Wow! This video is such a breath of fresh air! I think it is admirable that you are so honest - also with yourself - and what you learned from your own experience. I think this video should be shown to every foreigner living in another country. This isn't Germany specific (yes, for you it is), this is a general statement pertaining to all of us. This video and your honesty just blows me away. Thank you for that!
It is very unusual that nobody you met in your first days in Germany was able to speak English. All of them learned it at school. Maybe the older ones didn't, but English was mandatory in Bavarian schools since 1965. So they knew at least basic English.
He doesn't say that they didn't know English, but that nobody spoke English with him. But that is also difficult to understand, as Germans are actually hospitable.
maybe eastern germany. they had russian as the first second language in school. EDIT: okay, he specifically mentioned bavaria. they had english in school.
@@robertheinrich2994 I grew up in east germany and learned english years before i had english lessons in school. american and british taxpayers and EMI payed for my english education and my parents paid 5,- for a dictionary. When you don't speak to the people why should they start to talk to you in english? next time put on a T-shirt "please speak to me! I'm an american not able to communicate like a normal human being.
I came to Germany from Hawaii almost 40 years ago. If you put yourself in the Germans shoes and think for a few minutes as an American we want people to learn and speak english when they visit America. Most Germans will try their best to talk to you if you at least show a little bit of efort to speak German. Like I said I came here thru the military and never left and have absolutely no regrets
I think you're in good company with this experience, because I think the biggest culture shock for most Americans is not being inside another country, but outside the United States and meeting people who aren't Americans and also speak no or only poor English.
I've honestly never had that feeling before. We've traveled to many countries where we didn't understand the language, and I actually found it quite refreshing not to understand the people there. It was so much fun to communicate with people by using hand gestures and only words that both languages have in common.
@@tucker737Yes we did and we understood. But his initial attitude is what gets me with americans every time. It's that bloody attitude that they imagine they possess, by right of birth in the US, a special status which makes them exceptional and supirior to other, ordinary human beings, and that, lo and behold, there exists a world outside the US! I was at the Paris Roissy Charles-de-Gaulles Airport one time waiting to catch a flight to NY and all flights were canceled because of lousy flying conditions. Everybody tried to cope and make the best of it, when a group of very angry American women ( I won't call them ladies, because they hardly behaved in a lady like fashion) marched up to the desk and hanrangued the lady at the desk. They wouldn't simply accept the clear, firm and friendly, yet concise information from the lady at the desk explaining patiently, that they just had to chin up and bare it like everybody else. Their reaction was was an outraged:😮😮😮 But we are AMERICANS!!!!
@@picholoup You are no different than the type of "Americans" you describe. It's evident from your comment. No matter where you go in this world you will encounter people like that, even in Germany. Accepting criticism and experiences other than your own is a tough pill to swallow but it's a valuable skill to acquire.
@@tucker737 no, I'm adapting myself right in the beginning to other customs and don't expect a whole group of people I have the honor to visit to go out of their way and learn a language, just to satisfy my needs to feel welcome. What an arrogant approach. In you can't handle the different cultures and their mode de vie and abilities to speak your language, just stay in your safe space.
Wow, thanks for sharing this story. I can somewhat relate to your story. My first couple of months in Germany was difficult, because like you said, I also felt isolated. After that initial shock, I started opening up and now I wish I was there and lived there. Yes, it is funny how things change with perspectives.
Wow! This one is recognizably your style - but also different! The video shows that you are still progressing and developing! At the very beginning, I thought, you looked like a Native American telling your story at that desk - and then I had to smile because I recognized the pun with the word "American Indian" ... All this is to say that you set a great mood here, and it appears to me as an observer from a distance, that in your approach to mood in a video, you get closer to something you seem to be looking for. You have told this story before. But I heard it as if it was new! I think this really did teach me something. Thanks!
