Hi Antoinette! I describe many Germans as a toasted marshmallow! They appear tough on the outside, but they are so sugary sweet on the inside. I love how Germans are so thoughtful and kind with the kiddos!
No you´re sweet and friendly and polite and patient! I have ridden my bicicle through germany and when I was back in amsterdam I had a serious reverse culture shock because of the unpoliteness of the Dutch, especially in the overcrowded west. I had my bike with lots of baggage and I wanted to get out of the train but i had to push me through a crowd of people who were pushing themselves inwards before people could step out, that would never happen in Germany. About Germans being closed and cold? Never noticed that, I have been invited in peoples home in hessen with a Barbeque, und so weiter, und so weiter.
As being a grumpy German myself, I would like to tell you how you can bring a little joy for everyone that works in the public (be it bus driver, Mailmen, Firefighters ect.) if they look stressed out but have some minutes, just talk to them, let them know that someone cares how they feel and that you are thankful for them doing their job. I do this every time I see a conductor in a train, I ask him how long his shift is, wish him that he ends it safe and sound and wish him a good one when I leave the train. One remembered me and thanked me the next time he saw me because he had a very bad day that time and I was the first friendly one that day.
Antoinette! So true! When I first moved to Germany I was intimidated by most Germans. That did not last long! I married one! LOL! 😊 Germans are truly kind, caring, honest, and a lifelong friend! Thanks for sharing! 😇
Offend Germans with this video?!? What? How could that be possible? This video was a hymn of praise on Germans. Yeah, maybe we 'seem' grumpy but, like you said, underneath the grumpy exterior the great majority of Germans will be really soft-hearted, kind people. Thak you so much for your kind words. Love your videos. Keep it up. You are so sweet with your kids.
I am German and I live right now in New Zealand. And it's really funny: A lot of people are suprised how relaxed I am, because everyone thinks that German are super serious. And I love your new haircut!
Awwww :) But yeah that's the way many Germans are. If you lose your wallet walking in front of me you can be sure I'll pick it up and run to you to give it back. I try to treat people the way I want to be treated by others. I try to be kind and honest. Of course it does not work all the time. I am just a human... But I keep trying. :)
to prevent Matteo´s gloves from getting lost, tie them to either end of a string and thread the string through his jacket´s sleeves - and you can also tie the hat to this string right between his sholder blades with another string)
Jetzt lache einmal, denn seit einigen Jahren ist dies insbesondere in Kindergärten und Krippen verboten:) Anscheinend besteht eine besondere Unfallgefahr. Falls ein Kind mit einem lose hängenden Handschuh irgendwo hängen bleibt. Früher konnte man Kinderhandschuhe mit einem Band kaufen, seit einigen Jahren habe ich diese nicht mehr gesehen. Now laugh once,because for some years this is forbidden especially in kindergartens and children's cribs :) Apparently there is a special risk of accidents. If a child gets stuck somewhere with a loose-fitting glove. In the past you could buy children's gloves with a ribbon, for some years I have not seen them.
I've been struggling with how Germans are. I moved here for my husband and I just feel like I don't fit in. Your videos make it much easier to absorb it all. Thank you🙏
Hello antoinette you discribe us germans very well an old german saying is stur wie die maulesel aber ein herz aus gold and i am happy to have you and your family here please keep on with your work.have a nice weekend
a Friend of me is selling vegetables from a little stall with a Box on it. In the morning he put the vegetables on the Stall and in the evening he get ther and get the money from the Box. The People are so Honest they pay every time and never was something Stolen.
Hi Antoinette, it´s so hartwarming to hear you talking about us Germans! For me as a German most of the things you describe are so normal that I actually don´t notice them, for example that we care for little things we find (especially children´s things...). But concerning the busdrivers I made similar experiences. Some of them seem to be really rude, but I found out that they often are frustrated by their job and by the people. And I also found out that many of them are very nice and very grateful when somebody speaks with them and honors the work they are doing day by day.
I don’t know many Germans sadly. I don’t know if they’re similar to my people (I’m from the Netherlands). I do think that Germans are great people and that you can not push 80 Million people into one stereorype! Thank you for the video! 😄
@Luca Bos: like when I first came to the US. You cannot judge 280 million people, suggesting "they are all the same". I was shy about ever hitting the US until I met my wife.
Hi Antoinette! You're probably my favorite expat living in Germany, and it's still confusing to me how you don't have more subscribers than some of these other individuals making similar videos about living in Germany! I like that you don't really waste a lot of time talking nonsense and most of your videos are straightforward and to the point. Have you done a video on restaurant etiquette yet? I would love a video like that, or other German etiquettes and norms in restaurants, supermarkets, or public places, etc.! Thank you!
Hi Mandy, just try videos of Rachel. Watch the Germans is the title. You can actually see Rachel walk in a park when she talks about a park or in a restaurant when talking of food. Marie Antoinette is very nice and pretty but you only see her face and nothing of Germany.
I'm a grumpy German.. my look on the streets is stated as "look/gaze to kill" (my friends and employees even say that and they're german to and I'm green eyed/dark brown hair and a beard, always wear black, soo really not friendly lookin^^ ). But I also have to say, that I'm actually a male nurse for the elderly. I'm singing for them etc. and that behavior to pick up stuff that got lost and place it somewhere to find..U got me there, I literally did this last week on my way to work. Nice channel, keep up ;)
I had a very similar story with my daughter´s plush bunny. She lost it on the tramway. I asked a bus driver, and he informed the people at the headquarters. Later I got a call and was told at which time and where to be, and when the tramway arrived at that station the bunny was sitting in front of the driver and I got it back. That was a happy day...
I live in Luxembourg but people here are exactly the same. Tough and rough on the outside but when you are genuinely in trouble they are really helpful. I am originally from France and I was never educated to pick up lost stuff and put them at a conspicuous place. People in Luxembourg do, especially during winter. I try to give back a bit to my hosts by behaving the same way as they do. :-)
I have just been binge watching your videos, because it is so refreshing to hear that things you do and consider "normal" no big deal - things, are special to some people. It makes one feel good about the way they lead their lives. A good way to start positively into my day. Thank you :)
I like to share an observation I had when talking to old people in Germany , the oldest being my great-grand aunt, born in 1889. She married in 1911 and reached 106 years. I talked to her in the mid-80s. What she said about everyday life Germany before the the first world war surprised me so much and was so contrary to the pictures we have from that time that I also asked many other old Germans about it. They all agreed that the biggest difference in everyday live (at least before Hitler) was that people were much more open and laughed and smiled a lot more on the street. I do not want to glorify those times. But I just wanted to point out that this "german front" seems to be quite a recent phenomenon and might even be subject to sociological studies.
