Culture Shock

by **NotRust** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 2:28 am

When I was in Germany, the "beer everywhere, always" thing was kind of a shock. Also, the way hoodies are frowned on.

by **Discount Liquor World** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:12 am

NotRust wrote:When I was in Germany, the "beer everywhere, always" thing was kind of a shock. Also, the way hoodies are frowned on.

Yeah, seeing random people drink on the sidewalk was interesting during my visit to Germany.

Most of the little differences I took in stride, but some of the laws and local ordinances there I thought were strange. Where I stayed you could apparently urinate on the sidewalk if there was no available public bathroom within 300 meters while spitting on the sidewalk could award you a stiff fine.

Probably my most dramatic instance of not knowing a culture was when I tried to tip a waitress at a restuarant by leaving some euro coins on the table, only to have the waitress chase me down the street and say "hey! you forgot your money!" apparently the concept of tipping is quite alien to them.

by **Rejistania** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:51 am

Discount Liquor World wrote:Probably my most dramatic instance of not knowing a culture was when I tried to tip a waitress at a restuarant by leaving some euro coins on the table, only to have the waitress chase me down the street and say "hey! you forgot your money!" apparently the concept of tipping is quite alien to them.

It is know, just done differently. After the waiter tells you the cost, you give the money plus tip and say the amount you intend to give... so... say a meal costs €7.50 and you want to 'round to the next integer', after the waiter said the price you give either 8€ and say "Stimmt so" (it's okay like that) or a higher amount and say "8".

by **LOL ANARCHY NUBZ** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 5:00 am

Ireland on holiday was about the biggest culture shock I've eevr had...

by **Rejistania** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 5:20 am

Biggest culture shock was Croatia on holidays... and Israel when visiting my fiance.

I live now in Great Britain, but so far, things are strange but manageable. Yes, the language is strange, yes, the people are different (especially my Canadian flatmates), but at least I can read the alphabet and speak the language. :geek:

Culture Shock

Who is online