Years ago I bought my German brother in law a Budweiser in the Ramstein O Club. I told him it was the most popular beer in the USA. He took one sip asked “Why” and put the bottle down and ordered a Weissbier

Beer snob story. In 11 Grade we had exchange students, from the US in our school and one girl made friends with the punks. As punks do at the weekend the hang around and drink the cheapest beer from the gas station. And this girl tastes the beer and is like: "Woa this beer is amazing!" Queue laughter, because that was literally the worst beer you could get in town.

In Seattle recently my German husband almost ran not one, but two stop lights. I had to yell STOP! both times. I asked him what the problem is and he said, "Sorry but the lights are just so far away."

Those traffic lights in USA work well if you have simple intersections of two streets, which are common in USA? In Germany all intersections are different, sometimes multiple streets in weird angles... which makes placing the lights on the other side very unpractical and confusing.

As an English teacher in Germany who recommends this all the time to my students (just the other way around): watching series in the foreign language is a GREAT way to get accustomed to it. However, use German subtitles! 😊 I bet you'll understand close to everything while at the same time improving your German!

I have lived in Kenya for 42 years. My son lives in Nurnberg. One day he WhatsApp ede to say that the next day was a holiday and he was going out for a beer. We then sent each other messages which we must have typed at the same time. I said "have a weizenbier for me", he said "I'll have a weizenbier for you". Great minds think alike.

Nalf, you are becoming more culturally well rounded. These are great points that make you well versed in different cultures.

I am german and you are absolutly right with the stoplight!

Many country's in Europe have American Guys that make vlogs... But we in Germany have a NALF.... What a kind and handsome man of culture... 😊👌

I definitely feel number 5 - I was so deep in American hustle culture for the longest time. I have learned (albeit slowly) to finally let go and ensure there are days where not only do I do nothing, but I don't let myself feel bad about it. Then when I'm recharged - I am actually motivated in getting my projects done!

Living in Canada as a German I can relate to being critical of both places so much. It's almost a bit of a challenge, as I tend to notice the things I don't like more often. At the same time, I get used to all the things I like really quickly and take them for granted. I guess it's important to value things while you have them and appreciate each place for its advantages. Great content as always!

I think you‘re absolutly right with your point about the stop lights. I thought so myself on multiple occasions.

Lol you are absolutely right with the light signals, when i visited canada the first time, i remembered that it was a lot easier to look at.

Until today I had no idea why I subscribed to your channel. But now I know. It's your decorating inspirations. The background of your studio is noticeably high-end, but at the same time doesn't look snobbish or kitschy at all and creates a real feel-good atmosphere. Well done dude!

Jeez you are absolutely right this time. One thing that always amazes me is the fact how people can broaden their horizon by just moving into a different environment .That could have been anything for you but in your case it is the country of Germany. Luv ya bro

OMG, didn't realise how much I missed the high budget background 😁

I totally agree with you on the traffic light issue! Just 2 days ago I thought about it again, standing there, unable to see the light without stretching out my neck! grrrr....Having lived in the States I got used to the traffic lights there and now see it the same way as you!

Don't have Netflix, but Amazon Prime has "Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter (Generation War)" Used English subtitles as I'm still learning Deutsch. High quality 3 episode mini-series of 5 friends during WWII. Recommend.

I love "Dark"! Such a great series. I tried watching it in the original German with English subtitles, but unlike you I speak zero German so it was just too much work given all the other intricate things going on in the series, so I gave up and went back to dubbed in English. That said, I will watch foreign films and TV series subtitled in English. Dark is a just a very complex story line and I really need to pay attention (and reading subtitles makes it a little too difficult). An excellent crime drama from Denmark you might want to consider is "Terribly Happy". Its a dark, often violent film, but very well acted and directed.

Nice video. I'm Scottish, but I love Germany and German people. I've had some great times there.

You are spot on about Hefeweizen compared to American beers.