I still remember how a bus I was riding normally departed at the Station, drove down the street and then - right at the next road curve - suddenly stopped, opened the bus doors and then just stood there…. the cars behind him honked and no one knew what was going on. (old, narrow german town - meaning no one could pass him) As it turned out.. Tow elderly Woman were desperately stumbling after the bus, trying their best to catch up. The bus Driver eventually saw it after he'd already left the Station and instead of driving on he stopped the bus and waited for them - in the middle of the road with tons of angry cars behind him. It was so sweet and nice and the two old Woman were so thankfull after they finally entered.
Its kinda true, we germans are not that open and (seemingly) friendly in public or towards strangers. We mostly just mind our own buisness and do what we wanted to do. It is not that we dont like you or we wouldnt help you if you look at us, we are just used to keep stuff for ourselfes. If you just ask friendly no matter if its directions, public transportation or if you need help with the menue etc. 99% are happy to help you out. one tip is just try to be friendly and respectful while asking. there are some people on the streets that try to sell newspapers or anything to people and they push themself on people in public. most germans dont like these people and try to avoid them, so dont force yourself on strangers, just be friendly, open and respectful and they will be glad to help
Great stories about peoples behaviour. Its so cool that your daughter became her doll back. Thats great. Hope you make much more of these experiences. And how amazing that you share it with us. All the best for you and your Family. Great to have you here.
I'm German but I used to be intimidated by busdrivers as well because I never took the bus growing up. Also actually met one or two rude ones but the sweetest thing I've noticed is that they always give each other a little wave and nod or smile when another bus passes on the opposite lane.
oh, those stories are so sweet. The hat story does not surprise me, depending on the value of what I found, I also put it up on a tree or even give it to a lost and found (I was still super surprised when I managed to lose my portemonnaie with 100 € and ID and cards and got that back at Hamburg Hauptbahnhof)
No excuse, but you have to keep in mind these peope (bus drivers, cashiers, etc.) are under time pressure, earn to less money, etc.. They are no unfriendly persons, but our system here makes them to it.
Public bus driver is not such a bad job in Germany. I guess they have to deal with a lot of shit from some rude passengers, but they usually work for some public company owned by the city and get decent sallaries, work hours, vacation and so on. It is not comparably to long distance truck drivers, delivery drivers and stuff like that. So I assume they are grumpy because they often have to keep passangers in line, like people trying to keep the bus from departing, people making noise or leaving their trash, people harassing other passangers and so on.
German here. Like 10 years ago a friend of mine called me telling me that some stranger contacted him, saying he found my wallet. I hadn't noticed at that point that I lost it, but I actually had. That guy went through everything in my wallet to see if there were some contacts and he called the first number he found, which happend to be said friend. Not only didn't he take my money but instead spent like 30 to 40 cents to retrieve my wallet. Seriously, Germany is the best place to lose your stuff. Also I'm glad that there are people such as Antoinette who make the effort of looking behind our grumpy shells and realise that a lot of us are actually decent people. Thanks =)
I'm English , and was brought up like that too in the 70's, Pick up a kids teddy or glove or whatever and put it on the nearest wall or gatepost . It doesn't cost anything to be kind.
So true what you say❤️ living in the US as a german I and many people I have met have learned the value of being raised german! It is as you say! Kind, helpful and seemlingly grumpy on the outside 😂👍
So true! I love that they always put up the hats and such. Other things I love are the cat ladders everyone has who lives in a higher level apartment, and that it seems like everyone here stockpiles gummybears or treats to give to the kids, even like teens at the mall when we're shopping will stop and give the kids a candy. This is the most family friendly country for sure! Moving to a new country is so tough sometimes, and watching your videos have been a very kind reminder of what a lovely culture this really is here. Such a good group here, it's just hard to break through sometimes. I struggle to find my place here but watching these really help. Thanks! Cheers from an American Expat! :)
That's true. At some day I had lost my mobile phone in a bakery and went to the hospital. After I come back the woman ran towards me an said that she have seen the photo on the screen and wants to give me the phone back. I was so happy because there are so much important information and contacts who would be lost forever.
This video is a why I would ever say: "I'm proud of beeing a german." Seriously. In former times, there where mostly right-wing germans shouting this out aloud. For no good reasons. For hating other people. I'm so very proud of some people in my home country to show how friendly people can be in our country. Thank you for sharing. It just matches the way I think.
Peter Doe with your dark history I wouldn’t be soo proud! Came to your country a few times and I will admit I felt VERY uncomfortable! I wouldn’t be soo proud you all seem nice enough but COLD and not very welcoming! Being from the Mediterranean I can assure you it wasn’t my imagination! You all need to understand that you are very Stern and it wasn’t a few right-wing Germans either! Btw I am an immigrant in the States and Ai have never ever felt the way I felt when I visited your beautiful country!
@Elsimomoftwo: I'm sorry that you felt this way. Your conception of us being cold comes from a fundamental difference in our respective mentalities. To us, on the other hand, people from the Mediterranean often come across as intrusive because we have a different approach towards personal space which includes not only the physical but also the emotional aspect. Unless we formed a friendship or at least made an acquaintance with someone certain kinds of behaviour, certain language etc. are perceived as disrespectful and, as I said, intrusive. It's how we are raised and how we feel. It's not something one can grow out of just like that. There is, however, a tendency among younger people, to overcome boundaries between people quicker than the older generations (like myself) do. They tend to use the informal "Du" more quickly, for example. Maybe an effect of the globalisation. Personally, I still cling to our old-fashioned ways and would refuse an offered "Du" from a stranger most of the times by keeping responding with the formal "Sie", unless I feel an immediate and strong sympathy, which happens now and then. In that case the language matches the emotions. It's not because I'm stubborn but because the older you get the harder is change. It just doesn't feel right to me that a total stranger immediately says "Du" to me. So, in short: most of the times what you perceive as cold, is in reality our way of showing respect. At least I think that's what it is. Maybe you went to overall rude regions/cities and were just a little unlucky. There are pretty big differences between the different regions in Germany concerning social graces.
Peter Doe sorry but even you come to my country your people are Rude cheap and most of all cold! I appreciate you being polite but your DARK history can NEVER EVER be forgotten!! I know many immigrants in Germany feel the same way I described! It’s just the way you are by nature! Have a great week and again thanks for being soo kind!
Gunther H.G. Geick others are much more polite and indirect you are racists and killed millions across Europe! Don’t ever think all are forgiving or polite!
Ich habe eine Troll geweckt. Daß tut mir leid. Bitte füttert nicht den Troll. Bitte antwortet nicht mehr auf diesen Mist. Der Troll wird nicht aufhören. Der lebt davon, daß man auf ihn reagiert. Und ich kann meinen Kommentar nicht löschen. Es tut mir wirklich leid, daß so ein liebevolles Video einen Troll angelockt hat. Man kann es halt nicht verhindern.
