I am an Indian girl living in a small city in Germany. I always get warm greetings from the people here. Most of them are really old in this city but they are extremely warm and they always make my day. ❤️
@@holger_p true! Especially the paradox part. Plus: quite a lot of people are afraid to communicate in a foreign language. So they try not to "make a fool out of themselves" (in their perception!) and tend to be overly distant. In the end I get where a lot of the stereotypes come from and they have their fair share of truth to them.
Yesterday I was at rewe. And there is a little wall next to it where my son (he's 8) and I sit and drink something. And there were 3 teenagers with ice cream bars. There were 4 in there. And they just gave the 4th one to my son. I thought that was really nice. Also my son has to take the public bus to school and in the beginning I went with him (it's a 5 min ride) and I never had to pay. When he started to take the bus alone I told the bus driver and said where he had to get off. And they really helped him.
A lot of German society is highly organized and very strict. So a lot of people adjust their behaviour accordingly... which in turn makes society again more organized and strict. A feedback loop. But fundamentally, even Germans are just humans, with all their flaws and good points. And even for Germans the saying is true: happiness is other people. There's nothing as fulfilling as making someone else happy.
A good German saying that suits your slow home construction is: " Gut Ding will weile haben ." And what a beautiful Christmas story that happened to you and your children.
yup. that´s the saying for building a new house - however, if you buy an old house and restore it there is a saying that is more to the point: "Hast z´fü Geld und bist aa dumm, kaufst´ dir a Häusl und baust es um!" (been there, done that, bought the t-shirt...)
Würde ich nicht unbedingt unterschreiben...alte Häuser haben oft eine ordentliche Bau-Substanz, bei Neubauten läuft man in Gefahr, dass das am ende nicht der Fall ist.
Schon, aber die kann ein experte normalerweise vor dem Kauf rausfinden. Bei Neubauten brauchst du im Grunde jemand der rund um die Uhr auf der Baustelle ist und alles überprüfst.
Hi Antoinette, it is all so true about Germans! hard container, soft filling. We experienced similar situations, and it is all so heart-warming. Especially coming from the former east, getting to know "west"Germans, there were many moments I was surprised in the first place by how grumpy one can be, and shortly - more or less - it turned out the complete opposite. thank you so much for sharing ur experiences with us, we'd love to hearing more of these things. lovely greetings again to Rob, Emily and Mateo from Mathias and fam, Jena
How funny that that kind of experience happens after 10 years of living here. That's typical. Opposite my boyfriend's, there is an old grumpy car mechanic working on a garage court every day. He shouts grumpy, practical things at his companion who is with him at times, and does his thing. Recently, the key of my bicycle lock got stuck in it. I asked him whether he had some tongs, and not only tried he different sizes of tongs, but when that didn't work, he fetched a side cutter and then even connected an angle grinder to a cable drum that he enrolled over the courtyard. He treated me like I was a neighbour's kid or his neice, I felt like I was 10 (I'm nearly fourty, really) and my uncle helped me out. We had never spoken before although I've seen him for several years now at least once a week. So when anyone feels like they are not noticed by Germans or don't get into contact, just be sure: You are being noticed, and they have already built you into their everyday environment.
Bus drivers are lovely in Germany. You probably thank him always when you get off as we do in NZ and it makes his day. I am so happy that you had these fantastic experiences. So Germans take a long time to be nice to someone - eventually. Germans = Coconut, funny.
Not all of them but I have about 15 years of taking the bus under my belt in Germany. But most of them are nice. Alot waited for me. Or even stopped again to let me get on. But I also had one that purposely closed the door, was still standing at the bus stop for two minutes and then drove of. So yes always be nice to your bus drivers in germany. Some who new me never even bothered to check for my ticket because they knew I have a student ticket.
I personally have a philosophy that I live by here in the U.S. and that is to at least say hello to everyone that you see. One kind word can make a world of difference because you never know what they are going through and just that simple hello or good morning shows that you see them even if they don't respond. If I am able to make just one person smile every day makes me happy. We have a saying here at least where I live "Pay it forward" and it actually does work at least for me. I always try to make sure that I am not to busy or in a rush so that I can acknowledge people.
Great video, Antoinette! Also, your son is adorable! You seemed to be a very kind and caring person. When you mentioned that some people compare German people to coconuts [hard on the outside but soft on the inside], it made me smile and it brought to my mind these wise words of admonition: "If your enemy [anyone who may be unkind to you] is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.” To “heap fiery coals upon his head” is a figure of speech drawn from the method of smelting metals in ancient times. Ore was put into a furnace, and a layer of coals was put not only underneath the ore but also on top of it. Fiery coals heaped on top increased the heat so that the hard metal melted and separated from the impurities in the ore. Similarly, by doing kind deeds to anyone being unkind to us, may “melt” his hardness and bring out his better qualities. Keep up the good work, Antoinette and setting a wonderful example for your children!
My heart exploded when I saw Mateo (sorry for incorrect spelling) in your arms because I have a 13 year old son and to me...he is forever this little boy in my arms. My morning was extra special this morning because for the first time in ages, this 13 year old of mine came to me and said "Mum I have to show you something!" and in he walked with his lego creation. This is something he hasn't done in such a long time! So, seeing you and Mateo made it that much more emotional..! You have such beautiful children!
I love it. Brought me to tears. And it is so true hard on the outside and soft in the inside. A lot of older German people take a little while to warm up to people and are more careful and observe first. I'm glad your day turned into a good day and everyone with kids know that a small gesture will help a lot.
Awww thats so nice of the bus driver! I think you could also surprise the bus driver or the guy in the coffeeshop with a little surprise (chocolate or cookies) i think it would really enlighten their day because they really wouldnt expect it! Thanks for the video I'm also a foreigner living in Germany (Munich).
