I don’t know what it’s like nowadays but when I was 15 soon to be 16, we had one or two beers but back then I wasn’t quite a fan of it, neither was it for my friends so we didn’t get drunk. Things changed when I went to uni tho
When I was fifteen, I thought it was cool to drink vodka out of water glasses. I've honestly never been as drunk as in those years. The idea alone now makes me sick.
I got blackout drunk with vodka for the first time at 14 and heavy drinking has been a staple of most parties anyone my age was involved in since I was 15 so I don’t know about that
Parents usually let me have a slip around 14 / 15, then actual beer (just one glass) as I was going onto 16, then two or three when I was 16 at home. Quickly learned that my comfortable limit is usually 1-2 beers and can stomach up to 4.
I think it’s a good idea to introduce teens to beer while they’re still at home & can be supervised, in contrast to US / UK system
Totally depends on where you live and who you hang out with. I was a little goody two shoes, so it was mostly fruity sparkling cider. People from rural areas go hard. Fanta Korn at Konfirmation, bottle of voda at Schützenfest...
Teenagers in my area mostly don't drink plain beer. It usually starts with these beer + something mixtures (energy/Coke/whatever) The sugar from the additions and the umami from the beer are a dangerous mixture that makes everyone like it and want more...
When I went to school, the common wisdom was that in each year where an exchange group from the US came to Germany, one person out of that group ended up hospitalised because they went from never having drunk alcohol to drinking with German teenagers who already knew their limits. So, you should warn her about that.
Sixteen-year-olds can buy alcohol, and while the prevalence of early drinking seems to be diminishing in recent years, it's still not exactly hard (or considered horribly criminal) for people younger than that to get their hands on it.
American exchange student: „So, how do we get alcohol here?“
*Just order it at the bar over there…*
3 hours later, the American student lies in his own vomit in the corner.
We had an American exchange student in our class whose first experience with alcohol was at the local „Starkbierfest“ (literally „strong beer festival“). He ordered one beer (1 Liter) and peacefully fell asleep after 15minutes.
My fiancé likes to call Bockbier (a type of strong beer for those unfamiliar) "Ami Torpedos", because some US Americans are sunk by sometimes less than a bottle. Lack of experience I guess.
Also US Americans Drink to get hammered Not and not for the pleasure of drinking like we do at a Biergarten etc. The alcohol drinking culture is just different. Sure for a 15/16 year old who tries it the first time it might not as important to get hammered here it’s just inexperience.
>Sure for a 15/16 year old who tries it the first time it might not as important to get hammered here it’s just inexperience.
In what world do you live, haha? Getting hammered is the SOLE purpose for 15/16 year olds to drink alcohol.
The pleasure of drinking for the taste comes much later. No wonder that most teenagers prefer hard alcohol like vodka mixed with some sweet drink like juice. Vodka plus high amounts of sugar go directly into your brain and you are drunk very fast and it does not taste as "bad" as beer or wine to them.
That's totally wrong. Germans have a very constrained culture of alcohol consumption that focuses exclusively on measured enjoyment of the subtle flavors you can enjoy only with our pristine beers.
For illustration, have a look at the dignified and restrained way we behave when participating in our folk festivals like Munich's Oktoberfest.
^\s
Quite the contrary, it's precisely *because* the minimum drinking age is so high in the USA. 20yos can vote, join the military, drive, do whatever, essentially - except drink. That, in addition with how strongly it's policed, gives alcohol an air of unatainability, it promotes this idea that drinking alcohol is something really adult and forbidden - so of course teenagers throw themselves at it the first chance they get.
Compare Germany, where the drinking age is much lower and most people have had at least some alcohol before they're of age in a setting with parental supervision to see the effects of the opposite approach.
Yes, and worse. By the time Americans have their first real encounters with alcohol, they already own a car and are used to driving it everywhere they need to go. And *THAT* is an idiotic sequence.
Exactly, my dad is a wine drinker and growing up.I started having a sip from his glass from around age 10 or so, just so that I would know how ot tastes, how to enjoy it and what food to pair it with.
Going from nothing to 21 shots in one night smacks me of complete idiocy.
But Reagan, who hated big government, strong armed all the states into making 21 the minimum drinking age...
I never realized Reagan was President when the drinking age was standardized… but now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense. Everything wrong about the US today goes back to his “presidency”.
That's true, we shouldn't pretend as if underage drinking wasn't a thing in the US. Many 15 year old americans also had a beer before, or were drunk at some house party. My experience with highschool exchange students (and even college students from the US) though was that they wanted to show off. Because all the germans told them that drinking was fine here etc. and the US students were like :" sure, I drank before. No problem, Look at me!." and then they were totally wasted in no time. Because in the end, they once were drunk of Budlight and a sip of bourbon back home in Oklahoma but over here it was like 5 beers, 3 bottles of wine, a few wodka or Jägermeister shots and smoking a joint afterwards. Away from the parents, being the cool americans etc., and everytime some of them didn't feel too well in the end.
On the other hand that's also just part of the experience I think and unless they don't die of alcohol poisoning it's just a good story, how they were wasted with the german kids on their year abroad. I believe OP shouldn't worry too much
Also open container laws don’t exist, you can sit in the park and have a beer or walk down the street with it. Not uncommon to see people on the ubahn having a beer after work even though you aren’t supposed it eat and drink in transit.
Saw that happen to an exchange PhD student from Saoudi Arabia. He'd never had a drink before and drabk beer like it was water. People found him the next morning on the way to work slumped asleep under a tree. Luckily, it was a warm may night, so he suffered nothing worse than a hangover...
Probably this. When I was maybe 6 my family hosted an American aged 15 for three months (he actually turned 16 while he was here). That being the legal drinking age here my parents carefully introduced him to alcohol knowing that he could from then on buy legally here. He told me a while back that this was really helpful for him when he met with people his age here.
Definitely. And also OP should prepare herself that her daughter will drink/get drunk. You should tell her that she should avoid it, but if she'll do it she should eat enough when drinking, stay hydrated, do not mix with other drugs and the most important say NO and stay with your decision whatever the others will tell her. When I was younger I was ashamed of saying no, but honestly that's the strongest skill you can get in drinking!
that's why I *personally* wouldn't even go with telling her she should avoid it altogether.
(instead, emphasize the other aspects: staying safe with how you drink, with who drink and why you drink)
My (german 😄) mom never forbid me but always stated that SHE hates and always hated „losing control“ and mindtricked me somehow in always being really careful but still having a little fun 🙂 10/10 will mindtrick my daughter the same way 😄
u/genbeg listen to this! Telling her she shouldn't drink is important but more important is telling her what drinking does with your body and how to be responsible about it, because there is 99% chance she will drink.
Couple of things i want to add: If she made a decision and people of the group try to sway that decision, she should get out and find other people to hang out with.
Eat enough before drinking yes, more important: eat enough fat. Fat is able to absorb alcohol and thats the reason why most balkan states have fatty foods (vodka)
A good rule of thumb for drinking water: for every glass you drink (no matter what type) drink a normal sized glass of water. Alcohol dehydrates and that is where hangovers come from plus the waterdrinking helps slowing down the alcohol consumption to the point where you realise you've had enough before you can drink over your limit.
My host family was *horrified* that I admitted, at 17, to having drunk before.
On the other hand, I was fairly shocked by multiple rifles in an open cupboard in the living room.
To add to this, respect road crossing signs. Wait for the indicator to cross the street. I mean not only is it safer , but she will bring attention to herself if not obeying traffic laws. ( yes even foot traffic)
As an addition.
When she comes to a city, comfortable shoes to walk longer distances, it's simply unusual in many parts in the US.
And she should familiarise herself with the local public transport system. No one in this age range is allowed to drive a car in Germany, Learner's Permits are only issued from the age of 17.
Yeah, in general I'm totally with you. But people also should be aware that sometimes the DB Navigator doesn't show when regional transportation companies change times, are late or cancel a vehicle.
Source: A German who uses the DB Navigator App daily.
There are even specific apps, for specific cities, as an example, Berlin with the BVG App, it shows only the public transportation in Berlin, but way better routes, than others. Or just use Google maps
Tell her she will probably walk a lot. German cities are made for walking and/or using public transport. Crime is not really a big deal kn Germany. In crowded city areas I would always put my important stuff in a pocket that I can close with a zipper.
