Things to remember to tell your SO when they arrive

[Otto 83]

Speaking from Germany to America

Food

* Don't need to bring bags with you to the grocery store.

* Make a list of things you love to eat/cook with - may not be available here. You will miss some things.

* Bread is much different (for the most part)

* Shopping carts don't require 1Euro to use

* Cheeses are much different (mostly swiss and chedar)

People

* While there is not an 'ampt' for everything, we're still not as 'free' as you would think

* Even if you've lived here your entire life - some Americans are hard to understand.

* Some people will try to take advantage of you if they think they can.

* If you're a soccer fan - Get Cable - (ask for Fox Soccer channel)

Driving/Cars

* Parking is usually free - like grocery stores, malls, etc (I know, not everywhere, but mostly)

* People do not get out of the left lane

* People drive incredibly huge cars

* Gas is cheaper and is by the gallon, not liter (4 liters/gallon)

* Radar detectors are legal in most states

* Car inspections are no where near as tough

* Drivers License doesn't cost nearly as much

Money

* Credit/Checking Cards accepted almost everywhere - cash/geld not required to have on hand

* Telephones are usually flat rate for local

* Prices usually do not include tax - you'll need to add it to know what the actual cost is.

* Most bills (utilities, etc) are monthly

* Renting a home/apartment is done with a contract - usually 6 or 12 months

Miscl.

* Things are open on Sunday

* TV has little nudity/foul-language, but lots of violence (pay tv not included)

* Beds (usually) are higher/taller off the ground

* Toilets are smaller (so I've been told)

Working

* Applying for a job does not require your life's history

* Not uncommon to work 45+ hours per week

* No government insurance - it's on you/your employer (excluding Medicare)

* Pay Day/Salary is usually paid weekly or every two weeks..monthly is not typical

Thats about it for now.. just my experience..does not apply to everyone am sure.

[Otto 83]

Speaking from Germany to America

Food

* Don't need to bring bags with you to the grocery store.

* Make a list of things you love to eat/cook with - may not be available here. You will miss some things.

* Bread is much different (for the most part)

* Shopping carts don't require 1Euro to use

* Cheeses are much different (mostly swiss and chedar)

People

* While there is not an 'ampt' for everything, we're still not as 'free' as you would think

* Even if you've lived here your entire life - some Americans are hard to understand.

* Some people will try to take advantage of you if they think they can.

* If you're a soccer fan - Get Cable - (ask for Fox Soccer channel)

Driving/Cars

* Parking is usually free - like grocery stores, malls, etc (I know, not everywhere, but mostly)

* People do not get out of the left lane

* People drive incredibly huge cars

* Gas is cheaper and is by the gallon, not liter (4 liters/gallon)

* Radar detectors are legal in most states

* Car inspections are no where near as tough

* Drivers License doesn't cost nearly as much

Money

* Credit/Checking Cards accepted almost everywhere - cash/geld not required to have on hand

* Telephones are usually flat rate for local

* Prices usually do not include tax - you'll need to add it to know what the actual cost is.

* Most bills (utilities, etc) are monthly

* Renting a home/apartment is done with a contract - usually 6 or 12 months

Miscl.

* Things are open on Sunday

* TV has little nudity/foul-language, but lots of violence (pay tv not included)

* Beds (usually) are higher/taller off the ground

* Toilets are smaller (so I've been told)

Working

* Applying for a job does not require your life's history

* Not uncommon to work 45+ hours per week

* No government insurance - it's on you/your employer (excluding Medicare)

* Pay Day/Salary is usually paid weekly or every two weeks..monthly is not typical

Thats about it for now.. just my experience..does not apply to everyone am sure.

[Otto 83]

Speaking from Germany to America

Food

* Don't need to bring bags with you to the grocery store.

* Make a list of things you love to eat/cook with - may not be available here. You will miss some things.

* Bread is much different (for the most part)

* Shopping carts don't require 1Euro to use

* Cheeses are much different (mostly swiss and chedar)

People

* While there is not an 'ampt' for everything, we're still not as 'free' as you would think

* Even if you've lived here your entire life - some Americans are hard to understand.

* Some people will try to take advantage of you if they think they can.

* If you're a soccer fan - Get Cable - (ask for Fox Soccer channel)

Driving/Cars

* Parking is usually free - like grocery stores, malls, etc (I know, not everywhere, but mostly)

* People do not get out of the left lane

* People drive incredibly huge cars

* Gas is cheaper and is by the gallon, not liter (4 liters/gallon)

* Radar detectors are legal in most states

* Car inspections are no where near as tough

* Drivers License doesn't cost nearly as much

Money

* Credit/Checking Cards accepted almost everywhere - cash/geld not required to have on hand

* Telephones are usually flat rate for local

* Prices usually do not include tax - you'll need to add it to know what the actual cost is.

