probably find useful?

Question

I'm thinking about using my Yahoo! webspace to build up a site that might provide travellers with some useful information about Germany, but I don't know what your more specific questions might be, except for the speed limits on the Autobahn. (A: There are some, and where there are none, mind that the BMW in your rear view mirror might be faster than your rented Mercedes A-class, and the left lane is for passing ONLY; never pass on the right lane, even when there is space.)

Any other things you'd like to know? If I don't know them, I'll do some research.

Answer 1

That's a great idea! Way to go. I think one thing that would really help would be a "guide to German menus" - explaining how to pronounce the different dishes and beverages when the waiter comes, and what exactly they are.

Another helpful thing would be a little catalogue of road signs and their meaning; such as the "abknickende Vorfahrt" and other oddities which are totally unknown to North Americans and South Pacific residents.

Explaining "rechts vor links" could also save a few lives.

But in the big scheme of things, a guide to the national and local mentalities which manages to illuminate the complexities of the German soul to the point where "being German for a week" could be experienced by visitors would be a sensation, I think.

Answer 2

Stop signes. In the US it is first comes first gets to go in Germany it is always right before left. Also you can not turn right on a red light only if there is a sign saying so.

Answer 3

The cell phone system. All about Verizon phones not working, because they are not GSM. Should you sign up in the US or buy a cell phone in Germany. Where, how much (prepaid phones, SIMS card, ..)

DB tickets, how to book and pay on-line. Where are reservations required, how much.

How to book and use RyanAir from Frankfurt Hahn.

Rental Cars. Much cheaper to make reservation from the US. Explain the importance of marking up every scratch and bump during the "outgoing inspections". Use of hockey stick mirrors to inspect the underside of the car when you return the car. Beware of cell phone contracts offered by rental car companies (viz. Rentacell with €800 "deposit"). Note, rental car contracts after your credit card was swiped are with the German subcontractor/ affiliate only. I.e. the US mother company cannot and will not assist you in case of real "issues". Those contracts are issued strictly under German law, even if the reservation was made in the US.

Hotels.  Point out cancellation conditions (some hotels require 48 hour cancellation notice, obtain name of receptionist and/ or a cancellation number). Many hotels do not provide a wash cloth, and have only itsy pieces of "soap" Shampoo comes out of dispensers, no bottles to take home. Many hotel showers are a cold trickle at best.

In the US buy an American extension cord, cut off the male side, then in Germany and UK replace the male plug with its local (humongous) counter part. This, better than any converter plugs. Buy a 100W light bulb for the hotel room. Do not forget to take with you the morning of your departure.

Details of use and likely charges for ATM.

Traffic. In addition to Tahini's long list: Explain the nature of speed traps (photo processing fees much higher than the fine). Prosecution only weeks later, traffic infringements reported to US authorities. Should you ever come back to Germany, immigration have you on their books. Very low and mostly arbitrary speed limits (unlike in the US, not good for the next 15 miles, but changes every mile, electronic reprogramming every half hour "traffic conditions permitting").  Traffic circles, the traffic approaching the circle shall yield to the traffic within the circle. No 4-way stop signs, the highway code and nothing but the code, no eye contact, no hand signs.

Metered parking systems, "Parkscheibe".

Explain how a police car will pass you before they stop you, totally different from the US  (use of "Polizeikelle"): Must be a trusting lot those German Highway troopers, not afraid that they will be mowed down as they are about to pass you.

Explain how Germans do not like to stand in line. A totally uncivilized people, everybody on his own (museum doors, bus stops, streetcars). No "wait to be seated" policy in restaurants, go grab the best seat before the "lady" gets it.

Lest I forget for the young US male: "topless/ Oben Ohne Straende". DWI laws. Minors being served alcohol.

A word of warning, Germans love to tell Americans what they think of GW Bush and his Iraq war (nothing personal). t*t for tat: Germans are not especially interested to be asked about Hitler, the concentration camps.

Germans as a rule do not collect Hummel figurines, cuckoo clocks, beer steins, nor do they care or know where those are on sale.

Sports. Believe it or not, Germans do not follow American team sports.

Church going practices.  Explain the 24 hour clock (no AM or PM).

PS

With so many good ideas having been added my mind started reeling. I liked the "realty" comments, how true.

Mention also, regular digital radios with US frequency spacing i.e 10kHz for AM and 200kHz for FM do not work (properly) in Germany.  And here is more for the business executives: 1. "hunting" and fishing licenses. If your German business partner takes you on a hunting trip in Bavaria, know ye, the week-end hunting license is issued in Bremerhaven.  2. Foreign visitors, do not EVER let your German business partner drive your car on business, if the car was registered outside of Germany. I know of one case where the full import tax for a Jaguar with Swiss license plates became applicable, after only ten minutes of courtesy use.

==>  @Alwin E: VERY good idea "220V"!  Last visit in France I blew the charger for my Palm PDA..  Thank God it was only the charger, not the Palm:  "Die Erfahrung lehrt, dass die ultraschnelle 'Schutzsicherung' im Geraet durch das Geraet selber geschuetzt wird,  indem das Geraet stets als erstes durchbrennt"

Answer 4

Alwin, that sounds like a good fun idea. Let us know what the web site is so we can see it as it develops. I would recommend your site forward, for one thing, to  a site with German traffic signs for beginners. I can read German some  but not figure out some signs at 70 miles an hour while I'm trying to drive...(so I try and stay out of traffic during RUSH HOUR).....

Answer 5

For persons, that stay long enough to rent a place in Germany: Explain the differences of the realtors system in Germany and the US. Many Americans trust the realtors over here in believing they will be responsible for the dwelling after signing the rental contract. On the opposite: The realtor is paid by the tenant but serves the landlord. Once his fee is paid, he has no connection to the place rented anymore.

German dwellings in general come without kitchen and without light fixtures. German garages are not made for big Vans. German gardens are not meant to be used by the dog only. Which brings me to the different laws referring to pet holding, i.e.: Declawing a cat is against the law.

Here you could also advise about the travelling rules for pets (which I can not inform you of) as required shots and manners of transportation on airplanes, trains.

Your page will be very interesting, please let us know the address, once it is ready. We might want to refer people before writing everything over and over again :-)))

Answer 6

Rechts vor links; and let the public transport bus go first at the traffic lights;  how shops look like they are closed when in actual fact the door is closed because of the cold weather;  what ziehen and drücken on doors mean; what einfahrt and ausfahrt mean on the autobahns, aufzug for a lift.

Answer 7

you would probably want to talk about the crime and the hygiene and all that [not that im a clean freak] but now people care about that stuff but theres no need to worry about that because germany is a very clean place and people are very hygenic but also talk about travel [of course] because there are a lot of things to do in germany like the alps and munich,tings in bavaria also it might not be a very beautiful or attractive city but it is my favorite that is Frankfurt am Main because of its finance and its tall skyscrapers and the roemer platz but thats my opinion but that is a good idea to put on your page and research germany and see the things that you think you should add [ oh and the average speed limit on the autobahn is about 120 kph[kilometers] and when you get into bigger cities there are more lanes and it slows down a little