When it comes to Midwestern, USA and Berliner culture, there are quite a few amusing differences. you can find once you start comparing.
Which is exactly what I love most about experiencing another culture. Experiencing a culture that’s separate from your own allows you feel more connected to the people and the traditions within that given culture. It gives space for new perspective… on everything in life (from where you’re currently living to where you’re from). These differences help generate a new appreciation (or perhaps at times, even distaste) for your own cultural upbringings. With these experiences comes an awareness of the influence our own culture has had on us through certain ways we act or things we say.
I believe that’s part of what makes these cultural differences so special; they’re powerful in the way of understanding ourselves and others around us.
Starting with my favorite…
1. When it comes to checking out at the supermarket, you gotta be fast!
And I mean, fast!
Berlin supermarkets are small… and the checkout counters? Even smaller. It isn’t in Berliner culture to purchase hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of groceries that will last them a week… or two. Berliners stock up frequently because the weight gets heavy and the trek is long to their city apartment. And since the check out counters aren’t equipped for more than a few items at a time, chaos often ensues.
Meaning you better pack quick or soon you’ll find various sets of impatient eyes from the line of shoppers behind you, plus those of the cashier. Honestly, you’re better off chucking your recently purchased items into your basket or cart and stepping aside to organize after.
2. When searching for an apartment, even if it’s a low-key sublet, be prepared to really, really sell yourself
As I mentioned before in my in-depth post about Berlin aparments, 6 Things You Should Really Know Before Moving To Berlin, affordable apartments in Berlin are scarce.
Because the competition is heavy, you have to be quick to contact. If you get lucky enough to receive a response, or even luckier, an in-person visit of the place, you’d better be well-prepared. This isn’t just a visit – it’s a vetting and interview all-in-one.
So you need to sell yourself, have all your documents printed or readily available and if you’re renting outside of property management – bring enough cash with you to cover the security deposit.
For more on Berlin apartments read How To Find An Apartment In Berlin Right Now and The No. 1 Biggest Challenge For Moving To Berlin
3. “Nur Bargeld”
“Nur Bargeld” in German means “only cash.”
There are many conspiracy theories as to why most of the Berlin establishments still only accept cash. From what I’ve experienced, Berliner culture has a hard time adapting to modern society – technology included. Card readers remain a thing of the future (in most places) and coins are still the ever living present.
That said, don’t leave the house unprepared, you **always** want to carry around cash with you in this city.
4. Who needs shower curtains anyways?
I have to admit, this is another one of my favorite of the weird cultural things Berliners do.
For some reason, many of the bathrooms in Berlin apartments are not suitable for shower curtains. It doesn’t matter if the apartment is old or modern, it’s not uncommon to find a bathroom without a shower curtain in it. And I cannot for the life of me understand why. This seems like the most simple of installments to prevent all the extra work of wiping up the floor after a shower, yet, bathrooms aren’t always equipped for it. In fact, much of the time, the person renting the apartment inserts one themselves after signing their rental contract.
So if you plan on renting here, you better start perfecting your shower techniques.
5. Why raise the roof when you can lower it?
Berlin still has many old buildings being used for apartment rentals.
These buildings are known (and often coveted) for their high ceilings with their classic, yet beautiful details. At some point between their architectural design and the present-day, however, someone thought it was a good idea to make the apartment shorter. Hiding these little masterpiece ceilings behind sad, thin panels.
Not a dealbreaker for most, but when you’re a pole dancer, a thin sheet for a ceiling does not make for a safe training room.
6. Doctors, health insurance, prescriptions… as an expat, just hope you don’t ever get sick.
For the most frustrating of all cultural differences…
Here in Berlin, you can’t just go to any doctor you need (be it a chiropractor, your gyno, whatever). You must first see you general physician to obtain a referral. After waiting for that appointment, paying for it (and your referral), you then have to make another appointment with the doctor you actually need to see, wait for it, and then pay for that appointment as well. Honestly the whole process is a little silly. Prescriptions are always picked up in person, and you have to find a pharmacy who hopefully has those items in stock.
And if you haven’t been spending enough money already, did I mention private health insurance starts around 200 euros per month? -____-
Here’s the foreigner health insurance I currently use.
7. Would you like the smoking or non-smoking section?
You won’t find smoking indoors a thing in all German states, but in Berliner culture, you’ll have a hard time finding a bar or club without it.
I know some countries around the world have only banned smoking indoors within the last 10-15 years, but still this exception seems highly outdated.
A smoker lover’s dream, sure, but for the passenger forced along the ride… meh not so pleasant.
8. Guests are always offered house slippers, and for females, it’s more of a requirement.
Okay, so this one is definitely more of a German cultural thing. (It’s by far my favorite.)
You see, in Germany, it’s understood that cold feet means more illnesses. UTI’s are one of those illnesses. Since women tend to suffer more frequently from UTI’s, they’re almost always guaranteed a house slipper.
After 2 years living in Berlin, I can’t imagine walking around my apartment without.
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