1:19 'I couldn't understand a single word because I didn't speak any German at all.' maybe it was due to their Bavarian accent. in theory, you should have been able to pick up on quite a few words as both German and English are west Germanic languages and share a lot of common roots. the simpler the conversation, the more common the vernacular in English, the more similar the words get to their German translations. roughly 29% of English word roots are Germanic in origin and have quite similar sounding modern German equivalents. 😉
My Generation had english since 5th Grade. The newer Generations even start at 3rd grade. So i pretty much doubt your story. Especially in former Western Germany ( Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Berlin(West), Lower Saxony, Northrine Westfalia, Bremen, Rhineland Palatinate, Saarland, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria)
Especially since many Americans visiting Germany complain that Germans quickly switch to English when they realize that their counterparts don't speak the language well.
My husband is french and we speak English amongst each other. I was really surprised to learn that a lot of younger doctors can’t speak english and I have to translate. My husband is learning german, but it‘ll take time before he is able to speak it.
Thanks for sharing. An American friend wanted to buy wine in Spain, asked me for company, my spanish was better than his and his intention was that I should buy it. In the shop we approached the owner, but I turned towards him and asked/encouraged him to speak up what he want, first startled but of course managed it. So to not steal this moment to learn, grow, just been a lifeline, he mastered it, and by little interactions you even warm up with German service people 😐to🙂
Well done Video, as always! 💛 For me it was a similar experience coming to the US. Though i had an additional Chapter, that of realizing how f*cked up The USA is. After 23 years i returned to Germany for good. 🖤❤💛
I can still remember my first time visiting England when I went to school. My grades in English were quite good. I was listening to folk, rock and pop music and, often, I was able to understand what a song was about. But then I arrived near Southend in England and apart from "Hello" and "How are you?" I didn't seem to understand anything - even when people slowed down a bit with speaking. So that very first encounter was quite disappointing and discouraging. However, since I was travelling as a member of a group of pupils in an exchange program it was a relief that most of the other members were experiencing the same problem. The next experience was another surprise: after a few days we found ourselves not only able to understand more but also to have small conversations gradually rediscovering what we had learnt in school. Interestingly just the hours at a partner school were completely chaotic and anything but comparable with school in Germany. Despite the initial difficulties the experience of that one week in England is still incredibly precious for me. It gave me the confidence to try speaking the language I've learnt and to actually use it. I had that experience every time I visited the UK. But the period of acclimatisation became shorter each time. And although my knowledge of French is certainly worse, my experience with using it in France was quite similar. There's no replacement for learning foreign languages.
My late husband and I moved to Greek-speaking Cyprus in 2001. Even now I don't speak the language but I was fortunate to learn that most Cypriots also speak some English, sometimes unwillingly! Yes, it takes time but I don't want to live anywhere else - and I have travelled far and wide. Loved Germany too!
Honest video. I guess not ever being an attentive listener that too with short attention span helps in this scenario....my first evening in Germany was magical in spite of not understanding a word of deutsch back then. I smiled at everyone that smiled at me and enjoyed the excellent lachs zuppen quite close to schrannenhalle. During childhood i recall we moved every 3 years. The new locations spoke new language and had different cultures. Those experiences helped me I guess . Good to know now u are now comfortably settled into German summers. Here in USA folk's reaction to silence is best described as uncomfortable. In Germany I think silence is the norm and people are very much used to it so being new to Germany is way easier than settling as a foreigner in USA as per my experiences. thanks.
