Naturally once I determined to review in another country for a few months, I used to be anticipating numerous variations between life within the US and Germany. Regardless of understanding a lot about Germany from my seven years of research, there was nonetheless numerous menial modifications that gave me that huge “shock” in my first few weeks right here. I assumed it will be most dear to share some key modifications I’ve seen as an American in Freiburg.
1. Plastic Baggage are Unlawful
Yep, you learn that proper! Right here in all German states, non-essential plastic baggage are banned at supermarkets and shops that might usually have them within the US. Again residence, I do know many individuals (myself included!) don’t really use “single-use” plastic baggage as soon as. I exploit them to line trash cans, maintain moist gadgets, and soiled garments if I’m touring. Now, I don’t even have greater than the few I got here with. I used to be conscious of this coming in, but it surely has nonetheless been an enormous shock and distinction for me each time I’m going to the shop.
Verpackunggesetz is what this might be generally known as in Germany. In response to the 2025 Sustainable Improvement Report, Germany is among the top-ranking international locations when it comes to ecological sustainability. The dearth of plastic baggage helps with this, selling each citizen to make use of reusable baggage for his or her groceries. Don’t fear should you don’t have any! Numerous supermarkets, together with Aldi, have reusable baggage accessible for buy always for just a few cents. The identical goes for clothes shops, bakeries, and so forth. Additionally efficient: I discover utilizing two of my tote baggage adequate, which additionally helps me keep away from impulse shopping for and thus, extra waste of packaging or meals.
2. Germans are Pleasant
All people has heard the stereotypes about German individuals and the way imply they are often, in addition to the aggressive construction of their language. Whereas I’ve discovered it to be often true, I haven’t discovered the German individuals to be any roughly pleasant than another individuals. Certain, small discuss isn’t a facet of life right here, but it surely actually doesn’t imply they’re being disrespectful. Germans worth shut relationships and thus see no level in asking how you’re, except they really care and need to know the reality. So, once you greet the cashier on the market, go away it at that!
95% of the interactions I’ve had are optimistic, barring one the place I forgot the phrase for “scoop” in entrance of a really offended ice cream man and one other the place my pronunciation was so atrocious the cashier switched to English. It is rather a lot not a cultural factor and depends upon the individuals you meet. A good friend in my program had 4 separate individuals ask her on her arrival day if she wanted assist carrying her baggage up the practice station steps, an extremely form gesture. I’ve additionally usually discovered individuals are keen to talk in German and proper small issues for future reference, like once I lastly realized the phrase for scoop (Kugel).
3. Germans Like to Prepare dinner
Typically, it may be mentioned that the typical German grocery store is far smaller than these within the US. One side of that is that there are primarily “components” to select from, and fewer “made-ready” meals. Whereas these actually exist right here in Freiburg, and eating places are usually not few and much between, Germans like to prepare dinner. In my shared house, we’ve a full kitchen with a sink, fridge, range, and oven. No microwave.
As somebody who’s an newbie at greatest with cooking, I’ve grown to take pleasure in making my very own meals. My program doesn’t have a meal plan, and the Mensa cafeteria within the metropolis isn’t all the time the most effective meals. I’ve realized that should you prepare dinner, it doesn’t imply it’s important to make each single factor from scratch. One time, I made pepper steak with peppers, and whereas I did chop up the peppers myself, I actually purchased pre-cut steak. One other time I made good friend rice, and used a field of frozen greens to combine in.
Germans desire home-cooked meals, and I’ve been loving to strive my hand at some easy recipes. I used to assume cooking took too lengthy, however it’s often an hour max and makes me sufficient meals for the following 2-3 days! It has been such an enchancment to my well being, and I’m so glad German tradition promotes more healthy cooking choices (even when in addition they love their beer).
4. Money is King
I’ve been a believer in money over card my complete life, however it’s more and more extra widespread right here in Freiburg to come across outlets that can solely settle for money. The identical could possibly be mentioned of some locations in Berlin, in addition to Europe wholly.
In the future right here in Freiburg, I went to a thrift retailer and located the cutest tank high. It was classic and solely 12 euros. Sadly, the store didn’t settle for my kind of bank card, and I had no money, so I needed to go away it. Ever since then, I’ve been certain to verify I’ve extra than simply cash on me, since you by no means know when you might come across a spot that can solely settle for money. It’s not a mirrored image of reputability or suspicious exercise; it’s reasonably simply that the tradition right here is completely different.
Closing Ideas
Anticipated or surprising, attending to know the twists and turns of Freiburg has been fantastic to this point. There are various issues I miss from residence, like ice water and air con, for certain. This expertise has nonetheless been fantastic and opened me as much as so many new issues I’ll carry with me once I finally return to Hope. What a pleasure and privilege it has been to expertise these new, lovely issues.
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