* Most bills (utilities, etc) are monthly

* Renting a home/apartment is done with a contract - usually 6 or 12 months

Miscl.

* Things are open on Sunday

* TV has little nudity/foul-language, but lots of violence (pay tv not included)

* Beds (usually) are higher/taller off the ground

* Toilets are smaller (so I've been told)

Working

* Applying for a job does not require your life's history

* Not uncommon to work 45+ hours per week

* No government insurance - it's on you/your employer (excluding Medicare)

* Pay Day/Salary is usually paid weekly or every two weeks..monthly is not typical

Thats about it for now.. just my experience..does not apply to everyone am sure.

[Otto 83]

Speaking from Germany to America

Food

* Don't need to bring bags with you to the grocery store.

* Make a list of things you love to eat/cook with - may not be available here. You will miss some things.

* Bread is much different (for the most part)

* Shopping carts don't require 1Euro to use

* Cheeses are much different (mostly swiss and chedar)

People

* While there is not an 'ampt' for everything, we're still not as 'free' as you would think

* Even if you've lived here your entire life - some Americans are hard to understand.

* Some people will try to take advantage of you if they think they can.

* If you're a soccer fan - Get Cable - (ask for Fox Soccer channel)

Driving/Cars

* Parking is usually free - like grocery stores, malls, etc (I know, not everywhere, but mostly)

* People do not get out of the left lane

* People drive incredibly huge cars

* Gas is cheaper and is by the gallon, not liter (4 liters/gallon)

* Radar detectors are legal in most states

* Car inspections are no where near as tough

* Drivers License doesn't cost nearly as much

Money

* Credit/Checking Cards accepted almost everywhere - cash/geld not required to have on hand

* Telephones are usually flat rate for local

* Prices usually do not include tax - you'll need to add it to know what the actual cost is.

* Most bills (utilities, etc) are monthly

* Renting a home/apartment is done with a contract - usually 6 or 12 months

Miscl.

* Things are open on Sunday

* TV has little nudity/foul-language, but lots of violence (pay tv not included)

* Beds (usually) are higher/taller off the ground

* Toilets are smaller (so I've been told)

Working

* Applying for a job does not require your life's history

* Not uncommon to work 45+ hours per week

* No government insurance - it's on you/your employer (excluding Medicare)

* Pay Day/Salary is usually paid weekly or every two weeks..monthly is not typical

Thats about it for now.. just my experience..does not apply to everyone am sure.

[Otto 83]

Speaking from Germany to America

Food

* Don't need to bring bags with you to the grocery store.

* Make a list of things you love to eat/cook with - may not be available here. You will miss some things.

* Bread is much different (for the most part)

* Shopping carts don't require 1Euro to use

* Cheeses are much different (mostly swiss and chedar)

People

* While there is not an 'ampt' for everything, we're still not as 'free' as you would think

* Even if you've lived here your entire life - some Americans are hard to understand.

* Some people will try to take advantage of you if they think they can.

* If you're a soccer fan - Get Cable - (ask for Fox Soccer channel)

Driving/Cars

* Parking is usually free - like grocery stores, malls, etc (I know, not everywhere, but mostly)

* People do not get out of the left lane

* People drive incredibly huge cars

* Gas is cheaper and is by the gallon, not liter (4 liters/gallon)

* Radar detectors are legal in most states

* Car inspections are no where near as tough

* Drivers License doesn't cost nearly as much

Money

* Credit/Checking Cards accepted almost everywhere - cash/geld not required to have on hand

* Telephones are usually flat rate for local

* Prices usually do not include tax - you'll need to add it to know what the actual cost is.

* Most bills (utilities, etc) are monthly

* Renting a home/apartment is done with a contract - usually 6 or 12 months

Miscl.

* Things are open on Sunday

* TV has little nudity/foul-language, but lots of violence (pay tv not included)

* Beds (usually) are higher/taller off the ground

* Toilets are smaller (so I've been told)

Working

* Applying for a job does not require your life's history

* Not uncommon to work 45+ hours per week

* No government insurance - it's on you/your employer (excluding Medicare)

* Pay Day/Salary is usually paid weekly or every two weeks..monthly is not typical

Thats about it for now.. just my experience..does not apply to everyone am sure.

[Otto 83]

Speaking from Germany to America

Food

* Don't need to bring bags with you to the grocery store.

* Make a list of things you love to eat/cook with - may not be available here. You will miss some things.

