Hey guys, get a 50% lifetime discount on Rosetta Stone using this link: bit.ly/41OPZsY

Im always amazed that Americans find it outrageous to pay 50 cents to 1 euro to use the bathroom but think its completely normal to tip 20-25% just to be served food.. 🙂

I was among those Germans telling you that almost every little step in our bureaucracy makes some sort of sense. But please continue to hate it for how ineffectively and slowly the processes are executed. We must get faster.

"To pay the people who clean the restrooms" - now that’s a revolutionary thought, America. Sorry, I couldn’t resist…

I personally love the "German bluntness/directness". I live in America and have an American family. They always talk around the bush, even for important decisions. Some of the family members are then just flushed because of what others decided but didn't tell them because they didn't want the confrontation or "hurt" the other person. So, because of this, there is always some drama going on between different parts of the family which could easily be avoided by just telling as it is.

I couldn't agree with you more!..I've been living near stgt since 1989, and it feels like home. In fact, when my husband and I and our Twins moved back to Minneapolis, it didn't take long for me to be "Home sick" for our German town.. So we packed up an moved "Home" A very memorable moment was when I popped into our local Bakery shortly after our return and the owner greeted me by name mentioned that my son had forgotten his wooly cap that morning and handed it to me over the counter. I was blown away! Someone knows us by our names and was sweet in saving this little kids cap until we popped in again. Perhaps it takes a while to meet people and make friends, but once you do, you will have a friend forever. Thanks again for your very open and honest youtube channel!! Love it!

As a typical German, I must acknowledge that you are now more German in your habits than I am. Impressive to see how much you have been "germanized" in a relatively short time. I've been following your channel pretty much since the beginning and have never commented on anything yet (silent viewer) but the award for 100% fully approved GERMAN you hereby receive :) Nice :)

I think the bluntness is great because it safes a lot of time and you don't have to guess what people really think / mean. I understand that it can look rude at first but as soon as you realize that it is not meant to be rude and you are expected to be blunt as well it's a good quick concept of communication. I think our cultural bluntness is the reason why many Germans say US-Americans are so fake. In general we prefer to hear the thruth over sugarcoating everything unpleasant.

The best thing about a light German breakfast is that it allows room for the 'zweite Frühstück'!!

America used to be closed on Sundays back in the mid to early 60's. I am 70 so I remember those days.

Notice that learning Italian with Rosetta Stone involves using the correct hand gestures.

As a German it is funny to watch your Videos, because most of the Stuff is so true

Agree, German standard breakfast may not be too glamorous, but we know how to brunch 😊

It's nice to see what you have to say about our country and our culture. For me as a German, all these things are absolutely normal, but it's great to have another positive perspective on our life here. I love this country and I am very happy that an American feels comfortable here and even takes a little something for himself. I would feel the same as a visitor to the US! Thank you Nick!

Great video! When I first arrived from the States and I realized everyone gets 30 days per year of vacation I was in shock. I remember going to work and wondering how are we going to get this Project finished when every week another team member is out on vacation?!? Ultimately it always works out one way or another and things get done. Now I look at how little vacation workers get in the States and I feel badly they/we have so little time off to enjoy our families and life experiences.

Window screens: I love the sight of some elderly people who place a cushion on the windowsill and do "sightseeing" in their street. Looks cozy. For me, there are two more reasons: As most German houses have brick walls, you get a real windowsill where I put out my planters. If I want some tomatoes or herbs for cooking I just pop my head out the window and pick them freshly. And for your bedroom, you can air out your duvets during (sunny) days. I would find screens really restricting.

Perspective is the reason I watch your videos (aside from the fact that they always put me in a good mood). As a German, it's nice to get this outside perspective. You don't only learn that "our" way may not the only way of doing things, you also learn to appreciate things that you have never noticed and always taken for granted. So -- thanks for putting in all the work :)

Nick, I'm with you about hatchbacks. I used to think they were goofy looking. But now, after my second car with a hatchback, I see them as an effective way to have decent rear cargo space without having to haul a big-ass trunk. Also the rear wiper really helps during rain!

ok so you know there are sliding/slide-able screens, so there is no need for flies in the room AND you can stick your head out the window. win win !for nalf

I may or may not agree with you on all of these things, but I salute you for being able to change your mind after being presented with new evidence or gaining new experiences. I wish more people would be able to do so.

