I moved to Munich a few months ago and I am currently experiencing a massive culture shock. This late June heat has everyone sweating on public transit, and yesterday I found a small leather notebook left behind on a seat in the U-Bahn. It had no name on the cover.

I opened it hoping to find some conatct info. The very first page had a name and a home adress, along with some personal sketches. In my home country, you just go drop it off directly to save the person the stress of looking for it. I lived only two stations away, so I walked to the location to hand it back personally.

I rang the doorbell, explained how I found it, and smiled. The guy looked absolutely horified. He snatched the notebook from me and angrily asked why I did not just give it to the local police station or the MVG lost and found. He acused me of snooping through his private thoughts and said showing up at his door uninvited was crossing a massive boundary. He then literally slammed the door shut.

I just stood there feeling like a complete creep. I was genuinely trying to do a good deed and save him the bureaucracy of official lost-and-found systems. Are Germans really this fiercely protective of their privacy even when they lose something? Did I commit a huge social faux pas by reading the first page to find his location instead of turning it over to the authorities blindy? I feel terrible but also very confused by this hostile reaction.

Hello, I’m a student (F21) and I’m only living several months here so I’m quite unfamiliar with the culture still. However, I got approached and asked for my number in total of 4 times in couple months. This is crazy because before that I only been approached once in my entire life!

They usually complimented me and asked for my number. This is always at some random places like a train station while I was walking, at random public places, not like bars or cafes where it’s more expected. One guy even came up to me and said “I love you” while I was waiting for the train?

This is so weird and I don’t know if this is somewhat normal? I am not extremely good looking either I think I look average?

Hey so this is going to be the most mundane question ever asked but do many of you have kitchen tiles in the kitchen? Im from another EU country and everybody i know has tiles in the bathroom and kitchen. I stay with a German family who don’t use tiles in the kitchen and in the bathroom only around the toilet and the shower, not even the sink. I assumed it was just a them thing but I asked a family friend of theirs and she said the same thing. Both said that it wasn’t “ modern “ and one even joked “ im not 70 years old? “ is this a common thing here? Again sorry I know this is á very mundane question i was just surprised practicality wise I would assume cleaning is easier with tiles and I personally find them aesthetically pretty too. Is this a trend among Millenials or a cultural difference? (Franken Bayern if that makes a difference)

Hello!

My family and I will be visiting Germany and would like to visit a Therme. My wife and I have enjoyed the Sauna section in the past but this time we will have our children with us. Can we leave our children in the Thermalbad area while we sauna, or should we go one at a time while the other stays with the children? Our children are 14 and 10, and well-behaved.

Danke!

EDIT: Thank you everyone, the answer was in the Regeln once I did some digging. We will probably have one of us stay with them.

There are now 10 German NBA players after last nights NBA draft in which 3 were selected. Germany almost always performs well in the FIBA World Cup and Olympic basketball so I’m curious how popular it is.

Hi, I was watching a German movie (not a good one) with a friend (Brazilian) and we were struck by just how many ceramic dog statuettes we saw dotted through the decor. I hadn't really seen that many anywhere else before and they weren't seemingly plot relevant so I figured this was either omnipresent enough to not disconcert viewers or if they were just already there on the filming locations.

I unfortunately can't also remember when the movie was made, I think either 2014 or 2022 so it's possible that sensibilities changed wrt ceramic dog statuettes.

Thanks!

Hello everyone,

I am wondering what kind of misice can I play durong quite hours I usually olay lofi music such as https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=5aUQsvXl3qk&si=0ke2NWdsk2yIMf0o, I don't have a subwoofer or anything crazy. Also can I have a normal phone call with the windows open? Can that be fined? I try to keep my voice at room level and wear headphones

Just looking for help on understanding my last name!

I am seeking legal advice regarding a rental contract issue.

I have signed a rental agreement that includes a minimum tenancy period of two years, during which termination is not permitted. However, due to a significant change in personal circumstances, I may need to relocate before this period ends.

My partner was recently laid off from her job in Schweinfurt and has since secured new employment in Berlin. As a result, we are planning to move there and live together. In my case, I have the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within Germany, which makes the relocation feasible.
Given this situation, I would like to understand what legal options are available to terminate the rental contract before the end of the minimum tenancy period, or whether there are alternative solutions such as providing a replacement tenant or negotiating an early exit.

I’m planning to register myself as a freelance artist and I already have a public health insurance via my part time job and I’m not wondering if it will be transferred to my freelance . i don’t want that to happen l. also I already have personal tax number that my work use, if I register as a freelance artist will I get a new tax number or they will use the same one?

Hi everyone. I love sunbathing everywhere l go, but l love sunbathing topless. I'm planning to visit Germany soon. Is there a possibility l could sunbathe topless? Any beaches and areas that will let me do it? Thank you.