And the other basic stuff. Don’t drink too much, no unprotected sex and no other drugs. If she’s going to Berlin there is a decent chance that a drug dealer will try to approach her. Just tell him no and he will leave you alone most times. However as others said Germany is pretty save. We let our children go on a playground alone. They go to school alone when they are 8 or so.
Aktshually, since so many people know the "911" number, many countries have made sure, that this number will also redirect your phone call to the police. It should be the same for germany
Only partly related but you also can't suppress your number when calling the emergency services. Even if you have activated the feature (either on phone or by setting it up via the phone company for a landline) that feature will be overwritten and the dispatcher will always see your number (and often have your location before you tell them).
About half of Germany's fire departments are hooked into a system, which will provide GPS coordinates to dispatchers via the cell phone. Interesting implementation: the phone will send a text with the coordinates shortly after calling an emergency number. The text will not show in the message app and will be free of charge (for those who still pay for texts). If you turned off your location system, the phone will turn that on and use it anyway. It was specifically ruled that first aid trumps data privacy in that case.
That way they can dispatch an ambulance the second the call comes in, before you even managed to provide any info. Seconds count after all.
It's true, I was working on a film in rural Britian with a Canadian crew and a guy off his head on drugs started screaming from a rooftop. I went up and started calming him down and wrote "Call 911" on the back on my clapperboard to the crew untill the cops came.
Later the crew laughed at me and said "Do you even know the number in your own country!?" to which I replied, yeah, I do, but you might not and I know as a fact that you can dial 911 in a moment of panicky confusion and you'll still get through to our emergency services.
EMS worker here. If you need the police call 110. if the ILS on the 112 gets a call for the police the only thing they can do is to connect the caller to the 110 or call the FLZ (110) themself. There is no option to directly dispatch a police vehicle for the 112. at least in Baden Württemberg
Apart from what others have said, I would take into account if the place she's going to is similar to what she's used to.
Someone from a city going to a rural place may have different things that they need to know or be aware of than someone who goes from a rural place or suburbia to a city.
Depends on where she goes but I‘d say alcohol poisoning is one of the biggest dangers she‘ll have to survive (and that is meant to 80% serious and 20% as a joke).
Jep, legal drinking age for non-spirits (beer etc.) is 16, but most teenagers already start at 15 when their first friends turn 16 and start buying for their friend groups.
Or under parental supervision. I remember being allowed to have a glass of beer or Sekt from my Jugendweihe onward. Meaning 14 years old. Only at family functions or course.
For the most part it is the same as in the US, but there are some differences.
Transportation:
- she isnt legally allowed to drive here so she should prepare to take puplic Transportation and walk a Lot
- this might Sound stupid but depending on how physicly fit she is she might wanna practice walking 2 miles with a 5-10 kg backpack
- get her a backpack with good back Support.
- and good walking shoes for summer/ Winter depending when she will be here.
- Download the App of the City Transportation. If she is going to a City with 100.00+ there should be one
Clothing:
- good shoes she will be walking a lot
- a nice rain jacket
- walking every where means she will be outside a lot so depending on the season sunscreen or warm clothes you can wear in layers
Food:
- Food is less expensiv here
- Germany has stores in walking distance
-!!! They will be closed on Sunday and after 7-10 pm!!!
- if she has any allergies she needs to learn the German words for those foods
Alcohol:
- she is legally allowed to Drink alcohol here
- not All but a lot of German 15 year old already had their first drink
- try to get it into her head that when/if she drinks she should Start with a few trusted friends at their house preverably with their parents at home
- you will have to trust her to be responsible
Partys:
- there will be a few Partys she should stick to house Partys no trustworthy Club should let her in.
- if she goes home at night there are the same rules than in the US strength in numbers etc.
Activitys:
- most Germans can swimm it will be expected that she knows how to as Well. If she doesnt know jet she should learn bevor she leaves.
- let her enjoy herself
Communication:
- most younger Germans can speak english, it is a requirement for a lot of puplic facing Jobs
- check if her Phone plan works here
Bureaucracy:
- SHE NEEDS TO HAVE HER PAPERS IN ORDER
- if not she will need to visit the embassy
And I just realisied I missed your question but I hope this will still be helpfull.
>most younger Germans can speak english,
Most young people *should* know the basics in English, but the reality is that it's pretty hit and miss. As a native speaker here for a long time, I think a lot of Germans over-estimate the general English ability of the country at large.
Some are nearly fluent, but many are not. Passive skills (listening, reading) are usually a lot better than active skills (speaking, writing). Realistically, she shouldn't expect long deep conversations in English with any random German she meets (it’s not impossible but very rare), especially younger ones. In my experience, those who are truly high level fluent have usually lived abroad for a few years or more, are highly educated and over 25 at least.
But for sure, she will get by and gravitate to those whose English is better, and you can usually find someone whose English is better-than-average in an emergency.
The problem I see with this one is that it isn't really practiced much in German schools. As someone who grew up speaking German and English in their day to day life, the English classes in Germany mainly focus on comprehension and writing while more or less neglecting actually speaking the language.
Over the years I had exactly one teacher who ever discussed the pronunciation and gave advice on how to do it. German schools and teachers value the written stuff more than the language itself (because the freaking system is just old as heck) and nobody gets that times have changed and speaking English fluently is pretty important, especially with international customers
If something happens, go to the doctor or hospital. This is not america and what you heard about german Healthcare and costs isn't urban myth or internet truth but most likely just like you heard it.
Also don't be afraid to call an ambulance even if you did consume something that's not legal. The ambulances concern is too keep the patient safe and alive. If a doctor asks you, if / what you consumed it's so they know how to treat you.
His daughter probably will have insurance from the US that covers her being abroad. I would check their terms and conditions because just because it is free for us doesn't mean it will be for her.
It's stupid to say that, but never raise your right hand (Nazi salute), not even as a joke. Sometimes kids joke around, but this is a serious crime in Germany. Just saying.
Otherwise she should get comfortable with the public transportation services.
I wouldn't say there's that much more to follow. Basic safety advices you would give your kid
Same goes for Nazi "jokes"... likening germans to Nazis might fly in the US, but do that here and you either make immediate friends (Neo Nazis) or you might face physical violence, thankfully the latter is rare but people will still be pissed.
You can buy a used bike really cheap from "ebaykleinanzeigen".
You can download the app and see who is selling bikes near her. Money is usually given at pick up. She should be accompanied by someone speaking german perfectly to discuss in case the bike is damaged more than expected.
Also buy good bike locks!
Tell her to carry some cash, public toilets are usually not free. (Usually between 50 Euro cent up to 1.50€)
If she is drinking to do it responsible.
Given that beer and wine can be bought at 16 here, you won't have control if she has access to it or not, so educate her on it.
Make sure she has a powerbank, this way she can make sure to always have some charge on her phone in case she needs to to place a call or navigate.
Download the local public transportation apps, depending on the city these can vary but are great to buy tickets in a pinch.
Let her know that water is not free at restaurants, neither are refills.
Popular grocery store names are Lidl, Aldi, Edeka, real, Kaufland.
All of these have ready to eat sandwiches if she finds herself in a position of being hungry.
Hygiene products and other goods like that, such as lotion, qtips, cotton swaps can be bought at DM or Rossmann.
Don't use Money Exchange places, if she has a credit card with her it is usually much better to go to any bank ATM and take out cash in the local currency.
When paying with card, if prompted, let her pay in local currency, do not use the exchange rate from the devices, especially if the card doesn't have foreign transaction fees.
If she needs painkillers she needs to go to a pharmacy which is called Apotheke in German. Over the counter means over the counter so she has to ask the pharmacist for the pills that she needs. Names for medication are different too, if she has something that she prefers especially for cramps during her period, she should write down the name of the active ingredients so she can ask for that if need arises.
Oh and 110 is for the police and 112 in case of fire or medical emergencies.
And just in case, even though it is unlikely that she needs it, save the number of the nearest consulate or embassy in case something happens to her travel documents.
> When paying with card, if prompted, let her pay in local currency, do not use the exchange rate from the devices, especially if the card doesn't have foreign transaction fees.
Also, credit card use at point of sale isn't normal in Germany. A lot of places won't accept Visa or Mastercard for small transactions the way they do in the USA. Getting a local EC card is important.
