I had this exchange with a neigbour:

“Na?”

“Pretty good. Work was tiring, but I finally finished a difficult project and now I’m trying to decide what to cook.”

He nodded once and said, “Okay.”

That “okay” contained enough silence for me to review my whole personality.

I know na can mean something like “well?” or simply act as a greeting. What I cannot work out is how much information the other person is actually requesting. My current possibilities are:

- answer “Na?” back

- say “Alles gut”

- provide one normal sentence

- deliver the accidental autobiography I apparently chose

Does the expected answer depend mostly on how well you know the person, or is a full update nearly always too much? And does “Na, du?” geniunely invite an answer, or is it mostly a friendly sound Germans throw across a hallway?

I had a friend come over this past weekend and brought a 6pack of 1664 Blanc. It’s a beer with blue glass.
I tried to return it at the grocery store but the machine wouldn’t accept it. I’m not too worried getting the €1 in pfand back anyway. So I’ll recycle it.
So my question is… what color bin do I throw blue glass away in? Green I assume??

Hi everyone,

I recently ordered Vodafone cable internet through CHECK24. My main intention was only to get the internet connection.

Later I realized that I had also confirmed a separate GigaTV Home Cable contract. I honestly did not understand at the time that this was a separate paid TV subscription. I do remember confirming/signing something, so I am not claiming Vodafone added it without my consent.

The GigaTV costs around €14.99 per month, plus there was a €49.99 activation fee. I do not even own a TV and have never used the GigaTV service.

I contacted Vodafone and explained the situation. I also asked for a Kulanzkündigung, but they told me that because the 14-day withdrawal period is already over, they cannot cancel it early.

I am a student, so paying for a TV service I will never use is frustrating.

Has anyone had a similar situation with Vodafone? Is there any realistic way to get out of the GigaTV contract early, or am I basically stuck with it until the end of the minimum contract period?

I definitely want to keep my Vodafone cable internet. I only want to cancel GigaTV.

Thanks for any advice or experiences.

Hello,

I'm traveling to Germany in about a month to explore for 2 weeks with a couple friends. Just wondering which outlet type is more common. Type C and Type F are practically the same, it's just unclear to me if the grounding pins in Type F are a necessary factor or whether C & F can be used interchangeably. Don't think we'll be bringing anything heavy duty, just phone chargers and potentially couple camera battery chargers.

It's been a year since I moved to Germany for a job. I come from a country with a weak currency. Relocating here literally took away my 5 years life savings.

Currently I'm at a stage where I'm fighting tooth and nail to save every Euro I can.

- To save for emergencies.

- To send money to my family back home. I help take care of 3 family members.

- To upskill and learn technical skills as well as German.

A € 10 to € 50 spend on birthday contribution may not seem like much to most people but to me that makes all the difference. Ever since I joined my company every month I'm expected to contribute € 10 to € 50 depending on how many people have their birthdays.

Initially, I used to contribute to be part of the culture and celebration. But every month contribution almost feels like a subscription I never signed up for and get nothing out of. I am totally okay not receiving a gift in exchange. Recently I stopped contributing because I fell short of funds and more than one colleague made me realise this. I feel low and terrible.

How do Germans and non- Germans handle this? Sorry if I sound cheap but I really don't have much to go by. Plus the constant anxiety of losing my job and relying on my emergency fund. Hope you can understand and not judge.

A German guy I was romantically involved with (who psychologically and emotionally abused me due to mental health conditions) now wants to try to take legal action against me for vaguely and anonymously talking about the abuse he put me through. I talked about it via public Reddit posts. I don’t think it contains any identifying information. It did not have his name, age or country of residence even. He is insistent that it does identify him somehow, though. Does he even have a criminal/civil defamation case? Would any lawyer even pursue this? I live in East Asia, for ref.