Nice video, as always. It made me reflect on the difference in meaning of “love” and “hate” compared to their counterparts in German. It’s strange how quickly Americans love or hate something or someone. Americans seemingly use them to express a slightly stronger form of like and dislike. Germans use these words for very, very special persons, things or occasions. For the most precious one only. “I love your socks” = “I really like your socks”. Or “I used to hate paying 50 cents for using a bathroom” = “I don’t like paying far that, it’s annoying.” In German, “love/lieben” and “hate/hassen” are such strong words. You love your parents, your spouse, your kids. They are soo deeply, deeply in your heart. You hate your worst enemy. The worst feeling for that despicable creature who made your life a living hell. But would I love my colleagues in German (“ich liebe meine Kollegen!”) ? Nope. I do like my colleagues. But love them? We’re not THAT close. Would I hate a closed shop on Sundays (“Ich hasse diesen geschlossenen Laden” ? Hate a shop? It’s not that important. Why is there this huge difference in meaning? And how do Americans express their love-love for something, if the word’s been taken over by “really like”?

I hafta say, for someone who is just finally learning Italian, your accent is amazing. You even know that half of Italian is using your hands. 😂I would say you must have a gift for languages.

I have, by the way, changed my mind on "wait to be seated". It has its advantages because it sometimes brings more quietness to a visit of a restaurant. I used to hate it when I lived in the UK. We do not have that in Germany. In restaurants, you can sit wherever you like.And I changed my mind a bit on that "fake smile" culture most Germans see in the USA. Sometimes, it is nice to be greeted by a friendly smile when you get a service from someone....

NALF, my respect for the ability to change the opinion about something and the tolerance to recognize foreign values. Many people run through their lives, having an unchangeable mind, thinking they are always in the right position in their unbreakable concrete walls.

Dear Nalf: Thank you for beeing such a great example of cultural curiosity.

I love your outro music. It hypes me up so much. The buildup is so exhilarating and then the "drop" is so cozy.

Yeah i have something i changed my Mind about and it´s you. Don´t get me wrong, i am a long Time Viewer of your Channel and really like to watch your Videos, but.... (yes sir, hier ist the "aber") At the Beginning i thought....okay then, here is another american who makes Content about Things he like or dislike in Germany. Same as everyone. But you and your Channel had grown so much since the start. Your Topics are quite deep, the way you express and explain things is just top notch. Not only that. The Cinematography of your Videos are so good. They were my prejudices and therefore my mistake. Don't judge anyone based on first impressions. Keep up the good work and enjoy your next Butterbrezel.

8:57 I beg to differ! There are truly some damn impressive hatchbacks

About the windows without screens … I’m sure that SOMEONE in all those years you’ve been living here pointed out to you the (very cheap and flimsy) Fliegengitter / Fliegenschutz which you attach to the window with Velcro. Take it them off in the fall when the insect season is over, put new ones on in spring. The thing is, you must BUY them yourself. For a lot more money you can get more permanent Fliegengitter in aluminum frames which you pop into the window … and there are also very fancy and rather expensive sliding/rolling screens, which as a renter I wouldn’t get, but they’d give you the best of both worlds. Of course now most insects have disappeared (eradicated I guess) but I still attach the Fliegengitter every spring, and can read at night in the bedroom with the light on and not a single mosquito bothering me. So PLEASE stop saying there are no window screens in Germany. Simply say that in Germany windows don’t come equipped with screens and that one must buy them yourself.

