10 mistakes that will make every German look at you sideways: Some are even punished

Laughing loudly in the elevator, mis-sorting waste bottles or wearing shoes in someone else’s house could cost you the favor of your host or friend in Germany…

If you are planning a trip to Germany and want to make a good impression – and even avoid fines, pay attention to rules such as highway restrictions, behavior in shops and elevators, and in the homes of people you visit.

Distance on the highway

The Autobahn or Bundesautobahn is a German state highway that stretches for about 13,000 kilometers. It is considered the fastest highway in the world and the most famous road without a classic speed limit. However, this does not mean that there are no rules; besides you can be fined if you drive slower than 60 kilometers per hour, it is also forbidden to drive too close to other vehicles.

The safe lateral distance when overtaking trucks or cars is one meter, while the safe distance when overtaking motorcycles is 1.5 meters. The recommended speed is 130 km/h, and if you are slower than other drivers – keep to the right. Also, it is forbidden by law to run out of gas, which is not an unusual rule, bearing in mind that you can endanger yourself and others by doing so.

Crossing the street at a red light

Although younger people sometimes won’t wait for a green light at a traffic light and will run across the street when they think no one is seeing them, older Germans will never do that. They will wait patiently for the red light to go out, regardless of the fact that there is not a single car on the street – so if you want to be polite, follow their example and wait for the green. Crossing the street at a red light can result in a fine of five euros and angry comments from other pedestrians, who will not hesitate to warn you about traffic rules, especially if there are children nearby.

Food on the street

In Germany, food is a serious matter. You will rarely see someone eating while walking. Most people will sit down, even in crowded places like stations. Beer, on the other hand, is drunk at any time of the day and anywhere – on trains, buses and in public places. As long as one does not get drunk, no one will look at him with disapproval.

Splitter in store

When you put your things on the conveyor belt in German stores, don’t forget to put a separator, ie. a piece of plastic that indicates that the next customer can place their goods. If you don’t, the Germans won’t start taking their things out of the basket, but they will probably look at you with displeasure.

Be careful with bottles

Germany takes waste separation, recycling and ecology very seriously. However, what is good for the environment often causes confusion among tourists. Most households have different bins for plastic, paper and organic waste. In addition, empty glass bottles are disposed of according to the color of the glass – brown, white and green. Light bulbs, batteries, electronics and old furniture are also recycled separately.

Without interrupting

Never interrupt Germans when they are speaking. One of the reasons for this is that the verb in German is often placed at the end of the sentence, so you might miss the point. Also, many Germans will stop talking if you interrupt them, even if you throw in interjections like “Really?”, “Great!”, or “I can’t believe it.”

Posao (Freepik)

Silence in the elevator

There is an unwritten rule when it comes to riding elevators in Germany – don’t look at other people, let alone talk to them. Even if you are in an elevator with friends, silence is quite common. Also, in Germany “quiet hours” are regulated by law, which means that it is forbidden to disturb others with noise. This means no loud music, drilling or vacuuming on Sundays, as well as between 1pm and 3pm on weekdays or from 10pm to 7am. Even doing laundry during that period can cause complaints from neighbors and the arrival of the police.

Hands down

Displaying the Nazi salute or any other Nazi symbol, flag or slogan is strictly prohibited. It is considered extremely offensive and can result in high fines and even jail time if you are caught, writes the Punkufer portal.

No delay

Some stereotypes are true, and one of them is that Germans can’t stand being late. In addition to always being on time themselves, they expect the same from others. Being late is considered “time theft”. Regardless of whether it’s a business meeting or an informal get-together, take into account traffic jams or public transport delays and be sure to arrive on time.

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Taking off your shoes

If you are invited to socialize at someone’s home, check the rules regarding wearing shoes before entering. Most Germans do not wear shoes at home and must take them off when visiting others.