Its so funny because growing up in Sweden subtitles have been apart of my life and its just natural that almost everything had subtitles beside kid shows. So when I moved to Germany I almost lost my mind that almost everything was dubbed 😩

6:30 If you're interested in Albert Speer I highly recommend the book "Albert Speer - His battle with truth" by Gitta Sereny. My history professor made us read it in university. She said: "This book will make you understand the Nazis". And what can I say? She was right. It's hard to read because of course you don't want to understand the Nazis. You want to believe that all of them were monsters, and don't get me wrong, they committed monstrous crimes! But in the end they were normal human beings like you and me and that's what shocked me to the core. Suddenly the distance between them and myself was too short for my liking. But I learned a lot and I think that is absolutely necessary to make sure that something like Nazi Germany will never happen again.

I barely ever comment on videos, but love watching yours. I loved your point 3 with talking about world war 2 because I think it is so important for our generation to learn about these things and not forget them and keep that in mind to prevent these things from happening again. And I don't understand often people say that we, germans, don't like talking about it, obviously, not everyone does, but most of us are well aware of the role we played and as long as you don't blame everything on us, we talk about too. So to get to my point thank you for talking about it.

Nalf! Vielen Dank für die Inspiration „DARK“ anzusehen. Bin gerade bei Episode 3. Schön das es dich gibt!

If you are into WW II, maybe a series set in 1920ies Berlin could be for you: try BABYLON BERLIN.

the traffic light thing is a psychological one where the entire "looking somewhere else" thing is less encouraging to just run it. if you look at the numbers and statistics for both systems, i'm afraid, the one used in germany wins this one. just to get one number in, traffic related deaths per 100k citizens is 3.7 in germany with about 9% involving intersections, on the other hand you have 12.4 in the U.S. with about 28% involving intersections, in the U.S. that means over 10k people die on those every year ... so ... how do you like them now ?

#4: "I've become critical of..." Yeah, thats German, alright.

NALF, I am a big fan of your videos. Lets talk about Intersection and traffic light. As you are aware our roads are smaller than in the US. Purpose of the traffic light position is to give a visual indication, how far to drive into the intersection. If you can't see the traffic light fully, you are to far.Reason is a) to give space for bigger vehicles like busses or trucks to turn and b) give pedestrians the possibility to cross the street even with wheelchairs and so on without coming to close to the waiting cars. Thats simply it. We build it this way with purpose.

I relate so much to this! I moved to Germany 5 years ago and I remember I had NO standards with beer before. The beer in the US is just so gross everywhere, it becomes normal. Now I have standards...preferences even. It's amazing.

5:08 "douchy European - German beer snob" lietrally rofl => YOU MADE MY DAY! 😂🤪😭😜

I love the Beer Story! We got you Bro... we got you..

Nick, you are by far the most unpredictable youtouber I´m subscribed to. Honestly, I fully expected something like, reverse-reverse culture shock, how weird pandemic Germany is, etc etc but not this. Surprisingly refreshing.

Great video 👌🏼💯 very well explained. Calm and reflected. You are very intelligent and I am happy to have someone like you living here.

Also, you might like the series "Deutschland 83" (as well as the newer seasons). It's really good.

It is not as convenient to put the lights at the nearside of the intersection, but all other traffic signs are to the right at the near side of intersections, too. (e.g. Stop signs and Give way signs) I guess the thought was: You have to look there at intersections without lights, why not put the lights there, too. The Australians seem to put one at the beginning at one at the end of intersections, which would be a better way to do this in my opinion.

I think, their are even germans who are not really aware of german history. Respect for that sir!

I agree for 100 % with you about the stop lights.

If you're interested in about her danish movie, "Adams Äpfel" (German title) is fantastic

Regarding #3 I totally recommend the movie "The wave". A story about a modern school class that kinda experiences how it could happen to move in that direction.

German born and for more than 50 years in the US - I too need an adjustment to the German mentality when I go back to visit. I think on item #4 the placement of the traffic lights goes back to the hors draw transportation - loved your story

When you said “”cookie cutter productions from Hollywood “, I knew enough. Yes you have changed. About American beer, a famous quote from Monty python “ American beer is like making love in a canoe; f*****ng. Close to water”

That's what I loved about New Zealand. They had the traffic lights at the near AND the far end of the intersection. Loved it!