* Bread is much different (for the most part)

* Shopping carts don't require 1Euro to use

* Cheeses are much different (mostly swiss and chedar)

People

* While there is not an 'ampt' for everything, we're still not as 'free' as you would think

* Even if you've lived here your entire life - some Americans are hard to understand.

* Some people will try to take advantage of you if they think they can.

* If you're a soccer fan - Get Cable - (ask for Fox Soccer channel)

Driving/Cars

* Parking is usually free - like grocery stores, malls, etc (I know, not everywhere, but mostly)

* People do not get out of the left lane

* People drive incredibly huge cars

* Gas is cheaper and is by the gallon, not liter (4 liters/gallon)

* Radar detectors are legal in most states

* Car inspections are no where near as tough

* Drivers License doesn't cost nearly as much

Money

* Credit/Checking Cards accepted almost everywhere - cash/geld not required to have on hand

* Telephones are usually flat rate for local

* Prices usually do not include tax - you'll need to add it to know what the actual cost is.

* Most bills (utilities, etc) are monthly

* Renting a home/apartment is done with a contract - usually 6 or 12 months

Miscl.

* Things are open on Sunday

* TV has little nudity/foul-language, but lots of violence (pay tv not included)

* Beds (usually) are higher/taller off the ground

* Toilets are smaller (so I've been told)

Working

* Applying for a job does not require your life's history

* Not uncommon to work 45+ hours per week

* No government insurance - it's on you/your employer (excluding Medicare)

* Pay Day/Salary is usually paid weekly or every two weeks..monthly is not typical

Thats about it for now.. just my experience..does not apply to everyone am sure.

[Otto 83]

Speaking from Germany to America

Food

* Don't need to bring bags with you to the grocery store.

* Make a list of things you love to eat/cook with - may not be available here. You will miss some things.

* Bread is much different (for the most part)

* Shopping carts don't require 1Euro to use

* Cheeses are much different (mostly swiss and chedar)

People

* While there is not an 'ampt' for everything, we're still not as 'free' as you would think

* Even if you've lived here your entire life - some Americans are hard to understand.

* Some people will try to take advantage of you if they think they can.

* If you're a soccer fan - Get Cable - (ask for Fox Soccer channel)

Driving/Cars

* Parking is usually free - like grocery stores, malls, etc (I know, not everywhere, but mostly)

* People do not get out of the left lane

* People drive incredibly huge cars

* Gas is cheaper and is by the gallon, not liter (4 liters/gallon)

* Radar detectors are legal in most states

* Car inspections are no where near as tough

* Drivers License doesn't cost nearly as much

Money

* Credit/Checking Cards accepted almost everywhere - cash/geld not required to have on hand

* Telephones are usually flat rate for local

* Prices usually do not include tax - you'll need to add it to know what the actual cost is.

* Most bills (utilities, etc) are monthly

* Renting a home/apartment is done with a contract - usually 6 or 12 months

Miscl.

* Things are open on Sunday

* TV has little nudity/foul-language, but lots of violence (pay tv not included)

* Beds (usually) are higher/taller off the ground

* Toilets are smaller (so I've been told)

Working

* Applying for a job does not require your life's history

* Not uncommon to work 45+ hours per week

* No government insurance - it's on you/your employer (excluding Medicare)

* Pay Day/Salary is usually paid weekly or every two weeks..monthly is not typical

Thats about it for now.. just my experience..does not apply to everyone am sure.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

Add Reply stick????

[doodlebug 3]

why are the toilets in germany so much bigger?

[Ban Hammer 12,876]

why are the toilets in germany so much bigger?

german engineering

[sophyie 0]

why are the toilets in germany so much bigger?

german engineering

I don't know.

I don't think they are a lot bigger- they are different though.

There's not so much water in it and it doesn't swirl in nice little rounds when you flush

one more thing to add to the list:

tipping in restaurants! I don't know how it is in MENA countries, but the 15-20% that are expected in the US feel a LOT to me. I still have to get used to that. (in Germany, it's maybe 5-10% and very often people don't tip at all)

[ya falaha! 0]

About tipping...in Egypt ppl give and expect baksheesh for EVERYTHING...not just in restaurants.

[~Jackie~ 30]

Bigger booty toliets? America could use some of that!

That was an amazing list Otto! You listed things that I hadn't thought of as being 'different'.

Jackie

[peezey 0]

Lots of people bring bags to the grocery store, it's about reusing and conserving, not about being German.

[Jenn! 918]

Lots of people bring bags to the grocery store, it's about reusing and conserving, not about being German.

I noticed a lot more people though brought bags to the grocery store in Italy since they charged like $0.05 per bag. It was a good incentive for people to reuse.