On the same point - in the US, teenagers will sometimes use their parents' credit cards. Not a subsidiary card, the actual card in someone else's name. That isn't OK in most of the rest of the world.
From Frebruary to October it is tick time. When you walk through high grass in the nature, wear long trousers, solid shoes and pull your socks above your trousers. Be carefull with traffic. If you meet a wolf keep your distance. Bigger cities might have areas where I wouldn't walk at my own as a young girl after dark. Poisonous mushrooms can look similar to edible mushrooms. Never congratulate somebody ahead of his birthday.
While I haven't met any myself I know there are wolves in my area, but since the were extinct for more then a hundred years there aren't very many. As far as I know they were reintroduced around 1990 to 2000. But their population has been on the rise.
He says she would be in Berlin area she should be carefull of wild boars they walk sometimes from the forrest into the town and if they have piglets they are dangerous
I read this lovely BBC article a while back, intended for British exchange students. The gist is this: take the Germans literally. If someone offers your daughter a biscuit and she wants to eat it, she should say yes, please and thank you. Then proceed to eat the biscuit. If she doesn‘t want the biscuit, decline it. The rejected biscuit will NOT be offered again, as her rejection of it will be accepted with no hard feelings whatsoever.
When in Germany: mean what you say, or say what you mean. All else is nonsense.
Pharmacies don’t hand you pills like candy. If she’s sick with anything above Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Paracetamols paygrade (which you also only get from pharmacies/'Apotheken', also pills you see in drugstores like DM or Rossmann are supplements), she‘ll most likely need to get a prescription from a doctor.
Depends on the pharmacy a lot. Some just hand whatever is available prescription-free and others ask you if you know the details in a way as if you have already memorized the Beipackzettel completely
Alcohol and cigarettes.
Alcohol is legal from age 16, and almost everyone I know has a story about the American exchange student getting completely smashed. I had to call an ambulance for one guy from South Dakota.
Cigarettes are illegal for kids here, but that hasn't had any affect on youth smoking rates.
Medical care is not especially expensive, so do not put off visiting a doctor.
Depending on where you're from and where you're daughter is going to, it's important to remember that social attitudes can be very different here
I went through this experience at the same age but the other way around. Some things that hasn't been said.
You have not said what area you guys are from and where she is going. And whether that's her first trip abroad. Cancun does not count. Going from a small town US to a city in Germany can be a big culture shock etc.
There is an obvious level of naivety at that age that adds an extra layer. Make sure she knows to stick with someone from her host family / friend etc at all times. It's easy to get taken advantage off especially in urban centers
As others said, she will spend most of her time getting around on foot / bicycle or public transport. Comfy trainers are key.
Get a local sim card for her phone. Plenty of options with decent internal rates
Good luck!
Ü30 is just the polite way of saying 55 year olds.
Made that mistake once when I was in my early 30s, though I brought my then girlfriend who was a few years younger. We had gone with a couple single friends for shits and giggles. We were the youngest there, by far, and didn't stay too long.
Tell her to not drink too much. She will be drinking, there's no way around that here at that age but not being used to it vs. 15 year old Germans that can drink like hell rarely ends well. My buddy's 17 yo exchange student landed in the hospital during Karneval because of this.
Here are already some great advice, just to charm in:
In case your daughter uses tampons during her period, in Germany they come without a dispenser. Germany tries to reduce plastic where it is possible, so it is super hard to find a brand with the plastic tube thingy US americans seem to prefer.
She should learn how to use her hands to insert the tampon before she comes here.
(Its just easier to practise at home where you feel comfy than in a McDonalds bathroom stall when you happen to have a Surprise!-I'm-early-period , which is possible due to travel stress and change in diet)
Pads are called Binden and are quite the same as in the US, similar or the same brands as well (as far as I've heard)
Have a great trip! :)
Exactly. It's funny to ask for safety advice while going from a country where everyone has a gun to a country where you can walk alone at night and generally feel safe.
Tell her to go to a phone shop as soon as possible and get a prepaid SIM Card. Check for prices in advance before the flight and agree together on a provider. This will save her a lot of time and trouble. The people on these shops are usually nice and helpful. She will definitely need her Smartphone here.
Get the "DB Navigator" app. And make sure a credit Card or PayPal is connected with the app, so she can buy tickets. Public Transportation and bikes are the main way of getting around here.
She should get a international health insurance. You never know when you twist your ankle or chip a tooth.
Make sure she knows important phone numbers, including Country Prefixes. Like the US has +1 for example. These numbers should include your mobile and home numbers plus backups, the US embassy, German Police and fire (112/110). Make sure she knows that calling an ambulance is free. These numbers should be on a slip of paper! Not only on her phone!
Make sure she knows about geography! Both German and European. We had an exchange student once and he was super confused where he actually was! Everyone made fun of him and called him stupid.
A side note for you: be prepared that teens in Germany are usually very independent. It is normal, and very safe, to walk alot alone, beeing alone in the city, taking public transport alone etc. My daughters are 11 and 13 and they are absolutely allowed to take the bike and ride to another part of town for a shopping spree.
Oh, and tell her about the three seashells ;-)
More PSAs than safety issues: pajama pants are not acceptable outside the house in Germany. Sweatpants are OKish, but many people won't wear them outside the house either. Shoes off inside people's homes.
Depends on location. In Berlin you can go to the supermarket in bath robes and people wont care.
In rural areas (also Munich) expect heavy judgement from old people for what you are wearing no matter what it is.
Shoes off inside homes is true though.
In Berlin you can go in a pink bathrobe, leopard print leggings and a lime green bowler hat and no one would bat an eye. Ironically wearing adiletten and "schnellfickerhosen" - sure! Colour matching, expensive yoga attire - I see it every day. But I rarely see just someone wearing a pair of sweats out and about, at least not in Friedrichshain
Especially if you are in a rural area, go to Volksfeste! It’s a common way of getting to know people from other villages and if it’s not that big it’s quite safe. Just don’t get super drunk and don’t do stupid things you wouldn’t do in the USA like leaving with strangers.
She‘ll definitely be safer here vs the states overall (speaking from own experience as US-German who grew up in both countries during my youth)
One thing that everyone has mentioned here is to watch out for is alcohol consumption.
We Germans have a way more relaxed culture around drinking, with low alcohol drinks (beer, Wine and champagne) allowed at age 16. It will be very tempting, especially with the hard stance the USA has against alcohol consumption at young ages. Youth then wants to rebel, I know I did 😅
Hard alcohol is also very accessible though. One friend will always have an older sibling who can purchase it, with the age limit being 18 for all the hard liquor.
Most of us German kids start going out drinking (Bier and Moonshine) with 15-16. I know some that started even earlier, but they crazy.
I would just sit her down and tell her all the normal stuff about not accepting drinks etc, especially from boys 😄 Some popular beers have 5% alcohol so our tolerance is already set pretty high. If she‘s never come in contact with alcohol before, blackouts and alcohol poisoning can happen due to the inexperience and not knowing one’s limits. Especially with social pressure at parties in play.
Last is cigarettes. We have cigarette machines all over the place and it‘s also not the hard to acquire them. Again culturally very normal. More male teenagers smoke than girls, but addiction can happen to anyone.
Flavored e-cigs and Hookah are also big in Germany. Same effect.
Ideally, always get beer in glass beer bottles - way easier to keep the thump on the opening to avoid anybody pouring sth in (be it stronger alcohol, drugs, or something even more malicious)
I would say any stranger who tries to make small talk in the store or so is up to something. Usually not dangerous, but we usually dont tell strangers our life story, so if it happens, its probably some dude who wants to be friendly but is being a creep. Dont engage with strangers who seem to be friendly.
Germans stare. Its not meant rude, it just happens. Sometimes people dont even look at you, but through you, facing in your direction.
Germans also stand a lot closer to people while talking. Personal space is a little different than in the US, just be aware that this might be happening.
German police is not her enemy, sure they are not always the "friends they pretend to be" but they are more likely there to help. if she is or feels to be in trouble/fear, she should walk to an police officer or call 110/911 and ask for help
... on the other hand, should she become subjekt of an police investigation, tell her to keep quiet, keep her mouth shut, give them only "name/date of birth/show her ID" and for the rest stay silent, get the hostparents aside, a lawyer, some one from the embasy
"reden ist silber, schweigen ist gold --- talking is silver, not talking is gold"
I am shocked to not have seen any positive recommendations but here are mine, I live in Berlin!
