In England I have experienced people burping or farting in a public situation and then just say "sorry" - while in Germany they would pretend it never happend or someone else did it.
A great video, and some great insights by Isi, whose English is fantastic! Point 6. Apologies. The German method makes complete sense, but the British method does too, but in a way most non-natives don't understand at all. When we say sorry when someone bumps into us, it's not because we are apologising in the sense of admitting guilt for an act and then expressing remorse. It's purely saying that we are sorry that the event in question has happened at all, in the same way that we are sorry to hear that someone's watch was stolen - we aren't saying we're responsible for it, just that we're sorry that it happened. This immediately signifies to the person who bumped into us that we're acknowledging that what they did to us was an accident, and thus not cause for an argument or a punch up. They then recognise this fact and then admit that the fault for the accident was theirs (i.e. they make the actual apology for the incident). Both sides are signifying that what happened was an accident and that neither party thinks it's worth creating a fuss over. So, just with the one simple word said by each party confrontation can be avoided. It sounds complicated, but it's not at all and it's just an ingrained method of ensuring that real accidents are instantly recognised as such. The worst thing in the UK, if someone bumps into you, is to just stare at them waiting for them to apologise. This is seen as [very] rude/aggressive/confrontational and may lead to things escalating. Part of the reason for this is that by not saying "sorry" and just staring you are saying to the other person that you believe what they did to you was a deliberate act.
I try to remember, how "sorry" was intruduced in english lessons. I think as the equivalent of "es tut mir leid", which can be an expression of "I'm sorry about that" as well as an apology. Just found out, the Google translator does the same mistake..
It is indeed a very extensive and well-thought explanation. Having said that, if I may make a little comparison with Italy, while in the Uk we find all this "sorry"-ing a bit depressive in the long run, not because we'd react in different/ruder ways, but because if it happens, we wouldnt even make it a point to expect the 'guilty' one to apologise, we just would nevermind and walk on as a rule, I suppose - like, such a small thing! So it sure enough is yes super-polite, also very caring in the meaning and the intentions, but we would find it still kinda pointless (can't say if the video here meant something like that too). It's like... all this 'goes without saying'. If then I may add one little thing - but we're just chatting and really, you're wonderful people and so civil so... this one is just to have a little laugh over, ok - the example of bumping into someone is not random, cos it happens so often (especially in London) - but we foreigners feel that this is because of the British tunnel vision, they just don't look around, don't even see people they know and this isnt necessarily a bad thing, not to waste time all the time - but will lead them into bumping into others all the time lol (and having to, ehm, mind the gaps! etc.). Anyway, that's how it is and sure there are things worse than that in the world. Bottom line, in my country we have similar ways and we can tell foreigners when they really 'should' say sorry, but they don't, so you tell them 'hey mateee... 'sorryyy'' ;) ( = you, better say sorry)" and the proper reply would be 'oh, oops i, am sorry' but instead we get 'oh, you're welcome, don't worry about that' - like we're the one who did it lol. Which is a bit off-putting really - but again, just to smile, here. Well... *sorry* for the long tale. Who knows, maybe with all the Italians/Continentals who are in the Uk, this might help you be more patient with them (thanks :) ) :) Shame not to have a very English cuppa now :) (or a pint! Things one really misses :) ) Cheers!
Thank you very much for this insightful explanation. Now, finally, I do understand the "philosophy" of saying "sorry" first - it is a deescalation strategy you just pick up on the fly when you are born and raised in the UK - brilliant!!
Yeah (great explanation, yes) but it applies only to when you bump into a Brit. But Continental Europeans mostly don't have tunnel vision and all they hear all the time is actually bumping into them and "sorry"s (which, in such case, is having caused it - not that it matters of course, peace), in London is what you hear all the time. On the plane back home you leave with the idea that it's a wonderful place, very polite people but they just have a bumping &"sorry" time :) whatever :)
I am surprised to hear that Germany is not more arts-focused, because Germany has produced many incredible musical composers over the centuries! There are great German writers and artists/sculptors as well ♥️
I think what she meant was that it´s more valued in Britain. Yes, we do have arts classes here in Germany but these are mostly considered as something less important. Teachers who "only" teach art aren't taken as serious as those teaching science. My daughter once went on a school exchange in England and she was delighted that there were drama classes. You wouldn't find it here on the regular class schedule - perhaps as a workshop in the afternoon. I think drama and acting are more paramount in Britain - perhaps because of Shakespeare? Not sure. Great episode btw - I could relate with nearly everything. :D
@@mariannereuter have you visited Britain a lot? I think often you aren't aware of your country's qualities, negative and positive, until you step outside it. So internally it might not seem like we're particularly arts focused on a daily basis, indeed locally many say we're a bit philistine (like that typically negative English talking nonsense above),but certainly at the elite and popular level culture is one of our strengths. Indeed there's been a lot of talk we neglect science and educationally were moving in that direction. Although we've always produced a lot of great scientists too. But it's all relative right? What were German schools like? My school,long time ago so struggle to remember, two art lessons a week, a music lesson, drama from what I remember was included in English lessons, we'd act out Shakespeare etc. We'd often do school plays,concerts, sing hymns in assembly, Christmas concerts, school choirs, occasional theatre visits.
@@ktkee7161 I don't quite get what you want to tell me and which country you mean when you talk of "we" ... As I said above, I got the impression that Britain is (at least as far as school education is concerned) appreciating the arts more than we do in Germany. And yes, I've been to several parts of Britain in the past.
Nice video! Yes, it is true Germans keep carefully the social distances between other people. British use to be closer, but i think it doesn't mean that Germans are less friendly than British. It is something cultural but also, Germans give a lot of importance to their privacy and I think that's the key.
I'd say most Germans don't like being insincere. We feel this as false friendliness and hypocrisy and wish that friendliness really comes from the heart. The disadvantage: Germán society is extremely cold because there is too little effort to stimulate yourself to be kind and friendly to others.
I totally agree. I am from Germany myself and I am ashamed of it. Many people here are just horrible: They are rude, cold , selfish and hostile. Many of them are also more or less racist unfortunately. They rarely smile and rather give you evil stares. I don't know why that is, but in my experience Germany is really the rudest country in the world. :( And it's also boring, often narrow-minded, too structured and too focused on rules and discipline . I wish I was from another country and hope to be able to move to another country soon. My favorites would be France, Greece or Italy 😊❤
They're not quite used in the same domains though: as a French person, I would never say that to strangers in the supermarket, but I wouldn't expect an honest answer if I asked my coworkers "ça va" for example.
"Sorry" is more like a way of acknowledging the other person has done something, but you're letting them off (because you're British and thus super-nice), so you give them a "sorry". The only expectation is that there's a "sorry" in return. If not, there will be much tutting and muttering, and a cup of tea will have to be necked in order to calm down.
As a German expat living in the UK I have sometimes responded to an inappropriate "Sorry" by telling them off about this inappropriate behaviour, cranking up my German accent by a couple of degrees in the process. That kind of trolling confuses them to no end.
The use of names was partly linked to class, I was born in 1961, my generation of privately educated Brits referred to each other at school, and even in some companies where we worked, by our second names. To use first names was effete. I realise a lot of people won’t like that but it’s true. Remember that not long ago (in historic terms) people called their father “Sir”.
2 years late... German here: I use to live in England/London in the Eighties and I can fully agree to you, Isi! I felt the same, even this was 40 years ago.
