Moving to Germany: Top 10 Things to Know (Pt.2)

Part 2: Top 10 Things to Know When Moving to Germany

Let’s continue on and learn the remainder of the 10 things that you need to know before moving to Germany.

6. WC=Restrooms

When you are in public and need to use the restroom, be on the lookout for the letters WC. Borrowed from the English, WC stands for “water closet.” I must say our WC at home has barely enough room to close the door and it has the tiniest sink I have ever seen in my life. Often, you can expect only cold water to be available to wash your hands when finished. However, it is just enough to get the job done, my friends. Mission accomplished.

7. Fresh Everything

Our fridge is very small in comparison to the one we had in our kitchen in the U.S. Which means saying goodbye to our beloved Costco and hello to shopping daily here. Luckily, there are a large number of local grocers to choose from. Not to mention the fresh bread, meats and produce sold at the markets in nearby neighborhoods. The prices are cheap and fair, the quality is fresh and delicious. I was even shocked to find a vending machine in my neighborhood with fresh eggs, cider, a variety of cheeses, and honey. What’s not to love?

8. The Locals

Since moving to southwest Germany, I have had a few faux-pas along the way. Mostly mishaps at the grocery store pertaining to things like labeling my produce properly, bagging my groceries swiftly, being overly friendly and so forth.

My experience has been that Germans generally have a low tolerance for errors or for small talk. They are very efficient and want everything completed quickly and correctly.

I have gotten some very smug looks whenever I have needed help during my learning curve days while interacting with the locals. The easiest thing to do is to realize that this is a part of adapting to the culture here and to keep at it and do not take it personally. In time, you will find many friendly and helpful locals once you break through the initial barrier.

9. Restaurant Quirks

Restaurants are slow. Fast service is not the standard here. Do not expect the wait staff to come to your table until all the menus are closed, signaling you are ready to order. Do not expect to be visited frequently just to see how your meal is going. Oh, and if you would like to order water be sure to specify if you would like it to be still water or sparkling water. Be ready to pay for it because ordering “tap water”, at no cost, does not exist here. Also, having ice in your beverages will now be a rarity and a luxury.

Additionally, you must ask for your check when you are ready and when you do so, you better have your money out right away. Your waiter will be ready with his coin purse to cash you out. Don’t forget to read up on the tipping culture here. All this takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do, you are good to go.

10. Cash Economy

Germany is a cash economy. Always arrive ready with Euro, on hand. Get used to carrying a change purse around for all those coins. You will need coins to use public restrooms and to get yourself a shopping cart at stores.

Say goodbye to counting on your credit or debit cards for purchases. To be fair, more and more places are beginning to accept credit cards, but it is spotty at best. My experience has been to always bring cash to be on the safe side.

There You Go

10 things that I wish I had known before moving to Germany. These are just a few initial differences I have found during my move to Germany from the United States. There are many things to adjust to in your first few months. I wish you luck and a smooth transition as you learn about Germany and adapt to the culture and its people.

What surprised you the most when you first moved to Germany? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.