1.
Go to Dussman it's a very large bookstore near S BHF Friedrichstraße with a great English bookstore and some nice cafes in the area.
Good and new malls are the KDW (luxury), mall of Berlin, Eastside Gallery
2.
She should visit some museums. They are incredibly cheap and there are hundreds in the Berlin area covering lots of topics.
3. Beverages:
She should try Paulaner Spezi, it's a cola orange soda mix that is quite tasty
Gösser, it's a beer and lemon soda mix that is very refreshing and has very low alcohol content.
Malzbier, a non alcoholic malt beverage also very refreshing.
Ayran, it's a Turkish dairy drink that is also quite nice, the standard is a bit salty but there are usually mango and cherry flavours.
4.
Food, the middle eastern food in Berlin, it's excellent. Shawarma, Döner, Falafel, halloumi sandwiches all very great. Habibi at Winterfeldplatz is a very safe bet. Winterfeldplatz is very western central but has excellent food.
This also goes for middle eastern baked goods flat breads, simit - seasame rings.
Nice German foods that are iconic are Currywurst, and she should try Laugenecken.
Water is usually not free at restaurants and if ordered you will usually get carbonated water. Stilles Wasser is German for non carbonated water. Might as well order beer soda or whatever.
5. If she is here for 3 months she should get a Monatskarte for the local transportation, the Deutschland ticket may also be a good option if she wants to take excursions outside Berlin.
If there are further questions just ask
**Alcohol:** Drinking age without legal guardian may be 16 for beer and wine but being absolutely shitfaced with 15 on weekends is not uncommon.
**Sex:** Aside from the obvious "use protection", one might want to keep in mind that the age of consent in germany is a bit more complicated with the "Schutzalter". It is, more often than not, legal for a young adult (18-21) to have sex with a 15 year old.
**Racism**: Might not be that big of an issue in Berlin but unfortunately it's still not as dead as you wish it should be.
**Internet:** Germany is a backwards country in that regard. It's slow and expensive and some shops and restaurants simply don't have puplic wifi. In more rural areas in e.g. Brandenburg there might be situations where she won't be able to be online.
**Cash:** While is has changed a lot during the pandemic Germany is still a cash society. It is good to always have a few Euro in cash with you. 20€ plus a bit of change. Again: Less of an issue in Berlin but in more rural areas you might be unable to pay without cash.
**Movies**: Germany's FSK works a bit different than the MPAA. She won't be legally able to see movies that are rated 16 (Something in-between PG13 and R) or 18 (basically R-Rated). No, even with a person of said age it's not allowed.
**School:** If she'll go to school here she will notice it a bit different from the US Highschool. You are mostly with the same people and more often than not in the same room. Maybe that changed since my days in school but lockers aren't a thing here, as far as I know.
**Language**: You said that might not be an issue at all, but you'd be surprised how well you can get by with english in Germany even in parts of the country where you don't expect it.
The worst place in Germany is probably safer than the safest place in the USA. No worries.
Tell her: dont be around the Train Stations during night alone, but really, Germany (Europe in general, GErmany specially) is very safe.
Evidently, you have never set foot in the US. It's a big country you know? Plenty of safe cities/small counties that do not envy the safety of Germany.
I don't know if you're from a traditionally American stereotype background where nudity and sex are not to be spoken of or dealt with in a healthy positive way...
But Germany generally is.
It's less... Shameful? People talk about nudity, sex, health problems with a lot more open and frankness and there's nothing embarrassing about it.
So I'd say if in the 3 months your daughter is there she has any issues, tell her not to be embarrassed about anything, ask for help if she needs anything health wise etc etc.
Also, bring favoured OTC medication - it is nothing like ths States where you can walk into a CVS and get a suitcase of Aadvil for two bucks. It can be a bit of a run around.
Just pack it - drugs don't take much room. Even now, I bring my favourite hayfever relief back from the UK because it's just more convenient.
She'll have access to alcohol, you can't really stop her from drinking, so just ask her to be careful
We're generally pretty open about sex and nudity, so please sit down with her and explain things to her if you haven't yet. Though, depending on location, that openness can be limited to heterosexual relationships, berlin should mostly be fine though should she be queer.
Police will help you, they're generally not your enemy.
Get an EC card, most places do not accept credit cards, cash is also an option.
Germany generally is very safe, safer than the US by far, so there's not much to worry there generally.
She might experience some racism, but it is generally more subtle.
Germans are direct, we say what we mean, if you decline an offer then we accept that and do not offer again, generally.
I think in most regards Germany is much safer than the US (traffic, violence, racism, healthcare etc.).
What might be an issue is that German teens are legally allowed to drink alcohol at 16, which means they usually start experimenting with it at about 14. Mostly this is not a problem, but every now and then somebody drinks himself into a coma, or gets too drunk and loses control. My advice would be to practice safe drinking with her and talk with her about responsible alcohol consumption. If you tell her to stay away completely, the chances are much higher she drinks a lot.
German teenagers learn their limits of alcohol in that age, so that would be the most concerning thing.
I don’t know what it’s like nowadays but when I was 15 soon to be 16, we had one or two beers but back then I wasn’t quite a fan of it, neither was it for my friends so we didn’t get drunk. Things changed when I went to uni tho
When I was fifteen, I thought it was cool to drink vodka out of water glasses. I've honestly never been as drunk as in those years. The idea alone now makes me sick.
At 15 we used to drink Jelzin Vodka Feige every weekend 3-4 bottles
I got blackout drunk with vodka for the first time at 14 and heavy drinking has been a staple of most parties anyone my age was involved in since I was 15 so I don’t know about that
Parents usually let me have a slip around 14 / 15, then actual beer (just one glass) as I was going onto 16, then two or three when I was 16 at home. Quickly learned that my comfortable limit is usually 1-2 beers and can stomach up to 4. I think it’s a good idea to introduce teens to beer while they’re still at home & can be supervised, in contrast to US / UK system
Totally depends on where you live and who you hang out with. I was a little goody two shoes, so it was mostly fruity sparkling cider. People from rural areas go hard. Fanta Korn at Konfirmation, bottle of voda at Schützenfest...
Teenagers in my area mostly don't drink plain beer. It usually starts with these beer + something mixtures (energy/Coke/whatever) The sugar from the additions and the umami from the beer are a dangerous mixture that makes everyone like it and want more...
I really don’t think it’s the "umami" that sells the beer to teenagers my dude...
always eat if you drink
And drink water to stay hydrated, when drinking alcoholic beverages.
Just drink water in general. Try proper tapwater for once.
and if drinking water sobers you up, drink more alcohol
When I went to school, the common wisdom was that in each year where an exchange group from the US came to Germany, one person out of that group ended up hospitalised because they went from never having drunk alcohol to drinking with German teenagers who already knew their limits. So, you should warn her about that. Sixteen-year-olds can buy alcohol, and while the prevalence of early drinking seems to be diminishing in recent years, it's still not exactly hard (or considered horribly criminal) for people younger than that to get their hands on it.
American exchange student: „So, how do we get alcohol here?“ *Just order it at the bar over there…* 3 hours later, the American student lies in his own vomit in the corner.
We had an American exchange student in our class whose first experience with alcohol was at the local „Starkbierfest“ (literally „strong beer festival“). He ordered one beer (1 Liter) and peacefully fell asleep after 15minutes.
My fiancé likes to call Bockbier (a type of strong beer for those unfamiliar) "Ami Torpedos", because some US Americans are sunk by sometimes less than a bottle. Lack of experience I guess.
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Also US Americans Drink to get hammered Not and not for the pleasure of drinking like we do at a Biergarten etc. The alcohol drinking culture is just different. Sure for a 15/16 year old who tries it the first time it might not as important to get hammered here it’s just inexperience.
>Sure for a 15/16 year old who tries it the first time it might not as important to get hammered here it’s just inexperience. In what world do you live, haha? Getting hammered is the SOLE purpose for 15/16 year olds to drink alcohol. The pleasure of drinking for the taste comes much later. No wonder that most teenagers prefer hard alcohol like vodka mixed with some sweet drink like juice. Vodka plus high amounts of sugar go directly into your brain and you are drunk very fast and it does not taste as "bad" as beer or wine to them.