An excellent video! Honestly you are so spot on with all your observations and differences. I'm a native Brit (born and bred in London) currently living in Germany Heidelberg! I love Germany - but I really miss the small talk, friendly customer service, causal pet names for strangers and Yorkshire tea bags. Along with sitting in a good ol' local pub with the very suspicions and almost scandalous name.....beispielsweise "The Cock Inn" :/ Guinness However I do love and adore about Germany (and never appreciated before until you pointed out) the mixed taps! The lack of carpet (much easier to clean!) Along with the (cliche) German miraculous windows. Plus, I have a new found love and appreciation for the humble, reliable and extremely versatile potato. Huge fan of Easy German also! (and the podcasts) Keep up the fantastic work guys! Have mug of Yorkshire tea for me! Take care xxx
@@EasyEnglishVideos no I'm sorry (😂😂) I've never been in UK but I have an italian friend living there right now. She said there's no comparison between Italy and England, talking about work, there's more possibility to find a work there then here; but maybe in Italy we have just better weather and, sometimes... food😜! I would like to visit the town she lives in, Brighton, because I saw a lot of beautiful pictures of it😍!
Brits and Americans always say "sorry" but it's not an apology. It's just a way of acknowledging others. Also, I love endearments. They are also very common in the American South. By the way, the moderator's use of "Me and Isi" is not grammatical in standard English. It's "Isi and I."
🤔Both Anglosaxons when you are from the northwest of Germany.... but we Germans have to learn three things..... Politness... Sense of Humor... Patience.... I've learned this in England... 😄🇩🇪🏴
I'm half German, half Brit, so I feel this, but I love how apologetic we Brits are and I call everyone "love" when I speak English which confuses the heck out of everyone here in Germany. 😂 I've missed the UK so much. Bloody pandemic!
This is great. Points 1 and 3 remind me of us here in the south (U.S.). We act overly friendly and say "how-r-ya" as a statement like "hello." Not a question.
You might say that some points are floating and constantly changing cause some topics are a generation thing within Germany. Up to 80‘s or even later carpets all over even in the bathroom. Not anymore. But Teppichboden, not single carpets were very common. The formal addressing is fading slowly as well. There are many more situations when you quickly switch to „du“ than some 30 years ago.. it’s in the Flow. Einhebelmischbatterien are Common for ages in Germany but I kind of remember seeing the separated taps as a child in some households so again it did change…
Hi guys! We as Peruvians are welcoming, polite and friendly. If you approach someone, they may say "oe" or "habla" (informal way of y'alright). And of course there are other cultural differences you can be shocked.
I like this type of episode, I mean the video in which two or more people are chatting with each other, more than one in which Mitchy talk alone and explain something like a school class! So good, Thank you very much!
Hi! I have witnessed how the British apologize without having done anything, I was surprised! And I also witnessed carpets. Everywhere. Here in Spain we also use that kind of greetings (apparent questions like "¿qué haces?", "¿qué tal?, ¿cómo estás?" or "¿qué hay?"). Most people here love coffee, and say things like "I cannot live without my coffee in the morning", or call the firsts hours in the afternoon "la hora del café" (the coffee time). My mother is one of those. If you liked everyone to say hello on the street, you will love Spain, especially the south. But come prepared, because if calling named shocks you, here things go to the next level. It is not uncommon that in a casual and relaxed conversation between friends they can refer to an intimate part of your body to call you, apart from other things like "niña" ("girl"), "vida" ("life"), "cariño" ("dear") and so on.
As an young Italian who lived in the Uk for a good few years (some more years back home again now), I'd say generally the Brits yes can be very "caring" as a rule and will chat like friends - BUT, I also find it is a country where one may well feel REALLY completely lonely and forsaken (and I mean the locals too). I suppose if you're a good-looking foreign young lady - not exactly just another one around - , then maybe your feedback from the locals isn't exactly everyone's, lol. Sure if she comes down to Italy (which again, is very diverse) where I get friendliness and empathy, she might just get too forward people who randomly hit on her. So yeah, just personal experiences. No hard feelings anyone. No simping, either. Cheers
love this episode many cultural aspects to see! coming from Hong Kong now i know where our round of afternoon tea in the office come from. We usually call the people and note down milk / sugar preference.
I've only had and came across tap mixers when hot and cold water are mixed? For at least 30 years! And that includes public toilets ,pubs, restaurants etc?
Exciting points! I immediately thought of tap water. Maybe it was just the location, but whether it was at my host family's house or at work, the water always tasted of chlorine. I don't think it was a bad thing, but I ended up buying a lot of bottled water. In Germany, I've never had water that tasted even slightly of chlorine. Not even in Berlin.
In Germany you WILL get a story. :-) And after listening you will know everything. But it won't take long. We have very long words. Some of them include informations for what you might need 5 sentences.
Here in the States a “Hi there” usually suffices since it’s basically extending the common courtesy of acknowledging someone’s presence while giving them the option to engage in a conversation if they want to.
I agree that her English is great. Get rid of the desonorizations (e.g., pronouncing love as luf rather than luv) and she might come across as a native. 😉
I would add that in LONDON people are often not that friendly as opposed to anywhere outside London. In the States (where I live though I'm German) people ask "how are you/how is it going?" and they don't want your life story either, BUT you have to be upbeat and the most negative thing I allow myself to say is "hanging in there" which actually translates as "rather rotten." I have been called "luv" a lot in Britain and would recommend the book "How to Be an Alien" by George Mikes. Though written in 1946, many things in there still hold true i.e. the British sense of fairness as in "in a bathroom it is drafty and cold and you are naked and wet, but you've got to be fair and give British germs a chance."
Thanks for the recommendation Anja, we also spoke about London being it's own cultural phenomenon when it comes to friendliness in our extra scenes... so strange
@@EasyEnglishVideos I think it has to do with it being the capital city and a large city. I find people in Berlin, Paris and Madrid for example are also less friendly than people in smaller cities or villages in their respective countries. Even Dubliners are more standoffish than the open and friendly Irish in general.
Yeah I agree with all the points but I also think this is definitely the idealised version of Britain! I'm a Brit trying to learn German so came hear from Easy German. 😄
@@sebastianusmacropus1508 I fully agree with that. I have spent considerable time in continental Europe and I found the "honest" way just so time-consuming, often unnecessary and a bit emotionally draining. I once watched 2 old Italian ladies literally fighting over who would get on a bus first and I was astonished. Queuing is apparently a "British" thing?! But I don't see how civilisation can function without it! Just be nice if you can - especially in "everyday, on the street" situations. On the other hand, many (not all) Brits are what I would call "social schmoozers". They are OTT nice to everyone, but just out of self-interest, to gain some kind of social leverage. This, I would totally agree is fake and very annoying and I don't think I ever met someone like this in Germany. So, of course there are pros and cons of everywhere.
@@sebastianusmacropus1508 The Irish learn to hate the English on their mother's knee. The English couldn't really give a f**k what they think. We have lots of patriotic Irish folk living in our midst and we get along just fine.
That wasn't my experience. When I went up north for my studies I was disappointed not to encounter the much talked about salt of the earth northerners. They were as mixed in the friendliness levels as the southern English I met when I studied there. I'm Welsh so have a neutral outlook btw. And no my first gf was not a sheep😂
I am English and I think these are observations are very perceptive. However, I do think it is important not to generalise. For example, the use of forms of address like ‘love’, ‘sweetheart’, ‘darling’ or, in Oxford, ‘my duck’ also have a class dimension. In my experience, a person with a professional background would simply never use these terms with a stranger - and certainly not in a professional setting. You might hear these terms used by a barman or a shop worker, but there are many people who quite literally never use terms of this kind to address strangers. To my ear, their use is rather quaint and somewhat old fashioned.
