Germany Blog

Stories, tips, and reflections about life, travel, and culture in Germany.

  • Tipping And Table Etiquette In Germany

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    Ya know, Americans get a really awful rap about table manners when traveling abroad. I ain’t saying that it ain’t rightfully deserved (in some cases), but navigating your way around a restaurant in a foreign land could, well, be foreign.

    As progressive as we Germans are, I’m sure we seem a bit foreign to the average traveler. So, I’ll help you figure out the simple nuances of eating like a German — even if you’re not eating traditional German cuisine.

    Your first test is when you arrive at the eatery. You’re going to have to find your own seat (exceptions apply). Second, it’s not unheard of some stranger to come sit with you if the restaurant’s crowded — it’s an efficient use of space.

    Don’t worry about making small talk — that’s definitely not the German way. Just eat your food and be on your merry way.

    Next, see that basket of bread on the table? First rule of Economics applies here — no such thing as a free Mittagessen (that’s lunch in German), so chances are you’ll have to pay for what you ate. Just ask if you’re not sure.

    You’ll even pay for condiments (ketchup, mustard, etc.) in fast-food joints. Although traditional fast-food in Germany is the Döner Kebap (served in a pita) — and never once have I seen ketchup on it. So eat that — and you’ll be fine.

    All right, your food’s arrived, now what? Um, good manners say that you don’t eat until everyone has their food. Also, eating with your fingers — use forks & knives to eat pizza, will you?

    It’s not bad form to eat “American-style” (that’s with the fork in your right hand, cutting with the right while switching the fork to the left) — it’s just not the most efficient way to eat.

    And we know how much that makes a Kraut crazy, right? ;-)

    Want to see a German get really indignant? Ask for a glass of tap water with or before your meal. You’d think you had just sprouted a third eye and a turned purple. Actually, I think that would garner less of a reaction. Do yourself a favor, if you want water drink Mineralwasser (sparkling water like Pellegrino or Perrier).

    You’re fed. You’ve got your drink. Now it’s time to pay the bill. I sure hope you’ve asked if the restaurant took plastic beforehand. That’s right, even the best restaurants don’t always take your Master, Visa, or AMEX card.

    And, never, never, never, leave your tip on the table for your server. It’s customary to round up your bill (usually 5-10%), telling your waitress or waiter what you’ll pay, then give it to them.

    Just don’t ask ’em to wrap up your leftovers in a Doggy-bag. That’s almost as bad as asking for that tap water. ;-)

  • A Magical Mystery Tour Through Germany

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    No, I don’t think the Beatles had Germany in mind when they penned their Magical Mystery Tour album in 1967. But, they could have.

    Germany (or the land that IS Germany) has been around a very long time, and many places have seen the likes of Stone, Bronze, and Iron Age man (and woman), Celts, and Romans — each bringing their own aura of mystery to the land.

    So, in honor of the Beatles — welcome to my Magical Mystery Tour.

    Barbarossahöhle (Barbarossa Cave)
    This vast network of caves northwest of Bad Frankenhausen in Thuringia has seen all sorts of ancient rituals and offerings from salt to hair, including human dating to around 3,000 years ago.

    ISIS Temple & Mater Magna
    Only discovered in 2000 (quite by accident) in Mainz, this Egyptian Goddess’ temple and one to the Great Mother was favored by Roman soldiers as late as the 3rd century A.D. Artifacts found have included everything from lamps to fruit (wow, talk about preservation).

    Ohlsdorf Cemetery
    While not a Roman or Celtic site, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery in the Ohlsdorf district of Hamburg is the final resting place for more than a million people (mostly the who’s who of Hamburg). It has 12 chapels, six memorials, museums, an area for World War I soldiers, and 17km of roads.

    Mt. Untersdorf
    Close to Berchtesgaden, there are more then 400 caves within the area of Mt. Untersdorf. One legend tells of the end of the world from here. It’s said to have haunted spirits, and even the Dalai Lama himself noticed the magical aura of the place.