Though not German, this is a story about human kindness. For about 5 years I delivered news papers in the next county. To get to where I worked I had to cross a toll bridge, and every morning I'd had the toll taker my ticket and a news paper. So I was doing this every single day for 5 years. Never had even one day off in that time. Then I got a new job that required me to move to Oregon. Another 5 years go by and I head back south to visit friends. I crossed that bridge for the first time in 5 years and stopped to pay the toll and the guy says, "Hey, it's the paper guy. Where did you go?" I was so shocked that they remembered me, but I looked and the western window of the toll booth was covered with old yellow news paper, the same one I had delivered. I explained that I'd moved away and thus didn't have any news papers. He just said it was okay and wished me well, handing my toll money back and saying not to worry about it. I was really touched.
How often can I give this clip a thumps up? I love so many of your stories and statements but this here is much deeper and thoughtful as it might appear at first sight. By the way It‘s an old but helpful picture to compare Germans with coconuts and Americans with peaches to understand how they socialize. Used in intercultural trainings often. Antoinette, thanks again!
The friendly pensioner is showing empathy - children haven't learned to hide their emotions yet, so whenever you see a child having fun you can bask in their happiness. Also we try not to waste anything, so handing down toys to younger generations is an old tradition - these days families aren't as close, so bringing a little happiness to a friendly child comes natural.
I like it a lot, that you told us this happened to you and your children. So often people are only registering the negative things and remember them way to long...
I'm sure - after this video - he soon will receive a very nice christmas present by the Municipal Transport Services! --> Infidelity? YOU'RE FIRED! + All company pensions gone! Merry Christmas! 🎄🤦♂️
This bus driver will make your mornings easier cause if he will come to your station he will slow down to give you more time. If you won't be there he will ask himself if something has gone wrong ... and won't drive away easy looking in the rear view mirror if you might appear ...
The issue about the supermarkt queues is, that this is one of very few things in Germany, which are not regulatet that strictly. My experience is, that this newly opened check out will not start to work that quickly as I expect. So it does´nt matter, if somedy, standing behind me until now, will be the first at the new check out.
Vielen Dank, Antoinette... I'm a Filipino living in Germany. And I can say that your words are very true indeed. If not all BUT most Germans are nice, helpful, warmhearted, respectful, sensible and are definitely good persons. It's so sad that some people of this world are spreading fake news about Germans.
That first story with the bus driver made me cry! That is so sweet! Translation (my German is terrible, es tut mir leit): Die erste Geschichte brachte mich zum Weinen! Dieser Busfahrer ist sehr süß
Great storys! And its so funny, the car mateo is playing with, is from the late 1970s, i have the same car and my son is playing with it. So amazing. Enjoy the weekend! Great that you share this with us, your are so kind Antoinette!
I have lived in Germany for 40 years, and I know some pros and cons ... I think your good experiences are mainly driven by your own open-mindedness and positiveness. On the other hand, sometimes also the surface is important. I like it when people are wearing a happy face and are friendly to everyone without aiming at a closer contact.
@@caciliawhy5195 you fear something, if you have made negative experiences before OR if you just learned in your childhood that it is "normal" to behave like this. Then the parents or their parents must have made negatives experiences decades before. (Maybe in a war or in a civil war or by rude education etc.). Germany is so in the center of Europe, that it was since the Middle Ages very often overrun by foreign peoples and cultures that often it was a really threat for the native people, especially the farmers who could loose their property or got very suddenly a new ruler. It was risky to live in the center of Europe for centuries and produced scepticism. But surely that's not the only reason but one certainly I think. (There exists even local songs about civil wars that were centuries ago.)
@BachForeveryone I am German and I totally agree. I like so much being in England were most people are so much more friendly than in Germany, right at the beginning. Me, myself in daily life I am much more friendly than the average Germans and I am really pissed when I am again and again the only one in a group of Germans, who is really open minded and friendly to strangers etc. (by strangers I mean also other Germans that the group doesn't know.)
I agree with Mattes Rocket...but it is also about personal space. Between the Third Reich and the GDR we have really learned to appreciate freedom of thought and expression and one of those freedoms is that we don't have to look for close contact with everyone we encounter just because it is socially expected.
Big events (such as the first great love, the first great disappointment, love grief, graduation, the start of professional life, the wedding) are important milestones for finding one's own personality, for finding one's own place in society. But these wonderful little things / experiences in everyday life make life worth living and are partly connected with great emotions...
Generosity is sadly often taken for granted and my guess is, that is why people usually spare their generosity and wait for the right guy at the right time at the right spot. By the way my son, when he was still sitting in the buggy was awarded so many very nice things and presents from utterly foreign people that haven't even met him in person or us. Customers of my SIL would task her to bring her nephew a small car or a bar of chocolate after only seeing a photo on her mobile phone...I don't think that it makes any sense, on the other hand it shows that warm hearted people haven't died out, yet, don't you think?
Hey :) i just discovered your Channel, and i have to say that it’s a really good feeling that someone, from another country, have that perspective and feelings about Germany. When you live in Germany as a German, you sometime forget how nice it is. I allways try to help when I see someone has a problem or need help...and nearly all of my friends are like this...but of course we Germans have a hard shell...if you are nice and friendly to a German nearly every German will be nice to you...but I think it’s with every one? Isn’t it? Thanks for the videos and the good feelings that you give to me...sometimes it feels not good to be a german...so that’s why your videos made me smile :) Fabian
Hi Antoinette :) thank you for this video! I am German myself and sometimes if I try to help someone, a child or an elderly person, people stare. And that is so wrong! It should be normal to help people who are in need!