Thank you both! Just to say that in Germany it depends on the region if you can name somebody darling, love, ... . In the region of Cologne e.g. a man and a woman can say "Liebschen" or "Liebelein" to the person they face, even to a total unknown person. A woman would chose rather "Liebelein" to name a man. Both expressions are meant to be nice and icebreaking. Of course it is contextual and so nowbody in an governmental office working would name a new collegue or a taxpayer that way at first sight. But whereever it happens don't worry, just enjoy the positiv attitude.
Funnily enough I have even seen separate taps installed in newer building or after renovations. But I forgot to ask when I saw them. I'd really be curious about the answer from someone who deliberately installed them
You may not teach arts and bullshit but you produce the best cars Although we in the UK produced crazie CRAZIE POPS MUSIK and the austin allegro you also have an history of famous musicians, writers artists etc And good beer but leave the pops musik to us and the yanks👍
Thanks for the 🎥video. I dealt with some Germans and British🇬🇧 I guess that it depends on the generation. Earlier all were very reserved. Nowadays people are easier due to globalization and integration.
I agree with the last point. I’m from Poland and the carpets disappeared more than 20 years ago but in England they are ubiquitous. Maybe they are easy to lay down but there’s no way you can keep this clean in a long run.
Some years ago some Japanese friends of mine asked me why English people would say “ Oh you must come to dinner sometime “ They would say Yes, When ? to hear “ Oh sometime “….. I explained it was meant but for an open possibility in the future as an idea rather an actual date. They found it superficial and annoying. I suppose it is true . we say I’ll call you, then we don’t.
Okay, so don't get me wrong, I (an Austrian) think the English are awesome and have the best humour. But I recently fell in love with someone from England & well, all the friendliness gave me false hope. I have never opened up so fast to anyone & I even wrote a love letter before we wouldn't see each other for a while. (I also never liked anyone that much and I'm nearly 30.) At the end, all the nice activities, messages and words meant such a lot to me but nothing/not that much to this person. Was that just the character of this person, or did something similar happen to anyone else here?
Some English people are like that because they are like the imitation Rolex watch. They look and feel like the real deal unless you know what to look for. But like the Rolex, it’s the quality of the materials and actions that make the difference. Not the superficial resemblance. Not all in England are this way. It depends which area of England you are in. Bit what you described is what we call keeping up appearances
I'm not bareable in the morning without my tea. Beeing raised near East Frisia in the northwest of Germany, I'm used to tea and don't like coffee. East Frisia developed an own tea culture during the 18th century. When the king tried to stop the tea trade because the loss of taxes, the East Frisiens even started a "tea war". But the consumption of tea becomes less and today coffee is the choice of most peoples.. ☹️
the sorry sorry, etc and indirectness, are distinctly distinct in the south and south east - in the east or north it is not really the same ( though people can be polite, it is much more cut and dried and direct, with not fluff and people coming from the south east, even to the east or north, would notice that ).
Point 3.Ever since we stopped using 'how do you do?' which over the decades lost it's original meaning we have gone back to the beginning with the cumbersome 'how are you?' This awful phrase requires answering.'alright.?' is probably better.
I had no problems at all living and working in Germany for over 2 years. I was on first name terms with everyone. my german home had hard floors and carpet floors. More is the same rather than different.
Warum wurde hier die wichtige Frage nicht beantwortet, warum die Engländer so überaus rückständig sind und immer noch keine Misch-Armaturen für kaltes und heißes Wasser haben, währen dies schon seit 50 Jahren zur Standartausstattung auch in Sozialwohnungen gehört?
In México tenders in the market also call people nice names, although maybe it's just to entice you to buy from them :v , like "hola reina" or "buenos días linda", and more for women than men xd Lovely video, cheers!
I agree with everything Isi said. I've lived in both countries. As for the surname thing, it doesn't bother me not using it. Then again I grew up in Paris and left ages ago. Therefore, anything that informal suits me.
Yeah, the French greeting people formally in shops or shaking hands with everyone in the morning. Some people like that sort of thing and some people don't.
I've found that one of the biggest cultural differences is sense of humor. Brits have such a wicked sense of humor....I've found a heightened sense of humor in Belgium too. The French, on the other hand seem to be always frowning or scowling, rarely smiling. Germans and Swedish seem to take life quite seriously, by comparison to Brits, who can find humor in many situations.
The most important thing was missing: Stopping at a red light. Everytime, I waited at a red pedastrian light I was asked: "You come from Germany, right?"
@@EasyEnglishVideos Not really. I used to house-share with a policeman in a German city. I once complained that red lights are holding you up every few hundred metres. He just replied very surprised: "do you really stop at red lights??"
Staying on the right side on an escalator allowing others to pass by if they're in a hurry. I wonder if that's a thing in London only, or if that rule is being followed outside of London too.
The woman talking is a very beautiful lady her teeth are so perfect and her eyes so blue. Very pretty indeed. The strangest thing is when she talks English like everyone talking in a foreign language however good they are with the vocabulary/grammar etc they will never hear their accent.
Good video! Very interesting to me as a Brit living in Germany. I realise, however, that you just use the AI generated closed captions (cc). No-one actually proof-reads them, which definitely needs to be done. For a start the error could be something as simple as the American form of Mr and Mrs which have full stops. But the most appalling was in Easy English 115, when the closed captions substituted "funicular" (a kind of railway) with "vernacular" (regional language). In my experience closed captions can be disastrous for English students. I advise my students to use only videos that have been properly transcribed. I presumed yours were and am disappointed that you don't realise that the cc option is completely unreliable.
As regards to love , sweetie , honey as a greeting it's a friendly thing and said a lot up north ie after a long stint on stage down the west end Sir Ian McKenna got a train to Manchester very tired , as soon as he got into the taxi the driver said to him " you alright love " he replied " yes I'm home " .
I have had Germans on holiday completely walk in front of me in a queue on holiday in a restaurant that's annoying but i guess we all have our own ways
I've worked with Brits and Germans. Fully agree with the video. Courtesy is high on the British value system scale while directness and efficiency are some the most important values for Germans. Furthermore British have a much more sophisticated sense of humor than Germans. Professionally I like very much working with Germans, but privately I would rather hang around with Brits.
Is there an Easy American English? Though the differences may be slight. Having visited and even lived in Germany (10 weeks), and never having been to England, it was fun to watch this. While I know it isn't all about 'us', I wonder if the Americanization hasn't effected England - since we are all very much informal over here. But I agree, sometimes it is hard on like e-mails to know how to address someone you've never met before. But all in all, it is easier than in Germany where I think the norm is still to use Herr and Frau when addressing your neighbors of 50 years.... But that is the kind of thing that keeps cultures interesting.
There is no American English... yet. The US has had an enormous effect on Britain in the last 30 years, in my opinion - All the TV shows I watched growing up were American (and I didn't have cable). And I remember some Brit friends even adopting the US rising inflection at the end of the sentence
@@EasyEnglishVideos I grew up in the Detroit area, and with Canada just across the river, I watched a lot of the CBC, which broadcast a lot of British shows. Coronation Street, East Enders, etc. That and PBS, with Mystery! and such. So funny to think of you all watching our shows, when I was watching yours. :)
I'd get confused about 'y'allright' as well if the other person doesn't give me the time to answer the question, turns around and moves on. Okay, it's not a question, but I think that, when you're talking to each other in the Netherlands (where I come from), you should make clear what you mean to say or whether or not you're asking a question. If you don't make that clear, then people will think you ignore their answer when you move on, which is considered a bit rude. That is why we'd say 'hi' or 'hello', beccause it doesn't expect anything else from you. When a Dutch person would say 'y'allright', then they'd really meant to ask that question and knorw they're going to get an answer from yhe other person. In that regard, this thinking process of the Dutch is practically identical to what Isi is pointing out on the Germans. Say what you mean, mean what you say and make that clear. Otherwise, you could see some weird faces looking at you.
