I’m an American but was able to get my German passport (my family was stripped of their German citizenship by the Nazis) shortly before Covid. So for the first time other than two brief days as a kid, I am coming to explore my new home country. My itinerary is at https://theroyaltourblog.com/2022/08/10/trip-introduction-germany-and-surrounds/ if you’re interested. Is there anything I should expect in terms of the way I’ll be treated as a citizen who has really never been and barely speaks the language? Also, if you have recommendations on things to do/see/experience, I’d love to hear them.
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>Is there anything I should expect in terms of the way I’ll be treated as a citizen who has really never been and barely speaks the language?
Be prepared to be treated as a tourist and not a long lost family member.
>Is there anything I should expect in terms of the way I’ll be treated as a citizen who has really never been and barely speaks the language?
Considering that most people aren’t gonna be checking your passport, you’ll just get treated like any other American tourist. The fact that you also have a German passport will be a fun fact to people if you mention it, but not much more.
In Europe, it’s widely seen as a bit cringey when Americans travel to the countries of their ancestors and act like they are “returning home.” It’s a *bit* more legitimate since you actually have the citizenship, but still, you are culturally American and you shouldn’t try too hard to sell yourself as Being German.
> Is there anything I should expect in terms of the way I’ll be treated as a citizen who has really never been and barely speaks the language?
If tracing your family history takes you to smaller towns and villages, try ahead of time to contact the local town hall and any historical society that might be there. There’s a good chance they’ll roll out the red carpet for you, help find and understand documents, show you around, and print your story in the local paper, complete with a photo of you shaking hands with the mayor.
>Is there anything I should expect in terms of the way I’ll be treated as a citizen who has really never been and barely speaks the language?
If you barely speak the language and haven’t lived here you won’t really be seen as a German. You may have a passport but that’s all.
>Also, if you have recommendations on things to do/see/experience, I’d love to hear them.
Your itinerary is crushingly mediocre and uninspired for a two month trip. It seems to consist of adding up the four largest cities plus one or two cliches (Neuschwanstein, Upper Middle Rhine valley). It’s lacking any details beyond this bare outline so it’s difficult to say anything more specific.
Most people you interact with will have no idea you’re a citizen so they’ll just treat you like any other American who doesn’t speak German.
Even for people who do see your passport, tbh I get fewer raised eyebrows than I expect about the fact that I’m a German citizen but clearly a non-native speaker. Maybe that’s because I’m in a big city, but who knows