Your video came up on my recommended page. Knowing Germans you most likely can imagine what my gut reaction was to your first part of the video, but I held on with writing a comment until watching the whole thing, and I'm glad I did. First of all, to people saying they're surprised nobody spoke English, I'm not. You say this was 16 years ago right? And you arrived in winter. So off tourist season, absolutely, it's very likely that most conversations you heard around you in Munich - my hometown btw - were German, because Germans just have no - or just to have no - incentive to talk any other language than their mother tongue with each other. I do think had you approached someone inside Munich in English chances are they might have been able to communicate with you with their school English, especially if it had been younger people. But as I gather, you stayed in a Bavarian village with your then bf? Especially in Bavarian rural areas to meet someone who's actively fluent in English is rather rare (or used to be, I haven't lived in Germany for the last 10 years so that may have changed). Most people learn English in school, yes, but they often never really use it regularly afterward, and thus never gain fluency and/or forget most of it. So that scenario really is not unlikely to me. As for your initial reaction of all-over rejection, tbh. I think you just properly got hit with culture shock very early into your stay. The thing with culture shock is that it hits different people at different times and in different intensities. Personally, I've always loved that initial phase in a new place not understanding anything, talking with hands and facial expressions, and having the culture revealing itself bit by bit the more you learn. But again, not everyone is the same, and you only know how you'll react to being immersed into properly foreign surroundings (with a foreign language and culture around you) once it happens to you. And you can't really blame anyone for their psychological reaction. That sense of alienation happens on a deep intuitive psychological level and in severe cases, it can be very hard to overcome. There's a reason why many people just break off, say, their year of international student exchange. That feeling of alienation, loneliness and homesickness can be overwhelming. However, for those who do manage to stick with it and push through like you did it becomes a rewarding experience that will make you grow as a person. I sometimes wonder if English native speakers are at a bit of a disadvantage there, because they're just so used to presume that 'Everywhere in the world most people will know at least some English, right? RIGHT?!!' so to be faced with the reality that, no, in fact there are many places where English just doesn't play any significant role, must hit them extra hard. Either way, I think it's admirable you lasted and actually learned to embrace Germany and its life despite your rough start there. It is a sign of your tenacity and also of your love for your partner. And no, I don't think you have to love everything about Germany. I don't think it's possible to love everything about anything, no matter whether if it's your home country or your chosen new home country.
I have to doubt your Story.. English is mandatory curriculum in Germany. Up from age 10. Maybe people are not comfortable speaking it but I don't know a single German who hasn't had a single english lesson.
What he says is exactly the opposite of what Americans otherwise experience in Germany. Instead of Germans speaking German to them, Germans quickly switch to English. His story is strange to me.
That can't be true, 16 years ago everyone in the room younger than 55 had to have at least 4 years of English in school. The younger ones 5-10 years. Even if you are not used to speak English, you can fumble your way trough. I think you wanted to make it a little bit exaggerated! Germans are not the best english speakers in Europe, but we are up there near the top.
For me as one from neighbouring country german as a language was something you pick up over time. Most I actually understand, speaking is another story. Fluent at one point, a brain heamorage later it is something I can do with difficulty. Düsseldorf is a some 80km away, Nettetal is a nice trip by bike. Oh well, life isn't fair. 😊
Yes, in Baden-Württemberg they all speak suddenly English in a restaurant when an American enters the room... They are the most sensitive people in the world, not at all like those brutal Bavarians... 😂😉
that's the craziest thing i've ever heard and (who could see this coming) from an US citizen: "I went to another continent, to a country that (some people outside the us might know ) has a different language and now i wonder why nobody speaks in english to me" Next : " i jumped into the sea and now i'm wet and i hate it. Who can help me ?"
Jay, from former videos I know that it went well for you, but the development you are describing in this video, everyone in Europa has when we stepped over the first borderline here. Wich is quite often in our childhood. ❤❤❤ and no, why should anyone speak English, except i realise someone can’t communicate in German, I won’t.
The same can be experienced within the UK - where I live - there are plenty of communities that stick together and speak Hindi, Urdu, Gujeratti, Chinese, Punjabi, Polish, whatever. I got used to it pretty quick to behonest, when I moved to Leicester, one of the most mult-cultural cites imaginable. In truth, if you ignore that and speak in English, most are surprised that you want to talk, and more than happy to speak in, sometimes very brokwn, English. This is no more so than when I shop in Asian/Chinese stores. I may well be the only white man, probably to have been in for weeks or months, but they are always very helpful, customers and staff. In mainland Europe there are two things that stop many people from speaking in English - one is the absolute refusal to sacriffice their mother tongue, for anything, the other is a reluctance to make themselves look foolish if their English isn't 100%. All that said, you must have been the typical, archetypical, typically horrendously insular American. So glad that you grew out of that!!!!