The Company that makes knoppers is Storck. It is located in Halle/Westfalen. They have a factory sale

I am 1000% with you on the lights needing to be further away and I would also love for us to be able to turn right on a red light...

i think the opposite thing with the traffic lights, in the us they often dont notice the red light until they are in front of it. and then you are right in the middle of the intersection. where as in germany you come to a stop before the intersection

Seeing as you are open to Danish language video content, here a few unsolicited recommendations 1. In China They Eat Dogs (1999) (movie) 2. Forbrydelsen (2007) (tv series) (English: The Killing) 3. Borgen (2010) (tv series)

I'm glad Nalf that the Germans didn't do their subtitles on foreign movies, that's how most of us at the east side of The Netherlands learned German. And as we in The Netherlands do subtitle foreign movies and series we have also learned some English. And may I be so free to recommend some other "foreign" movies? Sa Som I Himmelen (As It Is In Heaven): Swedish Intouchables: French El Secreto de Sus Ojos (Spanish) La Vita E Bella (Life Is Beautiful): Italian BTW: I think Germany is beautiful, not only nature and historical towns but also it's people.

You're absolutely right about the lights and overlooking the intersection, but I think German drivers would rather pull up to the lights and then look. Which is not good if the lights are on the other side of the road.

Thanks for endorsing "Dark". I'm absolutely hooked!

The next level is watching a movie in German with GERMAN subtitels. 😝

As a German, I fully agree with you for the traffic light position

what I rly like about you...is that you dont stop learning!

Love that now you upload more often! Sending love from Munich. :)

I saw The Hunt/Jagten in a NZ cinema (with subtitles of course) and I remember hearing a man behind me saying to his friend "if they kill the dog Im leaving" 😂. it was a super intense film.

The content surprised me quite a little bit on the positive side. One step to wisdom.

omg and the work/life balance too. ..I used to feel somehow guilty for time spent just enjoying life if there was something I could be doing that was more productive. I didn't feel like I deserved to relax if there was something for my job that I could be working on instead...I'm still slowly learning how to let myself really have free time and properly enjoy it

Be proud to be beer snob! Everyday! 😂 One of the best Bavarian Hefeweizen is from Kuchlbauer! Spent more than 20 Years finding the best Weissbier... Kuchlbauer is it!

As a Belgian I grew up with subtitles and I HATE it when I have to watch a non-German movie in German. So thank god for Netflix et al so I can watch movies in the original language.

German beer is truly elite. It’s made so well and tastes so good. I was even surprised that non-alcoholic beer is a thing and they had so many good options in Germany. I’ve also done the comparison thing between Germany and the US after studying abroad there for a semester.

Hi Nalf, here are some recommendations in terms of German anti-war movies. You might check them out: - Das Boot (Story of a German submarine crew, very famous movie in Germany) - Stalingrad (turning point of WW2 for Germany) - Unter dem Sand (a story I was not aware of until I saw it, German children in Denmark were forced to remove mines from danish coast after the war, very moving and sad story) - Der Untergang (last days of Hitler in his bunker in Berlin) Other movie I want to recommend is not a WW2 movie. It is about the communistic Germany and how its secret police "Stasi" spied on people. Such great movie. You got to see it. I think it won an Oscar. Name is "Das Leben der Anderen" ("Life of the Others"). You will not regret it.

I haven't watched all your videos, but this one is probably your best one.

I once went to a Cinema 'Matinee' (Sunday 11 AM). Was the only one in there. Akira Kurosawa's "Kagemusha". In Japanese with English subtitles, at a time when I barely have spoken any English at all. Guess what - it was amazing.

Subtitles: Check, Beer Douche: Check, WWII - I had to go through all of it in school and I still watch all the movies that are close to be historical correct, Comparing both Countries: Check - I add that I am looking out for similarities as well, the work ethic is different. I do my job but after that I will take my time for my family and myself. This is the reason why you have 67k subs and I have 150 subs. I am a German who is living in Arizona now with my wife who is from the Pacific Northwest - I love these Videos, they remind me of the last ten years that I spend with my wife in Germany and the US.

Hi Nick, i'd Like to recommend the Films of Oliver Storz which are situated in the end of the war in SHA. Especially "Die Freibadclique" which is about a group of teenager boys hanging around the Schenkenseebad and trying to escape getting caught by German military.

I dont mind the traffic lights at all. Look to the opposite sites or stop earlier, your front tires dont have to touch the line. You can leave some space in front of you, maybe like a car length without getting honked at. If a truck blocks the view just drive when the truck drives or somebody behind you honks lmao.

