Things to Know, Part I

So even though I promised pictures, it was a false promise. You're just going to have to wait a few more days, but I'll try to make it worth your while!


In order to appease you, I've decided to start sharing a list I've been working on of things you should know before venturing over the Atlantic Ocean to Germany (this is Part 1).


Refrigeration tends to be used much less frequently in Germany than back in the States. One example of this I'm uneasy about is that a lot of drinks, like apple juice or orange juice, are not refrigerated even after opening. I mean, yeah it says drink within two to three days of opening, but I would imagine apple juice is basically like the growth medium you grow bacteria on in laboratories. Even worse is the orange juice situation because at least with apple juice you can see if it has turned cloudy or not. Speaking of which, I think my orange juice tasted funny yesterday morning.


European Bathrooms tend to be the most confusing aspect of life in Germany and this is for multiple reasons:

1. Toilets: German toilets typically have a flush button and a stop button. This means not only do you have to press once to flush, but you have to remember to press the stop button. Don't forget either, or a German will surely chastise you for wasting water and being a wasteful American.
2. Toilet Paper: Yeah, it might be double-ply but it still feels like computer paper. Paul, make sure you bring a four-pack of Charmin before heading over here.
3. Washer: Most Germans keep their washing machines in the bathroom (though sometimes it's in the kitchen). This isn't really that confusing, just weird. Also, don't expect to find a dryer anywhere, it's all natural air-drying over here.

Showers, while part of the bathroom experience, really deserve their own section. I think showers (the act of showering not the fixture) can really be divided into two types: American showers and German showers.

• American showers are normally the most relaxing part of the day and mine tend to last between 8-12 minutes.

• German showers are normally one of the most stressful parts of the day and tend to last between 4-6 minutes, including the time when you actually turn the shower off to shampoo your hair/soap up your body. Better hope it's not too cold in your bathroom.

I'm not sure how normal this is--it definitely seems to be followed less strictly in western Germany than it was in the eastern part, money and living standards I suppose, but it takes some getting used to. It goes without saying that every once in a while if all of my roommates are gone, I try to sneak in an American shower (don't judge me).




The Trash system in Germany is notoriously confusing. There are normally at least four kinds of trash in any one German home. There is the trash for most packaging (like food packaging or other product packaging). There is the paper bin with newspaper, paper bags and other paper products. Then there is the trash for composting like leftover food and/or scraps or some paper products. Bottles are completely confusing because some bottles have a Pfand (deposit) so you need to take them back to the store while others get thrown away either separately or with another trash section. Last but not least there is the anything else trash--if it doesn't fit into any of the other categories chuck it in here.