Berlin Local Custom Tips by JourneyOf1

I have yet to meet another German who does not openly look at something or someone they want to observe until they are content they have seen all they wished to. So don't be surprised if you get looked or stared at openly, its not aggression (in most cases), its just curiousity.

Especially if you are "unique" for the area, not visibly indigenous, meaning if you have darker skin than average. Again, this is not meant to be offensive to anyone but its the plain truth. Berlin is very multicultural and you see people from all over the world, yet still there is curiousity and frank appraisals. Don't let it bother you. I am quite used to it and do it myself I confess. People are so very interesting, aren't they?

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There is a searching. There is a great need and desire for a thing. For spirituality, the meaning of life, the return to simplicity, to the earth, to natural ways which bring a greater sense of fulfillment, purpose and peace. A number of those who I have attended spiritual retreats and discussion groups with comment about the growing trend. Yoga, tantra, new age medicine, mediation, Buddhism, Hinduism, Native American shamanism, herbalism are all the rage among a certain age group. I'd say mid-20's up to the 40's and 50's, but there are exceptions of course. Living in such a high energy city where every type of pleasure, vice, and wickedness can be found, so many get burnt out and tired, and look for something or someone to give them new direction.

Schools of yoga are in almost every neighborhood now, shadowy rooms for trance dancing, sign-up sheets for spiritual discussions. The meaning of life can be found in the self, but first one has to really find out who they are I suppose. Such places help people discover.

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This is more for the average American or British traveler to Berlin gleaned from a number of friends who have visited. At breakfast, after a night of intense activity, they were looking forward to a large breakfast and were surprised by the buffet that was offered at the hostel they were staying at. It consisted of sliced meats and cheeses, bread, hard rolls, mueslix, juices and jams, milk and tea. They were appalled though I thought it was quite generous.

"Where are the scrambled eggs and sausages, the fried potatoes and biscuits?!" they exclaimed outraged, causing heads to turn in mild curiousity.

"In downtown Anytown, USA? I don't know." I replied with a smile.

Most breakfast here consists of rolls or bread, maybe some cheese and sliced tomatoes. Something on the lighter side along with tea. Sure you can go places like a nice Irish Pub, Oscar Wilde's Bar, for example, and have a hearty breakfast of the heavy, greasy variety, but in general for Berliners (lol) its light.

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If you bring up the topic of the Holocaust, of WWII, of Nazi Germany and the people involved and if it's Germans you are talking to, don't be offended or surprised if they "clam up" so to speak, or don't wish to discuss it. It's not from guilt, though I feel we can have a deep sense of uneasiness about it. Its mostly from exasperation. So many times that is the first thing people wish to talk about with you, or immediately become accusatory about it. It has been rehashed and rehashed so many times, some get tired of it and will tell you so.

In discussing German life and history, for myself, people wish to know how I came to be born in Germany, do I consider myself German, why would I wish to consider myself German when I could also claim American citizenship? There have been ones who, though having individual German friends, consider Germany to still be a Nazi country or all were sympathizers to the Nazi cause and do not like Germans on a whole. Every nation has their faults, their secret guilts, their histories of some type of prejudices and injustices. Don't be surprised if people do not wish to discuss such things. Personal feelings of politics and recent German history can be sensitive topics and usually are not discussed except with close friends.

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Like many large cities around the world a night out in Berlin starts later than in smaller towns in general. Most have dinner or something to eat around 9-ish, but club and bar hopping really cranks up after 11pm or especially midnight. Some friends visiting were surprised and disappointed when they wished to go out around 9pm but not many people were out. I said, "Just wait".

It's not really fashionable to arrive at a venue until after the times I mentioned. Most times my flatmate and I don't even get dressed until 10 or so, then decide hey let's go dancing or out to have a drink. Meeting friends at 1 or 2am is normal for many of the younger set. Just remember that only on weekends and some holidays does the U-bahn run late night/early morning hours. You have to take the nightbus or a taxi, or get out and walk to return to homebase.

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Just like it so many big (and smaller) cities I have been in, increasingly so, everyone has to have a handy. Where public transport is so common and used by most, its a necessity when meeting friends or taking care of business because you could be one block away and walking exact same speed in opposite directions and never meet.

Also, many Berliners I know still carry city maps no matter how long they have been living here. It's great if you are lost to be able to call a friend or directory service to help you find your way. Or in the case with me, was visiting a small outer district once and didn't know when or if another bus would be stopping on that line. Called public services and they told me when the next was coming along, which fortunately was in 30 minutes.

A place you can buy one is at MakroMarkt, it's a discount electronics store. They are all over Berlin>>>Charlottenburg, Spandau, Pankow, Eiche, Potsdam.........

Warning for handy use however>>>>>in school or university handys must be turned off. Teachers get very irritated when they ring. Our Lehrer would have an a rabid fit if one went off when he was lecturing. Also in museums and historic memorials, be sure to turn the sound off or put it in vibrate.

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