Wonderful content I'm from Egypt and I speak English and German I've worked also in UK and Germany The same as Isi the people in UK are more friendly polite. However, in Germany people are more conservative and professional
I dont think that all the people in Germany are nice and professional at all. Sorry to disagree with your point. I found some German girls and guys are very bad. For example the girl who is my fiance's coworker and my fiance, they dont care about other people feeling and they just do whatever they want even though it will hurt other people feeling. Especially, the girl, she pushes my fiance to give her frivate contact phone number and texts and calls him mostly everyday. She is having a boyfriend too but she acts like that. I really dont know why she is so pathetic and has no morals or dignity at all. Then they secretly arrange a meeting in a park behind my back. Mt fiance just told me when i asked him. So i dont think all German are professional and nice at all
I think the "y'alright" thing is just British, though it must be new since I never heard that when I was there. An American, at least, will be just as confused as a German. If American's says "you all right", it's a question, and presumably we have reason to doubt the answer is "yes" or we wouldn't ask . "Curveball" right at the end surprised me. That's a baseball term. Where would either British or Germans pick up that word?
I honestly couldn't stand if my bathroom had carpet in it. I can see carpet flooring occasionally in the living room, dining room or bedrooms, but not in the kitchen or the bathroom. That would cringe me so bad. I am overly friendly towards strangers in the supermarket here in the United States and my wife always gives me a crazy look for being this way. Maybe it's the British portion of my DNA coming out when I act like that.
@@ktkee7161 if by that you mean something like "yareet love?" Then in younger generations yes, but i still do here it fairly commonly in the north east
This was super interesting to me. I'm from Spain, but I've lived briefly in the uk, and for a long time in Germany. Regarding the first point: when I was living in the UK, I probably would have not used the word "friendly", but rather "over-polite" and maybe even "phony" (I've also made the mistake of actually start answering a "how are you?" question with a report of my last week). But now after many years in Berlin, I could use a bit more of this friendliness (swallow or not) in my interactions, to be honest.
Yeah, Ive seen Italians and Spanish remark on the phony politeness which I think is a bit harsh. It's what we say about Americans tbf. The best way to sum it up is it's all relative, because aren't the English seen by Latin people as cold fish?
@@ktkee7161The thing about politeness is that it can be superficial words and not be reflected in actions. My sister is from Yorkshire and recently visited London for the day, and she asked two women directions to the lift, and they were incredibly rude to her. “I’m not helping you, I’m on my lunch break, why should I help you?” And my sister burst into tears because she hardly ever experiences that level of rudeness back in yorkshire. These actions are very abrupt and selfish and polite words need to be reflected by actions too. This can sometimes be why Germans or Spanish don’t like this insincere approach
I have mixed feelings about the so much praised British courtesy. They are very polite car drivers in comparison to the german speed maniacs. Brits can be very nice and entertaining and I enjoy talking to them. Provided that they don't belong to this kind of English people, who tend to overgeneralize everything. I deliberately wrote about the English, specially southern England, as I have never had bad experiences in Scotland. If people start a conversation with sentences like "I hate Germans" or refuse to talk because they don't want to talk to "Nazis", then that is rather the opposite of politeness. Or maybe I just don't understand the British humor in this matter. I've always tried to take it lightly, but sometimes it was too bold and stupid. Anyway.... I mostly had a good time in the UK with great people.
What is annoying that you can‘t deactivate the subtitles. Sometimes they use the wrong word. Eg insteaed hi it was used high. Could the next video be done without sibtitles please?
"Sorry" does NOT MEAN SORRY.
It's an involuntary noise that people make in the UK. It's a bit like burping or farting.
🤣😂🤣
I have a friend who used to burp the word sorry
Hilarious comment! So much true!
In England I have experienced people burping or farting in a public situation and then just say "sorry" - while in Germany they would pretend it never happend or someone else did it.
@@EasyEnglishVideos at least there is a tiny piece of excuse in his words
A great video, and some great insights by Isi, whose English is fantastic! Point 6. Apologies. The German method makes complete sense, but the British method does too, but in a way most non-natives don't understand at all. When we say sorry when someone bumps into us, it's not because we are apologising in the sense of admitting guilt for an act and then expressing remorse. It's purely saying that we are sorry that the event in question has happened at all, in the same way that we are sorry to hear that someone's watch was stolen - we aren't saying we're responsible for it, just that we're sorry that it happened. This immediately signifies to the person who bumped into us that we're acknowledging that what they did to us was an accident, and thus not cause for an argument or a punch up. They then recognise this fact and then admit that the fault for the accident was theirs (i.e. they make the actual apology for the incident). Both sides are signifying that what happened was an accident and that neither party thinks it's worth creating a fuss over. So, just with the one simple word said by each party confrontation can be avoided. It sounds complicated, but it's not at all and it's just an ingrained method of ensuring that real accidents are instantly recognised as such.
The worst thing in the UK, if someone bumps into you, is to just stare at them waiting for them to apologise. This is seen as [very] rude/aggressive/confrontational and may lead to things escalating. Part of the reason for this is that by not saying "sorry" and just staring you are saying to the other person that you believe what they did to you was a deliberate act.
Ah, thanks for the great explanation! That makes so much sense! 😃 Cheers, Isi
I try to remember, how "sorry" was intruduced in english lessons. I think as the equivalent of "es tut mir leid", which can be an expression of "I'm sorry about that" as well as an apology. Just found out, the Google translator does the same mistake..
It is indeed a very extensive and well-thought explanation. Having said that, if I may make a little comparison with Italy, while in the Uk we find all this "sorry"-ing a bit depressive in the long run, not because we'd react in different/ruder ways, but because if it happens, we wouldnt even make it a point to expect the 'guilty' one to apologise, we just would nevermind and walk on as a rule, I suppose - like, such a small thing! So it sure enough is yes super-polite, also very caring in the meaning and the intentions, but we would find it still kinda pointless (can't say if the video here meant something like that too). It's like... all this 'goes without saying'. If then I may add one little thing - but we're just chatting and really, you're wonderful people and so civil so... this one is just to have a little laugh over, ok - the example of bumping into someone is not random, cos it happens so often (especially in London) - but we foreigners feel that this is because of the British tunnel vision, they just don't look around, don't even see people they know and this isnt necessarily a bad thing, not to waste time all the time - but will lead them into bumping into others all the time lol (and having to, ehm, mind the gaps! etc.). Anyway, that's how it is and sure there are things worse than that in the world. Bottom line, in my country we have similar ways and we can tell foreigners when they really 'should' say sorry, but they don't, so you tell them 'hey mateee... 'sorryyy'' ;) ( = you, better say sorry)" and the proper reply would be 'oh, oops i, am sorry' but instead we get 'oh, you're welcome, don't worry about that' - like we're the one who did it lol. Which is a bit off-putting really - but again, just to smile, here. Well... *sorry* for the long tale. Who knows, maybe with all the Italians/Continentals who are in the Uk, this might help you be more patient with them (thanks :) ) :) Shame not to have a very English cuppa now :) (or a pint! Things one really misses :) ) Cheers!
