They pay taxes on dogs and TV, meet friends and family on schedule, don’t go to the doctor with a cold, rarely joke, and always tell the truth. What else surprises the owners of a harsh Nordic character, experts in the field of tourism said.
Get up early
Without exaggeration, Germany can be called a country of larks: for the vast majority of residents, the morning starts at 6:00-7:00, or even earlier. From this, the very German punctuality begins: being late even for a friendly meeting or a party is considered bad form here, and even for work it is simply unthinkable.
The Germans also go to bed early: they start putting the children to bed at 20:00, and they go to bed by 22:00. It is strictly forbidden to make noise and disturb neighbors at a later time: the norms of silence are sacred.
Keep everything in order
The Germans are known all over the world for their accuracy, pedantry, and fanatical love for order: it is to this trait of the national character that Germany owes the best roads in Europe, a high level of service, and impeccable infrastructure.
In everyday life, too, everything is thought out to the smallest detail: perfectly mowed lawns, windows washed to a shine, multi-colored containers for various types of garbage, and meetings with friends according to a pre-arranged schedule.
Even the price tags in the supermarket are an example of order and accuracy: under the main price, the cost of 1 kilogram or 1 liter of goods is always indicated so that the buyer can choose the most profitable option.
Comply with the laws
In general, it seems that all the nuances of German life are spelled out in local laws, right down to the height of the bushes around the house and the time when they can be cut. Law-abiding Germans unquestioningly comply with these requirements because living by the rules is easier, more convenient, and also cheaper: even minor offenses in Germany from our point of view are punishable by substantial fines, for example, for garbage thrown into the wrong bin, you will have to pay up to 5,000 euros.
Tales about the reverent attitude of the Germans to the laws have been circulating in the CIS countries since pre-revolutionary times. Then there was a popular anecdote about German workers who decided to rebel and moved in a column along the street, but stopped at the very first sign “No passage” – and went home.
Watch out for neighbors
In the almost unbelievable case, if some unusual German suddenly decides to ignore the laws, there will always be attentive neighbors who will immediately report a violation of the order to the right place.
We call it knocking, they call it social control. Parked the car a little behind the line, did not touch up the facade of the house in time, and turned on the vacuum cleaner on Sunday? Don’t worry, you’ll be corrected!
Respect personal space
Surprisingly, with such attention to someone else’s private life, the Germans do not forget about personal boundaries. In communication, it is not customary to show unnecessary emotions, discuss health, salary, politics, and religion, as well as mix work and personal: even informal fun with colleagues at a corporate party is not a reason for friendship and familiarity.
They begin to teach the subtle art of observing their own and other people’s boundaries even in kindergartens. To do this, they conduct special courses with the participation of a child psychologist and a police officer, who explain to the kids that strangers should not invade their personal space and touch them.
Strive for independence
The Germans love children but are not accustomed to overprotecting them. Even 14-year-olds are considered old enough to lead relatively independent lives. In Germany, it is not customary to hold on to your mother’s skirt for a long time: young people try to become independent as soon as possible and start living separately.
Grandparents are also free people who are rarely involved in the upbringing of their grandchildren. But the whole family certainly gathers for the holidays: family values and the heart are not the last on the list of German priorities.