Wenn sich die Gelegenheit ergibt, schenkt denen beiden doch auch eine kleine Aufmerksamkeit. Gerade jetzt vor Weihnachten. Die werden sich sicher sehr freuen :)
I watched a lot of your videos and I was always thinking about subscribing and I was never sure if I do or don't. Well, now I just thought "Hey, that's a nice person that uploads great videos, why am I even thinking about it?!" Soooo.. Yes! I subscribed. :> Nice video!
What a great message. Thank you so much for sharing your good experience with Germans. We are not as unfriendly as many people from foreign countries think.
I agree with you completely, I have visited Germany a number of times, and I have found the people I had contact with quite friendly. Most everyone has a public persona, sometimes it takes a little effort to break through it. My mother, who was from northern germany, loved to visit Bavaria, because she thought they were friendlier than from where she came from. In the course of time a lot depends on who you meet. Here in the USA, New Englanders tend to have a more cooler disposition, while the southern people are perceived to be warmer. Thanks for a great video.
I have recently decided that I can do more to help give people a bright spot in their day just by what I say to them and by being pleasant.... especially with employees in stores.
I'm German and have experienced that a lot when I went to school and had to take the bus. I've also experienced this with busdrivers in Vienna, Austria. Whenever they're out of tickets they just tell you to get on the bus anyway. I don't know if it's niceness or if they just don't care.
Maybe it sparks even more joy when you accomplish crushing through someones ( hard german) shell and get to his heart than just experience superficial friendlyness everywhere. I really like the friendlyness in other countries, but I'm also often irritated, when I realize it's not honest.
In my opinion children make the communication and the social life so much easier and less complicated because they don't think a lot before doing something like waving at an unfamiliar man. That gives so much love and happiness to other people. I think adults should sometimes be more like children in the communication with each other. (I don't say adults should wave all the time at each other but...@AntoinetteEmily I hope you know what I mean)
Well, when I was young in the 70s, there were still a lot of Germans alive who were socialized during the Nazi Regime and have suffered WW2. These people often were really harsh and even unfriendly in everyday situations. But this is changing the more time elapsed since that dark episode in our history. Being friendly as lets say "default attitude" has become more and more a value of its own.
As a german girl living near Berlin, I understand why a lot of people think we are grumpy but also in berlin there are so nice people! Thank you for this video, maybe you can ask the men if you should take a coffee together, it hears like he's a little lonely or you give him a coffee. so thank you! We germans are realy friendly If you want to see it ;)
Hi Antoinette! I am currently living in Auckland, but, on christmas day I will be taking the leap and be reuniting with my girlfriend in Bielefeld! I just want to know, if you have any tips on starting a youtube channel? I am wanting to make a channel where it showcases the process from NZ to Germany! If you have any tips or help, please let me know :)
I have found Germans to be very lovely people. They do need you to obey the rules. I have German heritage and though I’ve not been more than a month in Germany, I have many of the characteristics. I like rules and am very generous, but people find me intimidating. We all do our best in this world.
Mattheo ist sooo süüßß! Nice you have had such cordial experiences. I think thats what is so hard to understand for foreigners. In germany you have to invest in relationships before you get something back. but if you do you generally will not be disappointed.
When I was a 9 year old kid in Germany riding a public bus, a kid was pressing the stop button in the bus despite nobody wanted to exit at the next stop. The bus driver stopped and saw nobody was leaving the bus. Then he stood up and came to the rear where we kids were sitting and screamed at me very fouriously and said then "I know that it was you because your face is as red as your hair". So much about German friendly bus drivers. And they very often didn't stop if you pressed not really early enough the stop button or if you were running outside to the bus stop and you were only a few steps away but not right yet at the stop, as a kid. They didn't stop, even if the next bus was coming whole 30 minutes later... And most of them were also very, very unfriendly when I came to paying the ticket with cash and you haven't had the right coins or just a bill like a 10er or even 5er and they had problems to give change (because they were running out of coins for change) then they were nasty to the passengers despite it was not their fault that they had not enough coins to give change. At least it was not justified to be very rude because of that
Mattes Rocket I am sorry to hear you also have bus drivers much like ours in Los Angeles. When you are a young man, a little kindness can mean so very much.
As a German I had horrible experiences with German busdrivers as well, but I also had good experiences. There are good & bad sides to every person I guess. It's not even a nationality problem I think.
@@annaprrr surely there are also nice busdrivers. I think it has also to do with the company and the general mood in the company weather you have more or less nasty dirvers (but in the area where I lived people generally were in most cases very unfriendly and very closed to non-locals)
Antoinette, may I soothe you? I live in the country in Bavaria, and all children here take a public bus to school. A bus which adults (except tourists who don't know) avoid like hell; I rather take one earlier or one later, if possible. But Apple, Samsung, and the like did a real good job, I must say: Since there are smart phones around, it is a LOT more silent in the bus, compared to the times when I was young. In my opinion, every kid should have a phone with some games on it. (And maybe a cheatsheet app for maths, or so.) Btw, why Apple and Samsung? I live near a bus stop, and I run an open network. What the kids don't know is that my router protocols every sign-in and sign-out, so I can tell by the device id who goes to school, who is late, and who's a no-show today. This was actually unintended; I originally opened my network for tourists from a nearby hotel, because we have lousy cellphone coverage in my village, but of course, the children use it, too.
Sehr herzensgute Videos, die Sie da veröffentlichen. Antoinette, verraten Sie uns, in welchem Ihrer Filme Sie Deutsch sprechen? Besten Dank aus München.
