Why aren't Germans more friendly? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

MIKEHONCHO · 03-09-2007, 10:49 PM

I was just in Frankfurt and was wondering why alot germans or frankfurters more freindly because in Canada, US and Mexico I have found most people friendly and able to help you out or even smile or say hello back to you.

**Canadian Bacon** · 03-09-2007, 10:55 PM

Really? Yeah... i guess if you had to rank them, the Germans are on the less-friendly side.

But its hit and miss... some of the most outgoing, friendly ppl i Know are germans.

I dunno how big frankfurt is, but if its big, then its no surpise... big cities = unfriendly people....

MIKEHONCHO · 03-09-2007, 11:00 PM

Before I got into German that is exactly how I thought, but even the lady at the tourist information centre, I asked her much the map was and there was a long pause so i guessed by saying, free? 1 euro and then she yelled .50 euros and slams the map on the counter. Maybe they thought I was a yankee

**Canadian Bacon** · 03-09-2007, 11:18 PM

Wow that's hardcore. But those travel info ppl tend to be bastards.

Well... i don't know how much German you know, but the word for shit head is "shieza-kopf" i think... i emphasize that I think....

but i definitely know that sheiza means shit =)

**Diorama** · 03-10-2007, 01:55 AM

Germans are either a hit or a miss (as CB already said)...One of my best mates is German (born and raised) and even he sometimes can't understand the attitude. He always says that it's the peeps from East Germany that have the attitude...hehe though he's from the west so that's probably why he says it.

**aliz** · 03-10-2007, 03:00 AM

i stayed in eastern germany for three weeks and everyone I met was soooo nice... they said the bavarians are wierd and to stay away from them. heh.

**travelpunk** · 03-10-2007, 03:50 AM

All of the Germans that I know are real cool. But in the beginning, I guess they were a little bit standoff-ish.

**joe7f** · 03-10-2007, 05:46 AM

Had the total opposite experience Aliz.

The Bavarians were very friendly of course half of them probably had 2-3 beers in them. When I was in Spain in a language school a German woman offered me a room in her house when I visited Munich (turned out that I would be in Munich while she was still in Spain). My father met two Germans (from Essen, living in Freiburg) back in 1974 who invited him to stay in their house. We went back to meet up with them and the welcome they gave him...you would have thought he was their son.

I got to give the friendliest country award to Ireland

--Joey

**expatben** · 03-10-2007, 07:44 AM

Germans can be but some of that is the European condition. I tend to find Europeans in general can be a bit stand offish at first and the Germans certainly are sticklers not just for law but social formalities as well. But once you break through their formal exterior you may find Germans to be some of the nicest people you have met, I know I have.

Bobbles · 03-10-2007, 08:05 AM

Met some Germans from a place called 'Worm' while camping over there last year.They were VERY friendly and invited us all over to theirs for drinks and food. Think its 1 of my fave memories of the trip.

They go to the same site every summer. The fathers of the towns take their sons for a week or 2.Or somthing like that im not sure but It seemed like the whole town of Worm was there Lol

**Esterina** · 03-10-2007, 12:52 PM

Did you try to learn the basic vocabulary ? Maybe they're tired of English speaking people not bothering saying Hallo, bitte, danke, etc. I know that in Quebec, you won't get a lot of smiles back if you don't show you're making an effort.

**BigE** · 03-10-2007, 01:00 PM

Germans love to eat and drink. If you want to make them happy, meet them when they are eating and drinking. Moreover, if you do make friends with any Germans, find out of they like cigars or chocolates, etc., and have some around when they come around to hang out (aka eating and drinking). I know so much about Germans and I have never been to Germany.

**voyd** · 03-11-2007, 10:50 AM

I left my journal in a net-cafe in Berlin...and the lady there actually mailed it all the way back to me over here in the US! I sure doubt any American woulda done that..

Sooo, maybe you just got unlucky or I got lucky?

**louse** · 03-11-2007, 02:05 PM

I met one lovely german lady in berlin, she let us climb this big tower for free because we said we were students. "Are you reaaaally students???" Ok, so she was a lovely german lady and we were nasty nasty liars.
Then later we were sitting on a bit of berlin wall. An elderly german lady comes over and tries to pull off a small bit of paint or something. My friend pulled a huge chunk off and handed it to her. She was absolutely stoked, she kept thanking us and checked if we were going to her hometown so she could offer us accomodation. Well, we didn't, but it was so sweet and funny to see her slip that giant chunk in her pocket and walk away with a real bounce in her stride!
So BigE it's not food or drink you need to give them to make them happy, it's precious pieces of historical artifacts!

**beergal** · 03-11-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

I tend to find Europeans in general can be a bit stand offish at first

lol!

**tumblezweedz** · 03-14-2007, 02:29 PM

My earlier experiences in northern/eastern Germany would lead me to agree with you, although now that we are living in rural western Germany, I can't imagine much friendlier, welcoming, open hearted people.

I think big city people the world over tend to be a little less open and friendly to strangers than rural dwellers, though having lived in Europe the past few years, and traveled a fair bit, I have noticed that *generally* the farther south you go, the more open people are, which usually translates to being more friendly to strangers, and particularly to foreigners.

In some cases, this has a lot to do with history - particularly in countries that were previously occupied by or under the sphere of influence of the Soviet Union. Back in the day, being open to a complete stranger was a pretty good way to get yourself and/or family a midnight visit to the local KGB HQ. Knowing a country's history before you go can help you anticipate where people might be a bit more suspicious, and can help you avoid feeling alienated and hurt/insulted.

mark-0 · 03-14-2007, 09:37 PM

In my experience, I've found that Germans can often be as friendly as anyone else. My grandma's german and she's amazing. I'm not biased (right?), but then again, maybe she's so nice because she's a grandma. On the other hand my grandpa is much more the stereotypical surly German.
Also, I was wandering around Nurnberg and had been doing so for a while. I had a general sense of where I was, but just wanted to sit down and recheck my map (first backpacking trip without my parents or school chaperones. I have since learned to lessen my reliance on the beloved map). Anyway, this old german lady came up and starting asking me questions in german. I said I didn't understand, so she asked me in english where I was from and where I was trying to get to. I didn't even ask her for help. I don't even think I looked at her. She just kind of showed up, like a magical old direction lady.
But I guess three people isn't a very good sample from which to draw conclusions. But hey, at least I haven't had any horrible experiences in Germany.

**expatben** · 03-15-2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beergal

lol!

well obviously I never include TPunks in that! The Germans are generally a cool people though and they can out party anyone.

**DC_Jessica** · 03-15-2007, 05:03 AM

It's not a literal unfriendliness! They're like American East-coasters (like, Eastern halfish of the country, not our East Coast vs. Mid-Atlantic literal region generalizations!!). Just because we're not asking you personal questions five minutes into seeing your face, does not mean we are unfriendly!

That said, I have two regional concentrations in what I study - Central Europe/Germany and the Middle East. Now, try alternately traveling to those places. When I go to a more Eastern flavored country after being in America or Europe, I feel like I'm being suffocated and killed and everybody's out for a piece of me, even though they're just offering me tea and asking what my ethnicity is. THEN I go back to what I've come from and I feel alone in a cold, cruel world. "Don't you want to ask me what I'm interested in buying, shopkeeper? Why are you staring at the ceiling of the Metro instead of trying to engage me in conversation?!" And I swear, sometimes I go into a bookstore and I'm appalled that I have to *pay* for tea while I'm browsing!!! I love both cultures, it's just hard to adjust to ANYthing we're not used to.

Glad you had a good experience in Berlin, Louse!