Aus einem Faltblatt für amerikanische Austauschschüler in
Deutschland:
From a Informationbrochure for American exchange Students in Germany
- Germans close room doors.
- Doorknobs are often different.
- They pull shades.
- They lock bathroom doors.
- German's don't necessarily take a shower a day.
- Women often do not shave arms and legs.
- People do not necessarily change their clothes every day.
- Short phone calls -- even local calls are charged for so.
Stay off the phone! - Up early - to bed early.
- Germans are prompt and expect you to be.
- Small refrigerators (don't raid them!).
- Hot meal at noontime.
- More fresh food, less processed stuff.
- Germans eat almost all kinds of food and almost all parts of animals.
- They eat ham and beef (don't worry - it's examined!).
- No or very little ice in sodas - so strong cokes!
- Meals are social events (so hold back with your fork, until everyone is there!).
- In many cases no prayers at the table.
- Germans love mineral water!
- Germans like to have flower & vegetable gardens.
- Dogs and cats are important (and may even be taken into restaurants!).
- On visiting friends flowers are often brought as a gift (uneven number, no red or white roses, unless in love!).
- Hand shaking any time you meet people.
- Girls may be arm in arm and dance together.
- Three types of high school (but none of them with water fountains).
- Schoolkids carry bookbags.
- Kids are more often politically involved.
- Young people are often very mature for their age.
- War time history is different from U.S. TV-movies (so difficult for us to talk about!).
- You may find restroom attendants (tip them).
- Mind numbering of floors in building: Main (1st) - 1st (2nd) - 2nd (3rd) - a.s.o.
- Mind different greetings: "Guten Tag" (in general) "Tag, Gruess dich!" (for personal friends).