Thank you very much for this insightful explanation. Now, finally, I do understand the "philosophy" of saying "sorry" first - it is a deescalation strategy you just pick up on the fly when you are born and raised in the UK - brilliant!!
Yeah (great explanation, yes) but it applies only to when you bump into a Brit. But Continental Europeans mostly don't have tunnel vision and all they hear all the time is actually bumping into them and "sorry"s (which, in such case, is having caused it - not that it matters of course, peace), in London is what you hear all the time. On the plane back home you leave with the idea that it's a wonderful place, very polite people but they just have a bumping &"sorry" time :) whatever :)
This way of learning English words is the best for me. Good job and thanks for that. Y'alright!
Thanks Slominski! Glad you enjoyed it!
I am surprised to hear that Germany is not more arts-focused, because Germany has produced many incredible musical composers over the centuries! There are great German writers and artists/sculptors as well ♥️
Music and art are mandatory subjects at every school in Germany.
That was long ago
I think what she meant was that it´s more valued in Britain. Yes, we do have arts classes here in Germany but these are mostly considered as something less important. Teachers who "only" teach art aren't taken as serious as those teaching science. My daughter once went on a school exchange in England and she was delighted that there were drama classes. You wouldn't find it here on the regular class schedule - perhaps as a workshop in the afternoon. I think drama and acting are more paramount in Britain - perhaps because of Shakespeare? Not sure. Great episode btw - I could relate with nearly everything. :D
@@mariannereuter have you visited Britain a lot? I think often you aren't aware of your country's qualities, negative and positive, until you step outside it. So internally it might not seem like we're particularly arts focused on a daily basis, indeed locally many say we're a bit philistine (like that typically negative English talking nonsense above),but certainly at the elite and popular level culture is one of our strengths. Indeed there's been a lot of talk we neglect science and educationally were moving in that direction. Although we've always produced a lot of great scientists too. But it's all relative right? What were German schools like? My school,long time ago so struggle to remember, two art lessons a week, a music lesson, drama from what I remember was included in English lessons, we'd act out Shakespeare etc. We'd often do school plays,concerts, sing hymns in assembly, Christmas concerts, school choirs, occasional theatre visits.
@@ktkee7161 I don't quite get what you want to tell me and which country you mean when you talk of "we" ... As I said above, I got the impression that Britain is (at least as far as school education is concerned) appreciating the arts more than we do in Germany. And yes, I've been to several parts of Britain in the past.
Nice video! Yes, it is true Germans keep carefully the social distances between other people. British use to be closer, but i think it doesn't mean that Germans are less friendly than British. It is something cultural but also, Germans give a lot of importance to their privacy and I think that's the key.
I'd say most Germans don't like being insincere. We feel this as false friendliness and hypocrisy and wish that friendliness really comes from the heart. The disadvantage: Germán society is extremely cold because there is too little effort to stimulate yourself to be kind and friendly to others.
Sadly yes
I totally agree. I am from Germany myself and I am ashamed of it. Many people here are just horrible: They are rude, cold , selfish and hostile. Many of them are also more or less racist unfortunately. They rarely smile and rather give you evil stares. I don't know why that is, but in my experience Germany is really the rudest country in the world. :( And it's also boring, often narrow-minded, too structured and too focused on rules and discipline . I wish I was from another country and hope to be able to move to another country soon. My favorites would be France, Greece or Italy 😊❤
@janajacoby3391 Holy shit, w how many more cliches are you going to spread embarrassing.
"Y'alright!" is the "Ça va" of UK.
They're not quite used in the same domains though: as a French person, I would never say that to strangers in the supermarket, but I wouldn't expect an honest answer if I asked my coworkers "ça va" for example.
@@AntoineRx Je connais :) (pardon my French). I was just comparing the fact that "Ça va" is an appropriate response to itself.
It is actually the same as the old polite "How do you do?" to which the other one also replies ... "How do you do?" Neither one elaborates. :)
Or the "qué tal" in Spanish
It's like the "how are you doing" in the U.S., to which you can reply with " hi," "hello," or "good how are you."
Unfortunately I've never been to UK, but I love British people, british English, British history and traditions 😍
Bring a waterproof coat 😂 from 🇬🇧
Really pleased to hear that Isi, as a German speaker, has such a positive impression of the UK and one that goes against the reserved stereotype.
"Sorry" is more like a way of acknowledging the other person has done something, but you're letting them off (because you're British and thus super-nice), so you give them a "sorry". The only expectation is that there's a "sorry" in return. If not, there will be much tutting and muttering, and a cup of tea will have to be necked in order to calm down.
As a German expat living in the UK I have sometimes responded to an inappropriate "Sorry" by telling them off about this inappropriate behaviour, cranking up my German accent by a couple of degrees in the process. That kind of trolling confuses them to no end.
The use of names was partly linked to class, I was born in 1961, my generation of privately educated Brits referred to each other at school, and even in some companies where we worked, by our second names. To use first names was effete. I realise a lot of people won’t like that but it’s true. Remember that not long ago (in historic terms) people called their father “Sir”.
I'm from Spain, living here in UK for a couple of years. You couldn't have explain it better, I agree with all those points haha
2 years late... German here: I use to live in England/London in the Eighties and I can fully agree to you, Isi! I felt the same, even this was 40 years ago.
An excellent video! Honestly you are so spot on with all your observations and differences. I'm a native Brit (born and bred in London) currently living in Germany Heidelberg!
I love Germany - but I really miss the small talk, friendly customer service, causal pet names for strangers and Yorkshire tea bags. Along with sitting in a good ol' local pub with the very suspicions and almost scandalous name.....beispielsweise "The Cock Inn" :/
Guinness
However I do love and adore about Germany (and never appreciated before until you pointed out) the mixed taps! The lack of carpet (much easier to clean!) Along with the (cliche) German miraculous windows. Plus, I have a new found love and appreciation for the humble, reliable and extremely versatile potato.
Huge fan of Easy German also! (and the podcasts) Keep up the fantastic work guys!
Have mug of Yorkshire tea for me! Take care xxx
I loved this episode, as italian I like to know something else about other cultures and this is what happened😍 Thanks guys, good work!!👏👏💪
Ahh Thanks Marika... would be interested to know your thought on the UK as an Italian if you've spent time here? Thanks for your comment and support
@@EasyEnglishVideos no I'm sorry (😂😂) I've never been in UK but I have an italian friend living there right now.
She said there's no comparison between Italy and England, talking about work, there's more possibility to find a work there then here; but maybe in Italy we have just better weather and, sometimes... food😜!
I would like to visit the town she lives in, Brighton, because I saw a lot of beautiful pictures of it😍!
Brits and Americans always say "sorry" but it's not an apology. It's just a way of acknowledging others. Also, I love endearments. They are also very common in the American South. By the way, the moderator's use of "Me and Isi" is not grammatical in standard English. It's "Isi and I."
Wow, Easy, your accent has improved so much! You sound great!
Sorry is a short version of 'Sorry I cannot hear you' or 'sorry I do not understand you' etc. but now its all reduced to " Sorry"
🤔Both Anglosaxons when you are from the northwest of Germany.... but we Germans have to learn three things..... Politness... Sense of Humor... Patience.... I've learned this in England... 😄🇩🇪🏴
I'm half German, half Brit, so I feel this, but I love how apologetic we Brits are and I call everyone "love" when I speak English which confuses the heck out of everyone here in Germany. 😂 I've missed the UK so much. Bloody pandemic!