So now that I see a second video with your new shorter hair, I can say something about it: it looks lovely! I watched this other video about Germans and their difficulties to give compliments. Well I, as an example, need some time to get used to new looks lol. Whenever someone changes their looks, like a new hair colour or cutting their long hair back to short hair, I need some time to get used to it. It has NOTHING to do with whether I like it or not. I never know if I like it or not at first sight, if that makes any sense to you. Beside that, to me lookings aren't important. It's what people are and what they do what makes them. Like the people you mention in this video. No matter if they are young or old, thin or thick, long hair, short hair. It's what they do. I am easy with giving a compliment to someone who helps - even with the smallest gestures. I love people like those you mentioned. This is what keeps the world going. I am glad you made this experiences. And I must say, you're glowing while you were talking about these positive things. It was lovely to watch you talk about this all. Thank you for that. Makes me believe a bit more in people ;-)
Hello Antoinette, we are not blunt, we are straight forward. Working in the US for many years and now working for a UK company, I can tell you that this "polite way" of doing things is utter BS. When somebody screws up, you let him/her now, you discuss what needs to be done and that's that. In English speaking countries, everybody is constantly beating around the bush in such situations but never comes to the point. Nothing gets ever solved because you can't confront people with their shortcomings. It's really not a good way of getting things done.
I totally disagree. It's not good to be that straightforward. Especially if that means that the other person may be hurt. Also Germans need to learn how to adapt the other cultures. If you are straight-forward you are going to be seen as rude. And that's the reputation that Germans have. I have lived in America and I am currently living in Germany. I think both ways are good. It's not right or wrong. It's just that the German way seems rude so it feels like it's the wrong way to do things.
Yeas Germans are honest and so correct people. My husband lost his purse in the city during work. He was so frustrated of course had to go the police for complaining of loss reimbursed. But few hours later the purse was in our mailbox. All cards where in the purchase. Bank card, insurance card, identity card (our address is written there) drivers license . Only the cash wasn't in. (20€). But who cares? It doesn't mean he's to be the person who take away the cash, who gave the purse back. Mybee someone who found the purse before the lovely finder. Doesn't matter. He was just happy to get his cards back. Lovely thanks to the finder. ❤️❤️❤️
Thnak you so much. You discover the positve site of the people around you. Behind every grumpy fassade there is most of the time a nice human to discover. This is not specific for one entire country, I think you can make this experience all over the world.
Toasted Marshmallows!!!!!! HAHAHA what a good way say that we are grumpy. Thank you:) You dear Antoinette do not offend us at all.Vica Versa i do learn a lot not only about how you see germany but also about New Zealand.You opened my eyes to things which came natural to me but in real are strange and funny. Thank you i never did regret joining your channel
The grumpiness ist actually a Bavarian thing and is called "der Grant" ("to be grumpy" = "grantig sein"). It is comparable to the Blues and can be angry, but also melancholic. People are especially grantig when there is Föhn, a strong wind coming from the Alps and going north, which is believed to induce headache (not proven, it might also just be another excuse for being grantig ;)). The Grant serves a social purpose and can perfectly observed at any Bavarian Stammtisch (a table occupied by the group of regulars in a "Wirtschaft", which is basically a pub). As I said, the Grant is a thing found mainly in southern Germany. People from northern Germany are said to not be grumpy, but undercooled like the Scandinavians. Additionally there is the Prussian tradition of correctness in a militarized way, which is mainly found in eastern Germany, which has also a lot of slavic influences.
Bus drivers are somewhat revered in Germany. They have a hard job but are almost always the kindest people and depending on where you live / how often you take the bus, you actually develope a relationship with them.
Hei Emily. Cool zu høren , was Leute vom anderen Ende der Welt ueber Deutschland denken. Aber es gibt Unterschiede zwischen Ost und West. Thanks for uploading
Mateo is probably not going to be so happy that the lady found the hat and returned it, he probably threw the hat away, LOL. That's what I did when I was a child, and then I just told my parents that I lost it.
yeah poor kid.. trying to get rid of that hat so bad that he "accidentally" drops it every day and it always comes back... dang it.. ;) i guess he needs a new plan...
Germans are very honest. When l left my mobile, ie handy, in a restaurant l didn`t realise till around 40 minutes later. l rushed back as quickly as l could, thinking it wouldn`t be there anymore but to my surprise it was still there and right in the same place l`d left it ! That would never, or hardly ever, have happened in England, someone would have nicked it in a flash !!
My father is a german bus driver. The pasengers love him. He is only a little bit grumpy, when he is stessed. Its a big pressure to be in time, when there is a lot traffic. But in fact he is very friendliy, kindly and funny.
It's true, we are really quite grumpy and blunt - you either love or hate it. Okay okay, I admit that nobody really loves grumpy people, as grumpy people we even complain about other grumpy people ourselves! ;-)))
I have visited Germany twice as a tourist. I am constantly losing stuff. Every time I lost something in Germany people go out of their way to find me and return it. I have been chased down city streets by tourist bus drivers (twice), shop assistants phoned the Australian Embassy, even my home in Australia (family back home were asleep) to return my wallet, chased by a young German guy as I ran to my train at a busy central railway station to give back a book about Trump and asked if I liked him (Trump, not the young man) to which I hastily confirmed I didn’t “better the devil you know”, I said. So yes, Germans are much more honest and caring than sadly, my own fellow Aussies. We. Oh,d learn much from them.
Sadly I often realize, that people from other countries consider Germans to be unfriendly and grumpy. Just because, they heared about that. One funny story from Italy, that actually happened last week in a little town somewhere in the area of Napoli: My partner was sent to Italy for a few months, to support and help the Italians managing their (german) stores. The problem is that his English might sound pretty good. But he realized, that almost No one in Italy is able to talk in English. (thank God for Google translator 😄) So an older, very grumpy Sicilian lady came into a store and complained about something, he didn't understand. Just with the words "uno momento " and making some fun, he made her laugh. When the Italian employee hurried up, the Lady asked: "where does this friendly funny guy come from?" She could hardly believe what she heared. She said:"Sizilian People always are known as sympathical, helping people always in a good mood. Everybody told me, Germans are cold and unfriendly. Today the Sizilian was grumpy and rather unpolite. And the German was the better Sizilian today. My world turned upside down." Funny sometimes, how the world works ☺️ At least there are friendly and also unfriendly people all over the world, whereever you may go...
"But he realized, that almost No one in Italy is able to talk in English." Can confirm. My trip to Italy 2 years ago was a humbling experience in how to have a successful communication when you can't properly talk to people.
Dear Antoinette( aka Antonella:):) NO NO her name is Antoinette please have a look at peter koller comment. That is the way i grew up. Tie both gloves with a long string.Now when he puts on one glove put the other glove through his other jacketarms behind his neck and through the inside of his other arm.Now you have two gloves hanging on a string. Well im not sure if i explained that in a way you might understand. But just ask an old OMA, they know.OMA's know everything They are the backbone , A big HUG for all grandmothers
Its actually surprisingly often that you can see gloves, hats and even jackets put up on low branches or fences. And now that you talked about it as something not common I wonder how often people go past it and wonder what a strange culture they have entered where people leave offerings in the trees.