In German, we often say: "Harte Schale, flüssiger Kern" so you seem to be very hard and grave but usually you are so nice and friendly. Yeah it's often in Germany and I'm a German 😂
The problem about not having a bus ticket is that in Germany the bus driver is not responsible for controlling if everyone has a ticket. There are other persons who controll the tickets randomly. And if that happens (it rarely happens) it's your own fault if you have no ticket. You cannot say: "but the bus driver said I don't have to buy a ticket". So you will have to pay a fine
Well I suggest to return the favour to those men..by giving them a nice christmas-present...I´ll bet they wouldn´t expect that and to just watch their faces while receiving those little gifts must be great.
I can validate you. 1968 I lived in Germany for 3 month. I found the Germans to be the most wonderful people. They are concern about other and frank in their offers to help. They were warm, friendly people. But I had a cousin traveling and we to meet in Germany, she canceled and did the extra time in France. I was confused and my German family had to explain her negative information. American's get over yourself.
I actually prefer Germans' honesty. Here in Texas (USA), people are fake. We say, "Hi, nice to see you." when in fact we really don't care about the person.
Nice video again, and be sure, it's due to your kind, open personality what happened! Like other expats you had to get used to this rude Germann society and behaviour, if ever we should use such stereotype for an entire nation. It takes a lot of time, wherever you live an expat, to discover and to understand the hidden rules and what is really behind of what get aware of.
Na ja, vielleicht sind die Busfahrer in Würzburg ja nett, aber meiner Tochter hat einer mal die Tür ihr direkt vor der Nase zugemacht, obwohl sie noch vor der Ankunft an der Bushaltestelle stand. Das ist auch der Grund, warum sie jetzt lieber mit dem Fahrrad zur Schule fährt!
Mir ist mal was änliches passiert... Ich stehe da und warte auf den Bus. Da ich mein Ticket vergessen hatte wollte ich mir eins kaufen war also an der Vorderen Tür. Der Busfahrer öffnet wie normal die mittlere Tür und ein paar personen gehen raus. Wohl angemerkt der Bus war nicht voll! Ich steh da an der Tür vorne und er öffnet nicht. Er schaut mich kurz an und dann einfach wiedee weg dachte ich mir nur so ja geh ich halt hinten rein. Als ich angefangen hab zu gehen macht der die Tür zu und fährt weg! Ich war schon Sauer, weil ich halt dannach eine Stunde auf den nächsten warten konnte...
@@fynxi9727 Bei meiner Tochter vermuten wir einen gewissen Hintergrund, denn dieser eine Busfahrer hat wohl schon mehrere Kinder (darunter auch meine Tochter, weil sie halt dunkle Haare und Augen hat) rassistisch beleidigt. Das mit der Tür war der ausschlaggebende Punkt, weswegen meine Tochter es partout vermeidet, mit dem Bus zu fahren.
@@fynxi9727 Meine Tochter kann ja auch nichts dafür, dass ihr Vater halt italienische Wurzeln hat. Aber wir Eltern sind dann gemeinsam zu unserem örtlichen Busunternehmen gegangen und haben uns da beschwert. Aber ob da irgendwelche Konsequenzen gezeigt wurden, kann ich da leider nicht sagen!
@@Kessina1989 Ich selber bin auch nicht ganz Deutsch. (Mein Vater ist Kroate). Ich sehe es eher als eine gute Sache an auch mit einer anderen Kultur aufzuwachsen. Außerdem lebe ich mein ganzes Leben lang schon in Deutschland und werde es auch bleiben. Von der anderen Kultur hab ich zwar selber tatsächlich nicht viel mitbekommen aber an sich finde ich das gut.
I am an Indian girl living in a small city in Germany. I always get warm greetings from the people here. Most of them are really old in this city but they are extremely warm and they always make my day. ❤️
Your welcome :) enjoy your Time
sasha 94 : Well, you speak German, work & pay taxes, never break the law or demand cultural concessions.
thank you
exactly like me
@TheBlackiwid I think Temperal or Tropical was being sarcastic.
The key to a German's heart is time. If you see people regularly and are always nice, they eventually open up.
@@holger_p I believe you hit the nail on the head. It is politeness based.
@@holger_p true! Especially the paradox part.
Plus: quite a lot of people are afraid to communicate in a foreign language. So they try not to "make a fool out of themselves" (in their perception!) and tend to be overly distant.
In the end I get where a lot of the stereotypes come from and they have their fair share of truth to them.
Yesterday I was at rewe. And there is a little wall next to it where my son (he's 8) and I sit and drink something. And there were 3 teenagers with ice cream bars. There were 4 in there. And they just gave the 4th one to my son. I thought that was really nice. Also my son has to take the public bus to school and in the beginning I went with him (it's a 5 min ride) and I never had to pay. When he started to take the bus alone I told the bus driver and said where he had to get off. And they really helped him.
A lot of German society is highly organized and very strict. So a lot of people adjust their behaviour accordingly... which in turn makes society again more organized and strict. A feedback loop.
But fundamentally, even Germans are just humans, with all their flaws and good points. And even for Germans the saying is true: happiness is other people. There's nothing as fulfilling as making someone else happy.
this is so true
So true.
A good German saying that suits your slow home construction is: " Gut Ding will weile haben ."
And what a beautiful Christmas story that happened to you and your children.
yup. that´s the saying for building a new house - however, if you buy an old house and restore it there is a saying that is more to the point: "Hast z´fü Geld und bist aa dumm, kaufst´ dir a Häusl und baust es um!" (been there, done that, bought the t-shirt...)
Würde ich nicht unbedingt unterschreiben...alte Häuser haben oft eine ordentliche Bau-Substanz, bei Neubauten läuft man in Gefahr, dass das am ende nicht der Fall ist.
@@swanpride So kann ich das nicht stehen lassen ! Oftmals haben alte Häuser versteckte Mängel die man beim Neubau meistens nicht hat .