Wanting to speak perfectly is taught at school. We had a 10 day school trip to france in 10th grade and those with the best grades were speaking the least amount of french. I was always terrible at foreign languages (english and french) , but it was always me who was brave enough to speak and I also had to translate what was said in french. Don't be afraid of mistakes while speaking (and writing) a foreign language, most native speakers are happy you made the effort to try it.
I think this video is beautiful. First of all, I’m so sorry about some of the comments from fellow Germans. I am in disbelief how ridiculously closed minded some people are. I’ve been following your channel for quite some time and I recall in one of your videos earlier this year you had mentioned something to the affect that anytime you say anything critical about Germany, people get extremely offended and vice versa about the USA. I think you proved your point here. The strange thing is you never said anything critical of Germany, instead you said something critical of yourself, of your expectations, which you also mentioned that you admittedly were wrong and grew as a person from this experience. I relate to this video. My father is German and my mother is English. I was born in the New York, and grew up in San Francisco. I never learned German because in our home we only spoke English. I never went to Germany or England until I was in my early 20’s. Until then I had only been to Mexico and Canada. My first trip outside of my comfort zone was to Munich, followed by London. Like your experience, I met my Dad’s brother and his family for the first time and no one spoke English. I didn’t expect them to but it was a new and awkward experience. My cousins knew English, but chose not to speak it which later I found was because they were too shy. For me back then, they came across not wanting to engage with me. I felt awkward and had no idea what they would talk about. That one night I spent in their house was one of the most awkward experiences. I couldn’t wait to leave. The next day I left to stay in a hotel in Munich. Munich was not any different. People did not want to engage. Even when they knew English, they would not want to talk to me in English. I called my Dad crying because I felt “bad” that I didn’t like his home country. I never wanted to return to Germany so I didn’t for the next five years. Five years later I went back for a wedding of a friend in Berlin, I loved it so much that I moved there. LOL. People in Berlin was more welcoming, I was able to communicate with them without knowing German. Now I speak German. And for me, Munich is still the same as it was 10 years ago. And that is ok by me.
Hi there! I live in LA and Zurich (my partner is Swiss). We just bought a home in Porto. My experience is so much like yours, although Swiss German is a special experience in that I cannot study it. (Stephen & Carlos)
Hi, my two cents based on experience is, if you make the effort and try, people will respond positively. Don't hesitate in talking even if it doesn't feel correct. That's how you will learn. Wish you the best of luck in this new journey ✌️
@@JayStephan I am with you. I was able to get to C2 pretty quickly in German but I just cannot master the Swiss dialect. Now it’s Portuguese I’m focused on to get my EU citizenship (I want that darn EU passport because I love it there)
I have a sister, 85years old and still living in Germany, and she does not even want to go to town anymore. The reason being she told me, you hardly hear the German language anymore. So sad. I quit going over there after the currency changed, and I have not regret it. I used to go every year on vacation to Germany, but as of the last few years, it's just a waste of time.
The first time I went to France, I hated it with all my heart. I was a teenager. When I look back at that time now, I think, how lucky was I to get to travel and see a completely different part of the world. Sometimes we are just silly little humans plagued by judgement. 🫶
Wow! This video is such a breath of fresh air! I think it is admirable that you are so honest - also with yourself - and what you learned from your own experience. I think this video should be shown to every foreigner living in another country. This isn't Germany specific (yes, for you it is), this is a general statement pertaining to all of us.
This video and your honesty just blows me away.
Thank you for that!
It is very unusual that nobody you met in your first days in Germany was able to speak English. All of them learned it at school. Maybe the older ones didn't, but English was mandatory in Bavarian schools since 1965. So they knew at least basic English.
He doesn't say that they didn't know English, but that nobody spoke English with him. But that is also difficult to understand, as Germans are actually hospitable.
@@e.s.7272 Oh, you are right.
maybe eastern germany. they had russian as the first second language in school.
EDIT: okay, he specifically mentioned bavaria. they had english in school.
@@robertheinrich2994 I grew up in east germany and learned english years before i had english lessons in school. american and british taxpayers and EMI payed for my english education and my parents paid 5,- for a dictionary. When you don't speak to the people why should they start to talk to you in english? next time put on a T-shirt "please speak to me! I'm an american not able to communicate like a normal human being.