It always make me sad when I see a stuffed animal or a doll somewhere lying on the street because I know how important mine were to me when I was a kid. It's just knowing that somewhere there is a little kid who misses this toy very much. So that's why I put them somewhere they won't get walked over and are a bit safer from the dirt and I hope that the parents will come looking and find them.
About the busdriver: you ever played a roleplaying game? Tried one of theese simple quests go and find xyz for me and off you go and try and get bugged by all theese creeps lurking around to form your playing experience and have to try three times until you find that little desired item? Well that's your busdriver. And that joy a girl shows the moment she gets her doll back after a week is enough to make one smile for a week and months on. Now tell me, how would you reward such a person other than that happy girl? You hardly can. But before everything tears apart, invete Jim to a cup of coffee.
@Conchita Mendez gute Idee! Trau dich, schreib mal so einen Spot oder den Entwurf dazu. Mit der Nummer könntest du dich am Ende beim Deutschen Kleinkunstpreis wiederfinden 😊
my bff was such an awful grumpy beast when we met the first months. terrible. but now... I would do anything for her and she for me. I guess everbody wants to be cool and show no weakness.
The hat thing apparently is not just a hat thing.. I once got a bottle at a convienience store in a big departmentstore. And as i wanted to get my 10€ which i had left. I realized that i lost it. Then a mother and her daughter, that had been at the same store earlier and had seen me drop my money as i left. And they literally chased after me halfway through the entire departmentstore. They could have just picked it up and spent it...but they didnt. Instead they spent time and energy to chase a random kid that had lost some money. They really made my day.
Your stereotype of any particular group will depend on what culture you come from. So statements like "Germans have a repuration as..." relates to the reputation in your country. Their reputation in, for example, Zambia, or Pakistan, is very different. I can tell you this from experience.
as a german, i find the american/english friendliness a little.. how can i say.. dishonest. like saying "hey, how are you?" and then not caring about the answer. like.. why even ask then. being rational is not being unfriendly. there is a huge difference between these two. i have travelled to canada and australia and people there are exactly like they are in germany. except they smile at you more often not really meaning it. germans are a little more transparent and less pretentious. having a german friend is just as good as any other human friend though. there is no difference. i think some of that pretend smile comes from the service industry. customer is king, always be friendly, never show personal feelings. germany didn't have that and german employees don't rely on tips so much. so if a waiter doesn't like you, he just won't pretend he/she does. plus we have so much bad weather, no wonder we are a little gumpy sometimes. like come on, rest of the world. not everybody has christmas in summer^^
How are you is a rhetorical question and part of the greeting. Of course nobody wants a full-length answer. When you wish 20 people a "guten Tag" per day, do you always honestly mean it?
@@hxxxkxxx1129 Actually, yes, we normally do, at least most of the people I know (unless the "Guten Tag" is pronounced in a certain way, then it actually means more or less "Piss off!"...). If we don't mean it, we normally don't say it at all when passing the other person.
I think it’s mostly women who seem grumpy like that. That could however just be towards me as a man so.... I feel like guys look at one another like okay another dude, alright. If that makes sense. However I’ve been here for six months and this could be totally wrong! And so cute stories! I enjoyed them all!!
I think generally, we Germans find it nosy to approach strangers randomly. We don't just talk to strangers and when strangers talk to us we're confused about what they could want from us. If you have a question or need help, most people are more than happy to help. It's just when people start talking to us without saying what they want, we get either annoyed or creeped out. They must want something, but won't reveal what it is, so it feels suspicious. If you want to chat with strangers in Germany, maybe try to start with saying that you're a tourist and ask about something specific. I think that might help getting past the initial hurdle.
If a German makes a promise they will go out of their way to make it happen. Promises are to be kept if possible since your word is, well, your word. Also Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative (basically the golden rule).
Thats because we germans are direct. We dont like to talk about things carefully - we just want the truth / be direct. Thats something people from another countries cant handle or dont realize thats just another way to speak about problems... We want to fix such things and dont talk about that a long time.
Hehe, for me as a German it's so natural to give some toys or baby clothes back to a mother with her stroller that I think there is no other choice to do this. I wonder why she is so embarrassed about it.
Berlin is pretty much a dumpster fire at this point. I mean it couldn't even survive on it's own, it literally costs more to ceep it running than it brings in (so a negative gdp)
Hi Antoinette! I describe many Germans as a toasted marshmallow! They appear tough on the outside, but they are so sugary sweet on the inside. I love how Germans are so thoughtful and kind with the kiddos!
Yes I totally agree Sherry! Are you coming to girls night on Friday?
@@AntoinetteEmily sadly I won't be able to. 😢
Nice comparison!
@@sherryp6663 I don't know where you're from. But come to the north! We are said to be the most unfriendly people, ever!
And have fun. lol
Did she said we are fat like a marshmallow man!?
We are NOT grumpy!
No you´re sweet and friendly and polite and patient! I have ridden my bicicle through germany and when I was back in amsterdam I had a serious reverse culture shock because of the unpoliteness of the Dutch, especially in the overcrowded west. I had my bike with lots of baggage and I wanted to get out of the train but i had to push me through a crowd of people who were pushing themselves inwards before people could step out, that would never happen in Germany. About Germans being closed and cold? Never noticed that, I have been invited in peoples home in hessen with a Barbeque, und so weiter, und so weiter.
Genau!!! :))
As being a grumpy German myself, I would like to tell you how you can bring a little joy for everyone that works in the public (be it bus driver, Mailmen, Firefighters ect.) if they look stressed out but have some minutes, just talk to them, let them know that someone cares how they feel and that you are thankful for them doing their job.
I do this every time I see a conductor in a train, I ask him how long his shift is, wish him that he ends it safe and sound and wish him a good one when I leave the train. One remembered me and thanked me the next time he saw me because he had a very bad day that time and I was the first friendly one that day.
Antoinette! So true! When I first moved to Germany I was intimidated by most Germans. That did not last long! I married one! LOL! 😊 Germans are truly kind, caring, honest, and a lifelong friend! Thanks for sharing! 😇
I'm German and thank you for the compliments and for taking a second glance at us "grumpy" Germans 😊
Offend Germans with this video?!?
What? How could that be possible?
This video was a hymn of praise on Germans.
Yeah, maybe we 'seem' grumpy but, like you said, underneath the grumpy exterior the great majority of Germans will be really soft-hearted, kind people.
Thak you so much for your kind words.
Love your videos. Keep it up. You are so sweet with your kids.
Anglo-Saxons seem to be overpolite wherever they have settled over the centuries. This is what I myself find really sweet.
@@lilaschwarz1236 and what has this to do with Germans?
I am German and I live right now in New Zealand. And it's really funny: A lot of people are suprised how relaxed I am, because everyone thinks that German are super serious.