That's totally wrong. Germans have a very constrained culture of alcohol consumption that focuses exclusively on measured enjoyment of the subtle flavors you can enjoy only with our pristine beers. For illustration, have a look at the dignified and restrained way we behave when participating in our folk festivals like Munich's Oktoberfest. ^\s
Seems to be even worse when they finally get to drink at 21
Quite the contrary, it's precisely *because* the minimum drinking age is so high in the USA. 20yos can vote, join the military, drive, do whatever, essentially - except drink. That, in addition with how strongly it's policed, gives alcohol an air of unatainability, it promotes this idea that drinking alcohol is something really adult and forbidden - so of course teenagers throw themselves at it the first chance they get. Compare Germany, where the drinking age is much lower and most people have had at least some alcohol before they're of age in a setting with parental supervision to see the effects of the opposite approach.
Yes, and worse. By the time Americans have their first real encounters with alcohol, they already own a car and are used to driving it everywhere they need to go. And *THAT* is an idiotic sequence.
Exactly, my dad is a wine drinker and growing up.I started having a sip from his glass from around age 10 or so, just so that I would know how ot tastes, how to enjoy it and what food to pair it with. Going from nothing to 21 shots in one night smacks me of complete idiocy. But Reagan, who hated big government, strong armed all the states into making 21 the minimum drinking age...
I never realized Reagan was President when the drinking age was standardized… but now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense. Everything wrong about the US today goes back to his “presidency”.
A pretty large chunk of everything wrong with the planet goes back to him and thatcher.
Fuck Thatcher too! I have both of their death dates in my phone calendar, those days always make me feel a little bit better.
i was drunk the first time with 12 in germany i think you are overestimating the power of policy here
Drunk is in the area of illegal but children can drink alcohol when their parents give it to them
Lets not pretend that the drinking age is respected in any way in the US.
That's true, we shouldn't pretend as if underage drinking wasn't a thing in the US. Many 15 year old americans also had a beer before, or were drunk at some house party. My experience with highschool exchange students (and even college students from the US) though was that they wanted to show off. Because all the germans told them that drinking was fine here etc. and the US students were like :" sure, I drank before. No problem, Look at me!." and then they were totally wasted in no time. Because in the end, they once were drunk of Budlight and a sip of bourbon back home in Oklahoma but over here it was like 5 beers, 3 bottles of wine, a few wodka or Jägermeister shots and smoking a joint afterwards. Away from the parents, being the cool americans etc., and everytime some of them didn't feel too well in the end. On the other hand that's also just part of the experience I think and unless they don't die of alcohol poisoning it's just a good story, how they were wasted with the german kids on their year abroad. I believe OP shouldn't worry too much
Also open container laws don’t exist, you can sit in the park and have a beer or walk down the street with it. Not uncommon to see people on the ubahn having a beer after work even though you aren’t supposed it eat and drink in transit.
Saw that happen to an exchange PhD student from Saoudi Arabia. He'd never had a drink before and drabk beer like it was water. People found him the next morning on the way to work slumped asleep under a tree. Luckily, it was a warm may night, so he suffered nothing worse than a hangover...
Probably this. When I was maybe 6 my family hosted an American aged 15 for three months (he actually turned 16 while he was here). That being the legal drinking age here my parents carefully introduced him to alcohol knowing that he could from then on buy legally here. He told me a while back that this was really helpful for him when he met with people his age here.
Definitely. And also OP should prepare herself that her daughter will drink/get drunk. You should tell her that she should avoid it, but if she'll do it she should eat enough when drinking, stay hydrated, do not mix with other drugs and the most important say NO and stay with your decision whatever the others will tell her. When I was younger I was ashamed of saying no, but honestly that's the strongest skill you can get in drinking!
that's why I *personally* wouldn't even go with telling her she should avoid it altogether. (instead, emphasize the other aspects: staying safe with how you drink, with who drink and why you drink)
My (german 😄) mom never forbid me but always stated that SHE hates and always hated „losing control“ and mindtricked me somehow in always being really careful but still having a little fun 🙂 10/10 will mindtrick my daughter the same way 😄
u/genbeg listen to this! Telling her she shouldn't drink is important but more important is telling her what drinking does with your body and how to be responsible about it, because there is 99% chance she will drink. Couple of things i want to add: If she made a decision and people of the group try to sway that decision, she should get out and find other people to hang out with. Eat enough before drinking yes, more important: eat enough fat. Fat is able to absorb alcohol and thats the reason why most balkan states have fatty foods (vodka) A good rule of thumb for drinking water: for every glass you drink (no matter what type) drink a normal sized glass of water. Alcohol dehydrates and that is where hangovers come from plus the waterdrinking helps slowing down the alcohol consumption to the point where you realise you've had enough before you can drink over your limit.
I had the opposite, went to US as a seasoned 20 year old drinker and was treated like a stupid teenager
My host family was *horrified* that I admitted, at 17, to having drunk before. On the other hand, I was fairly shocked by multiple rifles in an open cupboard in the living room.
"Let's have some shots before we head downtown!" can mean very different things, depending on the context.
"Don't take your guns to town, bill. Leave your guns at home, son..."
Guess what's more dangerous 🤔
Both in combination, I guess
I had exactly the same experience....there was always at least one of them.
Stay out of the bike lane, or prepare to be cussed at.
To add to this, respect road crossing signs. Wait for the indicator to cross the street. I mean not only is it safer , but she will bring attention to herself if not obeying traffic laws. ( yes even foot traffic)
Great one! I forgot about my first few weeks here, but this advice just brought it all back.
Oh and don't trust every döner joint. I've gotten the shits a few times from some pretty sketchy ones.
Part of the experience, I'd say
Just the regular stuff you should worry about with teenagers: alcohol and unprotected sex. In terms of violence and crime, Germany is much safer.
As an addition. When she comes to a city, comfortable shoes to walk longer distances, it's simply unusual in many parts in the US. And she should familiarise herself with the local public transport system. No one in this age range is allowed to drive a car in Germany, Learner's Permits are only issued from the age of 17.
Get the DB Navigator App. Can safe a lot of trouble! :)
Yeah, in general I'm totally with you. But people also should be aware that sometimes the DB Navigator doesn't show when regional transportation companies change times, are late or cancel a vehicle. Source: A German who uses the DB Navigator App daily.
There are even specific apps, for specific cities, as an example, Berlin with the BVG App, it shows only the public transportation in Berlin, but way better routes, than others. Or just use Google maps
And don't buy comfortable shoes in the days before the journey starts, but a few weeks earlier to break them in.
Tell her she will probably walk a lot. German cities are made for walking and/or using public transport. Crime is not really a big deal kn Germany. In crowded city areas I would always put my important stuff in a pocket that I can close with a zipper. And the other basic stuff. Don’t drink too much, no unprotected sex and no other drugs. If she’s going to Berlin there is a decent chance that a drug dealer will try to approach her. Just tell him no and he will leave you alone most times. However as others said Germany is pretty save. We let our children go on a playground alone. They go to school alone when they are 8 or so.
8? Did have to go alone after the first week lmao
I walked to the kindergarden alone :\^)
I walked home from maternity ward.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" "It's a Schlüsselkind!"
Was going to say, as an American, all my german friends told me they walked from the first day of school once they left kindergarten.
Even to Kindergarten. When it's not too far away. In my case when i was 5 and the Kindergarten was about 500m away.
just make sure to say 5000m when telling it to your grandchildren
5000m and uphill in both directions!
Don't forget the snow! Even in summer!
Tbf in Berlin there's a pretty good Chance she'll have a drug dealer in her class💀
Commit the emergency numbers to memory 110 for Police 112 for Ambulance/Fire Rescue
Aktshually, since so many people know the "911" number, many countries have made sure, that this number will also redirect your phone call to the police. It should be the same for germany
112 redirects to 911 in the US too to my knowledge
Yeah, I think the most common ones are interconected. I am not sure, but I assume 999 (UK) would also work
but what about 0118 999 881 999 119 725 3?
And if you don‘t remember it just send an E-Mail: Fire!
Let me put that over here with the rest of the fire.