But his husband should've teach them a bit of German by then...
First impression of a German in the USA -> No one is speaking German. I’m so depressed
But everyone is "German" 😂
I came to Germany from Hawaii almost 40 years ago. If you put yourself in the Germans shoes and think for a few minutes as an American we want people to learn and speak english when they visit America. Most Germans will try their best to talk to you if you at least show a little bit of efort to speak German.
Like I said I came here thru the military and never left and have absolutely no regrets
❤ From a German Hawaii resident.
Stephen must love the heck out of you. No offense, but you would have driven me crazy.. Glad all is so lovely now.
I think you're in good company with this experience, because I think the biggest culture shock for most Americans is not being inside another country, but outside the United States and meeting people who aren't Americans and also speak no or only poor English.
I've honestly never had that feeling before. We've traveled to many countries where we didn't understand the language, and I actually found it quite refreshing not to understand the people there. It was so much fun to communicate with people by using hand gestures and only words that both languages have in common.
People in a different country use a different language and they have a divergent culture.
Man, what a surprice !
You leave me speachless behind.
Well no shit Sherlock...did you even see the entire video and comprehend what it's actually about 🤦🏽♂
@@tucker737Yes we did and we understood. But his initial attitude is what gets me with americans every time.
It's that bloody attitude that they imagine they possess, by right of birth in the US, a special status which makes them exceptional and supirior to other, ordinary human beings, and that, lo and behold, there exists a world outside the US!
I was at the Paris Roissy Charles-de-Gaulles Airport one time waiting to catch a flight to NY and all flights were canceled because of lousy flying conditions. Everybody tried to cope and make the best of it, when a group of very angry American women ( I won't call them ladies, because they hardly behaved in a lady like fashion) marched up to the desk and hanrangued the lady at the desk. They wouldn't simply accept the clear, firm and friendly, yet concise information from the lady at the desk explaining patiently, that they just had to chin up and bare it like everybody else. Their reaction was was an outraged:😮😮😮
But we are AMERICANS!!!!
@@picholoup You are no different than the type of "Americans" you describe. It's evident from your comment. No matter where you go in this world you will encounter people like that, even in Germany. Accepting criticism and experiences other than your own is a tough pill to swallow but it's a valuable skill to acquire.
@@tucker737 no, I'm adapting myself right in the beginning to other customs and don't expect a whole group of people I have the honor to visit to go out of their way and learn a language, just to satisfy my needs to feel welcome. What an arrogant approach. In you can't handle the different cultures and their mode de vie and abilities to speak your language, just stay in your safe space.
@@picholoup LOL, you're identical to the type of "Americans" you describe. And sorry to say you absolutely did not get the message in this video.
Morgens frische Brötchen, wahlweise mit dem unterschiedlichsten Aufschnitt oder Marmelade, dazu weich gekochte Eier. Das macht glücklich!
Wow, thanks for sharing this story. I can somewhat relate to your story. My first couple of months in Germany was difficult, because like you said, I also felt isolated. After that initial shock, I started opening up and now I wish I was there and lived there. Yes, it is funny how things change with perspectives.
Wow! This one is recognizably your style - but also different!
The video shows that you are still progressing and developing! At the very beginning, I thought, you looked like a Native American telling your story at that desk - and then I had to smile because I recognized the pun with the word "American Indian" ... All this is to say that you set a great mood here, and it appears to me as an observer from a distance, that in your approach to mood in a video, you get closer to something you seem to be looking for.
You have told this story before. But I heard it as if it was new! I think this really did teach me something. Thanks!
1:19 'I couldn't understand a single word because I didn't speak any German at all.' maybe it was due to their Bavarian accent. in theory, you should have been able to pick up on quite a few words as both German and English are west Germanic languages and share a lot of common roots. the simpler the conversation, the more common the vernacular in English, the more similar the words get to their German translations. roughly 29% of English word roots are Germanic in origin and have quite similar sounding modern German equivalents. 😉
Great ! I see this with my husband in the Netherlands too. You made it !
