What Not To Do In Germany As A Tourist

1. Don't jaywalk

One of the rules that are followed religiously and seriously by the Germans is the red-light rule. The pedestrians in Germany patiently wait for the traffic lights to turn green before they decide to cross the street. Trying to cross while the lights are red could lead to you paying a fine of EUR 5 or USD 5.6. What else, you may ask? You shall also hear angry remarks from fellow pedestrians. Germans are not afraid of educating you regarding this rule, especially in front of kids.

2. Don't be late for a meeting

Another strictly followed rule in Germany is the no-late rule. Germans are quite punctual and they expect the same punctuality from others. No matter what you do, never be late. If you have an appointment, it is always a good idea to arrive a few minutes before the decided time. You must also take into consideration traffic, public transport schedule, or any other hindrance you might face and hence, leave earlier than you normally would.

3. Never enter a home wearing your footwear

If you are invited into somebody’s home, ask if it is okay to wear your shoes inside before you enter. Most of the people in Germany do not wear their shoes inside their homes and take them off when they are visiting their friends and families. Many people also give you slippers to wear inside the house.

4. Never expect to pay with cards all the time

Cards are accepted almost everywhere, however, cash is still the most widely used medium of exchange in Germany. There are only a few places such as some supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels where credit cards are accepted. In most other places – takeaways, bars, street vendors, and more, they only accept cash or debit cards. So, when you are traveling to Germany, make sure you are carrying enough cash with you because your card might just not be of much use there.

5. Don't talk about wars

Germany has a very sad history of wars that nobody wants to remember. The Germans read enough about the war in school and they already know what role Germany played in it. You should not remind them of the gruesome past just for the sake of keeping the conversation alive. There are many who get irritated at the mention of this subject. Talk about anything but war.

6. Don't get confused with "sie" and "du"

“Sie” and “du” both mean “You”. The difference is that one is used in a formal way and the other in an informal way. If you are new to the language and are not sure of which to use when it may be a good idea to use it as seldom as you can. The wrong usage of it can cause embarrassment and anger.

7. Don't drink without a toast

Another thing that you must keep in mind is to not start drinking the moment you get beer in your hand. Germans are very fond of toasting before they sip their drinks. Always toast and when you do so, remember to always make eye contact. If you don’t, they might point it out to you. So, skip the embarrassment and look others in the eyes when you toast.

8. Never disrespect quiet hours

Quiet hours are followed religiously in Germany and are regulated by law. Generally, no disturbance is allowed during Sundays and bank holidays. No drilling, loud music, or vacuuming are allowed during quiet hours. Something as common as loading your washing machine during quiet hours can cause your neighbors to complain against you. This can also lead to a visit by public order officers. Respect the quiet hours and try to keep it low.

9. Don't address people with their first names

Germans take politeness seriously. Usually, when the person you are meeting is older to you or is someone you do not know too well, addressing them by their last name is acceptable and is the correct way of doing it. If you are meeting people your own age, they might not mind if you call them by their first names. However, if you are unsure of what to say, you can also ask them and know how they would like to be addressed by you.

10. Don't wear clothes with Nazi symbol or flag

This is the most important thing that you must always keep in your mind. Doing the Nazi salute, wearing clothes with Nazi symbol, or anything related to Hitler or the Nazis is strictly prohibited. These things are not just offensive to the Germans but they are totally illegal. Non-adherence to this could result in high fines and up to five years in prison if you are caught doing any of these activities.

11. Don’t sing the first verse of the national anthem

When in Germany and find yourself in a national event that requires you to sing the national anthem, best not to engage and skip the first verse. The German national anthem was first written in 1841 by August Heinrich and unfortunately was used by Nazi Germany later on for propaganda to spread nationalistic ideology frowned upon by many Germans and the international community then.

Come 1952 the German government proclaimed that the official German national anthem begins from the third verse. If you’re a tourist or traveler in the presence of the anthem being sung, the most respectful thing to do is to keep your hands down and calmly wait for the song to finish. Cultural appropriation is best to be observed whichever country you travel in order to maintain respect and also gain a sense of knowledge into their culture.

Ready for your holiday in Germany?

With all these lists of don'ts, you are ready to visit Germany without worrying about offending anyone. Just keep in mind that Germans are very orderly and do not like to upset the order that they follow so religiously. Also keep in mind the above-mentioned points and avoid them at all times, and you are good to go. Enjoy your amazing holidays in Germany!