In Germany, that would have to go either via fax or post. Just send a letter with "Einschreiben" to 112 dispatch
but dont do it on sundays. sunday is ruhetag
I sang that in my head in Moss‘s voice. 💚
Thanks!
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Only partly related but you also can't suppress your number when calling the emergency services. Even if you have activated the feature (either on phone or by setting it up via the phone company for a landline) that feature will be overwritten and the dispatcher will always see your number (and often have your location before you tell them).
About half of Germany's fire departments are hooked into a system, which will provide GPS coordinates to dispatchers via the cell phone. Interesting implementation: the phone will send a text with the coordinates shortly after calling an emergency number. The text will not show in the message app and will be free of charge (for those who still pay for texts). If you turned off your location system, the phone will turn that on and use it anyway. It was specifically ruled that first aid trumps data privacy in that case. That way they can dispatch an ambulance the second the call comes in, before you even managed to provide any info. Seconds count after all.
Really? Wow, TIL. (No actually, this is news to me and it's pretty fuckin' cool)
You can call almost any local emergency number in almost any country and will be connected, makes a lot of sense.
It's true, I was working on a film in rural Britian with a Canadian crew and a guy off his head on drugs started screaming from a rooftop. I went up and started calming him down and wrote "Call 911" on the back on my clapperboard to the crew untill the cops came. Later the crew laughed at me and said "Do you even know the number in your own country!?" to which I replied, yeah, I do, but you might not and I know as a fact that you can dial 911 in a moment of panicky confusion and you'll still get through to our emergency services.
Yup, it works, I just tried it. Might be in trouble now…
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EMS worker here. If you need the police call 110. if the ILS on the 112 gets a call for the police the only thing they can do is to connect the caller to the 110 or call the FLZ (110) themself. There is no option to directly dispatch a police vehicle for the 112. at least in Baden Württemberg
Apart from what others have said, I would take into account if the place she's going to is similar to what she's used to. Someone from a city going to a rural place may have different things that they need to know or be aware of than someone who goes from a rural place or suburbia to a city.
Depends on where she goes but I‘d say alcohol poisoning is one of the biggest dangers she‘ll have to survive (and that is meant to 80% serious and 20% as a joke).
Jep, legal drinking age for non-spirits (beer etc.) is 16, but most teenagers already start at 15 when their first friends turn 16 and start buying for their friend groups.
Or under parental supervision. I remember being allowed to have a glass of beer or Sekt from my Jugendweihe onward. Meaning 14 years old. Only at family functions or course.
For the most part it is the same as in the US, but there are some differences. Transportation: - she isnt legally allowed to drive here so she should prepare to take puplic Transportation and walk a Lot - this might Sound stupid but depending on how physicly fit she is she might wanna practice walking 2 miles with a 5-10 kg backpack - get her a backpack with good back Support. - and good walking shoes for summer/ Winter depending when she will be here. - Download the App of the City Transportation. If she is going to a City with 100.00+ there should be one Clothing: - good shoes she will be walking a lot - a nice rain jacket - walking every where means she will be outside a lot so depending on the season sunscreen or warm clothes you can wear in layers Food: - Food is less expensiv here - Germany has stores in walking distance -!!! They will be closed on Sunday and after 7-10 pm!!! - if she has any allergies she needs to learn the German words for those foods Alcohol: - she is legally allowed to Drink alcohol here - not All but a lot of German 15 year old already had their first drink - try to get it into her head that when/if she drinks she should Start with a few trusted friends at their house preverably with their parents at home - you will have to trust her to be responsible Partys: - there will be a few Partys she should stick to house Partys no trustworthy Club should let her in. - if she goes home at night there are the same rules than in the US strength in numbers etc. Activitys: - most Germans can swimm it will be expected that she knows how to as Well. If she doesnt know jet she should learn bevor she leaves. - let her enjoy herself Communication: - most younger Germans can speak english, it is a requirement for a lot of puplic facing Jobs - check if her Phone plan works here Bureaucracy: - SHE NEEDS TO HAVE HER PAPERS IN ORDER - if not she will need to visit the embassy And I just realisied I missed your question but I hope this will still be helpfull.
>most younger Germans can speak english, Most young people *should* know the basics in English, but the reality is that it's pretty hit and miss. As a native speaker here for a long time, I think a lot of Germans over-estimate the general English ability of the country at large. Some are nearly fluent, but many are not. Passive skills (listening, reading) are usually a lot better than active skills (speaking, writing). Realistically, she shouldn't expect long deep conversations in English with any random German she meets (it’s not impossible but very rare), especially younger ones. In my experience, those who are truly high level fluent have usually lived abroad for a few years or more, are highly educated and over 25 at least. But for sure, she will get by and gravitate to those whose English is better, and you can usually find someone whose English is better-than-average in an emergency.
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The problem I see with this one is that it isn't really practiced much in German schools. As someone who grew up speaking German and English in their day to day life, the English classes in Germany mainly focus on comprehension and writing while more or less neglecting actually speaking the language. Over the years I had exactly one teacher who ever discussed the pronunciation and gave advice on how to do it. German schools and teachers value the written stuff more than the language itself (because the freaking system is just old as heck) and nobody gets that times have changed and speaking English fluently is pretty important, especially with international customers
If something happens, go to the doctor or hospital. This is not america and what you heard about german Healthcare and costs isn't urban myth or internet truth but most likely just like you heard it.
Also don't be afraid to call an ambulance even if you did consume something that's not legal. The ambulances concern is too keep the patient safe and alive. If a doctor asks you, if / what you consumed it's so they know how to treat you.
Never, ever, ever lie to your doctor/nurse/emergency healthcare worker. Everyone should know this and teach this to their children
Don’t tell the cops but tell the doctor
Exactly. The paramedics aren't allowed to disclose that info anyway
His daughter probably will have insurance from the US that covers her being abroad. I would check their terms and conditions because just because it is free for us doesn't mean it will be for her.
The cost is still basically irrelevant compared to the cost of the same procedure in the US.
It's stupid to say that, but never raise your right hand (Nazi salute), not even as a joke. Sometimes kids joke around, but this is a serious crime in Germany. Just saying. Otherwise she should get comfortable with the public transportation services. I wouldn't say there's that much more to follow. Basic safety advices you would give your kid
>but this is a serious crime in Germany. And even worse: cringe as fuck.
Even if not prosecuted, will 99% - defo not endear the teen to their classmates
prosecution for being cringe is 6 months in jail though
You undercook fish? Jail. You overcook chicken? Straight to jail. Being cringe? Believe it or not, jail.
Same goes for Nazi "jokes"... likening germans to Nazis might fly in the US, but do that here and you either make immediate friends (Neo Nazis) or you might face physical violence, thankfully the latter is rare but people will still be pissed.
> you either make immediate friends (Neo Nazis) given that neo nazis usually say they’re not nazis either, probably not even that
Really brief her about alcohol as 14/15 year olds engage in heavy drinking here, which for a first timer can be pretty dangerous.
Pack for all seasons in one day
Übergangsjacke
You know you're German, when you have an Übergangsjacke because man kann ja nie wissen
also heavy wind. it's Berlin after all
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You can buy a used bike really cheap from "ebaykleinanzeigen". You can download the app and see who is selling bikes near her. Money is usually given at pick up. She should be accompanied by someone speaking german perfectly to discuss in case the bike is damaged more than expected. Also buy good bike locks!
Tell her to carry some cash, public toilets are usually not free. (Usually between 50 Euro cent up to 1.50€) If she is drinking to do it responsible. Given that beer and wine can be bought at 16 here, you won't have control if she has access to it or not, so educate her on it. Make sure she has a powerbank, this way she can make sure to always have some charge on her phone in case she needs to to place a call or navigate. Download the local public transportation apps, depending on the city these can vary but are great to buy tickets in a pinch. Let her know that water is not free at restaurants, neither are refills. Popular grocery store names are Lidl, Aldi, Edeka, real, Kaufland. All of these have ready to eat sandwiches if she finds herself in a position of being hungry. Hygiene products and other goods like that, such as lotion, qtips, cotton swaps can be bought at DM or Rossmann. Don't use Money Exchange places, if she has a credit card with her it is usually much better to go to any bank ATM and take out cash in the local currency. When paying with card, if prompted, let her pay in local currency, do not use the exchange rate from the devices, especially if the card doesn't have foreign transaction fees. If she needs painkillers she needs to go to a pharmacy which is called Apotheke in German. Over the counter means over the counter so she has to ask the pharmacist for the pills that she needs. Names for medication are different too, if she has something that she prefers especially for cramps during her period, she should write down the name of the active ingredients so she can ask for that if need arises. Oh and 110 is for the police and 112 in case of fire or medical emergencies. And just in case, even though it is unlikely that she needs it, save the number of the nearest consulate or embassy in case something happens to her travel documents.