And I love your new haircut!
The unrelaxed Germans dont go abroad... 😄
@@alicesoundso7243 You might be on to something there :D
Are you serious?
Awwww :) But yeah that's the way many Germans are. If you lose your wallet walking in front of me you can be sure I'll pick it up and run to you to give it back. I try to treat people the way I want to be treated by others. I try to be kind and honest. Of course it does not work all the time. I am just a human... But I keep trying. :)
to prevent Matteo´s gloves from getting lost, tie them to either end of a string and thread the string through his jacket´s sleeves - and you can also tie the hat to this string right between his sholder blades with another string)
Jetzt lache einmal, denn seit einigen Jahren ist dies insbesondere in Kindergärten und Krippen verboten:) Anscheinend besteht eine besondere Unfallgefahr. Falls ein Kind mit einem lose hängenden Handschuh irgendwo hängen bleibt. Früher konnte man Kinderhandschuhe mit einem Band kaufen, seit einigen Jahren habe ich diese nicht mehr gesehen. Now laugh once,because for some years this is forbidden especially in kindergartens and children's cribs :) Apparently there is a special risk of accidents. If a child gets stuck somewhere with a loose-fitting glove. In the past you could buy children's gloves with a ribbon, for some years I have not seen them.
This just what I was about to say! Prevention is best.
Or attach a string to each glove, then afix a clothes pin/Wäscheklammer to the end, and clip the clothes pin to the exterior of his jacket arms.
I've been struggling with how Germans are. I moved here for my husband and I just feel like I don't fit in. Your videos make it much easier to absorb it all. Thank you🙏
Hello antoinette you discribe us germans very well an old german saying is stur wie die maulesel aber ein herz aus gold and i am happy to have you and your family here please keep on with your work.have a nice weekend
a Friend of me is selling vegetables from a little stall with a Box on it. In the morning he put the vegetables on the Stall and in the evening he get ther and get the money from the Box.
The People are so Honest they pay every time and never was something Stolen.
Hi Antoinette, it´s so hartwarming to hear you talking about us Germans!
For me as a German most of the things you describe are so normal that I actually don´t notice them, for example that we care for little things we find (especially children´s things...). But concerning the busdrivers I made similar experiences. Some of them seem to be really rude, but I found out that they often are frustrated by their job and by the people. And I also found out that many of them are very nice and very grateful when somebody speaks with them and honors the work they are doing day by day.
I don’t know many Germans sadly. I don’t know if they’re similar to my people (I’m from the Netherlands). I do think that Germans are great people and that you can not push 80 Million people into one stereorype!
Thank you for the video! 😄
Greetings from a frisian from North Germany! And I'm pretty sure our people are similar in many ways even the idiots :D Netherland = best Neighbors!:)
wasgeht dichdasan People from Northern Germany are very similar! I love your Bundesländer!
no ur wrong ...i live in kleve 15 km away from netherland( nijmegen) and ur dutch guys really more relaxter then us germans :) love netherland
@Luca Bos: like when I first came to the US. You cannot judge 280 million people, suggesting "they are all the same". I was shy about ever hitting the US until I met my wife.
Actually that is one of the best sentences ever said on UA-cam.
Naturally born and raised germans are in fact very nice, helpfull, sensitive and honest
Well said!
Hi Antoinette! You're probably my favorite expat living in Germany, and it's still confusing to me how you don't have more subscribers than some of these other individuals making similar videos about living in Germany! I like that you don't really waste a lot of time talking nonsense and most of your videos are straightforward and to the point. Have you done a video on restaurant etiquette yet? I would love a video like that, or other German etiquettes and norms in restaurants, supermarkets, or public places, etc.! Thank you!
Sounds interesting :)
She is “germanized“ hehe she say things straight to the point. 😍
Hi Mandy, just try videos of Rachel. Watch the Germans is the title. You can actually see Rachel walk in a park when she talks about a park or in a restaurant when talking of food.
Marie Antoinette is very nice and pretty but you only see her face and nothing of Germany.
With those statement,you surely won a lot of German Fans😎
I'm a grumpy German.. my look on the streets is stated as "look/gaze to kill" (my friends and employees even say that and they're german to and I'm green eyed/dark brown hair and a beard, always wear black, soo really not friendly lookin^^ ).
But I also have to say, that I'm actually a male nurse for the elderly.
I'm singing for them etc. and that behavior to pick up stuff that got lost and place it somewhere to find..U got me there, I literally did this last week on my way to work.
Nice channel, keep up ;)
I had a very similar story with my daughter´s plush bunny. She lost it on the tramway. I asked a bus driver, and he informed the people at the headquarters. Later I got a call and was told at which time and where to be, and when the tramway arrived at that station the bunny was sitting in front of the driver and I got it back. That was a happy day...
I live in Luxembourg but people here are exactly the same. Tough and rough on the outside but when you are genuinely in trouble they are really helpful.
I am originally from France and I was never educated to pick up lost stuff and put them at a conspicuous place. People in Luxembourg do, especially during winter.
I try to give back a bit to my hosts by behaving the same way as they do. :-)
I have just been binge watching your videos, because it is so refreshing to hear that things you do and consider "normal" no big deal - things, are special to some people. It makes one feel good about the way they lead their lives. A good way to start positively into my day. Thank you :)
You have said so many lovely things about the Germans. Thank you, that’s so sweet of you.
I like to share an observation I had when talking to old people in Germany , the oldest being my great-grand aunt, born in 1889. She married in 1911 and reached 106 years. I talked to her in the mid-80s. What she said about everyday life Germany before the the first world war surprised me so much and was so contrary to the pictures we have from that time that I also asked many other old Germans about it. They all agreed that the biggest difference in everyday live (at least before Hitler) was that people were much more open and laughed and smiled a lot more on the street. I do not want to glorify those times. But I just wanted to point out that this "german front" seems to be quite a recent phenomenon and might even be subject to sociological studies.
Ich liebe deine Videos! ❤
I still remember how a bus I was riding normally departed at the Station, drove down the street and then - right at the next road curve - suddenly stopped, opened the bus doors and then just stood there…. the cars behind him honked and no one knew what was going on. (old, narrow german town - meaning no one could pass him)
As it turned out.. Tow elderly Woman were desperately stumbling after the bus, trying their best to catch up. The bus Driver eventually saw it after he'd already left the Station and instead of driving on he stopped the bus and waited for them - in the middle of the road with tons of angry cars behind him. It was so sweet and nice and the two old Woman were so thankfull after they finally entered.
Its kinda true, we germans are not that open and (seemingly) friendly in public or towards strangers. We mostly just mind our own buisness and do what we wanted to do.