Greetings from Brighton!
This is great. Points 1 and 3 remind me of us here in the south (U.S.). We act overly friendly and say "how-r-ya" as a statement like "hello." Not a question.
As a brit ive never heard of that tea order thing? Mire like she said, wed go in a small group maybe to make our own and chat!
You might say that some points are floating and constantly changing cause some topics are a generation thing within Germany. Up to 80‘s or even later carpets all over even in the bathroom. Not anymore. But Teppichboden, not single carpets were very common. The formal addressing is fading slowly as well. There are many more situations when you quickly switch to „du“ than some 30 years ago.. it’s in the Flow. Einhebelmischbatterien are Common for ages in Germany but I kind of remember seeing the separated taps as a child in some households so again it did change…
Hi guys! We as Peruvians are welcoming, polite and friendly. If you approach someone, they may say "oe" or "habla" (informal way of y'alright). And of course there are other cultural differences you can be shocked.
I like this type of episode, I mean the video in which two or more people are chatting with each other, more than one in which Mitchy talk alone and explain something like a school class!
So good, Thank you very much!
You're welcome... we will keep on producing more conversational pieces in the future
Hi!
I have witnessed how the British apologize without having done anything, I was surprised!
And I also witnessed carpets. Everywhere.
Here in Spain we also use that kind of greetings (apparent questions like "¿qué haces?", "¿qué tal?, ¿cómo estás?" or "¿qué hay?").
Most people here love coffee, and say things like "I cannot live without my coffee in the morning", or call the firsts hours in the afternoon "la hora del café" (the coffee time). My mother is one of those.
If you liked everyone to say hello on the street, you will love Spain, especially the south.
But come prepared, because if calling named shocks you, here things go to the next level.
It is not uncommon that in a casual and relaxed conversation between friends they can refer to an intimate part of your body to call you, apart from other things like "niña" ("girl"), "vida" ("life"), "cariño" ("dear") and so on.
I love the culture and language of Spain!
@@mikejames509 me too! 😅
Yeah, the level of swearing in Spain is supposed to be incredible. Grannies saying things like c*nt and no-one batting an eye.
As an young Italian who lived in the Uk for a good few years (some more years back home again now), I'd say generally the Brits yes can be very "caring" as a rule and will chat like friends - BUT, I also find it is a country where one may well feel REALLY completely lonely and forsaken (and I mean the locals too). I suppose if you're a good-looking foreign young lady - not exactly just another one around - , then maybe your feedback from the locals isn't exactly everyone's, lol. Sure if she comes down to Italy (which again, is very diverse) where I get friendliness and empathy, she might just get too forward people who randomly hit on her. So yeah, just personal experiences. No hard feelings anyone. No simping, either. Cheers
love this episode many cultural aspects to see! coming from Hong Kong now i know where our round of afternoon tea in the office come from. We usually call the people and note down milk / sugar preference.
I've only had and came across tap mixers when hot and cold water are mixed? For at least 30 years! And that includes public toilets ,pubs, restaurants etc?
Are you asking?
Exciting points! I immediately thought of tap water. Maybe it was just the location, but whether it was at my host family's house or at work, the water always tasted of chlorine. I don't think it was a bad thing, but I ended up buying a lot of bottled water.
In Germany, I've never had water that tasted even slightly of chlorine. Not even in Berlin.
The Y'alright thing is so true!! I still do this when I go abroad, and you either end up having a long conversation, or get a funny look! 😂
So true! 😆
The purpose of a apologising is often more subtle, to offer no offence, to defuse hostility and being friendly.
In USA we say “ Hi , how are you ? “ , it’s just part of the hello but not expecting a story 😀
In Germany you WILL get a story. :-) And after listening you will know everything. But it won't take long. We have very long words. Some of them include informations for what you might need 5 sentences.
Here in the States a “Hi there” usually suffices since it’s basically extending the common courtesy of acknowledging someone’s presence while giving them the option to engage in a conversation if they want to.
@@thomasharter8161 It isn't ridiculous. It's pleonastic. We have the same use in Italian. It makes conversing nicer.
Beautiful. Izzy is a very good English speaker. Not often are such persons found.
I agree that her English is great. Get rid of the desonorizations (e.g., pronouncing love as luf rather than luv) and she might come across as a native. 😉
Thanks for this great video.
I would add that in LONDON people are often not that friendly as opposed to anywhere outside London. In the States (where I live though I'm German) people ask "how are you/how is it going?" and they don't want your life story either, BUT you have to be upbeat and the most negative thing I allow myself to say is "hanging in there" which actually translates as "rather rotten."
I have been called "luv" a lot in Britain and would recommend the book "How to Be an Alien" by George Mikes. Though written in 1946, many things in there still hold true i.e. the British sense of fairness as in "in a bathroom it is drafty and cold and you are naked and wet, but you've got to be fair and give British germs a chance."
Thanks for the recommendation Anja, we also spoke about London being it's own cultural phenomenon when it comes to friendliness in our extra scenes... so strange
@@EasyEnglishVideos I think it has to do with it being the capital city and a large city. I find people in Berlin, Paris and Madrid for example are also less friendly than people in smaller cities or villages in their respective countries. Even Dubliners are more standoffish than the open and friendly Irish in general.
@@anjawright4609 I've been told in France everyone outside Paris hates Parisiansz even more than England and London.
Northerners much more friendly and chatty than southerners!
Isi too kind , make the Brits sound nice 😂😂
Yeah I agree with all the points but I also think this is definitely the idealised version of Britain! I'm a Brit trying to learn German so came hear from Easy German. 😄
@@sebastianusmacropus1508 I fully agree with that. I have spent considerable time in continental Europe and I found the "honest" way just so time-consuming, often unnecessary and a bit emotionally draining. I once watched 2 old Italian ladies literally fighting over who would get on a bus first and I was astonished. Queuing is apparently a "British" thing?! But I don't see how civilisation can function without it! Just be nice if you can - especially in "everyday, on the street" situations. On the other hand, many (not all) Brits are what I would call "social schmoozers". They are OTT nice to everyone, but just out of self-interest, to gain some kind of social leverage. This, I would totally agree is fake and very annoying and I don't think I ever met someone like this in Germany. So, of course there are pros and cons of everywhere.
@@sebastianusmacropus1508 The Irish learn to hate the English on their mother's knee. The English couldn't really give a f**k what they think. We have lots of patriotic Irish folk living in our midst and we get along just fine.
@@sebastianusmacropus1508 yeah, if you think British people are friendly and chatty try Ireland. Another level.
That wasn't my experience. When I went up north for my studies I was disappointed not to encounter the much talked about salt of the earth northerners. They were as mixed in the friendliness levels as the southern English I met when I studied there. I'm Welsh so have a neutral outlook btw. And no my first gf was not a sheep😂
The gentleman in this videos could pronounce a bit clearer, more RP please!
I loved this page because of the British accent u speak Bravo :)
Haha. I really felt your comments about rounds of tea at work. I’ve spent my career messing up drinks orders in this way.
Gets more difficult now there’s a whole array of milk on offer too 😂
Isi: The Brits are so friendly!
Me, a Brit: ?????????
it's relative; I have seen someone in a youtube video describe Germans as superfiendly. Thing is, that someone was from Russia.
I'll be a big fan from now on!!