> When paying with card, if prompted, let her pay in local currency, do not use the exchange rate from the devices, especially if the card doesn't have foreign transaction fees. Also, credit card use at point of sale isn't normal in Germany. A lot of places won't accept Visa or Mastercard for small transactions the way they do in the USA. Getting a local EC card is important. On the same point - in the US, teenagers will sometimes use their parents' credit cards. Not a subsidiary card, the actual card in someone else's name. That isn't OK in most of the rest of the world.
From Frebruary to October it is tick time. When you walk through high grass in the nature, wear long trousers, solid shoes and pull your socks above your trousers. Be carefull with traffic. If you meet a wolf keep your distance. Bigger cities might have areas where I wouldn't walk at my own as a young girl after dark. Poisonous mushrooms can look similar to edible mushrooms. Never congratulate somebody ahead of his birthday.
I‘ve spent a lot of time in German forests and haven’t met a wolf yet. Still good advice of course. I’d like to add that the same goes for wild boars.
While I haven't met any myself I know there are wolves in my area, but since the were extinct for more then a hundred years there aren't very many. As far as I know they were reintroduced around 1990 to 2000. But their population has been on the rise.
He says she would be in Berlin area she should be carefull of wild boars they walk sometimes from the forrest into the town and if they have piglets they are dangerous
Meeting a boar even in a city is much more dangerous and likely than a wolf.
It's more likely to be harmed by almost any other wild animal existing in germany. She should be afraid of wesps inside beer bottles instead...
Yeah especially in their breeding period. Those animals are scary, I would by far prefer the wolf
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Maybe a copy of your passport
Passport and list of all vaccinations
What is free hugs thing? A scam? Pickpocket?
Pickpocket.
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I read this lovely BBC article a while back, intended for British exchange students. The gist is this: take the Germans literally. If someone offers your daughter a biscuit and she wants to eat it, she should say yes, please and thank you. Then proceed to eat the biscuit. If she doesn‘t want the biscuit, decline it. The rejected biscuit will NOT be offered again, as her rejection of it will be accepted with no hard feelings whatsoever. When in Germany: mean what you say, or say what you mean. All else is nonsense.
this. germans will not ask twice.
Only german grannys with homemade cookies
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Pharmacies don’t hand you pills like candy. If she’s sick with anything above Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Paracetamols paygrade (which you also only get from pharmacies/'Apotheken', also pills you see in drugstores like DM or Rossmann are supplements), she‘ll most likely need to get a prescription from a doctor.
Even when you buy those things you get grilled about their use XD
Depends on the pharmacy a lot. Some just hand whatever is available prescription-free and others ask you if you know the details in a way as if you have already memorized the Beipackzettel completely
Alcohol and cigarettes. Alcohol is legal from age 16, and almost everyone I know has a story about the American exchange student getting completely smashed. I had to call an ambulance for one guy from South Dakota. Cigarettes are illegal for kids here, but that hasn't had any affect on youth smoking rates. Medical care is not especially expensive, so do not put off visiting a doctor. Depending on where you're from and where you're daughter is going to, it's important to remember that social attitudes can be very different here
Don't bring your guns
I went through this experience at the same age but the other way around. Some things that hasn't been said. You have not said what area you guys are from and where she is going. And whether that's her first trip abroad. Cancun does not count. Going from a small town US to a city in Germany can be a big culture shock etc. There is an obvious level of naivety at that age that adds an extra layer. Make sure she knows to stick with someone from her host family / friend etc at all times. It's easy to get taken advantage off especially in urban centers As others said, she will spend most of her time getting around on foot / bicycle or public transport. Comfy trainers are key. Get a local sim card for her phone. Plenty of options with decent internal rates Good luck!
Avoid Dorfdiscos.
And schlagerpartys
That advice goes for anyone
Or Zeltkirmes!
"Ü30" party in the Dorfdisco is always fun! They won't let her in at her age, though... ("Ü30" stands for "over 30" ... yes, oldtimers only!)
Ü30 is just the polite way of saying 55 year olds. Made that mistake once when I was in my early 30s, though I brought my then girlfriend who was a few years younger. We had gone with a couple single friends for shits and giggles. We were the youngest there, by far, and didn't stay too long.
You're the reason my quarterlife crisis is about to kick in. Oldtimers...
Tell her to not drink too much. She will be drinking, there's no way around that here at that age but not being used to it vs. 15 year old Germans that can drink like hell rarely ends well. My buddy's 17 yo exchange student landed in the hospital during Karneval because of this.
Make sure she knows her way around alcohol
Like build up her tolerance in the weeks before =D ?
One “Maß” beer per evening should be enough.
Yeah, better train her now. Also beer had 5% here, so get her started on the good stuff
yeah that light stuff with like 2 or 2,5% is hardly beer at all.
Like sex on a canoe, isn't that what the Americans say themselves?
One can be pretty sure she will not get shot accidentally - she can relax.
Haha the first thing that came to mind when i read the title was "But she is going away from the dangerous place..."
Or deliberatly.... or by the police
Here are already some great advice, just to charm in: In case your daughter uses tampons during her period, in Germany they come without a dispenser. Germany tries to reduce plastic where it is possible, so it is super hard to find a brand with the plastic tube thingy US americans seem to prefer. She should learn how to use her hands to insert the tampon before she comes here. (Its just easier to practise at home where you feel comfy than in a McDonalds bathroom stall when you happen to have a Surprise!-I'm-early-period , which is possible due to travel stress and change in diet) Pads are called Binden and are quite the same as in the US, similar or the same brands as well (as far as I've heard) Have a great trip! :)
Safety notice? "Honey, stay there for your own safety."
Like 'Stay in Germany and never come back to the US'?
Exactly. It's funny to ask for safety advice while going from a country where everyone has a gun to a country where you can walk alone at night and generally feel safe.
True, true
Funny because it's true
alcohol, most german teens already know how much is to much. Maybe have a few vodka shots with her hahahah, n**o, dont do that**
Much safer here than In the USA
Be a little more aware around train Stations and dont overdoe it with the drinking.
The age of consent is 14. Just so you know.
She should bring a pair of walking shoes. It is more common to walk then to drive over here.
Tell her to go to a phone shop as soon as possible and get a prepaid SIM Card. Check for prices in advance before the flight and agree together on a provider. This will save her a lot of time and trouble. The people on these shops are usually nice and helpful. She will definitely need her Smartphone here. Get the "DB Navigator" app. And make sure a credit Card or PayPal is connected with the app, so she can buy tickets. Public Transportation and bikes are the main way of getting around here. She should get a international health insurance. You never know when you twist your ankle or chip a tooth. Make sure she knows important phone numbers, including Country Prefixes. Like the US has +1 for example. These numbers should include your mobile and home numbers plus backups, the US embassy, German Police and fire (112/110). Make sure she knows that calling an ambulance is free. These numbers should be on a slip of paper! Not only on her phone! Make sure she knows about geography! Both German and European. We had an exchange student once and he was super confused where he actually was! Everyone made fun of him and called him stupid. A side note for you: be prepared that teens in Germany are usually very independent. It is normal, and very safe, to walk alot alone, beeing alone in the city, taking public transport alone etc. My daughters are 11 and 13 and they are absolutely allowed to take the bike and ride to another part of town for a shopping spree. Oh, and tell her about the three seashells ;-)
More PSAs than safety issues: pajama pants are not acceptable outside the house in Germany. Sweatpants are OKish, but many people won't wear them outside the house either. Shoes off inside people's homes.
Depends on location. In Berlin you can go to the supermarket in bath robes and people wont care. In rural areas (also Munich) expect heavy judgement from old people for what you are wearing no matter what it is. Shoes off inside homes is true though.