Schon, aber die kann ein experte normalerweise vor dem Kauf rausfinden. Bei Neubauten brauchst du im Grunde jemand der rund um die Uhr auf der Baustelle ist und alles überprüfst.
Hi Antoinette, it is all so true about Germans! hard container, soft filling. We experienced similar situations, and it is all so heart-warming. Especially coming from the former east, getting to know "west"Germans, there were many moments I was surprised in the first place by how grumpy one can be, and shortly - more or less - it turned out the complete opposite. thank you so much for sharing ur experiences with us, we'd love to hearing more of these things. lovely greetings again to Rob, Emily and Mateo from Mathias and fam, Jena
How funny that that kind of experience happens after 10 years of living here. That's typical. Opposite my boyfriend's, there is an old grumpy car mechanic working on a garage court every day. He shouts grumpy, practical things at his companion who is with him at times, and does his thing. Recently, the key of my bicycle lock got stuck in it. I asked him whether he had some tongs, and not only tried he different sizes of tongs, but when that didn't work, he fetched a side cutter and then even connected an angle grinder to a cable drum that he enrolled over the courtyard. He treated me like I was a neighbour's kid or his neice, I felt like I was 10 (I'm nearly fourty, really) and my uncle helped me out. We had never spoken before although I've seen him for several years now at least once a week. So when anyone feels like they are not noticed by Germans or don't get into contact, just be sure: You are being noticed, and they have already built you into their everyday environment.
Bus drivers are lovely in Germany. You probably thank him always when you get off as we do in NZ and it makes his day. I am so happy that you had these fantastic experiences. So Germans take a long time to be nice to someone - eventually. Germans = Coconut, funny.
Not all of them but I have about 15 years of taking the bus under my belt in Germany. But most of them are nice. Alot waited for me. Or even stopped again to let me get on. But I also had one that purposely closed the door, was still standing at the bus stop for two minutes and then drove of. So yes always be nice to your bus drivers in germany. Some who new me never even bothered to check for my ticket because they knew I have a student ticket.
I personally have a philosophy that I live by here in the U.S. and that is to at least say hello to everyone that you see. One kind word can make a world of difference because you never know what they are going through and just that simple hello or good morning shows that you see them even if they don't respond. If I am able to make just one person smile every day makes me happy. We have a saying here at least where I live "Pay it forward" and it actually does work at least for me. I always try to make sure that I am not to busy or in a rush so that I can acknowledge people.
Great video, Antoinette! Also, your son is adorable! You seemed to be a very kind and caring person.
When you mentioned that some people compare German people to coconuts [hard on the outside but soft on the inside], it made me smile and it brought to my mind these wise words of admonition: "If your enemy [anyone who may be unkind to you] is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.”
To “heap fiery coals upon his head” is a figure of speech drawn from the method of smelting metals in ancient times. Ore was put into a furnace, and a layer of coals was put not only underneath the ore but also on top of it. Fiery coals heaped on top increased the heat so that the hard metal melted and separated from the impurities in the ore. Similarly, by doing kind deeds to anyone being unkind to us, may “melt” his hardness and bring out his better qualities. Keep up the good work, Antoinette and setting a wonderful example for your children!
My heart exploded when I saw Mateo (sorry for incorrect spelling) in your arms because I have a 13 year old son and to me...he is forever this little boy in my arms. My morning was extra special this morning because for the first time in ages, this 13 year old of mine came to me and said "Mum I have to show you something!" and in he walked with his lego creation. This is something he hasn't done in such a long time! So, seeing you and Mateo made it that much more emotional..! You have such beautiful children!
I love it. Brought me to tears. And it is so true hard on the outside and soft in the inside. A lot of older German people take a little while to warm up to people and are more careful and observe first. I'm glad your day turned into a good day and everyone with kids know that a small gesture will help a lot.
Thank you for sharing this sweet story!!
Awww thats so nice of the bus driver! I think you could also surprise the bus driver or the guy in the coffeeshop with a little surprise (chocolate or cookies) i think it would really enlighten their day because they really wouldnt expect it! Thanks for the video I'm also a foreigner living in Germany (Munich).
Though not German, this is a story about human kindness. For about 5 years I delivered news papers in the next county. To get to where I worked I had to cross a toll bridge, and every morning I'd had the toll taker my ticket and a news paper.
So I was doing this every single day for 5 years. Never had even one day off in that time.
Then I got a new job that required me to move to Oregon. Another 5 years go by and I head back south to visit friends. I crossed that bridge for the first time in 5 years and stopped to pay the toll and the guy says, "Hey, it's the paper guy. Where did you go?"
I was so shocked that they remembered me, but I looked and the western window of the toll booth was covered with old yellow news paper, the same one I had delivered.
I explained that I'd moved away and thus didn't have any news papers. He just said it was okay and wished me well, handing my toll money back and saying not to worry about it.
I was really touched.
How often can I give this clip a thumps up? I love so many of your stories and statements but this here is much deeper and thoughtful as it might appear at first sight.
By the way
It‘s an old but helpful picture to compare Germans with coconuts and Americans with peaches to understand how they socialize. Used in intercultural trainings often.
Antoinette, thanks again!
The friendly pensioner is showing empathy - children haven't learned to hide their emotions yet, so whenever you see a child having fun you can bask in their happiness. Also we try not to waste anything, so handing down toys to younger generations is an old tradition - these days families aren't as close, so bringing a little happiness to a friendly child comes natural.
I like it a lot, that you told us this happened to you and your children. So often people are only registering the negative things and remember them way to long...
What lovely stories!
Maybe you can bring the bus driver a little Christmas present.