One thumb up isn't enough! - Ein Daumen hoch ist nicht genug! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
My Generation had english since 5th Grade. The newer Generations even start at 3rd grade. So i pretty much doubt your story. Especially in former Western Germany ( Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Berlin(West), Lower Saxony, Northrine Westfalia, Bremen, Rhineland Palatinate, Saarland, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria)
Especially since many Americans visiting Germany complain that Germans quickly switch to English when they realize that their counterparts don't speak the language well.
My husband is french and we speak English amongst each other. I was really surprised to learn that a lot of younger doctors can’t speak english and I have to translate. My husband is learning german, but it‘ll take time before he is able to speak it.
Thanks for sharing. An American friend wanted to buy wine in Spain, asked me for company, my spanish was better than his and his intention was that I should buy it. In the shop we approached the owner, but I turned towards him and asked/encouraged him to speak up what he want, first startled but of course managed it. So to not steal this moment to learn, grow, just been a lifeline, he mastered it, and by little interactions you even warm up with German service people 😐to🙂
Well done Video, as always! 💛 For me it was a similar experience coming to the US. Though i had an additional Chapter, that of realizing how f*cked up The USA is. After 23 years i returned to Germany for good. 🖤❤💛
I can still remember my first time visiting England when I went to school. My grades in English were quite good. I was listening to folk, rock and pop music and, often, I was able to understand what a song was about. But then I arrived near Southend in England and apart from "Hello" and "How are you?" I didn't seem to understand anything - even when people slowed down a bit with speaking. So that very first encounter was quite disappointing and discouraging. However, since I was travelling as a member of a group of pupils in an exchange program it was a relief that most of the other members were experiencing the same problem. The next experience was another surprise: after a few days we found ourselves not only able to understand more but also to have small conversations gradually rediscovering what we had learnt in school. Interestingly just the hours at a partner school were completely chaotic and anything but comparable with school in Germany.
Despite the initial difficulties the experience of that one week in England is still incredibly precious for me. It gave me the confidence to try speaking the language I've learnt and to actually use it.
I had that experience every time I visited the UK. But the period of acclimatisation became shorter each time. And although my knowledge of French is certainly worse, my experience with using it in France was quite similar.
There's no replacement for learning foreign languages.
My late husband and I moved to Greek-speaking Cyprus in 2001. Even now I don't speak the language but I was fortunate to learn that most Cypriots also speak some English, sometimes unwillingly! Yes, it takes time but I don't want to live anywhere else - and I have travelled far and wide. Loved Germany too!
Honest video. I guess not ever being an attentive listener that too with short attention span helps in this scenario....my first evening in Germany was magical in spite of not understanding a word of deutsch back then. I smiled at everyone that smiled at me and enjoyed the excellent lachs zuppen quite close to schrannenhalle. During childhood i recall we moved every 3 years. The new locations spoke new language and had different cultures. Those experiences helped me I guess . Good to know now u are now comfortably settled into German summers. Here in USA folk's reaction to silence is best described as uncomfortable. In Germany I think silence is the norm and people are very much used to it so being new to Germany is way easier than settling as a foreigner in USA as per my experiences. thanks.
Your video came up on my recommended page. Knowing Germans you most likely can imagine what my gut reaction was to your first part of the video, but I held on with writing a comment until watching the whole thing, and I'm glad I did.
First of all, to people saying they're surprised nobody spoke English, I'm not. You say this was 16 years ago right? And you arrived in winter. So off tourist season, absolutely, it's very likely that most conversations you heard around you in Munich - my hometown btw - were German, because Germans just have no - or just to have no - incentive to talk any other language than their mother tongue with each other. I do think had you approached someone inside Munich in English chances are they might have been able to communicate with you with their school English, especially if it had been younger people. But as I gather, you stayed in a Bavarian village with your then bf? Especially in Bavarian rural areas to meet someone who's actively fluent in English is rather rare (or used to be, I haven't lived in Germany for the last 10 years so that may have changed). Most people learn English in school, yes, but they often never really use it regularly afterward, and thus never gain fluency and/or forget most of it. So that scenario really is not unlikely to me.