Thanks for this very intelligent and pointed video ! Very important is #1 getting a broadened cultural horizon is so essential ! Historical awareness is also extremely necessary for everyone ! One should be able to see the dangers in politics to avoid another Hitler and this is the responsibility of the german generations who were children in the WWII or were born afterwards ! They can´t beheld guilty for what the parents and grandparents might have done but they bear responsibility to hinder any repeating this and it should be a warning for other countries how easy it could be to march into something like that ( for example with a certain guy who talked people into storming the capitol which his proud freaks did) ! And criticizing his country or another one in a constructive way is an essential part of real democracy ! An smart KZfaqr from USA said perfectly right (don´t know if the word is coined by himself) criticizing one own country in a necessary way is the difference between patriotism and nationalism ! Finally I think You are completely right concerning the two-party-system ! I guess partly it was developed because American love showdowns but in politics polarisation never is a good thing ! It was never a ckear as in recent times in the USA

Current college football player at Willamette University (shout out to Cody Pastorino) and HUGE WW2 history enthusiast. Appreciate the book recommendations brotha!

On a red light you have to stop. Not 50m before the light. And imagine a Y-Shaped intersection, two streets joining in a sharp angle. Where would you put the light to make sure, the driver only sees the light intended for them, not mixing up with lights intended for others ? Doesn't work.

Dark is AMAZING. The version in Deutsch (original) is so much better. Welcome back in Germany by the way.

5 really good changes to your life. You are becoming more like an European! 😉❤ Love that you are watching Danish movies. Vinterberg has some really great movies. There are many great Danish movies and series. A couple of years ago there was a American version of "the nightwatch" but you should try to watch the Danish version "Nattevagten". WW2 is not that many years ago. Our grandparents still had traumas from it. It still affects our lives. You are right about people forgetting and it's so important to remember and hopefully learn from it. Welcome back to Europe. 😉

Great video! It’s amazing the perspective we can gain from living in a different country. I definitely agree about foreign films!!

Ich freue micht jedesmal so sehr über eines deiner Videos!!! Thank You :)

It's nice that you mentioned the issue with traffic lights at intersections. Many years ago I watched your video on that and now it also bothers me

I'm Canadian the first time I had American beer I thought it was non alcoholic since the beer tasted like water

Traffic lights on the near side. You are sooo totally right with this point!

If your interested in any more WW2 books I can recommend "German Prisoners of War at Camp Cooke, California" by Jeffrey E. Geiger ...it's a very informative book about how (surprisingly positive) the majority of german prisoners of war were treated in the US. My greatgrandfather was one of them and used to talk about that frequently.

I'm subscribing because you read, so I, indirectly, get book recommendations. And also because I agree with Germany and Germans being wholesomely great!

I do agree on the stop light issue. You have a good point here.

here is an aspect of the american placement of the "stop light" as it is called around here in Georgia. If the road makes a turn across the intersection, there is often a need for additional lights on the "outside" so traffic can get a warning that traffic may be stopped ahead and you can't see the regular light. With the german placement you would actually see the "stop light". I see the immediate benefit of the american placement where the stop line can be farther forward, so more cars can fit. On a 2 or 3 lane major thoroughfare that makes for a LOT of cars. Biggest downside of the far side placement is that you can not see the light at all if you are behind a truck. if your behind a truck that is running the light, your are DEFINITELY running the light. In Germany you notice before you are in the intersection. another thing i like in the US is the right turn on red policy in many states. makes for much better traffic flow. At the same time, we do not have pedestrians here in Georgia (Atlanta) and, no, that is not a joke. There are often not even pedestrian crossings at all. I think the idea to have to stop traffic in all directions for some slow walker to get across 6 lanes of traffic would cause unacceptable backups.

"Douche European Beer Snob." Welcome to the club. Sounds like a good titel. :-)

you are totally right about the stop lights!! :-D

Nalf- I hope you read this, but I realize it's not your most recent video. I am very happy to see you made it back to Germany, even though the trek had many setbacks! Three things: I also have recently begun to appreciate German TV shows and I hope ones like Dark continue to be made (though the nuclear plant / time travel piece was a bit of a cop-out in my mind), I learned how to sleep and appreciate/prioritize my rest when I studied abroad in Germany (unfortunately now that I'm back in North America, the rat race is on), and learning how to properly drink in Bavaria means I too am a beer snob. You've nailed it on the head - stay well!

i like your point of view!!! greetings from brandenburg ist in der nähe von berlin ;) stay safe bro! lg

Babylon Berlin is another German TV series worth checking out.