Jana B what a lovely idea. Just a card from the children would be so perfect. Ditto the GRAMPA with the cars!!
I'm sure - after this video - he soon will receive a very nice christmas present by the Municipal Transport Services!
--> Infidelity? YOU'RE FIRED! + All company pensions gone! Merry Christmas! 🎄🤦♂️
@@NKKBerlin: There's always THAT ONE guy... Congrats, this time it's you.
This bus driver will make your mornings easier cause if he will come to your station he will slow down to give you more time.
If you won't be there he will ask himself if something has gone wrong ... and won't drive away easy looking in the rear view mirror if you might appear ...
The issue about the supermarkt queues is, that this is one of very few things in Germany, which are not regulatet that strictly. My experience is, that this newly opened check out will not start to work that quickly as I expect. So it does´nt matter, if somedy, standing behind me until now, will be the first at the new check out.
Such an inspiring and uplifting video about the circle of the kindness of all of you, touching the warm-heartedness possible in everyone.
Matteo sieht genauso aus wie Emilia!💗und wie groß er schon geworden ist!
So eine tolle Geschichte 🥰
Nicht alle deutsche sind grumpy ☺️☺️☺️
Love the moral of this story...and Matteo's sweet appearance at the end ❤
Vielen Dank, Antoinette... I'm a Filipino living in Germany. And I can say that your words are very true indeed. If not all BUT most Germans are nice, helpful, warmhearted, respectful, sensible and are definitely good persons. It's so sad that some people of this world are spreading fake news about Germans.
It was purely politically motivated.
That first story with the bus driver made me cry! That is so sweet!
Translation (my German is terrible, es tut mir leit): Die erste Geschichte brachte mich zum Weinen!
Dieser Busfahrer ist sehr süß
Your German is very good. It is actually a lot better and a lot more grammatically correct than most Germans would say or translate this sentence
Great storys! And its so funny, the car mateo is playing with, is from the late 1970s, i have the same car and my son is playing with it. So amazing. Enjoy the weekend! Great that you share this with us, your are so kind Antoinette!
I have lived in Germany for 40 years, and I know some pros and cons ... I think your good experiences are mainly driven by your own open-mindedness and positiveness. On the other hand, sometimes also the surface is important. I like it when people are wearing a happy face and are friendly to everyone without aiming at a closer contact.
Why do Germans fear contact?
@@caciliawhy5195 you fear something, if you have made negative experiences before OR if you just learned in your childhood that it is "normal" to behave like this. Then the parents or their parents must have made negatives experiences decades before. (Maybe in a war or in a civil war or by rude education etc.). Germany is so in the center of Europe, that it was since the Middle Ages very often overrun by foreign peoples and cultures that often it was a really threat for the native people, especially the farmers who could loose their property or got very suddenly a new ruler. It was risky to live in the center of Europe for centuries and produced scepticism. But surely that's not the only reason but one certainly I think. (There exists even local songs about civil wars that were centuries ago.)
@BachForeveryone I am German and I totally agree. I like so much being in England were most people are so much more friendly than in Germany, right at the beginning. Me, myself in daily life I am much more friendly than the average Germans and I am really pissed when I am again and again the only one in a group of Germans, who is really open minded and friendly to strangers etc. (by strangers I mean also other Germans that the group doesn't know.)
@@mattesrocket uh duh...doh
I agree with Mattes Rocket...but it is also about personal space. Between the Third Reich and the GDR we have really learned to appreciate freedom of thought and expression and one of those freedoms is that we don't have to look for close contact with everyone we encounter just because it is socially expected.
Sozusagen harte schale weicher kern meine frau sagts jedenfalls auch.
Thanks for sharing these positive stories!
Big events (such as the first great love, the first great disappointment, love grief, graduation, the start of professional life, the wedding) are important milestones for finding one's own personality, for finding one's own place in society. But these wonderful little things / experiences in everyday life make life worth living and are partly connected with great emotions...
Very heartwarming story. Thanks for sharing 😊
I definitely can see myself as one of those old guys bringing joy to youngsters.
wonderful stories. so happy people are nice to you and the children! warms ones heart.
What a heart-warming story. Thanks so much for sharing !
Generosity is sadly often taken for granted and my guess is, that is why people usually spare their generosity and wait for the right guy at the right time at the right spot. By the way my son, when he was still sitting in the buggy was awarded so many very nice things and presents from utterly foreign people that haven't even met him in person or us. Customers of my SIL would task her to bring her nephew a small car or a bar of chocolate after only seeing a photo on her mobile phone...I don't think that it makes any sense, on the other hand it shows that warm hearted people haven't died out, yet, don't you think?
What wonderful stories! I LOVE Germany and Germans!!!
Das ist so unbeschreiblich so nett zu sprechen über unsere Kultur. Danke schön❤💖
Hey :) i just discovered your Channel, and i have to say that it’s a really good feeling that someone, from another country, have that perspective and feelings about Germany. When you live in Germany as a German, you sometime forget how nice it is. I allways try to help when I see someone has a problem or need help...and nearly all of my friends are like this...but of course we Germans have a hard shell...if you are nice and friendly to a German nearly every German will be nice to you...but I think it’s with every one? Isn’t it?
Thanks for the videos and the good feelings that you give to me...sometimes it feels not good to be a german...so that’s why your videos made me smile :)
Fabian
Yay finally new Vid!🎆
Kind people an be found everywhere and anywhere, regardless of the ‘official’ label.
Hi Antoinette :) thank you for this video!
I am German myself and sometimes if I try to help someone, a child or an elderly person, people stare. And that is so wrong! It should be normal to help people who are in need!
