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People (Germans, Berliners..), Berlin
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Berlin Local Customs: Travel tips and advice posted by real travelers and Berlin locals.
People (Germans, Berliners..)
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People (Germans, Berliners..): Staring, Observing, Whatever you want to call it
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  • My Bulgarian friend, Vladimir w/ our teacher Hans - Berlin
    My Bulgarian friend, Vladimir
    w/ our teacher Hans
    by JourneyOf1
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    I have yet to meet another German who does not openly look at something or someone they want to observe until they are content they have seen all they wished to. So don't be surprised if you get looked or stared at openly, its not aggression (in most cases), its just curiousity. Especially if you are "unique" for the area, not visibly indigenous, meaning if you have darker skin than average. Again, this is not meant to be offensive to anyone but its the plain truth. Berlin is very multicultural and you see people from all over the world, yet still there is curiousity and frank appraisals. Don't let it bother you. I am quite used to it and do it myself I confess. People are so very interesting, aren't they?

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    People (Germans, Berliners..): Don't bring it up or Don't be Offended If.....
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  • If you bring up the topic of the Holocaust, of WWII, of Nazi Germany and the people involved and if it's Germans you are talking to, don't be offended or surprised if they "clam up" so to speak, or don't wish to discuss it. It's not from guilt, though I feel we can have a deep sense of uneasiness about it. Its mostly from exasperation. So many times that is the first thing people wish to talk about with you, or immediately become accusatory about it. It has been rehashed and rehashed so many times, some get tired of it and will tell you so. In discussing German life and history, for myself, people wish to know how I came to be born in Germany, do I consider myself German, why would I wish to consider myself German when I could also claim American citizenship? There have been ones who, though having individual German friends, consider Germany to still be a Nazi country or all were sympathizers to the Nazi cause and do not like Germans on a whole. Every nation has their faults, their secret guilts, their histories of some type of prejudices and injustices. Don't be surprised if people do not wish to discuss such things. Personal feelings of politics and recent German history can be sensitive topics and usually are not discussed except with close friends.

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    People (Germans, Berliners..): the Berliner way
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  • a grumpy but cute Berliner - Berlin
    a grumpy but cute Berliner
    by miromi
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    Berliners have their own way of doing things, and are my favorite type of german, although they are famous for being exceptionally rude and nasty, which is just the way I like it. nobody would really have it any other way! New york is my favorite american city, after all! if someone starts screaming at you on the street it#s ok to scream back at them and then tease them and break the tension--you'll get more respect and show that you are becoming Berlin! i would take care not to mess with the little old ladies though, they are ruthless.

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    People (Germans, Berliners..): Simplicity-Searching For the Meaning of Life
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  • At our yoga center hanging out with friends - Berlin
    At our yoga center hanging out
    with friends
    by JourneyOf1
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    There is a searching. There is a great need and desire for a thing. For spirituality, the meaning of life, the return to simplicity, to the earth, to natural ways which bring a greater sense of fulfillment, purpose and peace. A number of those who I have attended spiritual retreats and discussion groups with comment about the growing trend. Yoga, tantra, new age medicine, mediation, Buddhism, Hinduism, Native American shamanism, herbalism are all the rage among a certain age group. I'd say mid-20's up to the 40's and 50's, but there are exceptions of course. Living in such a high energy city where every type of pleasure, vice, and wickedness can be found, so many get burnt out and tired, and look for something or someone to give them new direction. Schools of yoga are in almost every neighborhood now, shadowy rooms for trance dancing, sign-up sheets for spiritual discussions. The meaning of life can be found in the self, but first one has to really find out who they are I suppose. Such places help people discover.

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    People (Germans, Berliners..): Come as you are
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  • Over the past years, I came across some friendly US Americans eager to leave that (stupid) caricature of the loud, obnoxious American behind. They asked if there was kind of a dress code for the entirety of Berlin. Rest assured there is not. Personally, I never wear shorts outside my flat, but I have seen people wearing shorts in winter doing some Christmas shopping or whatever at Kurfürstendamm. Some people dress very sloppy, others are very fashion-conscious, others try to reanimate the 20s, and then there are some who barely seem to wear anything. And I would never have thought that some colours exist as hair dye. Just like in London, NYC or S.F., there are so many crazy people, you'll have a hard time standing out in a crowd. If somebody is gawking at you, he/she probably thinks you're cute.


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    People (Germans, Berliners..): A Handy-You Have to Have One!
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  • Just like it so many big (and smaller) cities I have been in, increasingly so, everyone has to have a handy. Where public transport is so common and used by most, its a necessity when meeting friends or taking care of business because you could be one block away and walking exact same speed in opposite directions and never meet. Also, many Berliners I know still carry city maps no matter how long they have been living here. It's great if you are lost to be able to call a friend or directory service to help you find your way. Or in the case with me, was visiting a small outer district once and didn't know when or if another bus would be stopping on that line. Called public services and they told me when the next was coming along, which fortunately was in 30 minutes. A place you can buy one is at MakroMarkt, it's a discount electronics store. They are all over Berlin>>>Charlottenburg, Spandau, Pankow, Eiche, Potsdam......... Warning for handy use however>>>>>in school or university handys must be turned off. Teachers get very irritated when they ring. Our Lehrer would have an a rabid fit if one went off when he was lecturing. Also in museums and historic memorials, be sure to turn the sound off or put it in vibrate.

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    People (Germans, Berliners..): Funny names
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  • There's no doubt that Berliners have a sense of humour. They like giving funny names to different objects in the city. Here are some examples: -Gedachtniskirche is called "Hohler Zahn" (decayed tooth) -Clock of the Passing Time is known as "Fruchtsaft Automat" ( fruit juice machine) - Siegesaule ( Victory Column) - a.k.a "Golden Else" - the House of the World Cultures is called "Pregnant Oyster".

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    People (Germans, Berliners..): Good and very kind drivers :-)
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  • BLEIBTREUSTRASSE  ON  SATURDAY  MORNING - Berlin
    BLEIBTREUSTRASSE ON SATURDAY
    MORNING
    by matcrazy1
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    I had to drive around Berlin on Sunday before leaving the city. The traffic was not heavy, rather medium on main city streets. I got to Neue Nationalgalierie first, then to Brandenburg Gate (Unter den Linden) and to Kreuzberg district at the end. Local drivers were always very kind and gave me the way whenever I wanted to change my lane. They drive slowly, carefully, and quietly. They park their cars in single file fashion along the streets. This is nothing like the way drive in Paris. If only people in many other cities would drive this way! One more reason not to be afraid to get to Berlin by car.

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    People (Germans, Berliners..): Generally, but not always,...
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  • grrrr! a grumpy Berliner - Berlin
    grrrr! a grumpy Berliner
    by miromi
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    Generally, but not always, Germans are more reserved and shy than say, people from Italy or the US. It takes a little more time to get to know people and you don't really meet people casually and make friends in clubs or in the workplace. It doesn't mean that they are mean, though, there are plenty of nice people here! Just keep in mind that it is a more introverted culture and that people are generally friendly and helpful if you go up and talk to them. actually, they really like it, so go ahead and do it. but please ask first before pinching someone's bottom

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    People (Germans, Berliners..): Greeting someone in...
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  • Greeting someone in Berlin Business people in Germany tend to be formal. When greeting someone it is considered polite to rise to your feet to shake their hand. People should always be addressed by their titles until invited to do otherwise. Preface a man's last name with 'Herr', and a woman's 'Frau' or 'Fräulein' (Miss).

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