Interesting little tid bits...

We have only been here for 5 months, but there are some interesting differences between Germany and US...
1. Sunday is family day. EVERYTHING is closed.
2. Don't cut the grass, wash your car or do anything else that makes noise on Sundays. The quiet should be respected for people who are out enjoying the day.
3. It's also quiet between noon and 1 everyday. There are no kids out playing or really anyone out. That's usually when the Germans are having abendessen (lunch) which is their "hot" meal like our dinner.
4. Road rage is serious stuff here. If you give someone the finger or tap on your head as if to tell them to think or "you're stupid" (which is one of the WORST things you can do to a German) they can call the police and give them your license plate number. The police will track ya down and fine you.
5. Big apple juice people...it's everywhere. Both carbonated and non carbonated.
6. They walk or ride their bike everywhere.
7. There are bike paths EVERYWHERE.
8. Having more than 2 kids is considered a huge family. Most of the people I have met are only children themselves and have 2 kids. When I tell them we have three they are shocked.
9. Kids only go to school here until noon. They all walk home alone (from Kindergarten up). However, they go to school year round with a couple weeks off here and there.
10. They all speak great English but say they only know a little.
11. Where Americans may greet someone by saying, "hey, how are ya?" Germans rarely ask "Wie geht es einen" (how are you) unless they really want to know how you are.
12. I rarely hear "auf wiedersehn", I hear "tschus" (chooosss) for goodbye.
13. If they don't know you they won't say hi to you in passing on the street.
14. Morgen means tomorrow as well as morning...so how the hell do you say tomorrow morning?
15. Bitte means "please" and "you're welcome". Now can you understand how I can be confused and many times just say "yea, you're welcome"?
16. I recently heard that in the whole country of Germany there was ONE murder here last year...not sure how true that it, but I don't think I have ever lived anywhere that I feel as safe.
17. The German radio stations love "Queen" (or any Freddie Mercury song) and Bon Jovi. You are guaranteed to hear at least one song from each group per day.
18. Driving is a privilege here. To get your license you have to take a drivers course. The course costs 2500 Euro!!! That's obscene! With that said, they are much better drivers than we are.
18a. I don't' think I have heard anyone honk their horn since I have been here. Honestly, they don't use it when they are mad or trying to get a friends attention. They only use it as a warning. It seems to be a big no no to use it otherwise.
18b. The traffic lights go from red, to yellow to green..kind of a warning to pay attention maybe. I have never seen someone "run a red" or speed through a yellow light before it turns red.
18c. I don't see cell phones used often at all.

I'm going to keep updating this one...