You can get window screens to stick them in yourself for usually less than 10€, most people i know have them installed on at least some windows

Hatchbacks are so engrained into our culture, they have been a staple since at least 40 years. When I see a Honda Civic Type R I just think how much these cars can actually achieve. The only bad thing, that is often annoying, is the FWD layout in these Hot Hatches.

Window screen solution: get a removable one. I have this. It's stuck on with strong metal holders that fit between the window's frame and the window itself, so it's extra secured by a closed window in harsh weather and keeps itself in place if I open it in any way when it's warm. On the subject of cars I quite agree. The absolute priority with a primary vehicle should be utility. Does it get somewhere efficiently? Does it bring me there quicker than other modes of transport? Perhaps there are no alternatives effective enough and it's worth spending as much money as necessary and as little as possible to get around in a personal vehicle. Is it safe (e.g. big enough to protect me from other cars, small enough to let me see more vulnerable traffic participants easily, something which is getting increasingly impossible with 100% needlessly oversized, gas-guzzling SUVs and bullshit trucks)?

It`s true that many Germans think like that, the main thing is that my car is comfortable and practical instead of expensive and flashy.

Just got back from my first trip to the states. You're not kidding about the breakfast! Basically my whole day calories in one sitting, totally exhausting 😂 very delicious but I'm happy to go back to light breakfasts.

8:10 Great video, as always! :) About the cars: I wouldn't say that Germans just don't care if their car looks cool or not. I'd say that the average definition of what constitutes a "cool looking" car is just very different. Funnyly enough, the VW Jetta, which is the saloon version of the Golf, has always been way more popular in the States, while it's always had a more negative connotation in Germany: "Golf mit Rucksack". It was for a long time viewed as a boring car for older people. Can anyone, American or not, please explain this one thing to me: I personally never understood why pick-up trucks were so popular in the US. Unless you're working in construction and often have to carry huge things around with your car, how do you even use that big load space? If it's open, people can just look at what's inside and pick something they like - so you can't "leave stuff in your trunk". (I know there are some higher end pick-up trucks with a rigid cover, but those are very few) And if you drive at higher speeds than just in town, that shape has to be extremely un-aerodynamic... I know that the SUV is now what most peole want, but back 20 years ago, iirc, about 50% of car sales in the US were pick-up trucks. Can anyone explain this to me? Thanks!

Being Italian, you are actually legally required (by Italian law) to teach your kids Italian. Looking forward to that phase of your life 😊

Love the years-long commitment to the butter pretzel 😂

Ich will die Bürokratie nicht schönreden, aber wo man mehr Anspruch auf Leistungen hat, hat man mehr Bürokratie. Ich persönlich habe viele positive Erfahrungen mit Ämtern gemacht. Sollte auch mal gesagt werden.

Hi Nalf as you are Italian, did you notice that Iltalian breakfasts are much smaller than German ones? The typical Italian breakfast is only a small cup of Espresso - that's all! German breakfast is heavy compared to that.

I hope that your favorite bakery will sponsor you too. You really love the buttered pretzel.🙂

It is so nice to see that somebody can change their mind. Good going.

Super, dass du anscheinend wieder mehr Zeit für Videos hast.

I grew up in the States, and I have grown to despise window screens. The severely impede the flow of air.

I'm the opposite. Every time I've traveled to the US I have shamelessly indulged in iHoP and Denny's breakfasts 😅

And i hope you changed your mind about manual cars. 😅

Awesome video! Some things I can reflect on me. I has been living in Germany since 2011, moved here at the age of 33.

It's really a beautiful thing to see the world through your eyes. I can only wish that you get through your active time healthy.

There was no oopsie, what are you talking about? 😂 Love your content man, i'm proud to be THAT fast on your videos 💚

I think you need to incorporate a butter Bretzel into your logo somehow. A lot of these things are already part of my life. More proof I need to find a way to get to Germany.

