Let’s talk about culture shock. Are you likely to experience it in Germany? Is it much different to being in the US or elsewhere?
While I don’t think you’re likely to experience much culture shock in Germany, it can be fun learning and thinking about the little differences.
In this article, that’s what we are talking about.
Love Germany? Click here to download your free guide to ALL of Germany’s Amazing UNESCO sites. See all 52 of them!
In the video below, an American YouTuber walks through the “culture shock” he had in Germany, although I’d call it more the differences he experienced between being in Germany and being in Florida.
As an Australian, I found it doubly interesting as I learned some things about both cultures at once. In fact, many of the differences he found in Germany were similar to what you’d find in Australia too. Like it’s expensive, we pay for petrol after putting it in our cars, and we don’t all drive big cars 🙂
Other differences I had also noticed, like smoking. I’m not used to seeing or smelling anyone smoking now and I did find it unpleasant at times being round smokers in Germany. I was especially shocked walking past a high school on my last trip and seeing so many teenagers smoking out the front.
I did learn something that I hadn’t noticed in Germany. I didn’t realise you were meant to use toilet brushes. While we have these in Australia and I’ve always had one next to the toilet in my home, I would never use one in a toilet that’s not my own. That seem strange to me. 🙂
Anyway, watch the video for yourself and see if you have any surprises!
So what did you think? Did you experience any of these differences? Did you learn anything new?
Want to learn more about German culture? Find our guide to the differences between Germany and the US here, how to spot a German here, what Germans do that is weird here and what you can buy for 20 Euros at a supermarket here. You can also find all our guides to German culture here or find out about cleaning week here.