It is not that we dont like you or we wouldnt help you if you look at us, we are just used to keep stuff for ourselfes. If you just ask friendly no matter if its directions, public transportation or if you need help with the menue etc. 99% are happy to help you out.
one tip is just try to be friendly and respectful while asking. there are some people on the streets that try to sell newspapers or anything to people and they push themself on people in public. most germans dont like these people and try to avoid them, so dont force yourself on strangers, just be friendly, open and respectful and they will be glad to help
DirtyMight Music as a Dutch woman that is my experience too. German people are often so friendly and helpful.
Great stories about peoples behaviour. Its so cool that your daughter became her doll back. Thats great. Hope you make much more of these experiences. And how amazing that you share it with us. All the best for you and your Family. Great to have you here.
Awwww, my faith in humanity? Restored! Thank you for sharing your heart-warming stories 💖
MG it's so sweet to see your humble appreciation.
I'm German but I used to be intimidated by busdrivers as well because I never took the bus growing up. Also actually met one or two rude ones but the sweetest thing I've noticed is that they always give each other a little wave and nod or smile when another bus passes on the opposite lane.
oh, those stories are so sweet. The hat story does not surprise me, depending on the value of what I found, I also put it up on a tree or even give it to a lost and found (I was still super surprised when I managed to lose my portemonnaie with 100 € and ID and cards and got that back at Hamburg Hauptbahnhof)
No excuse, but you have to keep in mind these peope (bus drivers, cashiers, etc.) are under time pressure, earn to less money, etc.. They are no unfriendly persons, but our system here makes them to it.
Public bus driver is not such a bad job in Germany. I guess they have to deal with a lot of shit from some rude passengers, but they usually work for some public company owned by the city and get decent sallaries, work hours, vacation and so on.
It is not comparably to long distance truck drivers, delivery drivers and stuff like that.
So I assume they are grumpy because they often have to keep passangers in line, like people trying to keep the bus from departing, people making noise or leaving their trash, people harassing other passangers and so on.
German here. Like 10 years ago a friend of mine called me telling me that some stranger contacted him, saying he found my wallet. I hadn't noticed at that point that I lost it, but I actually had. That guy went through everything in my wallet to see if there were some contacts and he called the first number he found, which happend to be said friend. Not only didn't he take my money but instead spent like 30 to 40 cents to retrieve my wallet.
Seriously, Germany is the best place to lose your stuff. Also I'm glad that there are people such as Antoinette who make the effort of looking behind our grumpy shells and realise that a lot of us are actually decent people. Thanks =)
I'm English , and was brought up like that too in the 70's, Pick up a kids teddy or glove or whatever and put it on the nearest wall or gatepost . It doesn't cost anything to be kind.
But nowadays if you pick up something that isn't yours you will be accused of theft. XD
So true what you say❤️ living in the US as a german I and many people I have met have learned the value of being raised german! It is as you say! Kind, helpful and seemlingly grumpy on the outside 😂👍
The sweetest stories ever!
Cant wait to hear your german i love your small mistakes which are just good
So true! I love that they always put up the hats and such. Other things I love are the cat ladders everyone has who lives in a higher level apartment, and that it seems like everyone here stockpiles gummybears or treats to give to the kids, even like teens at the mall when we're shopping will stop and give the kids a candy. This is the most family friendly country for sure!
Moving to a new country is so tough sometimes, and watching your videos have been a very kind reminder of what a lovely culture this really is here. Such a good group here, it's just hard to break through sometimes. I struggle to find my place here but watching these really help. Thanks!
Cheers from an American Expat! :)
That's true. At some day I had lost my mobile phone in a bakery and went to the hospital. After I come back the woman ran towards me an said that she have seen the photo on the screen and wants to give me the phone back. I was so happy because there are so much important information and contacts who would be lost forever.
This video is a why I would ever say: "I'm proud of beeing a german." Seriously. In former times, there where mostly right-wing germans shouting this out aloud. For no good reasons. For hating other people. I'm so very proud of some people in my home country to show how friendly people can be in our country. Thank you for sharing. It just matches the way I think.
Peter Doe with your dark history I wouldn’t be soo proud! Came to your country a few times and I will admit I felt VERY uncomfortable! I wouldn’t be soo proud you all seem nice enough but COLD and not very welcoming! Being from the Mediterranean I can assure you it wasn’t my imagination! You all need to understand that you are very Stern and it wasn’t a few right-wing Germans either! Btw I am an immigrant in the States and Ai have never ever felt the way I felt when I visited your beautiful country!
@Elsimomoftwo: I'm sorry that you felt this way. Your conception of us being cold comes from a fundamental difference in our respective mentalities. To us, on the other hand, people from the Mediterranean often come across as intrusive because we have a different approach towards personal space which includes not only the physical but also the emotional aspect. Unless we formed a friendship or at least made an acquaintance with someone certain kinds of behaviour, certain language etc. are perceived as disrespectful and, as I said, intrusive.
It's how we are raised and how we feel. It's not something one can grow out of just like that. There is, however, a tendency among younger people, to overcome boundaries between people quicker than the older generations (like myself) do. They tend to use the informal "Du" more quickly, for example. Maybe an effect of the globalisation.
Personally, I still cling to our old-fashioned ways and would refuse an offered "Du" from a stranger most of the times by keeping responding with the formal "Sie", unless I feel an immediate and strong sympathy, which happens now and then. In that case the language matches the emotions. It's not because I'm stubborn but because the older you get the harder is change. It just doesn't feel right to me that a total stranger immediately says "Du" to me.
So, in short: most of the times what you perceive as cold, is in reality our way of showing respect. At least I think that's what it is. Maybe you went to overall rude regions/cities and were just a little unlucky. There are pretty big differences between the different regions in Germany concerning social graces.
Peter Doe sorry but even you come to my country your people are Rude cheap and most of all cold! I appreciate you being polite but your DARK history can NEVER EVER be forgotten!! I know many immigrants in Germany feel the same way I described! It’s just the way you are by nature! Have a great week and again thanks for being soo kind!
Gunther H.G. Geick others are much more polite and indirect you are racists and killed millions across Europe! Don’t ever think all are forgiving or polite!
Ich habe eine Troll geweckt. Daß tut mir leid. Bitte füttert nicht den Troll. Bitte antwortet nicht mehr auf diesen Mist. Der Troll wird nicht aufhören. Der lebt davon, daß man auf ihn reagiert. Und ich kann meinen Kommentar nicht löschen.
Es tut mir wirklich leid, daß so ein liebevolles Video einen Troll angelockt hat. Man kann es halt nicht verhindern.