@Nalf, please watch Die Welle (not sure if subtitles are available). You will be impressed and scared at the same time how easy it is to trigger a movement that turn bad in any country or time.

Thanks for shareing you impressions. I like it that you go beyond the superficial things.

Just to agree with you regarding stop lights! In my country, Norway, we have the stop lights both on the right side of your car, and on the other side of the crossing. Double up! :-)

oh god,had such a good laugh, "beer snob" never heart this word.You have a very special humor,nice you are here again,Greetings from Bad Tölz (Oberbayern)

Can totally relate to watching movies in subtitles. Just recently watched 3 seasons of Shtisel on Netflix. Fascinating! An insight into the society and psychology of orthodox Jews, playing in Jerusalem, so well done! "Unorthodox" was another one portraying orthodox communities in NY, and a true story on top of it. Highly recommend it. I think with Netflix, Apple, Amazon being producers around the globe now, content is so much more interesting and the dominance of that Hollywood centric garbage (well, not all of it but a good portion for sure) is fading rapidly. We finally see more authentic content produced by locals.

You have a valid point there with the stop-signs.

Good video. I would probably also say age has a small part of it. Be blessed, Nick! AB

Great video Nalf. It would be wonderful if the average American could wake up to these things you describe. The funny part is once you start watching the foreign films they are so good you don't even realize you read subtitles. We really cannot even bring ourselves to watch the new Hollywood movies. Bad acting and overall shallow. Very few good ones. Thank you for a good list 👍❤

#2 Coors beer is okay, not good but okay. The Budweiser, Bud Light and Coors Light are better left at the store. (Just mentioned the most popular brands). #4 traffic lights across the intersection is indeed easier but (at least in The Netherlands) the stop line is at several meters distance from the traffic lights because of a zebra crossing for pedestrians and a separate crossing for bikes.

I was listening to you while washing the dishes so I didn’t see the screen. Imagine my surprise when I flip back to you during your discussion about WWII and seeing your high budget background. My poor neighbors probably think I’m a lunatic based off that cackle I did.

Traffic lights... agreed. I’ve lived here for almost 30 years now, I’m British by the way so lights are the same as in USA. I guess I have adjusted to them now, but still think it’s dumb having them on the near side. Especially when they are automatically controlled by magnets in the road, and some people stop short to be able to see the lights more easily and therefore don’t drive over the magnet to activate the light change... so frustrating.

😂 the first time I watched The Hobbit was in Heidelberg Germany with subtitles..... that was a long one!

You would like the Spanish film the platform. Beer I turned Beer snob too. I love the Pils here in West Germany. I go home and did have a bud light because that was the only thing available and had to spit it out. lol. Nothing compares except my Belgium

This was great, thank you. What you say between 7:37 and 8:19 should be hammered into everyone's brain. One of my focus subjects in school was history and we went into great detail about how Germany went from the Weimarer Republik (just after WW1) to the power grab of the National Socialists as well as the other socialist tragedy, the Soviet regime. Most students will never learn about this. I guess that's why it sends cold shivers down my spine when I see the direction we are moving in politics today. It's the same failed ideology all over again, the oppressed against the oppressor, just the group labels have been adjusted to make it more attractive to modern people. You are exactly right, one inch at a time...nobody speaks up because they are not affected yet or are for now even benefitting from it...and then the system turns against themselves and nobody is left to speak up. We can see that on a smaller scale already happening in many places. I just hope people realize this ideology does not give a damn about anybody even if it totally seems like it right now. Instead, it has always been just about attaining power, which is of course why 90%+ of the 100-200 million people who died to the 3 socialist regimes (Germany, Soviet Union, Mao's China) were not the ones who were originally portraited as the enemy, but the very people who helped to lift those regimes into power.

A recommendation on my part with which you can combine No. 1 and No. 3: The German film "Die Welle". He is a bit older. From the 90s. I think so. But I still think very worth seeing today in relation to our dark past. But also don't want to reveal too much. Just so much. He plays in the present time.