As for your initial reaction of all-over rejection, tbh. I think you just properly got hit with culture shock very early into your stay. The thing with culture shock is that it hits different people at different times and in different intensities. Personally, I've always loved that initial phase in a new place not understanding anything, talking with hands and facial expressions, and having the culture revealing itself bit by bit the more you learn. But again, not everyone is the same, and you only know how you'll react to being immersed into properly foreign surroundings (with a foreign language and culture around you) once it happens to you. And you can't really blame anyone for their psychological reaction. That sense of alienation happens on a deep intuitive psychological level and in severe cases, it can be very hard to overcome. There's a reason why many people just break off, say, their year of international student exchange. That feeling of alienation, loneliness and homesickness can be overwhelming. However, for those who do manage to stick with it and push through like you did it becomes a rewarding experience that will make you grow as a person.
I sometimes wonder if English native speakers are at a bit of a disadvantage there, because they're just so used to presume that 'Everywhere in the world most people will know at least some English, right? RIGHT?!!' so to be faced with the reality that, no, in fact there are many places where English just doesn't play any significant role, must hit them extra hard. Either way, I think it's admirable you lasted and actually learned to embrace Germany and its life despite your rough start there. It is a sign of your tenacity and also of your love for your partner.
And no, I don't think you have to love everything about Germany. I don't think it's possible to love everything about anything, no matter whether if it's your home country or your chosen new home country.
Thank you for sticking around and listening to the entire story 🙏
I have to doubt your Story.. English is mandatory curriculum in Germany. Up from age 10. Maybe people are not comfortable speaking it but I don't know a single German who hasn't had a single english lesson.
What he says is exactly the opposite of what Americans otherwise experience in Germany. Instead of Germans speaking German to them, Germans quickly switch to English. His story is strange to me.
A bit of Jay asmr ❤
That can't be true, 16 years ago everyone in the room younger than 55 had to have at least 4 years of English in school. The younger ones 5-10 years. Even if you are not used to speak English, you can fumble your way trough. I think you wanted to make it a little bit exaggerated! Germans are not the best english speakers in Europe, but we are up there near the top.
For me as one from neighbouring country german as a language was something you pick up over time. Most I actually understand, speaking is another story. Fluent at one point, a brain heamorage later it is something I can do with difficulty. Düsseldorf is a some 80km away, Nettetal is a nice trip by bike. Oh well, life isn't fair. 😊
You sure, you're "neighbouring" country is not just a temporarly autonomous region of our country?
Gewoon een grapje onder goede buren!😁
It is ususally like that when you travel.
It touched my heart! Thank you for telling honestly 🙋🥰with love from Baden Württemberg 😉- which is pretty different than Bavaria
Yes, in Baden-Württemberg they all speak suddenly English in a restaurant when an American enters the room... They are the most sensitive people in the world, not at all like those brutal Bavarians... 😂😉
that's the craziest thing i've ever heard and (who could see this coming) from an US citizen: "I went to another continent, to a country that (some people outside the us might know ) has a different language and now i wonder why nobody speaks in english to me" Next : " i jumped into the sea and now i'm wet and i hate it. Who can help me ?"
Jay, from former videos I know that it went well for you, but the development you are describing in this video, everyone in Europa has when we stepped over the first borderline here. Wich is quite often in our childhood. ❤❤❤ and no, why should anyone speak English, except i realise someone can’t communicate in German, I won’t.
The same can be experienced within the UK - where I live - there are plenty of communities that stick together and speak Hindi, Urdu, Gujeratti, Chinese, Punjabi, Polish, whatever. I got used to it pretty quick to behonest, when I moved to Leicester, one of the most mult-cultural cites imaginable.
In truth, if you ignore that and speak in English, most are surprised that you want to talk, and more than happy to speak in, sometimes very brokwn, English. This is no more so than when I shop in Asian/Chinese stores. I may well be the only white man, probably to have been in for weeks or months, but they are always very helpful, customers and staff.