I'm a grumpy German middle-aged man, and I can confirm I am a big softie inside. :D
So now that I see a second video with your new shorter hair, I can say something about it: it looks lovely! I watched this other video about Germans and their difficulties to give compliments. Well I, as an example, need some time to get used to new looks lol. Whenever someone changes their looks, like a new hair colour or cutting their long hair back to short hair, I need some time to get used to it. It has NOTHING to do with whether I like it or not. I never know if I like it or not at first sight, if that makes any sense to you. Beside that, to me lookings aren't important. It's what people are and what they do what makes them. Like the people you mention in this video. No matter if they are young or old, thin or thick, long hair, short hair. It's what they do. I am easy with giving a compliment to someone who helps - even with the smallest gestures. I love people like those you mentioned. This is what keeps the world going. I am glad you made this experiences. And I must say, you're glowing while you were talking about these positive things. It was lovely to watch you talk about this all. Thank you for that. Makes me believe a bit more in people ;-)
Thanks Antoinette ! Much appreciated :-)
nice stories! thanks for sharing
The day, when busdrivers saved germany's reputation :)
Hello Antoinette, we are not blunt, we are straight forward. Working in the US for many years and now working for a UK company, I can tell you that this "polite way" of doing things is utter BS. When somebody screws up, you let him/her now, you discuss what needs to be done and that's that. In English speaking countries, everybody is constantly beating around the bush in such situations but never comes to the point. Nothing gets ever solved because you can't confront people with their shortcomings. It's really not a good way of getting things done.
I totally disagree. It's not good to be that straightforward. Especially if that means that the other person may be hurt. Also Germans need to learn how to adapt the other cultures. If you are straight-forward you are going to be seen as rude. And that's the reputation that Germans have. I have lived in America and I am currently living in Germany. I think both ways are good. It's not right or wrong. It's just that the German way seems rude so it feels like it's the wrong way to do things.
Love hearing this as a German.
Yeas Germans are honest and so correct people. My husband lost his purse in the city during work. He was so frustrated of course had to go the police for complaining of loss reimbursed. But few hours later the purse was in our mailbox. All cards where in the purchase. Bank card, insurance card, identity card (our address is written there) drivers license . Only the cash wasn't in. (20€). But who cares? It doesn't mean he's to be the person who take away the cash, who gave the purse back. Mybee someone who found the purse before the lovely finder. Doesn't matter. He was just happy to get his cards back. Lovely thanks to the finder. ❤️❤️❤️
...as long as you stay as positive & friendly , in general - the most grumpy German will melt in no time, seeing a young mother with children :-)
I’m a Swede who loves Germans and Germany. It’s like my second home; spiritually.
i’m an american (shh) that is married to a german woman , that live in Germany and have a holiday house in sweden ,near Arvika . 😂
Thnak you so much. You discover the positve site of the people around you. Behind every grumpy fassade there is most of the time a nice human to discover. This is not specific for one entire country, I think you can make this experience all over the world.
Germans are literally the hugest softies in the world. I have a friend from Germany and they are the sweetest thing
It's true, most bus drivers are actually really nice. :)
Toasted Marshmallows!!!!!! HAHAHA what a good way say that we are grumpy. Thank you:) You dear Antoinette do not offend us at all.Vica Versa i do learn a lot not only about how you see germany but also about New Zealand.You opened my eyes to things which came natural to me but in real are strange and funny. Thank you i never did regret joining your channel
The grumpiness ist actually a Bavarian thing and is called "der Grant" ("to be grumpy" = "grantig sein"). It is comparable to the Blues and can be angry, but also melancholic. People are especially grantig when there is Föhn, a strong wind coming from the Alps and going north, which is believed to induce headache (not proven, it might also just be another excuse for being grantig ;)). The Grant serves a social purpose and can perfectly observed at any Bavarian Stammtisch (a table occupied by the group of regulars in a "Wirtschaft", which is basically a pub).
As I said, the Grant is a thing found mainly in southern Germany. People from northern Germany are said to not be grumpy, but undercooled like the Scandinavians. Additionally there is the Prussian tradition of correctness in a militarized way, which is mainly found in eastern Germany, which has also a lot of slavic influences.
Bus drivers are somewhat revered in Germany. They have a hard job but are almost always the kindest people and depending on where you live / how often you take the bus, you actually develope a relationship with them.
Hei Emily. Cool zu høren , was Leute vom anderen Ende der Welt ueber Deutschland denken. Aber es gibt Unterschiede zwischen Ost und West. Thanks for uploading
I really love your hair like this :D
Aww thanks my friend! xx
Mateo is probably not going to be so happy that the lady found the hat and returned it, he probably threw the hat away, LOL.
That's what I did when I was a child, and then I just told my parents that I lost it.
yeah poor kid.. trying to get rid of that hat so bad that he "accidentally" drops it every day and it always comes back...
dang it.. ;) i guess he needs a new plan...
Germans are very honest. When l left my mobile, ie handy, in a restaurant l didn`t realise till around 40 minutes later. l rushed back as quickly as l could, thinking it wouldn`t be there anymore but to my surprise it was still there and right in the same place l`d left it ! That would never, or hardly ever, have happened in England, someone would have nicked it in a flash !!
My father is a german bus driver. The pasengers love him. He is only a little bit grumpy, when he is stessed. Its a big pressure to be in time, when there is a lot traffic. But in fact he is very friendliy, kindly and funny.
It's true, we are really quite grumpy and blunt - you either love or hate it. Okay okay, I admit that nobody really loves grumpy people, as grumpy people we even complain about other grumpy people ourselves! ;-)))
But I like blunt I think we have not enouth bluntness
I have visited Germany twice as a tourist. I am constantly losing stuff. Every time I lost something in Germany people go out of their way to find me and return it. I have been chased down city streets by tourist bus drivers (twice), shop assistants phoned the Australian Embassy, even my home in Australia (family back home were asleep) to return my wallet, chased by a young German guy as I ran to my train at a busy central railway station to give back a book about Trump and asked if I liked him (Trump, not the young man) to which I hastily confirmed I didn’t “better the devil you know”, I said. So yes, Germans are much more honest and caring than sadly, my own fellow Aussies. We. Oh,d learn much from them.
They all are friendly because of you. Beeing friendly is the key to the hearts.
Sadly I often realize, that people from other countries consider Germans to be unfriendly and grumpy. Just because, they heared about that. One funny story from Italy, that actually happened last week in a little town somewhere in the area of Napoli:
My partner was sent to Italy for a few months, to support and help the Italians managing their (german) stores. The problem is that his English might sound pretty good. But he realized, that almost No one in Italy is able to talk in English. (thank God for Google translator 😄)
So an older, very grumpy Sicilian lady came into a store and complained about something, he didn't understand. Just with the words "uno momento " and making some fun, he made her laugh. When the Italian employee hurried up, the Lady asked: "where does this friendly funny guy come from?"
She could hardly believe what she heared.
She said:"Sizilian People always are known as sympathical, helping people always in a good mood. Everybody told me, Germans are cold and unfriendly. Today the Sizilian was grumpy and rather unpolite. And the German was the better Sizilian today. My world turned upside down."
Funny sometimes, how the world works ☺️
At least there are friendly and also unfriendly people all over the world, whereever you may go...
"But he realized, that almost No one in Italy is able to talk in English."
Can confirm. My trip to Italy 2 years ago was a humbling experience in how to have a successful communication when you can't properly talk to people.