I am English and I think these are observations are very perceptive. However, I do think it is important not to generalise. For example, the use of forms of address like ‘love’, ‘sweetheart’, ‘darling’ or, in Oxford, ‘my duck’ also have a class dimension. In my experience, a person with a professional background would simply never use these terms with a stranger - and certainly not in a professional setting. You might hear these terms used by a barman or a shop worker, but there are many people who quite literally never use terms of this kind to address strangers. To my ear, their use is rather quaint and somewhat old fashioned.
Thank you for making so great videos
Thanks for watching 🙌
The same in UK and USA!👍🏻
Thank you both! Just to say that in Germany it depends on the region if you can name somebody darling, love, ... . In the region of Cologne e.g. a man and a woman can say "Liebschen" or "Liebelein" to the person they face, even to a total unknown person. A woman would chose rather "Liebelein" to name a man. Both expressions are meant to be nice and icebreaking. Of course it is contextual and so nowbody in an governmental office working would name a new collegue or a taxpayer that way at first sight. But whereever it happens don't worry, just enjoy the positiv attitude.
"Schätzeleeein!"
Separate hot and cold water is really annoying, but luckily most new buildings don't have this problem.
Funnily enough I have even seen separate taps installed in newer building or after renovations.
But I forgot to ask when I saw them. I'd really be curious about the answer from someone who deliberately installed them
I said love to a German girl in Bulgariaa and she was shocked its just a term of endearment from an English guy
😆
🇬🇧...What's not to like about our ancestral German brethren....especially this one, she's lovely !
Isi looks and sounds like she's the sister of the easy german lady :))
they are indeed sisters
You mean Cari
Haha she is indeed Cari’s sister.
@@heidiborda5713 REALLY??? My mind is blown!
I think UK not suddenly dying (nothing is open) on Sunday is a big difference haha
I do love that about the UK, but I was also one of the poor guys who had to work on new years day.
@@EasyEnglishVideos Ohhh noo
You may not teach arts and bullshit but you produce the best cars Although we in the UK produced crazie CRAZIE POPS MUSIK
and the austin allegro you also have an history of famous musicians, writers artists etc
And good beer but leave the pops musik to us and the yanks👍
Thanks for the 🎥video. I dealt with some Germans and British🇬🇧 I guess that it depends on the generation. Earlier all were very reserved. Nowadays people are easier due to globalization and integration.
I agree with the last point. I’m from Poland and the carpets disappeared more than 20 years ago but in England they are ubiquitous. Maybe they are easy to lay down but there’s no way you can keep this clean in a long run.
Some years ago some Japanese friends of mine asked me why English people would say “ Oh you must come to dinner sometime “ They would say Yes, When ? to hear “ Oh sometime “….. I explained it was meant but for an open possibility in the future as an idea rather an actual date. They found it superficial and annoying. I suppose it is true . we say I’ll call you, then we don’t.
Okay, so don't get me wrong, I (an Austrian) think the English are awesome and have the best humour. But I recently fell in love with someone from England & well, all the friendliness gave me false hope. I have never opened up so fast to anyone & I even wrote a love letter before we wouldn't see each other for a while. (I also never liked anyone that much and I'm nearly 30.) At the end, all the nice activities, messages and words meant such a lot to me but nothing/not that much to this person. Was that just the character of this person, or did something similar happen to anyone else here?
Some English people are like that because they are like the imitation Rolex watch. They look and feel like the real deal unless you know what to look for. But like the Rolex, it’s the quality of the materials and actions that make the difference. Not the superficial resemblance. Not all in England are this way. It depends which area of England you are in. Bit what you described is what we call keeping up appearances
@@cultfiction3865 Thank you, I really like your metaphor :)
I'm not bareable in the morning without my tea. Beeing raised near East Frisia in the northwest of Germany, I'm used to tea and don't like coffee. East Frisia developed an own tea culture during the 18th century. When the king tried to stop the tea trade because the loss of taxes, the East Frisiens even started a "tea war".
But the consumption of tea becomes less and today coffee is the choice of most peoples.. ☹️
the sorry sorry, etc and indirectness, are distinctly distinct in the south and south east - in the east or north it is not really the same ( though people can be polite, it is much more cut and dried and direct, with not fluff and people coming from the south east, even to the east or north, would notice that ).
Point 3.Ever since we stopped using 'how do you do?' which over the decades lost it's original meaning we have gone back to the beginning with the cumbersome 'how are you?' This awful phrase requires answering.'alright.?' is probably better.
This makes me so sad! I wish I could live in the UK at least for a year to experience the culture and to learn English well.
Hi Andrea, I hope you can fulfill that dream one day! Greetings from Brighton, Isi
@@EasyEnglishVideos Thank you Isi for your kind message ❤️
I had no problems at all living and working in Germany for over 2 years. I was on first name terms with everyone. my german home had hard floors and carpet floors. More is the same rather than different.
I dislike people wearing their street shoes in the living room on the lounge carpet! Especially in winter this is a real no-go!
Warum wurde hier die wichtige Frage nicht beantwortet, warum die Engländer so überaus rückständig sind und immer noch keine Misch-Armaturen für kaltes und heißes Wasser haben, währen dies schon seit 50 Jahren zur Standartausstattung auch in Sozialwohnungen gehört?
"You" was actually the formal form, believe it or not.
Thou art correct.
In México tenders in the market also call people nice names, although maybe it's just to entice you to buy from them :v , like "hola reina" or "buenos días linda", and more for women than men xd
Lovely video, cheers!
Oh, very similar then! Thanks for your support 😃
I agree with everything Isi said. I've lived in both countries. As for the surname thing, it doesn't bother me not using it. Then again I grew up in Paris and left ages ago. Therefore, anything that informal suits me.
Yeah, the French greeting people formally in shops or shaking hands with everyone in the morning. Some people like that sort of thing and some people don't.
I've found that one of the biggest cultural differences is sense of humor. Brits have such a wicked sense of humor....I've found a heightened sense of humor in Belgium too. The French, on the other hand seem to be always frowning or scowling, rarely smiling. Germans and Swedish seem to take life quite seriously, by comparison to Brits, who can find humor in many situations.
The most important thing was missing:
Stopping at a red light.
Everytime, I waited at a red pedastrian light I was asked: "You come from Germany, right?"
Hahaha so true!
@@EasyEnglishVideos Not really.
I used to house-share with a policeman in a German city. I once complained that red lights are holding you up every few hundred metres.
He just replied very surprised: "do you really stop at red lights??"
Just a point of grammar. As English teachers, shouldn't Mitch (when introducing the video) have said "Isi and I are...", not "me and Isi..."
Thanks for noticing and correcting 👏
I looove the lip-syncing thing
Thanks mate 🙌
Спасибо!
Staying on the right side on an escalator allowing others to pass by if they're in a hurry. I wonder if that's a thing in London only, or if that rule is being followed outside of London too.
What a charming and beautiful German lady.
oh Mitch 😍 I hope someday I'll find someone like you 🥺
The woman talking is a very beautiful lady her teeth are so perfect and her eyes so blue. Very pretty indeed. The strangest thing is when she talks English like everyone talking in a foreign language however good they are with the vocabulary/grammar etc they will never hear their accent.
Good video! Very interesting to me as a Brit living in Germany. I realise, however, that you just use the AI generated closed captions (cc). No-one actually proof-reads them, which definitely needs to be done. For a start the error could be something as simple as the American form of Mr and Mrs which have full stops. But the most appalling was in Easy English 115, when the closed captions substituted "funicular" (a kind of railway) with "vernacular" (regional language). In my experience closed captions can be disastrous for English students. I advise my students to use only videos that have been properly transcribed. I presumed yours were and am disappointed that you don't realise that the cc option is completely unreliable.