    Mühlhausen
    In the town of Mühlhausen in Thuringia you’ll see a reconstructed Germanic Tribe village on the site of pagan sacrifices dating to the 6th century B.C. Want to learn more? Check out their website at www.opfermoor.de.

    Witches Dancing Ground (Hexentanzplatz)
    Yes, the Hexentanzplatz is a real place in the rustic Harz Mountains, near the town of Thale. The legend says that witches left from the spot before heading to Mt. Brocken to wed the Devil. Today you’ll find plenty of men, women, and children just having a good time.

    Exernsteine
    Found in Horn-Bad Meinberg in the Teutoburg Forest are the so-called Exernsteine — 13 pillars made from rock standing over 37-meters tall. It’s also where artifacts dating to 10,000 B.C. have been found.

    I’m pretty sure I’ve missed about a gazillion other mystical places in Germany — so feel free to add any you know to the list. Then it’ll be OUR Magical Mystery Tour. ;-)

  • Enjoy Music At The 2012 Luther Decade

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    Would you believe that we’re halfway through the momentous Luther Decade? Every year for the last five, all sorts of festivals and other programs have taken place to lead up to October 31, 2017, the official marking of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

    What makes 2012 so remarkable is that this year’s highlight is music, so many events and programs have taken this into account.

    The year of music kicked off just right in Erfurt where the new year’s events started with a choir concert at St. Thomas’ Church.

    It’s all right if you missed it (lucky if you got to go). Here’s a listing of other events for the rest of the year so you don’t miss anymore.

    In Eisenach at the Bach House there’s a special exhibit on the Book of Songs from Feb 25–Nov 11. Not running quite as long, the Thuringian Bach Weeks (March 30–April 22) is one of the largest music festivals in the country — special church services will also be taking place throughout the month.

    Also in Eisenach there’s a grand birthday celebration for Martin’s 528th birthday on November 10. Oh sorry, I jumped ahead there. ;-)

    For almost a full year at the Wartburg Castle (May 4, 2012–March 31, 2013) all sorts of exhibitions are going on where Luther translated the New Testament into German. The room in which he accomplished this task looks pretty much like it did 500 years ago.

    October 31 marks Reformation Day (Reformationstag) and celebrate with the Reformation Festival. There will be plenty of special services throughout Thuringia on the day that Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the church door; an event that started a revolution.

    From November 29,2012 to January 30, 2013 at the Heinrich-Schütz-Haus in Bad Köstritz you’ll be treated to a special exhibit on Martin Luther and Christmas.

    Stay tuned. I’ll certainly keep you updated for the upcoming 2013 Reformation & Tolerance, the 2014 Reformation & Politics, and the 2015 Reformation Art & the Bible yearly events. Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? :-)

  • Celebrate Holidays In Traditional German Style

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    Every culture has their own particular way of celebrating their holidays, and the German Culture is no exception. Yes, it’s true that most festive occasions in Deutschland are of a religious nature, and it’s nice to know how the country celebrates.

    No need to look like a tourist if you don’t have to. ;-)

    Epiphany (Dreikönigstag) Jan 6
    Known as Little Christmas, and where you’ll see children singing carols. Everyone’s welcome to eat some Dreikönigskuchen — but it’s supposed to be good luck to whomever eats the lucky object inside.

    Candlemas (Mariä Lichtmess) Feb 2
    Folks from the U.S. know it as Groundhog Day, but us Germans know this day falls right between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Celebrated exactly 40 days after Christmas, it’s all about the light. That’s why candle blessings are traditionally done.

    Carnival (Karneval/Fasching) Feb/Mar
    Here’s where things get tricky. The Carnival Season really kicks off on November 11th at 11:11 in the city of Cologne (and the Rhineland) — except during Advent and Christmas. Traditionally, everyone associates the lead-up to the Lenten season within a week of Ash Wednesday (40 days before Easter).

    If you’re in the Catholic regions of Germany (generally the South & West of the country), you’re more for partying in a masquerade style parade festival (with lots of drinking); while the Protestant (North & East) are known for a more subdued affair eating Berliners (donuts) and other sweet treats.