Wenn sich die Gelegenheit ergibt, schenkt denen beiden doch auch eine kleine Aufmerksamkeit. Gerade jetzt vor Weihnachten. Die werden sich sicher sehr freuen :)
Awwwww such a sweet post about such a good day. 😍
Ahh such a lovely story to share! I hope your home renovations go smoothly and fast so you can move in soon :)
What lovely people❤️ I also saw busdrivers here refusing money but I never got chocolate 😑😂😂
I watched a lot of your videos and I was always thinking about subscribing and I was never sure if I do or don't. Well, now I just thought "Hey, that's a nice person that uploads great videos, why am I even thinking about it?!" Soooo.. Yes! I subscribed. :> Nice video!
What a great message. Thank you so much for sharing your good experience with Germans. We are not as unfriendly as many people from foreign countries think.
I agree with you completely, I have visited Germany a number of times, and I have found the people I had contact with quite friendly. Most everyone has a public persona, sometimes it takes a little effort to break through it. My mother, who was from northern germany, loved to visit Bavaria, because she thought they were friendlier than from where she came from. In the course of time a lot depends on who you meet. Here in the USA, New Englanders tend to have a more cooler disposition, while the southern people are perceived to be warmer. Thanks for a great video.
A Simca Matra Rancho? 😍😍😍 One of the coolest cars ever.
It is nice to follow your daily adventures!
This is so sweet ❤️❤️!!
I have recently decided that I can do more to help give people a bright spot in their day just by what I say to them and by being pleasant.... especially with employees in stores.
I'm German and have experienced that a lot when I went to school and had to take the bus.
I've also experienced this with busdrivers in Vienna, Austria.
Whenever they're out of tickets they just tell you to get on the bus anyway. I don't know if it's niceness or if they just don't care.
Maybe it sparks even more joy when you accomplish crushing through someones ( hard german) shell and get to his heart than just experience superficial friendlyness everywhere. I really like the friendlyness in other countries, but I'm also often irritated, when I realize it's not honest.
In my opinion children make the communication and the social life so much easier and less complicated because they don't think a lot before doing something like waving at an unfamiliar man. That gives so much love and happiness to other people. I think adults should sometimes be more like children in the communication with each other. (I don't say adults should wave all the time at each other but...@AntoinetteEmily I hope you know what I mean)
Well, when I was young in the 70s, there were still a lot of Germans alive who were socialized during the Nazi Regime and have suffered WW2. These people often were really harsh and even unfriendly in everyday situations. But this is changing the more time elapsed since that dark episode in our history. Being friendly as lets say "default attitude" has become more and more a value of its own.
Wonderful story, thanks.
Antoinette, could you do a vlog on taking public transport in Germany?.
👑
As a german girl living near Berlin, I understand why a lot of people think we are grumpy but also in berlin there are so nice people!
Thank you for this video, maybe you can ask the men if you should take a coffee together, it hears like he's a little lonely or you give him a coffee.
so thank you! We germans are realy friendly If you want to see it ;)
Hi Antoinette! I am currently living in Auckland, but, on christmas day I will be taking the leap and be reuniting with my girlfriend in Bielefeld! I just want to know, if you have any tips on starting a youtube channel? I am wanting to make a channel where it showcases the process from NZ to Germany! If you have any tips or help, please let me know :)
Very nice Video with an important Massage!
I have found Germans to be very lovely people. They do need you to obey the rules. I have German heritage and though I’ve not been more than a month in Germany, I have many of the characteristics. I like rules and am very generous, but people find me intimidating. We all do our best in this world.
Haha i had that model car only in green i think. Must have been 35 years ago.
Mattheo ist sooo süüßß! Nice you have had such cordial experiences.
I think thats what is so hard to understand for foreigners. In germany you have to invest in relationships before you get something back. but if you do you generally will not be disappointed.
When I was a 9 year old kid in Germany riding a public bus, a kid was pressing the stop button in the bus despite nobody wanted to exit at the next stop. The bus driver stopped and saw nobody was leaving the bus. Then he stood up and came to the rear where we kids were sitting and screamed at me very fouriously and said then "I know that it was you because your face is as red as your hair". So much about German friendly bus drivers. And they very often didn't stop if you pressed not really early enough the stop button or if you were running outside to the bus stop and you were only a few steps away but not right yet at the stop, as a kid. They didn't stop, even if the next bus was coming whole 30 minutes later... And most of them were also very, very unfriendly when I came to paying the ticket with cash and you haven't had the right coins or just a bill like a 10er or even 5er and they had problems to give change (because they were running out of coins for change) then they were nasty to the passengers despite it was not their fault that they had not enough coins to give change. At least it was not justified to be very rude because of that
Mattes Rocket I am sorry to hear you also have bus drivers much like ours in Los Angeles. When you are a young man, a little kindness can mean so very much.
As a German I had horrible experiences with German busdrivers as well, but I also had good experiences. There are good & bad sides to every person I guess. It's not even a nationality problem I think.
@@annaprrr surely there are also nice busdrivers. I think it has also to do with the company and the general mood in the company weather you have more or less nasty dirvers (but in the area where I lived people generally were in most cases very unfriendly and very closed to non-locals)
You live in Franconia and we Franconians have the reputation of being especially reserved (compared to southern Bavarians for example).
2nd time watching what a nice bus driver
I was using a public bus since I was six years old for my whole school years. Nothing ever happened. :)
Building a house takes allways longer than you might think. That is a cosmic rule ⭐️🦦
Antoinette,
may I soothe you? I live in the country in Bavaria, and all children here take a public bus to school. A bus which adults (except tourists who don't know) avoid like hell; I rather take one earlier or one later, if possible.