Am I the only one who believes that she speaks really well? I believe not.....
No doubt, she does really speak well. I can only detect a very slight German accent, e.g. when she pronounces the "v" in love like an "f".
I,d love you two guys to develop the idea around the carpet around the toilet area lol
Great one.
As regards to love , sweetie , honey as a greeting it's a friendly thing and said a lot up north
ie after a long stint on stage down the west end Sir Ian McKenna got a train to Manchester very tired , as soon as he got into the taxi the driver said to him " you alright love " he replied " yes I'm home " .
I agree with each and every point. I hate the carpets everywhere too...
Great video and a nice touch with the miming. It made me laugh :)
Thank you for watching! 🙌
Ich habe das Video mit Freude verfolgt, sehr lustig gemacht und informativ. Und wahr :-D
Of course there's only one response to 'y'alright?' and that is , 'down one side'
I have had Germans on holiday completely walk in front of me in a queue on holiday in a restaurant that's annoying but i guess we all have our own ways
I've worked with Brits and Germans. Fully agree with the video. Courtesy is high on the British value system scale while directness and efficiency are some the most important values for Germans. Furthermore British have a much more sophisticated sense of humor than Germans. Professionally I like very much working with Germans, but privately I would rather hang around with Brits.
Is there an Easy American English? Though the differences may be slight. Having visited and even lived in Germany (10 weeks), and never having been to England, it was fun to watch this. While I know it isn't all about 'us', I wonder if the Americanization hasn't effected England - since we are all very much informal over here. But I agree, sometimes it is hard on like e-mails to know how to address someone you've never met before. But all in all, it is easier than in Germany where I think the norm is still to use Herr and Frau when addressing your neighbors of 50 years.... But that is the kind of thing that keeps cultures interesting.
There is no American English... yet. The US has had an enormous effect on Britain in the last 30 years, in my opinion - All the TV shows I watched growing up were American (and I didn't have cable). And I remember some Brit friends even adopting the US rising inflection at the end of the sentence
@@EasyEnglishVideos I grew up in the Detroit area, and with Canada just across the river, I watched a lot of the CBC, which broadcast a lot of British shows. Coronation Street, East Enders, etc. That and PBS, with Mystery! and such. So funny to think of you all watching our shows, when I was watching yours. :)
Here in Egypt, we drink tea all the time. ..
I'd get confused about 'y'allright' as well if the other person doesn't give me the time to answer the question, turns around and moves on. Okay, it's not a question, but I think that, when you're talking to each other in the Netherlands (where I come from), you should make clear what you mean to say or whether or not you're asking a question. If you don't make that clear, then people will think you ignore their answer when you move on, which is considered a bit rude. That is why we'd say 'hi' or 'hello', beccause it doesn't expect anything else from you. When a Dutch person would say 'y'allright', then they'd really meant to ask that question and knorw they're going to get an answer from yhe other person. In that regard, this thinking process of the Dutch is practically identical to what Isi is pointing out on the Germans. Say what you mean, mean what you say and make that clear. Otherwise, you could see some weird faces looking at you.
Wonderful content
I'm from Egypt and I speak English and German
I've worked also in UK and Germany
The same as Isi the people in UK are more friendly polite. However, in Germany people are more conservative and professional
Thanks for your support!
I dont think that all the people in Germany are nice and professional at all. Sorry to disagree with your point. I found some German girls and guys are very bad. For example the girl who is my fiance's coworker and my fiance, they dont care about other people feeling and they just do whatever they want even though it will hurt other people feeling. Especially, the girl, she pushes my fiance to give her frivate contact phone number and texts and calls him mostly everyday. She is having a boyfriend too but she acts like that. I really dont know why she is so pathetic and has no morals or dignity at all. Then they secretly arrange a meeting in a park behind my back. Mt fiance just told me when i asked him. So i dont think all German are professional and nice at all
I think the "y'alright" thing is just British, though it must be new since I never heard that when I was there. An American, at least, will be just as confused as a German. If American's says "you all right", it's a question, and presumably we have reason to doubt the answer is "yes" or we wouldn't ask . "Curveball" right at the end surprised me. That's a baseball term. Where would either British or Germans pick up that word?
totally agree
Pubs are closing down en masse in the UK
I honestly couldn't stand if my bathroom had carpet in it. I can see carpet flooring occasionally in the living room, dining room or bedrooms, but not in the kitchen or the bathroom. That would cringe me so bad.
I am overly friendly towards strangers in the supermarket here in the United States and my wife always gives me a crazy look for being this way. Maybe it's the British portion of my DNA coming out when I act like that.
I'd like to add another difference with Spain, it is the fact that in Britain there are no curtains on the windows. It's something quite weird to us.
@@morbius7687 maybe I should have said blinds.
@@morbius7687There are many houses in my borough where people have no curtains, so he's right.
As a geordie, i would say "y'a'reet?" so even more difficult to understand for foreigners haha
I can't wait to make a video in the north-east!
@@EasyEnglishVideos please let me know when you do, would love to show yous around and make an extra difficult episode for learners haha
@@ciaranhenderson9464 That'd be great! 😃
Do you find the love greetings dying out? Used to be very common amongst older people in Yorkshire, but not many people under sixty do it.
@@ktkee7161 if by that you mean something like "yareet love?" Then in younger generations yes, but i still do here it fairly commonly in the north east
This was super interesting to me. I'm from Spain, but I've lived briefly in the uk, and for a long time in Germany. Regarding the first point: when I was living in the UK, I probably would have not used the word "friendly", but rather "over-polite" and maybe even "phony" (I've also made the mistake of actually start answering a "how are you?" question with a report of my last week). But now after many years in Berlin, I could use a bit more of this friendliness (swallow or not) in my interactions, to be honest.
Berliners are the unfriendliest people in all of Germany ;)
Yeah, Ive seen Italians and Spanish remark on the phony politeness which I think is a bit harsh. It's what we say about Americans tbf. The best way to sum it up is it's all relative, because aren't the English seen by Latin people as cold fish?
@@ktkee7161The thing about politeness is that it can be superficial words and not be reflected in actions. My sister is from Yorkshire and recently visited London for the day, and she asked two women directions to the lift, and they were incredibly rude to her. “I’m not helping you, I’m on my lunch break, why should I help you?” And my sister burst into tears because she hardly ever experiences that level of rudeness back in yorkshire. These actions are very abrupt and selfish and polite words need to be reflected by actions too. This can sometimes be why Germans or Spanish don’t like this insincere approach
Carpets...I never understand the value of that thing and I'll never buy one unless if it can fly
😂
I have mixed feelings about the so much praised British courtesy. They are very polite car drivers in comparison to the german speed maniacs. Brits can be very nice and entertaining and I enjoy talking to them. Provided that they don't belong to this kind of English people, who tend to overgeneralize everything. I deliberately wrote about the English, specially southern England, as I have never had bad experiences in Scotland. If people start a conversation with sentences like "I hate Germans" or refuse to talk because they don't want to talk to "Nazis", then that is rather the opposite of politeness. Or maybe I just don't understand the British humor in this matter. I've always tried to take it lightly, but sometimes it was too bold and stupid. Anyway.... I mostly had a good time in the UK with great people.
What is annoying that you can‘t deactivate the subtitles.
Sometimes they use the wrong word.
Eg insteaed hi it was used high.
Could the next video be done without sibtitles please?
Make the subtitles in Latin for none English speakers