During my time in Germany, I’ve begun making a list of things that are different in Germany. It’s been fun for me to notice the little differences in how Germans live compared to Americans. At first, a lot of the differences irritated me. It seemed like so many things were inconvenient, and the way things were in America was much better. After some time, I’ve come to like things that are different and at least understand most differences, if not like them.
Some things are just kind of funny. For example, Germans are very religious about the Ampelman, the figure in the traffic light telling them when they can cross the street. Additionally, it seems like the fashion styles here are several years “behind” America, which is fun to see. Germans also use their knives much more when they eat- even for things you wouldn’t think require a knife. And don’t worry, Mom- I’m not the only person saying this.
Other things can be rather irritating. For one thing, paper straws are the norm here. I like saving the sea turtles as much as anyone, but if having a soggy straw ¾ of the way through my drink is the price, I might have to reconsider. Another thing is medication. Germany is very strict about medication compared to the US. America catches a lot of heat about being a pill-happy nation. However, to get Ibuprofen here, I have to go to a pharmacy and pay almost twice as much to get it. Medicine in grocery and convenience stores is scarce. And a third thing- perhaps my greatest complaint about Germany- is the state of bathrooms and water. One of the things that make America great, in my opinion, is that everyone can use the restroom and get water anywhere they go. Not so in Germany. To ascend to my porcelain throne, I usually have to pay anywhere from 50 cents to one euro. I’m proud to report I have not paid yet.
And some things I just like better. For one thing, public transit. As a student, I get free public transit anywhere in Berlin. It is incredibly freeing to be able to go anywhere in an almost 350 square mile area and not have to worry about the cost. Additionally, the streets seem a lot safer. While talking to a friend in Dresden, she said that in the evening, many teens will just walk around the town at night, and no one worries about violence or trouble. The whole atmosphere is a lot more communal. Instead of purchasing all their groceries from somewhere like Walmart or Costco (or KwikTrip, if that’s your vibe), my host family gets their food from all over the place. Even in the middle of a vast city, we get our bread from a bakery, fruit and vegetables often from a farmers market, meat from a butcher’s shop, and so on. In our little neighborhood, I have several stores and restaurants within walking distance and at least two malls within five minutes by transit. You can start to feel like it’s your neighborhood and that you have your places.
At first, I looked at all of these differences as just fun things to notice. But after a while, I started to think more about it. After only 11 weeks here, I’ve learned to live with these differences and others. I’ve realized more and more that the way I do things isn’t necessarily the only way to do them or even the best way. There are a lot of different viewpoints and perspectives in the world, and I’ve only begun to scratch the surface.