    Good Friday/Easter (Karfreitag/Ostern) Mar/Apr
    Good Friday is a solemn affair in Germany, often without any public performances or even church bells ringing in the town squares. Most people are off work or school at this time (and traditionally not eating any meat but fish), and only true touristy places are even open.

    Holy Saturday (the day before Easter) is a lively event (compared to the relative quiet the day before) with Easter bonfires and Easter Markets taking place. Easter Sunday (Ostersonntag) and Easter Monday (Ostermontag) are even more festive, with folks heading off to church and eating a hearty lamb dinner, and presenting kids with the play of searching Easter eggs and gifts (in the garden, living room, etc.).

    Walpurgis Night/May Day (Walpurgisnacht/Mayfeiertag) April 30/May 1
    Walpurgis Night is said to be the day that witches wait for Spring — but you’ll find plenty of Germans just dancing their hearts out by the bonfires. Hmm, maybe this is why the traditional saying is “Tanz in den Mai,” or Dance into May!

    Assumption Day (Mariä Himmelfahrt) Aug 15
    Technically this mid-August date isn’t a “public” holiday (except Bavaria and the Saarland), but it’s common for people to head to church AND pick herbs out in the gardens.

    Reformation Day (Reformationstag) Oct 31
    Sure, it’s Halloween — but it’s also a special date on the Lutheran calendar. It’s a public holiday in the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, celebrated with the Feast of the Protestant Reformation.

    Advent (4 weeks prior to Christmas Day)
    Almost every German city, town, village, and hamlet have Advent markets, bazaars, and concerts to ring in the joyous season of Christmas. These Christmas/Advent events are legendary — bringing people from all over the world to experience them.

    And certainly a terrific way to end a year of celebrations.

    You may want to bookmark this page as our holidays are scheduled to stay. ;-)

  • Fall In Love With The Hamburg Ballet

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    A good friend of mine doesn’t remember the day that she fell in love with the ballet. But, she thinks watching Mikhail Baryshinikov dance in the 1985 film, White Nights, had something to do with it.

    Her love of the dance means she doesn’t care where she sees it (New York, Paris, London); all she knows is she wants to go.

    So, if you’re like her, and you’re going to be in Hamburg, why not check out this upcoming season’s fantastic ballets? A truly cultured activity for a truly cultured city, if I do say so myself.

    Here’s just a few of the ballets playing at the Hamburg Ballet:

    Nutcracker (Dec 14, 15, 23 (2 shows), 28, and 29, 2011)

    Peter Tchaikovsky will forever be remembered as the composer for this Christmas ballet extravaganza, where a Sugar Plum Fairy and a Nutcracker come to life. Besides Scrooge, this is a Christmas Season must-see. Don’t worry if you don’t make this year’s performances—there’s always next year.

    A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Jan 14, 20; May 16, 18, 19, 27; Jun 20, 2012)

    A classic ballet (choreographed by none other than Balanchine himself) based on a classic comedy by William Shakespeare. Graceful is always the best adjective to describe one of the best ballets ever.

    Death in Venice (March 6 & 9, 2012)

    This isn’t your typical ballet by any stretch of the imagination. It’s based on Thomas Mann’s novella about a writer with writer’s block who heads off to the beach in search of inspiration. What he finds is a boy that captures his… uh, imagination.

    A Streetcar Named Desire (April 18, 23, and 27, 2012)

    Choreographed by John Neumeier, there’s no Marlon Brando screaming “Stella” in this ballet based on the Tennessee Williams play. Even so, the tragic story of Blanche transcends any media format.

    The Little Mermaid (Apr 21, 25, 28, May 9, 12, Jun 22)

    John Neumeier does his own adaptation of Danish writer Hans Christian Anderson’s tale. This ain’t no Disney version, that’s for sure. The “underwater” scenes are truly dramatic for us landlubbers.

    In case you’re not a fan of ballet, or never seen one before—we do recommend watching Mr. Baryshinikov in White Knights or The Turning Point (with Anne Bancroft and Shirley MacLaine)—it did it for my friend.

    And if you’re interested, here’s the calendar of the Hamburg Ballet.