It's always interesting to see your experience and opinion and then the one from "LebenUSA" here on YT who is a German now living in the US. Maybe you should do a video together discussing these things? That would probably be awesome! 😊

It's funny how often you prefer what you don't actually have. Your neighbor's lawn always looks greener than your own. As a German, for example, I love the breakfast buffet in hotels or when travelling, where there is more than just bread, cold cuts, cheese and jam. I love pancakes for breakfast, fried or scrambled eggs, fried bacon, baked beans with fried sausage and so on. Simply because I don't know it myself and have never learned it from home either. However, I then skip lunch for such a breakfast and only eat the second and last meal of the day in the evening.

Yes the bathrooms in Germany are clean. But the free bathrooms in Buc-ee's in Texas and Tennesse are super clean.

Love your videos!

You are evolving. How nice :)

I have learned when I grew up to have a big breakfast, a normal Lunch and a small Dinner. What was the phrase (loosely translated and probably not politically correct anymore)? "Breakfast like a Caesar (Kaiser), Lunch like a King and Dinner like a beggar (Bettelmann)". This way your body can work on burning the food which it can less at the end of the day. I like the bluntness. I am using it often and it benefits me here in the US. I am a little careful with people who don't know me but once they do, I talk fast, blunt, direct and efficient. I used to fight my German attitude when moved to the US but over the years I have embraced some of them. That is one of them. It's sometimes hilarious how people react when in a group everybody is so polite with their opinion and then my simple "NO!" ... silence... makes the Group laugh.

Well, NALF, what i really like about you & your channel is that you are so open minded which is, quiet frankly, not that common, especially for americans. It's also great to see/hear both sides on everything which makes your videos so enjoyable. Please keep sharing your thoughts.

Hey, great stuff everytime you publish a new video! One thing i was confused about in the states: a lot of things are not super individual: gear boxes in cars... a corvertte/chevy van/chevy truck have the same?! I was like... then it cannot be good. i completely changed my mind about that! the idea of making a "thing" more generic might not be the high end of engineering, but: a lot cheaper and a lot easier to maintain in the long run. there are a lot of things... standardized screens for windows... windows itself, a 2x4 and a lot more.

6:13 I love how perfectly in that moment there’s a moth that flies behind him xD nvm theres way more after that moment lol

Talking about the famous German hatchback cars, it's like with a lot of things. Some models are optically nice and some aren't, BUT as you said they are all very functional and give you a lot of space in the trunk on a relatively tiny space. Space-benefit ratio at its best I would call that 🙂

6:29 I have a moskito net over my bed here in germany. I live close to the river Rhein and his wet lands. So in summer we usually have quite a lot mosquitos. But the net over the bed, a few bat´s in the barn of my neigbour and the guys from the mosquito pest control really help.

Store hack for Sunday in Germany, only works if you live close to a airport.. Airport store is open all week long.

Enjoying your experiences. Where do you get all the music clips? thx - r

On my first visit to the US, I fell in love with the Denny's Grand Slam breakfast. You are not allowed to diss it ;). I also introduced my parents to it on their first (and sadly) only visit to the US and they enjoyed themselves as well, particularly my mom who also loved their, for German tastes, rather weak coffee ("finally something I can drink without standing up in bed all night" she was 5ft tall). We also love their quick, friendly, but not over the top service. I would say that American pancake breakfast and a full German Sunday breakfast aren't so different. Once you are through a full load of German rolls, danishes and eggs, a small "Nickerchen" is a good idea.

Great Video like always!!

Butterbretzeln are such a great thing to eat, love em

Hey Nik, It just came to my mind like a lightningbolt. YOU ARE a special person! How many people do I know, who reflect themselves in a positive way like you did in this video? Honestly? Not that many! So, it´s nice you managed to dive even deeper on the german culture by reflecting yourself. And by that, you showed me - again and again and again - how different but for some people partially better or more comfortable or more sense giving our german behaviour is. And especially the altered view on that infuriating german bureaucraZy (that Z is there on purpose!) also changed my own mind as a German. Thanks for that! It was once again a real joy to see and hear you talking about your experience in Germany and I hope we see more videos from you. Btw, I´m also half Italian but refused to take the italian citizenship, cause as German it did not give me more advantages in the outside world as the German passport gives you a large ammount of free travelling around the globe. But what I received from Italy was draft card to La Spezia for their military service. No way José! 😄 True story!

