Since December we have had 4 sets of visitors welcomed in
our home. We have had the variations of people, and backgrounds. All being Americans but some older, some families,
and some young! We have welcomed all of them with open arms and excitement to
show them our life her in Germany! Before their arrival we prepare for
adventures, organize food, and figured out airport pick up!
However, even with all this planning there are always things
I forget! Things that I have no choice but to embrace and the things that I don’t
even see anymore, things that make are visitors say “Oh, really!”
First off personal space: Simply put there is none. If you
are waiting in line or riding an escalator someone will be right on top of you.
This isn’t meant to bother you it is simply a way to convey they are next, or
they are in a pole position to move when it is time! I have grown to embrace
it, because otherwise you will never get anywhere!
Grass or the mini rainforest: German’s famously do not cut
the grass, or at least as much! Grass can grow taller than me before someone
will cut it! The reason why being simply, it’s natural and better for the
grass. If you cut it, it takes labor and machines that can harm the environment,
also they don’t use fertilizers so it keeps in green! My son has enjoyed this,
because it is a great game of weeding with a Nerf sword!
The Sunday Rule: Everything is closed… everything except
some restaurants, tourist attractions, gas stations, and maybe if you’re lucky
the neighborhood bakery for 5hrs. People from the states have such a hard time
with this rule, we miss Sunday Target shopping!
Quiet, Silence, Peaceful: Germany is such a quiet place. Unless you’re in a city center the people are very
quiet. Most days you can’t hear any noise! No cars, radios, children, or
machines! On Sunday’s the noise is restricted even further. There use to even
be so called quiet hours, during lunch, evenings, and all day on Sundays. This
is something that only semi exists or that is now only semi followed, depends
who you ask!
Dirndls, lederhosen, beer steins: People do wear the traditional dress for special
events, weddings, and parties! It is not joke.
And Bier actually comes in a stein.
The Escalator: This is a simple
rule but always the hardest for visitors to remember….Standing (not wanting to
run up) stay to the right! Those in a hurry on the left! This works for up,
down, ramps, and moving walk ways!
Walking, biking, and generally
being outside: When you visit Germany or really any European city you will be
outside, you will be walking. Think of it as a daily exercise routine of 1-5 miles
of site seeing! Some of the best views of Europe are at the top of buildings
(few have elevators) or the top of mountains. Be prepared to walk!
And Finally ICE: We don’t have
it! Freezer space is limited here, mine is the size of a shoe box. Good luck
finding an ice filled drink!
Sounds like Germany is right up my alley. I've always said the problem with the world today is stores open on Sundays. When I was a kid, the only thing open on Sunday (until the mid-70's) seemed to be KFC or other 'family' restaurants. Sunday was for going to church and spending time with family. Now, we're in a 24x7 world. Family time seems to be squeezed in when you can. I really hate that! This post has gotten me thinking about how to get back to that concept with my own family... hmmmm!
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