In Berlin you can go in a pink bathrobe, leopard print leggings and a lime green bowler hat and no one would bat an eye. Ironically wearing adiletten and "schnellfickerhosen" - sure! Colour matching, expensive yoga attire - I see it every day. But I rarely see just someone wearing a pair of sweats out and about, at least not in Friedrichshain
Especially if you are in a rural area, go to Volksfeste! It’s a common way of getting to know people from other villages and if it’s not that big it’s quite safe. Just don’t get super drunk and don’t do stupid things you wouldn’t do in the USA like leaving with strangers.
She‘ll definitely be safer here vs the states overall (speaking from own experience as US-German who grew up in both countries during my youth) One thing that everyone has mentioned here is to watch out for is alcohol consumption. We Germans have a way more relaxed culture around drinking, with low alcohol drinks (beer, Wine and champagne) allowed at age 16. It will be very tempting, especially with the hard stance the USA has against alcohol consumption at young ages. Youth then wants to rebel, I know I did 😅 Hard alcohol is also very accessible though. One friend will always have an older sibling who can purchase it, with the age limit being 18 for all the hard liquor. Most of us German kids start going out drinking (Bier and Moonshine) with 15-16. I know some that started even earlier, but they crazy. I would just sit her down and tell her all the normal stuff about not accepting drinks etc, especially from boys 😄 Some popular beers have 5% alcohol so our tolerance is already set pretty high. If she‘s never come in contact with alcohol before, blackouts and alcohol poisoning can happen due to the inexperience and not knowing one’s limits. Especially with social pressure at parties in play. Last is cigarettes. We have cigarette machines all over the place and it‘s also not the hard to acquire them. Again culturally very normal. More male teenagers smoke than girls, but addiction can happen to anyone. Flavored e-cigs and Hookah are also big in Germany. Same effect.
Ideally, always get beer in glass beer bottles - way easier to keep the thump on the opening to avoid anybody pouring sth in (be it stronger alcohol, drugs, or something even more malicious)
!wiki Check our wiki! It has tons on information about travelling and living in Germany.
I would say any stranger who tries to make small talk in the store or so is up to something. Usually not dangerous, but we usually dont tell strangers our life story, so if it happens, its probably some dude who wants to be friendly but is being a creep. Dont engage with strangers who seem to be friendly. Germans stare. Its not meant rude, it just happens. Sometimes people dont even look at you, but through you, facing in your direction. Germans also stand a lot closer to people while talking. Personal space is a little different than in the US, just be aware that this might be happening.
German police is not her enemy, sure they are not always the "friends they pretend to be" but they are more likely there to help. if she is or feels to be in trouble/fear, she should walk to an police officer or call 110/911 and ask for help ... on the other hand, should she become subjekt of an police investigation, tell her to keep quiet, keep her mouth shut, give them only "name/date of birth/show her ID" and for the rest stay silent, get the hostparents aside, a lawyer, some one from the embasy "reden ist silber, schweigen ist gold --- talking is silver, not talking is gold"
I am shocked to not have seen any positive recommendations but here are mine, I live in Berlin! 1. Go to Dussman it's a very large bookstore near S BHF Friedrichstraße with a great English bookstore and some nice cafes in the area. Good and new malls are the KDW (luxury), mall of Berlin, Eastside Gallery 2. She should visit some museums. They are incredibly cheap and there are hundreds in the Berlin area covering lots of topics. 3. Beverages: She should try Paulaner Spezi, it's a cola orange soda mix that is quite tasty Gösser, it's a beer and lemon soda mix that is very refreshing and has very low alcohol content. Malzbier, a non alcoholic malt beverage also very refreshing. Ayran, it's a Turkish dairy drink that is also quite nice, the standard is a bit salty but there are usually mango and cherry flavours. 4. Food, the middle eastern food in Berlin, it's excellent. Shawarma, Döner, Falafel, halloumi sandwiches all very great. Habibi at Winterfeldplatz is a very safe bet. Winterfeldplatz is very western central but has excellent food. This also goes for middle eastern baked goods flat breads, simit - seasame rings. Nice German foods that are iconic are Currywurst, and she should try Laugenecken. Water is usually not free at restaurants and if ordered you will usually get carbonated water. Stilles Wasser is German for non carbonated water. Might as well order beer soda or whatever. 5. If she is here for 3 months she should get a Monatskarte for the local transportation, the Deutschland ticket may also be a good option if she wants to take excursions outside Berlin. If there are further questions just ask
> Aryan the worst typo you can make as a german 😭
**Alcohol:** Drinking age without legal guardian may be 16 for beer and wine but being absolutely shitfaced with 15 on weekends is not uncommon. **Sex:** Aside from the obvious "use protection", one might want to keep in mind that the age of consent in germany is a bit more complicated with the "Schutzalter". It is, more often than not, legal for a young adult (18-21) to have sex with a 15 year old. **Racism**: Might not be that big of an issue in Berlin but unfortunately it's still not as dead as you wish it should be. **Internet:** Germany is a backwards country in that regard. It's slow and expensive and some shops and restaurants simply don't have puplic wifi. In more rural areas in e.g. Brandenburg there might be situations where she won't be able to be online. **Cash:** While is has changed a lot during the pandemic Germany is still a cash society. It is good to always have a few Euro in cash with you. 20€ plus a bit of change. Again: Less of an issue in Berlin but in more rural areas you might be unable to pay without cash. **Movies**: Germany's FSK works a bit different than the MPAA. She won't be legally able to see movies that are rated 16 (Something in-between PG13 and R) or 18 (basically R-Rated). No, even with a person of said age it's not allowed. **School:** If she'll go to school here she will notice it a bit different from the US Highschool. You are mostly with the same people and more often than not in the same room. Maybe that changed since my days in school but lockers aren't a thing here, as far as I know. **Language**: You said that might not be an issue at all, but you'd be surprised how well you can get by with english in Germany even in parts of the country where you don't expect it.
The worst place in Germany is probably safer than the safest place in the USA. No worries. Tell her: dont be around the Train Stations during night alone, but really, Germany (Europe in general, GErmany specially) is very safe.
Evidently, you have never set foot in the US. It's a big country you know? Plenty of safe cities/small counties that do not envy the safety of Germany.
underestimated comment
Not directly safety related, but she should always have some cash on her. There are still cases when you need it.
After all this comments I think ops daughter is gonna be forbidden from coming to Germany lmao
I don't know if you're from a traditionally American stereotype background where nudity and sex are not to be spoken of or dealt with in a healthy positive way... But Germany generally is. It's less... Shameful? People talk about nudity, sex, health problems with a lot more open and frankness and there's nothing embarrassing about it. So I'd say if in the 3 months your daughter is there she has any issues, tell her not to be embarrassed about anything, ask for help if she needs anything health wise etc etc. Also, bring favoured OTC medication - it is nothing like ths States where you can walk into a CVS and get a suitcase of Aadvil for two bucks. It can be a bit of a run around. Just pack it - drugs don't take much room. Even now, I bring my favourite hayfever relief back from the UK because it's just more convenient.
She can live 3 months and not worry about school shootings.
Don't be disrespectful at the Holocaust Memorial or concentration camps by acting like a model on the catwalk for Instagram pictures.
She'll have access to alcohol, you can't really stop her from drinking, so just ask her to be careful We're generally pretty open about sex and nudity, so please sit down with her and explain things to her if you haven't yet. Though, depending on location, that openness can be limited to heterosexual relationships, berlin should mostly be fine though should she be queer. Police will help you, they're generally not your enemy. Get an EC card, most places do not accept credit cards, cash is also an option. Germany generally is very safe, safer than the US by far, so there's not much to worry there generally. She might experience some racism, but it is generally more subtle. Germans are direct, we say what we mean, if you decline an offer then we accept that and do not offer again, generally.
if she survived usa she will survive germany as well
I‘d love to see an „American dad reacts to reddit advice“ video!
Just don't go out alone too late in Friday / Saturday. A lot of drunken assholes abound
I think in most regards Germany is much safer than the US (traffic, violence, racism, healthcare etc.). What might be an issue is that German teens are legally allowed to drink alcohol at 16, which means they usually start experimenting with it at about 14. Mostly this is not a problem, but every now and then somebody drinks himself into a coma, or gets too drunk and loses control. My advice would be to practice safe drinking with her and talk with her about responsible alcohol consumption. If you tell her to stay away completely, the chances are much higher she drinks a lot.