My perspective on german bureaucracy has shifted smooth, but slow: avoid the Amt if possible and reasonable. But maybe one day we are like some of our neighbors - full digital.

Screens: In GER insect screens are commonly available so everyone can just decide to attach them - both soft stretched and with a solid frame. I like to have them. Select your color & material, two minutes of work, and there you have it.

Totally on board with everything you mentioned… aside from screens. I love them. Trading a free view for a fly and mosquito free apartment? Anytime. 😉

8:25 Please take a look at the BMW 5 series Kombi (wagon I guess), the A6 and of course the E-Class. Beautiful cars. Honestly probably the best thing you can get to carry 5 people.

As a "Brit", who's now lived in Germany for 28 years, I agree with everything that you say except for the Sunday shopping. If you're as busy (plus a little disorganised) as I am, the ability to shop for food on a Sunday would be very useful.

Dear NALF, look into your local Baumarkt and ask about Fliegengitter / fly screens for windows. Typical German windows have some very useful additional upgrades available. There are several options available for every kind of window to prevent incoming insects. Have some on windows you like to keep open the whole day and you are fine.

I definitely got along with a very small fridge in Germany and wouldn’t mind it if I could go back to something like that. Just having what you need on hand is good. Slow is fast and smooth. That is so German! But true. Thanks much, Nalf, loved it! 🍻

Eine tolle Idee, ein Sprachlernprogramm "Rosetta Stone" zu nennen 😊

Sundays. I missed shopping. I have come to appreciate a day dedicated to family.

Man, I miss those German pretzels. Kills me every time I see one in your videos.

The more honest - or blunt - a german is towards you, it means that you mean something to him, and you are important to him. If he wouldn't care about you, he would be polite the whole time.

I still hate the no screens. Also the door knobs that rip open all my pants pockets, lol.

After living in many countries globally I believe a core of the German stereotype in English speaking countries is a relatively extreme reluctance to “have a go” at speaking English. That’s makes their patterns of speech in English hesitant, reluctant, sparse, etc., and this is taken as reflective of their collective national character. In Germany, amongst Germans, speaking German, they are open, humorous, engaging, informal, and other than the relative directness you refer to - not ALL that different from Americans generally. Germans almost universally say this is because they are drilled in school that speaking English anything other than absolutely correctly is very bad, so they are reluctant. Contrast that with, say, most Italians. Who will have a good go regardless of their level of proficiency. That’s not to say Germans are the only nationality to experience this. But, combined with their relative bluntness, I reckon it’s produced a stereotype that’s just not how they are overall.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and views. Been living in Germany and Switzerland for all of my live. Most of the time German bureaucracy infuriates me still. We even coined a bon mot for it. Beamtenmikado, i.e. public official mikado, i.e. first one moving looses. Maybe, this is a gross exaggeration. However, I feel Swiss bureaucracy is much slicker and I do not feel that German does it right the first time more often than Swiss. Cheers

I work in a small international company with over 25 nationalities among its employees, from the US, over Europe, to China. It`s almost addictive to talk about and find out new cultural distinctions. It`s like travelling the world.

A Hatchback is not a functional tool. It IS COOL 😎 A Notchback is something old people drive. A car from the 70s 😂

As to German breakfast: You should have two: A "French" one after getting up, coffee, a roll with butter and marmalade/honey... and a German second one at about 10:00 with eggs, bacon, "Wurst" etc...

Man, I hate bugs. Even though screens are a bummer, mosquitoes and bugs flying around my head while I’m trying to sleep simply drive me batsh#t. I admire people who can tolerate this! 😃

I am German and paying for the restrooms will NEVER be normal to me, nor do a I believe that it all goes to the money who clean them.I could be wrong but these are big companies who probably pay minimal wage. Many of the toilets are self cleaning. I wouldn’t buy anything at the Autobahn stops either es they have auch high prizes those 50 ct back won’t make a difference. We got stuck with a group of 20kids at our local train station for one hour. The store in that station has the same machines to use the restrooms. The even wanted money from two little boys who had to pee.