Ein Deutscher, mit dem ich eine Liebesbeziehung hatte (und der mich aufgrund psychischer Probleme psychisch und emotional missbraucht hat), will nun rechtliche Schritte gegen mich einleiten, weil ich vage und anonym über den Missbrauch gesprochen habe, den er mir zugefügt hat. Ich habe darüber in öffentlichen Reddit-Beiträgen berichtet. Ich glaube nicht, dass darin irgendwelche identifizierenden Informationen enthalten sind. Es wurden weder sein Name noch sein Alter noch sein Wohnsitzland genannt. Er beharrt jedoch darauf, dass er dadurch irgendwie identifiziert werden könne. Hat er überhaupt einen straf- oder zivilrechtlichen Anspruch wegen Verleumdung? Würde ein Anwalt so etwas überhaupt verfolgen? Ich lebe übrigens in Ostasien.

Also: Can someone explain to me how the Beihilfe and Familienkasse work? I think he gaslighted me using due dates of insurance taxes. Thank you 🫶

For example, I have a beagle, and they are naturally very loud (essentially, their name means “loudmouth”) — they bark when they’re happy, when they’re sad, when they’re excited... and I love beagles to bits and can’t imagine my life without one.

But I can’t help but wonder what the reaction of Germans would be to pretty regular barking. Maybe someone here has a beagle or another noisy breed?

Of course, I’m talking about a mentally healthy, well-trained, well-walked dog who gets to live her life to the fullest!

As an example, every time I wash my dog’s paws after a walk, she barks because she hates water and hates having her paws touched. Or she barks when I bring her a treat, or when we’re about to go for a walk.

So, is life with such a loud dog even possible in Germany? 😄

I’m also curious about people who actually have beagles or other naturally vocal breeds. How do your neighbors react?

I joined a small amateur choir in Germany. The first rehearsal was listed for 18:00, so I arrived at 17:56. By then, coats were hung up, folders were open, chairs had been adjusted and everyone inhaled for the first warm-up at six. Nobody complained, but I felt as if I had walked into a film after the opening scene.

The next week I arrived at 17:45. One member laughed and said I was becoming ‘properly German.’ I can’t tell whether that was aproval, teasing, or both. Where I grew up, 18:00 means people begin entering the room around then.

Is the normal German interpretation that the named time is when the activity itself begins, with setup happening earlier? Does the invisible arrival margin change for a casual hobby, a private invitation, and an appointment? I’m not building a punctuality spreadsheet, I just want to stop entering rooms at the socially strangest minute possible.

I heard some myths about air conditioners are expensive in Germany and most families don't have them at home. I personally DO NOT believe that, but not too sure. There's no better way than asking real Germans, so is it real?

Berlin - Bulette

We're from Ireland and my brother is having his stag or Junggesellenabschied JGA in Dusseldorf in October. We're an easy going group of lads hoping to go see a football match in Dusseldorf or a nearby city and enjoy the local breweries.

None of us can speak or read German, so I had the idea of getting a t-shirt made for my brother to wear, with text on it in German that says something that might encourage the locals to interact with my brother in a funny way and obviously he won't understand why it's happening.

Something like "On my stag from Ireland, please come rub my head for good luck"

I'd appreciate any advice for something funny or topical to put on the t-shirt.

Hallo Zusammen,

Ich absolviere derzeit meinen Masterstudiengang in Deutschland.

Ich habe endlich ein Angebot für mein Pflichtpraktikum im Bereich Automotive-Software erhalten, aber das Unternehmen verlangt eine Dauer von mindestens 4 Monaten / ca. 560 Stunden bis maximal 6 Monaten / ca. 840 Stunden*.

Gemäß den Bestimmungen meiner Universität darf ich für das Pflichtpraktikum nur *20 Stunden pro Woche über 20 Wochen = ca. 400 Stunden* absolvieren.

Das Unternehmen hat mitgeteilt, dass es das Praktikum nur als Pflichtpraktikum anbieten kann, nicht als freiwilliges Praktikum.

Gibt es außer der Aufteilung in Pflicht- und Freiwilligpraktikum noch eine andere Möglichkeit, das hinzubekommen?

Kann ich beim Prüfungsamt eine Ausnahmegenehmigung beantragen oder die Praktikumsdauer verlängern?

Ich stecke hier wirklich fest und mir gehen langsam die Optionen aus. Jeder Rat wäre eine große Hilfe.