Dear Antoinette( aka Antonella:):) NO NO her name is Antoinette
please have a look at
peter koller
comment. That is the way i grew up. Tie both gloves with a long string.Now when he puts on one glove put the other glove through his other jacketarms behind his neck and through the inside of his other arm.Now you have two gloves hanging on a string. Well im not sure if i explained that in a way you might understand. But just ask an old OMA, they know.OMA's know everything They are the backbone , A big HUG for all grandmothers
The things you describe are because: "It is the right thing to do. (
Its actually surprisingly often that you can see gloves, hats and even jackets put up on low branches or fences. And now that you talked about it as something not common I wonder how often people go past it and wonder what a strange culture they have entered where people leave offerings in the trees.
Hey! Don't ruin our carefully constructed image of serious, punctuality and order obsessed workaholics. We've had this cultivated for centuries. 😅
I fear we got nothing on Japanese in that regard.
It always make me sad when I see a stuffed animal or a doll somewhere lying on the street because I know how important mine were to me when I was a kid. It's just knowing that somewhere there is a little kid who misses this toy very much. So that's why I put them somewhere they won't get walked over and are a bit safer from the dirt and I hope that the parents will come looking and find them.
Wou, a wonderful, new haircut, Antoinette. :)
Antoinette the ICEBREAKER! ;)
Netty, that bus driver story made me cry!
another great video..
About the busdriver: you ever played a roleplaying game? Tried one of theese simple quests go and find xyz for me and off you go and try and get bugged by all theese creeps lurking around to form your playing experience and have to try three times until you find that little desired item? Well that's your busdriver. And that joy a girl shows the moment she gets her doll back after a week is enough to make one smile for a week and months on. Now tell me, how would you reward such a person other than that happy girl? You hardly can. But before everything tears apart, invete Jim to a cup of coffee.
Hallo. Zum Thema Busfahrer:
ua-cam.com/video/2pic3FnvUrY/v-deo.html
Ein besonderer Werbespot der BVG ^^
Oder das hier ua-cam.com/video/BmH4uqT0hAk/v-deo.html 😁😋
@Conchita Mendez gute Idee! Trau dich, schreib mal so einen Spot oder den Entwurf dazu. Mit der Nummer könntest du dich am Ende beim Deutschen Kleinkunstpreis wiederfinden 😊
Long may it continue !
6:30 Mache ich auch! :-D
I like these type of videos
my bff was such an awful grumpy beast when we met the first months. terrible. but now... I would do anything for her and she for me. I guess everbody wants to be cool and show no weakness.
The hat thing apparently is not just a hat thing.. I once got a bottle at a convienience store in a big departmentstore. And as i wanted to get my 10€ which i had left. I realized that i lost it. Then a mother and her daughter, that had been at the same store earlier and had seen me drop my money as i left. And they literally chased after me halfway through the entire departmentstore. They could have just picked it up and spent it...but they didnt. Instead they spent time and energy to chase a random kid that had lost some money. They really made my day.
You're lucky with your bus drivers haha I still believe most bus drivers are grumpy and I have been taking busses in my German town for 15+ years 😁
Labas,As myliu visus.Bet esu kategoriskas ☺😘❤Mano minti blokuoja kas galima ko negalima tikejimas kad noriu eiti doru keliu.❤👍👍👍🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹Aciu
Your stereotype of any particular group will depend on what culture you come from. So statements like "Germans have a repuration as..." relates to the reputation in your country. Their reputation in, for example, Zambia, or Pakistan, is very different. I can tell you this from experience.
We do the same in Serbia
as a german, i find the american/english friendliness a little.. how can i say.. dishonest.
like saying "hey, how are you?" and then not caring about the answer. like.. why even ask then.
being rational is not being unfriendly. there is a huge difference between these two.
i have travelled to canada and australia and people there are exactly like they are in germany. except they smile at you more often not really meaning it. germans are a little more transparent and less pretentious. having a german friend is just as good as any other human friend though. there is no difference.
i think some of that pretend smile comes from the service industry. customer is king, always be friendly, never show personal feelings. germany didn't have that and german employees don't rely on tips so much. so if a waiter doesn't like you, he just won't pretend he/she does.
plus we have so much bad weather, no wonder we are a little gumpy sometimes. like come on, rest of the world. not everybody has christmas in summer^^
How are you is a rhetorical question and part of the greeting. Of course nobody wants a full-length answer. When you wish 20 people a "guten Tag" per day, do you always honestly mean it?
@@hxxxkxxx1129 Actually, yes, we normally do, at least most of the people I know (unless the "Guten Tag" is pronounced in a certain way, then it actually means more or less "Piss off!"...). If we don't mean it, we normally don't say it at all when passing the other person.
Im a typical german and i hate to get approached by some stranger -.-*
I think it’s mostly women who seem grumpy like that. That could however just be towards me as a man so.... I feel like guys look at one another like okay another dude, alright. If that makes sense. However I’ve been here for six months and this could be totally wrong! And so cute stories! I enjoyed them all!!
I think generally, we Germans find it nosy to approach strangers randomly. We don't just talk to strangers and when strangers talk to us we're confused about what they could want from us. If you have a question or need help, most people are more than happy to help. It's just when people start talking to us without saying what they want, we get either annoyed or creeped out. They must want something, but won't reveal what it is, so it feels suspicious.
If you want to chat with strangers in Germany, maybe try to start with saying that you're a tourist and ask about something specific. I think that might help getting past the initial hurdle.
Do you get reverse culture shock when you go back to NZ? With everyone being so chatty and casual (maybe even a little inefficient)
Antoinette, you broke the wall and know as very well ! :-))
The doll story ❤
If a German makes a promise they will go out of their way to make it happen. Promises are to be kept if possible since your word is, well, your word.
Also Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative (basically the golden rule).
Thats because we germans are direct. We dont like to talk about things carefully - we just want the truth / be direct. Thats something people from another countries cant handle or dont realize thats just another way to speak about problems... We want to fix such things and dont talk about that a long time.
Ich denke, du solltest mal die Menschen im Ruhrgebiet besuchen. Wir sind eine ganz besondere Spezies 😀
Oh yeah, I can't count how often a bus driver or a street car driver waited for me
Can you not convert your NZ license?
We Dutch are so much German
In1998able That’s right. 😀 But I have the impression, you Dutch are the relaxed communicative version of us.
@@fozziebear9626 the were in 1940!
Hehe, for me as a German it's so natural to give some toys or baby clothes back to a mother with her stroller that I think there is no other choice to do this. I wonder why she is so embarrassed about it.
So eine positive Grundstimmung. Unglaublich.
In Franken ist die Welt noch in Ordnung... in Berlin würde das kaum noch passieren...
Berlin is pretty much a dumpster fire at this point. I mean it couldn't even survive on it's own, it literally costs more to ceep it running than it brings in (so a negative gdp)