I just got flashbacks to when I still went to school by bus. Although school buses have their own set of rules.
Native, unfortunately, it’s true.
It’s interesting that I seem to have learned this behaviour naturally after a couple of years of living here. The rustling of the bags is especially true for me.
This describes my experience of using public transit perfectly.
(In place of bag-rustling, a signal may be packing away items like phones, or putting on hats.)
When I am using public transport in other countries I didn’t notice a difference though. Do you talk to strangers on the bus?
Saying “Auf Wiedersehen” (pretty much translated to “see you again”) when you are in the waiting room of a doctor is kinda implying that the other person(s) will get sick again.
I think it’s better to just say “Tschüss” (bye) in that situation
God I need more Germany in my life.
I’m not from Germany. I’m from a ‘friendly’ country. I long for these silent exchanges. O.O Why can’t I have them here?
Belgian here. We do the same thing. I’d literally be in shock if someone tried talking to me.
I love that the rule of not leaving your bench even if another bench becomes completely free exists to others too. So rude.
On one hand I’m happy to have my freedom back, but on the other I’m like… Do I stink or something?!
Ah seems that Poles and Germans do not differ that much, cheers western brothers and sisters!
[deleted]
I usually just don’t speak to anyone because I’m too scared to fuck something up.
[deleted]
The worst waiting room scenario is when both the mags like Auto Bild or Stern are taken, and you have to grab a Gala, sitting there like some kind of bearded retrometrosexual deviant. And people will notice what you read.
Thats very true.
And I like the part with the mobile is conotated associal, but magazines and newspapers not. Thats very true in germany.
[deleted]
What kind of cruel monster would want to have it an other way?
In India, there is no “me” space. If you are a foreigner, you better be ready for multitude of questions thrown your way from total strangers in public transports. If you are sitting in a bus, and there is a stranger sitting next to you, small talk is imminent. That’s just the way it rolls. In a two-seater bus, if there is a lot of crowd, people would generally tell you to adjust, so that some other person sits, making it 3/4 people on a 2-seater. Loud?, Oh my. The local trains and the buses have no sense of quietness. There is ambient noise, always and everytime. That’s one of the things I noticed when I first came to Germany, eerily quiet. 😅
This concept of me-space and apparently being “unfriendly” would be construed as being rude back in India. Personally, I love it. Given, how annoying it is, to have someone constantly chatting you up.
I have also observed (in Bavaria) that even the old turkish woman with headscarf and long coat will mumble “Grüß Gott”
On top of rustling the bag, I press the “Stop Request” button, making sure my neighbor notices that, even if it has already been pressed.
I find it creepy that when strangers leave an elevator they say “tchuss”. If i’m silent, it’s rude, and I don’t like being forced to avoid that.
and please forgive me for smiling at your charming/amusing child. Obviously I want to rip their pants off right here, so please protect them with your icy stare.
Wait… That’s not how you’re doing it in other countries?
You guys, I was on the bus yesterday and someone diverged from protocol:
A man approached the free seat next to me (I was by the window) and said “are you getting off first or am I?”. He was carrying a cake or something so I assumed he didn’t want to get up to let me out but HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW THAT? What sort of question is that!! Just let me know we’re you are getting of if it’s so important.
Needless so say I was outraged.
As an American now living in Germany, I had to learn this very quickly. But it’s all true.
I’m from the US (Boston & LA). This has always been my experience in both cities. Actually, what’s described in the OP is even too much talking for my taste. I think it’s rare for anyone to say a word in a waiting room or public transport if it’s not absolutely necessary.
“Tschudigom. Kannsch?”
*Nods and looks away*
“Dank.”
Jesus christ a land of people who barely talk to each other? Sign me the fuck up.
27 comments
I just got flashbacks to when I still went to school by bus. Although school buses have their own set of rules.
Native, unfortunately, it’s true.
It’s interesting that I seem to have learned this behaviour naturally after a couple of years of living here. The rustling of the bags is especially true for me.
This describes my experience of using public transit perfectly.
(In place of bag-rustling, a signal may be packing away items like phones, or putting on hats.)
When I am using public transport in other countries I didn’t notice a difference though. Do you talk to strangers on the bus?
Saying “Auf Wiedersehen” (pretty much translated to “see you again”) when you are in the waiting room of a doctor is kinda implying that the other person(s) will get sick again.
I think it’s better to just say “Tschüss” (bye) in that situation
God I need more Germany in my life.
I’m not from Germany. I’m from a ‘friendly’ country. I long for these silent exchanges. O.O Why can’t I have them here?
Belgian here. We do the same thing. I’d literally be in shock if someone tried talking to me.
I love that the rule of not leaving your bench even if another bench becomes completely free exists to others too. So rude.
On one hand I’m happy to have my freedom back, but on the other I’m like… Do I stink or something?!
Ah seems that Poles and Germans do not differ that much, cheers western brothers and sisters!
[deleted]
I usually just don’t speak to anyone because I’m too scared to fuck something up.
[deleted]
The worst waiting room scenario is when both the mags like Auto Bild or Stern are taken, and you have to grab a Gala, sitting there like some kind of bearded retrometrosexual deviant. And people will notice what you read.
Thats very true.
And I like the part with the mobile is conotated associal, but magazines and newspapers not. Thats very true in germany.
[deleted]
What kind of cruel monster would want to have it an other way?
In India, there is no “me” space. If you are a foreigner, you better be ready for multitude of questions thrown your way from total strangers in public transports. If you are sitting in a bus, and there is a stranger sitting next to you, small talk is imminent. That’s just the way it rolls. In a two-seater bus, if there is a lot of crowd, people would generally tell you to adjust, so that some other person sits, making it 3/4 people on a 2-seater. Loud?, Oh my. The local trains and the buses have no sense of quietness. There is ambient noise, always and everytime. That’s one of the things I noticed when I first came to Germany, eerily quiet. 😅
This concept of me-space and apparently being “unfriendly” would be construed as being rude back in India. Personally, I love it. Given, how annoying it is, to have someone constantly chatting you up.
I have also observed (in Bavaria) that even the old turkish woman with headscarf and long coat will mumble “Grüß Gott”
On top of rustling the bag, I press the “Stop Request” button, making sure my neighbor notices that, even if it has already been pressed.
I find it creepy that when strangers leave an elevator they say “tchuss”. If i’m silent, it’s rude, and I don’t like being forced to avoid that.
and please forgive me for smiling at your charming/amusing child. Obviously I want to rip their pants off right here, so please protect them with your icy stare.
Wait… That’s not how you’re doing it in other countries?
You guys, I was on the bus yesterday and someone diverged from protocol:
A man approached the free seat next to me (I was by the window) and said “are you getting off first or am I?”. He was carrying a cake or something so I assumed he didn’t want to get up to let me out but HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW THAT? What sort of question is that!! Just let me know we’re you are getting of if it’s so important.
Needless so say I was outraged.
As an American now living in Germany, I had to learn this very quickly. But it’s all true.
I’m from the US (Boston & LA). This has always been my experience in both cities. Actually, what’s described in the OP is even too much talking for my taste. I think it’s rare for anyone to say a word in a waiting room or public transport if it’s not absolutely necessary.
“Tschudigom. Kannsch?”
*Nods and looks away*
“Dank.”
Jesus christ a land of people who barely talk to each other? Sign me the fuck up.