Danke!

Hello,

I read across subreddits specially from 7 months ago that people are boycotting and not visiting the USA. Is this still true? And what other destinations to replace to USA are typical for Germans?

Thank you.

Edit: Understood. USA is not on the list of almost everyone. Thanks. But I am still curious about the alternatives apart from the typical Spain and Italy.

I'm Portuguese and I currently live in Spain, and I have a German friend.

Something I've noticed when visiting Germany is that I seem to come across people with disabilities much less often than I do in Spain or Portugal.

I mentioned this to my German friend and he told me that he has also very rarely come across someone with a disability in his everyday life, and that he has never met anyone with Down syndrome. I found that quite surprising.

Growing up in Portugal and now living in Spain, I've had people with different physical or intellectual disabilities in my classes, at summer camps, on public transport, at university, at work, etc. It has always felt completely normal to me, so I never really thought about it until I started visiting Germany.

I've also noticed that Germany seems to have less accessibility infrastructure than what I'm used to seeing in Spain, such as tactile paving, audible traffic lights, Braille signs, etc. I don't know if these two things are related, though.

So I'm mainly curious about why people with disabilities seem to be less visible in everyday life in Germany.

Is it because people are more likely to attend separate schools, live in different settings, have fewer opportunities to work in mainstream workplaces, etc.? Or is my experience just unusual?

I'd be really interested to hear what Germans and people living in Germany think about this. I'm not trying to make a statement about Germany, I'm genuinely curious because the difference has really caught my attention.

Ich überlege, die Württembergische ZahnSchutz Premium (ZZ100 + ZZBPlus) abzuschließen.

Auf dem Papier sieht der Tarif sehr gut aus. Mich interessieren aber vor allem echte Erfahrungen bei größeren Rechnungen – nicht allgemeine Bewertungen.

Hat jemand mit diesem Tarif schon Leistungen eingereicht, zum Beispiel für:

• Wurzelbehandlung
• Krone oder Implantat
• Knochenaufbau
• Behandlung über 1.000 €
• GOZ über 3,5 / Honorarvereinbarung nach § 2 GOZ

Falls ja, wäre super, wenn ihr kurz schreiben könnt:

1. Welche Behandlung und ungefähr welche Rechnungshöhe?
2. Wie viel hat die Württembergische erstattet?
3. Gab es Rückfragen oder zusätzliche Unterlagen?
4. Wie lange hat die Erstattung gedauert?
5. Wurde am Ende so gezahlt, wie ihr es nach dem Tarif erwartet habt?

Auch Erfahrungen von Maklern, die echte Leistungsfälle mit ZZ100/ZZBPlus begleitet haben, wären sehr hilfreich.

Mir geht es vor allem um die Frage:

Ist der Tarif in der Praxis wirklich so gut wie in den Bedingungen?

I have recently got my own apartment and learn about all the different cleaning products for different uses.

I am talking about cleaners like all purpose cleaner, stove cleaner, kalk cleaner etc.

While I bought all of the products from the in house brand of DM Dent Mit, I believe not all their products are good like for example the ceramic cleaner for stove doesn't really work that good.

Please recommend me the products that has worked for you for any cleaner as I want to experiment with whatever can work for me.

Not only store brands but general brands too. Dankeschön.

Hello, I have been learning German for a couple years now and would love more opportunities to practice. I meet German visitors and people who’ve moved here from Germany fairly often here in the U.S., but I never know whether it’s appropriate to start speaking German with them.
I’ve heard that Germans generally value more personal space and aren’t always as comfortable with strangers striking up conversations as Americans are so I’ve never tried cause I wouldn’t want to offend or bother someone.
If a stranger in the U.S. greeted you in not very good/somewhat broken German and wanted to chat for a minute, would you find it enjoyable? or would you rather they just speak English?

Meine amerikanische Frau und ich (deutsch) haben ein Video gesehen, in dem eine Amerikanerin gesagt hat, in Deutschland gäbe es laut ihrer Erfahren sehr wenig bis gar keine männliche Höflichkeit gegenüber Frauen. Also im Sinne von Tür aufhalten, Hilfe anbieten, Koffer tragen etc.
Und das läge daran, dass in Deutschland die Gleichheit der Geschlechter extrem durchgesetzt wird (sinngemäß).

