Kissing as a greeting in Germany isn't as common as handshakes, especially in formal or professional settings where handshakes prevail, but cheek kisses (often one or two, "kiss-kisses") are increasing among friends, particularly younger generations and women, though it's more common for family and close friends. Public displays of affection (PDA) like hugging and kissing between couples are normal in cities, but deep, prolonged kissing is less common.
In northern European countries such as Sweden and Germany, hugs are preferred to kisses, though also rare. It is customary in many regions to only have kisses between women and women, but not men and women, who tend to shake hands.
During the week resting periods are traditionally between 1pm and 3pm (“Mittagsruhe” = ”midday peace”) and between 10pm and 6am or 7am (“Nachtruhe” = “night sleep”). However, specific regulations on resting periods depend on the state you are living in. But keep in mind, Germans are quite direct.
Couples hugging or kissing in public, whether of the same or opposite sex, is quite normal - at least in larger cities. Important: Anything physical in public that goes beyond a hug or kiss is illegal and can result in being charged with "causing a public nuisance."
Having a loud conversation, talking loud on the phone, or listening to loud music are considered very impolite as you will disturb other people. German people love to have their privacy. If you see a closed door, it doesn't mean that the person inside does not want you to come in.
The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) applied to learning German means focusing your efforts on the 20% of high-frequency vocabulary, grammar, and phrases that will give you 80% of your understanding and conversational ability, making learning more efficient. Instead of learning everything, prioritize common words, basic sentence structures, and practical phrases for travel or specific goals, allowing for rapid, functional communication and confidence building.
9 taboos you need to know when travelling to Germany
Nudism is traditionally popular in Germany, a country considered buttoned up and conservative compared with, let's say, Italy. In Germany, nudism is known as Freikoerperkultur (FKK), Free Body Culture. When you travel there, you'll see that baring all is normal in saunas, swimming pools, the park and on the beach.
Mein Liebling: Translating to "my darling" or "my beloved," "Mein Liebling" is a sweet and endearing term often used between romantic partners. b. Schatz: Meaning "treasure" or "sweetheart," "Schatz" is a popular term of endearment used between couples to express affection.
Being even 5 minutes late is considered rude. Germans take punctuality very seriously, whether it's a train or a dinner invite. 💡Don't Cross the Street on Red. Even if there are no cars, jaywalking is a cultural crime — especially with kids watching.
This phenomenon is known as “Ruhezeit.” It basically means that on Sundays (and weeknights after 10 PM), making noise is actually legally forbidden. So, if you think about running the washing machine, mowing your lawn, or vacuuming your house on a Sunday, you might want to think twice.
Can I still take showers during quiet hours in Germany? Don't worry, of course, you can still do your everyday routines during quiet hours in Germany. You can flush the toilet, take a bath or shower at night as usual.
It is illegal in Germany to pass vehicles on the right. Germans strictly observe the 'slower traffic keep right' rule. It is illegal to operate a vehicle if your blood alcohol level is 0.05% or higher.
Flirting In German: It's All In The Eyes
According to at least one Babbel insider living in Berlin, Germans have a tendency to stare and to hold intense eye contact. This doesn't mean all eye contact is sexy eye contact. It just means sexy eye contact could involve a little more “innuendo” than usual.
When it comes to food, history and culture, the Italians and French are close rivals. However, Italy were recently crowned the undisputed master of passion, winning the title 'best kissers in the world.
In German, "kühl" (often written as "kuhl" without the umlaut in English contexts) means "cool," describing a pleasant, mild coldness in temperature (like a cool breeze or room) or a calm, composed demeanor, distinct from "kalt" (cold) which implies something intensely cold or uncomfortable, and also relates to the English word "cool".
Testimonies from those who have dated Germans often reflect a journey of discovery. From initial perceptions of formality and caution, many are pleasantly surprised by the warmth, affection, and unwavering loyalty that their German partners demonstrate as the relationship deepens.
In German, 777,777 is written as one long compound word: Siebenhundertsiebenundsiebzigtausendsiebenhundertsiebenundsiebzig, meaning "seven hundred seventy-seven thousand, seven hundred seventy-seven," showcasing German's ability to create huge words by joining smaller ones.
In Germany, intense eye contact is a daily occurrence – to such an extend that expats and visitors have dubbed it “The Germanic Stare Down.” German pedestrians also use it to communicate, and the right amount of eye contact at the right time can mean “I am walking here, and it's not my fault if you don't move over and ...
Pasco County is widely known as the nudist capital of the world. Pasco County – Land O Lakes and Lutz in particular – have more clothing-optional and nudist resorts and communities than any other county in Florida. Many use the term clothing optional and nudist interchangeably.
Being late for an appointment or a meeting is considered rude and disrespectful. If you have an engagement in Germany, it is crucial to arrive on time or even a few minutes early to show respect for the other person's time.
They consider themselves members of an informal movement known as FKK, an abbreviation of Freikörperkultur, which translates to Free Body Culture. Despite the aggressive-sounding name, there is nothing confrontational or self-righteous or even erotic about it.
According to this rule, if an individual spends more than 183 days in a calendar year in Germany, they may be considered a tax resident and subject to German taxation on their worldwide income. Period Calculation: The 183 days can be cumulative and do not need to be consecutive.
Overview of the gray seal.
This isn't only a way to show the number one in German, but also a universal hand gesture for showing that everything is okay or perfect. Be cautious when using the thumbs up, as someone might think that you're counting. But in general, people understand that you're signing “perfect” or “okay” when doing this gesture.