In mainland Europe there are two things that stop many people from speaking in English - one is the absolute refusal to sacriffice their mother tongue, for anything, the other is a reluctance to make themselves look foolish if their English isn't 100%.
All that said, you must have been the typical, archetypical, typically horrendously insular American. So glad that you grew out of that!!!!
Wanting to speak perfectly is taught at school. We had a 10 day school trip to france in 10th grade and those with the best grades were speaking the least amount of french. I was always terrible at foreign languages (english and french) , but it was always me who was brave enough to speak and I also had to translate what was said in french.
Don't be afraid of mistakes while speaking (and writing) a foreign language, most native speakers are happy you made the effort to try it.
@@kilsestoffel3690 ABSOLUTELY
I think this video is beautiful. First of all, I’m so sorry about some of the comments from fellow Germans. I am in disbelief how ridiculously closed minded some people are. I’ve been following your channel for quite some time and I recall in one of your videos earlier this year you had mentioned something to the affect that anytime you say anything critical about Germany, people get extremely offended and vice versa about the USA. I think you proved your point here. The strange thing is you never said anything critical of Germany, instead you said something critical of yourself, of your expectations, which you also mentioned that you admittedly were wrong and grew as a person from this experience.
I relate to this video. My father is German and my mother is English. I was born in the New York, and grew up in San Francisco. I never learned German because in our home we only spoke English. I never went to Germany or England until I was in my early 20’s. Until then I had only been to Mexico and Canada.
My first trip outside of my comfort zone was to Munich, followed by London. Like your experience, I met my Dad’s brother and his family for the first time and no one spoke English. I didn’t expect them to but it was a new and awkward experience. My cousins knew English, but chose not to speak it which later I found was because they were too shy. For me back then, they came across not wanting to engage with me. I felt awkward and had no idea what they would talk about. That one night I spent in their house was one of the most awkward experiences. I couldn’t wait to leave. The next day I left to stay in a hotel in Munich. Munich was not any different. People did not want to engage. Even when they knew English, they would not want to talk to me in English. I called my Dad crying because I felt “bad” that I didn’t like his home country.
I never wanted to return to Germany so I didn’t for the next five years. Five years later I went back for a wedding of a friend in Berlin, I loved it so much that I moved there. LOL. People in Berlin was more welcoming, I was able to communicate with them without knowing German. Now I speak German. And for me, Munich is still the same as it was 10 years ago. And that is ok by me.
Thank you for sharing your story. Berlin is everything 👏
Interesting, one can feel accepted by the locals, if he/she managed to buy socks with talking the foreign language. Small things make us happy.
Hi there! I live in LA and Zurich (my partner is Swiss). We just bought a home in Porto. My experience is so much like yours, although Swiss German is a special experience in that I cannot study it. (Stephen & Carlos)
Hi, my two cents based on experience is, if you make the effort and try, people will respond positively. Don't hesitate in talking even if it doesn't feel correct. That's how you will learn. Wish you the best of luck in this new journey ✌️
@@JayStephan I am with you. I was able to get to C2 pretty quickly in German but I just cannot master the Swiss dialect. Now it’s Portuguese I’m focused on to get my EU citizenship (I want that darn EU passport because I love it there)
Thx for sharing
This was very unfair treating you. When I invite an english speaker, we all speak English. Everyone in Germany speaks it fairly well
I have a sister, 85years old and still living in Germany, and she does not even want to go to town
anymore. The reason being she told me, you hardly hear the German language anymore. So sad.
I quit going over there after the currency changed, and I have not regret it. I used to go every year
on vacation to Germany, but as of the last few years, it's just a waste of time.
You should go because what your grandma tells you isn't true.
It is not her grandma but her sister, 85 years old, so perhaps imagine how old the writer might be.
YOU ARE IN AN WRONG COUTRY !!!
Why?
The first time I went to France, I hated it with all my heart. I was a teenager. When I look back at that time now, I think, how lucky was I to get to travel and see a completely different part of the world. Sometimes we are just silly little humans plagued by judgement. 🫶
Great video Jay! 💯
Going to Germany in 2 weeks to visit family. Looking forward to it.