But Apple, Samsung, and the like did a real good job, I must say: Since there are smart phones around, it is a LOT more silent in the bus, compared to the times when I was young. In my opinion, every kid should have a phone with some games on it. (And maybe a cheatsheet app for maths, or so.)
Btw, why Apple and Samsung? I live near a bus stop, and I run an open network. What the kids don't know is that my router protocols every sign-in and sign-out, so I can tell by the device id who goes to school, who is late, and who's a no-show today. This was actually unintended; I originally opened my network for tourists from a nearby hotel, because we have lousy cellphone coverage in my village, but of course, the children use it, too.
Sehr herzensgute Videos, die Sie da veröffentlichen. Antoinette, verraten Sie uns, in welchem Ihrer Filme Sie Deutsch sprechen?
Besten Dank aus München.
Does Matteo still play with those red cars
For the record, Germans are only humans. And as we are so many we did have our fair share of assho... and polite ones.
Awwww those are such sweet sweet men ❤️
Guys...she got us!😳😔
Oh ich glaub ich muss weinen :D wie süß!
Ich würde dich selbst mal gerne Deutsch sprechen hören ☺️ kannst du das mal machen in nem Video ?
ua-cam.com/video/W5Fdma1doFw/v-deo.html ☺️
Very very nice !
In German, we often say: "Harte Schale, flüssiger Kern" so you seem to be very hard and grave but usually you are so nice and friendly. Yeah it's often in Germany and I'm a German 😂
The problem about not having a bus ticket is that in Germany the bus driver is not responsible for controlling if everyone has a ticket. There are other persons who controll the tickets randomly. And if that happens (it rarely happens) it's your own fault if you have no ticket. You cannot say: "but the bus driver said I don't have to buy a ticket". So you will have to pay a fine
Depends on who is running the bus company :) there is no person controling in a villagebus where you only can get inside through the front door
Could you film a video in wich you speak German?
does anybody know wtf happened to aspen?
We are the biggest softies of the world,😂,we were raised that way
Well I suggest to return the favour to those men..by giving them a nice christmas-present...I´ll bet they wouldn´t expect that and to just watch their faces while receiving those little gifts must be great.
I can validate you. 1968 I lived in Germany for 3 month. I found the Germans to be the most wonderful people. They are concern about other and frank in their offers to help. They were warm, friendly people. But I had a cousin traveling and we to meet in Germany, she canceled and did the extra time in France. I was confused and my German family had to explain her negative information. American's get over yourself.
Perception often wins out over reality.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
English: Relax
German: Entspann Dich
Sounded like really stressy stuff to me.
My best wishes
See, we aren't that bad 😉😘
I actually prefer Germans' honesty. Here in Texas (USA), people are fake. We say, "Hi, nice to see you." when in fact we really don't care about the person.
8:00 I bet he'd had those toys in his pocket for months hoping to run into you guys.
wie süß!
Warum kein Deutscher Untertitel ?
You should bake some biscuits and give them to the bus driver and man at the coffee shop.
Nice video again, and be sure, it's due to your kind, open personality what happened!
Like other expats you had to get used to this rude Germann society and behaviour, if ever we should use such stereotype for an entire nation. It takes a lot of time, wherever you live an expat, to discover and to understand the hidden rules and what is really behind of what get aware of.
The average German who complains online about small amounts of friendliness, doesn't know what they are missing.
One of these days ....
Na ja, vielleicht sind die Busfahrer in Würzburg ja nett, aber meiner Tochter hat einer mal die Tür ihr direkt vor der Nase zugemacht, obwohl sie noch vor der Ankunft an der Bushaltestelle stand. Das ist auch der Grund, warum sie jetzt lieber mit dem Fahrrad zur Schule fährt!
Mir ist mal was änliches passiert... Ich stehe da und warte auf den Bus. Da ich mein Ticket vergessen hatte wollte ich mir eins kaufen war also an der Vorderen Tür. Der Busfahrer öffnet wie normal die mittlere Tür und ein paar personen gehen raus. Wohl angemerkt der Bus war nicht voll! Ich steh da an der Tür vorne und er öffnet nicht. Er schaut mich kurz an und dann einfach wiedee weg dachte ich mir nur so ja geh ich halt hinten rein. Als ich angefangen hab zu gehen macht der die Tür zu und fährt weg! Ich war schon Sauer, weil ich halt dannach eine Stunde auf den nächsten warten konnte...
@@fynxi9727 Bei meiner Tochter vermuten wir einen gewissen Hintergrund, denn dieser eine Busfahrer hat wohl schon mehrere Kinder (darunter auch meine Tochter, weil sie halt dunkle Haare und Augen hat) rassistisch beleidigt. Das mit der Tür war der ausschlaggebende Punkt, weswegen meine Tochter es partout vermeidet, mit dem Bus zu fahren.
@@Kessina1989 Oh sowas geht gar nicht. Ich selber habe auch dunkle Haare und Augen und kann es mir nicht vorstellen deswegen Beleidigt zu werden.
@@fynxi9727 Meine Tochter kann ja auch nichts dafür, dass ihr Vater halt italienische Wurzeln hat. Aber wir Eltern sind dann gemeinsam zu unserem örtlichen Busunternehmen gegangen und haben uns da beschwert. Aber ob da irgendwelche Konsequenzen gezeigt wurden, kann ich da leider nicht sagen!
@@Kessina1989 Ich selber bin auch nicht ganz Deutsch. (Mein Vater ist Kroate). Ich sehe es eher als eine gute Sache an auch mit einer anderen Kultur aufzuwachsen. Außerdem lebe ich mein ganzes Leben lang schon in Deutschland und werde es auch bleiben. Von der anderen Kultur hab ich zwar selber tatsächlich nicht viel mitbekommen aber an sich finde ich das gut.