At the Oktoberfest, Munich

To make a reservation for a table is certainly advisable, when you come in a group of 4-8 people or even more, and when you intend to go there in the evening after 05.00p.m.

Make sure you are there in time, otherwise your table will be given away quickly.

During the day you will find free seats rather easily and you could make a tour through all the tents first and choose the one, you like most.
With a fixed reservation you have to take the table you have reserved.

What you see on my picture, is just half of a "Oktoberfest-tent" !

Be prepared that the large tents on Oktoberfest are not really a lot of fun for every taste.
Narrow tables with a maximum of people sitting around them and the thousands of people in the same tent sitting really close to each other...
These tables have seats for 8-10 persons and only a narrow path between the rows of tables.

a lot of people offering all kind of souvenirs, beer-savers, hats, photos etc.

All over Theresienwiese you will see signs like the one on my picture...

It will show you the way to the next Toilette / Restroom !!
There you have to pay a small amount, to "powder your nose" or "talk to a man about a horse"

When the Police will catch "going to the John" in one of the many bushes around Theresienwiese, it will be really expensive !!

There will be guards at the exits of all tents at Oktoberfest, but lots of (mostly drunken) people still try to steal the mugs in order to have a nice souvenir...

...some are successful, many others are caught !

When they catch you, it will be quite expensive !!!

Better buy your own souvenir-mug at one of the many souvenir-stands on Theresienwiese !
Each year these mugs have a new design and make a great gift for collectors.
On my picture : The official "Oktoberfestkrug 2003"

Watch your belongings on the U-bahn (train) particularly around the Oktoberfest station. I had a camera, lenses, bag and jacket taken after I boarded and left the items while I returned to the door to pick up another package. Two young men ran on, grabbed the items then made it out before the door closed. Munich police said this was quite common when I made the report.

Word of advice....don't try to get up on stage and sing with the band.....believe it or not, they actually don't like it. Of course, a couple thousand people thought I did a wonderful polka rendition!

During Oktoberfest be wary of drunken people - not everyone gets cheery after a few beers - i witnessed quite a few fights. was hassled by lots of drunken men.Especially in some of the tents-i actually went in one where the guys were waiting outside the toilets and grabbed you as you went past - flung you against a wall and had a quick grope - try to be sober enough yourself so you can get rid of drunken louts - no is not easily understood when they have consumed there own body weight in beer.
Also be really careful yourself if you are drunk - i saw a drunken man fall the entire length of the escalaters in teh Hauptbahnhof - his nose will never be the same again.

OKTOBERFEST is heaven for pickpockets. Leave your cards at home and have your cash in your pocket (seperated).
I didn't and subsequently lost the lot in the first 10 mintutes of arriving in a beer hall.
Its easy for them as they work in groups, on bumps you and apologises the other grabs it as you fall into them. Then they pass it on to another onso even if you grab the ones near by, the wallet is well gone and you can't do much with 1000's of people and not a policeman in sight.
Hmmmm. Just be careful. (ha I sound like my Mum now!!!)