I disagree on the hatchback topic. Germans drive those because they actually like them not because they are functional or anything. That comes from a German that loves his Dodge Ram.

Having lived in Germany now for 10 years and being English born but having lived in Australia for most of my life, I have to agree with most of your comments here. I also love the quiet Sundays, (now!) and the no nonsense "say it as it is" German bluntness, but... the paying for toilets still bugs me (particularly when they are so hard to find in the first place!) and the bureaucracy, well, don't get me started, but you know, I really do love living here and the positives far outweigh any negatives I may still have. The difficulty of the language is another issue but...I'm getting there. Give me another 10 years and I'll be fine. Oh, and the politicians seem to have brains here. : )

He’s becoming more German/ European! Kudos

If you had ever driven a Opel Corsa E OPC, Fiesta ST MK8, Mini John Cooper works, than you would not say that hatchbacks are just functional. I drive a Corsa E OPC Performance. With 252 (stock 207) horsepoer and 300 nm of torque, 330mm Brembo brakers, a Drexler limited slip diff and just 1250 kg weight that crazy little thing is damn fast. (and of course comes with Recaro Seats from the factory) Especially around tiny B-Roads. :) I really love these hothatches.

Since you don't like Hatchbacks, what typa car is "cool" to you, Nick?

I’ve had 3 VW GTIs and I think they are the definition of cool.

Again a pleasure to watch this and the "foreingers perspective" :D

funny enough, there is a saying about: Breakfast like a Caesar, Lunch like a King and Dinner like a Peasant :d

It's really interesting to watch you growing into our society... and even into European society now learning Italian (wish I had time for that - it's a nice language and I've learned latin in school hence I feel I should do it; (*1)). I grew up having bread with marmelade or müsli for breakfast. Having anything salty or sour for breakfast seemed to be impossible to have for me. Meanwhile I've changed and possibly a stay in England might have contributed to that because I've received a traditional English breakfast a few times with bacon and eggs, baked beans with toast, etc. Striving to be friendly I've accepted and tried it and was pleasantly surprised - even partly of myself. Buona notte! (*1) admit you want to show off by imitating characters of "The Godfather" and "Sopranoes" 😄

When I moved to the States many eons ago, I hated maple sirup! I found it awful, bitter ... nah, not my taste. Well, I came to love it. There are few things better than pancakes with maple sirup. I am back in Germany for decades, but sometimes I just need some pancakes with maple sirup, up to this day. Some things you just have to experience for a while to understand and appreciate.

The history of bureaucracy also rests in the German history of the past. The more data is centrally located, the sooner and easier it can be systematically abused. After WWII, it was a good approach to collect only the necessary data and to keep it as decentralized as possible. On the other hand, this also required more cooperation from everyone involved. Today, this may play a different role, because we already share a lot of data (by choice), but back then, after the war, this also fitted into the growing "never again! feeling...

My family just moved to Switzerland, from Wisconsin, 7 months ago for work. I love European directness/bluntness. It's so refreshing. Ask a question and get an answer. Little to no ambiguity... ahhhhhh! And I love my Golf! Had a VW Rabbit back in the US, so. As for the breakfasts here? So good! Odds are, part of why you were "done for the day" after your big American breakfast is all the s#!t that is in American food. European food laws are so much more strict than the US. European food is a lot more natural. And Sundays off? YES! Love this as well. Took a bit of getting used to, but we have really come to love this day of rest, as was intended. Cheers!

When I saw him in the car, I was thinking he was going to say a stick-shift transmission. I am a sad American who sees the number of hatchbacks dwindle in the States. I love one with a manual transmission!

sehr gut.... wann kommt das erste Video auf Deutsch?

danke, sehr informativ, da kann man als Deutscher noch was lernen :)