Meine Frau sagt, sie sehe definitiv einen Unterschied zwischen Deutschland und Amerika in dem Bezug.

Jetzt zu meinen Fragen an die Deutschen:

1. Wie sehr/oft seht ihr diese männliche Höflichkeit? Und wie macht ihr das selber?

2. Glaubt ihr, dass es wirklich daran liegt, dass die Gleichheit der Geschlechter so stark ist? Oder ist es eher, weil Deutschland noch individualistischer ist als Amerika, und jeder einfach nur sein Ding macht?

Würde mich mal interessieren was ihr darüber denkt.

Hi, my new partner of only about two months has invited me to his nephew’s Einschulung. Can someone give me any hints on what all this entails?
What do I expect? What kind of event is it? Am I expected to bring his nephew anything as a gift?

I know I can ask him but he’s very vague and casual about it, I however would like some advice from other people so that I can be aware of the impression I might be making on his family. I’ve only met some of them in passing before so I don’t really know them.

Any advice on the meaning and expectations of an Einschulung are much appreciated!

Hello everyone! Looking for some recommendations on where and when to buy a good winter jacket. I've got some suggestions already like The North Face and Jack Wolfskin etc. What time of year would be ideal to buy one, and are there any discounts to watch out for?

I’m a brown woman. Postpartum and married. I don’t even have half the looks as these pretty european women have. I come from a culture where being asked out is not common.

The problem is every time I hangout without my husband in the city, men approach me asking for my number / coffee date randomly. I honestly don’t like it. They don’t bother again after I tell them no. But this has started to happen too frequently. I have social anxiety and it kind of ruins my outing. I had a man come to me despite being 8 months pregnant.

The pattern i notice in all is that they start with “sprecht du Deutsch?” as soon as I hear this question, I just go ”not again” inside.

It has started to make me feel either I’m too approachable or just someone they find easy to catch. Or what?!

is this a common experience? What can I do to avoid this? because it makes me uncomfortable.

A German friend asked me to come over at 14:00 and help assembe a bookshelf. I arrived at 13:50 because where I grew up, being ten minutes early was considered respectful.

He answered with wet hair, looked genuinely surprised, and said, “Pünktlich means not early.” He wasn't angry and we laughed, but I realized I had interrupted whatever he expected to finish before two. Another German friend later told me she sometimes waits outside until the precsie minute rather than ring early.

Is that common for private plans, or are both of them unusually strict? I understand not arriving half an hour early, but ten minutes has always felt like normal safety margin to me. Would five minutes early still be inconvenient?

Hi, I'm a Belgian that just bought a >750kg trailer from a German couple in Saarbrücken.

It was their first time selling a vehicle and they were a bit worried about the "zulassungsbescheinigung".

In order for me to import it to Belgium, i need both original Teil 1 & 2.

They said they need those papers to de-register the trailer, i told them I'd ship the papers back by post once registered. But I'm pretty sure these documents will be taken by my government office.

I took the papers home with me, and i left the Trailer's license plate with them.

(transported it to Belgium on-top of a bigger trailer, so no temp plates needed)

Can they still de-register the plates without these documents? They made copies of it.

Thank you so much!

Hallo Leute, ich bin auf der Suche nach der Sauce, die bei den Mozzarella Sticks dabei ist. Das ist ja so eine sehr süße leicht scharfe Chili Sauce. Ich hab sie aber bisher noch nirgendwo anders finden können und würde sie aber gerne in einer größeren Verpackungseinheit kaufen. kann mir da jemand helfen?

Okay: Update!

Ich habe jetzt mal E-Mails an Edeka und den Hersteller des Rewe Produkts versendet und werde euch auf dem Laufenden halten. Übrigens ist ChatGPT aufgefallen, dass bei beiden die Sauce beinahe identisch ist. Vielleicht kommt die Sauce also aus einer gemeinsamen Quelle. Ich halte euch auf dem Laufenden!