Germany is one of those places that looks easy on the surface. Clean streets, trains that run on time, and people who speak English. You might think you can just show up and wing it.
Then you jaywalk across an empty street at 2 AM and suddenly face the silent judgment of an elderly German woman waiting at the red light. Or you try to pay with a credit card at a corner bakery and watch the cashier’s expression shift from friendly to borderline horrified.
These small moments add up fast. What starts as a pleasant trip can quickly turn into a series of awkward encounters that leave you wondering what you did wrong. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Things to Avoid in Germany
Germany has its own rhythm, and once you understand what to sidestep, your experience becomes so much smoother. These aren’t just travel tips—they’re the real deal insights that separate tourists who struggle from those who thrive.
1. Crossing the Street on Red (Even When There’s No Traffic)
You’ll spot the empty intersection first. No cars are coming from either direction. The pedestrian light glows red, but logic tells you it’s perfectly safe to cross.
Don’t do it.
Germans take traffic lights seriously, and this isn’t about being uptight—it’s about setting an example for children and respecting public order. You might think nobody cares, but people absolutely notice. That quiet disapproval you feel? It’s real. Parents especially, will give you pointed looks because their kids are watching, learning that maybe rules don’t actually matter.
The fine for jaywalking sits at €5, which isn’t steep, but the social cost is higher. You mark yourself as someone who doesn’t respect local norms. Besides, German pedestrian lights actually make sense. They’re timed well, and you rarely wait more than 30-60 seconds. That short pause won’t derail your day, but the stares from locals might make you uncomfortable for the next hour.
2. Assuming Everywhere Takes Credit Cards
This one catches so many visitors off guard. You’re at a cozy restaurant, you’ve just finished an amazing schnitzel, and you reach for your credit card. The server shakes their head. “Cash only.”
Germany runs on cash more than almost any other developed country. About 60% of transactions still happen with physical money, and many smaller establishments—bakeries, cafes, bars, local shops—only accept euros you can hold in your hand. Even some larger restaurants prefer cash, and when they do take cards, it’s often only the German EC-card system, not your Visa or Mastercard.
This catches people at their worst moments. Picture this: you’re at a traditional beer garden on a Sunday afternoon. You’ve had three beers and a pretzel the size of your head. The bill comes, and your phone is dead, so you can’t use a payment app. Your credit card gets declined because they don’t have the machine. Now you’re stuck.
Always carry cash. Hit up an ATM when you arrive and keep at least €50-100 on you. Check your bank’s foreign transaction fees first, though. Some cards charge brutal rates for international ATM withdrawals. The good news? Once you have cash, everything runs smoothly. Germans are efficient with cash transactions, and you’ll actually move through lines faster than you would fumbling with chip readers.
3. Making Noise on Sundays
Sunday in Germany is sacred quiet time, and I mean that literally. There’s a law called Sonntagsruhe—Sunday rest—that prohibits loud activities. You cannot vacuum your apartment. You cannot mow your lawn. You definitely cannot drill holes in your wall to hang up that picture you’ve been meaning to deal with.
The designated quiet hours typically run from 10 PM to 6 or 7 AM on weekdays, plus all day Sunday and public holidays. But honestly, Germans extend this courtesy throughout the weekend. Saturday afternoon might be okay for some noise, but Sunday? Forget it.
Your neighbors will complain, and they’re well within their rights. Germans value peace and order in their living spaces, and they expect everyone to follow the same standards. Running your washing machine might slide under the radar, but anything louder will earn you a knock on the door or, worse, a formal complaint to your landlord.
Plan your chores accordingly. Get your loud tasks done during the week. If you’re staying in an Airbnb or hotel, keep music and TV at reasonable volumes on Sunday. Even talking loudly in stairwells can bother people. Think of Sunday as a collective exhale, a day when everyone agrees to just… be quiet.
4. Being Late to Appointments
German punctuality isn’t a stereotype—it’s a way of life. When someone says 3 PM, they mean 3 PM, not 3:10 or “sometime around three-ish.” Arriving late signals disrespect for the other person’s time, and Germans take that personally.
This applies to everything. Doctor’s appointments, business meetings, dinner reservations, even casual coffee dates with friends. If you’re meeting someone at 7 PM, aim to arrive at 6:55. Walking in at 7:03 already puts you on shaky ground, and showing up at 7:15 without a heads-up text? You’ve basically burned that bridge.
The flip side is equally true. If you’re hosting or organizing something, people will show up exactly on time. Don’t invite someone over for dinner at 7 PM if you’re still cooking at 7:15. They’ll ring your doorbell at 7:00 sharp, and you’ll be scrambling.
Traffic isn’t considered a valid excuse unless it’s truly exceptional. Germans plan their routes, check public transportation schedules, and build in buffer time. They expect you to do the same. If something genuinely unavoidable happens—a train breakdown, a medical emergency—send a message immediately. The earlier you communicate, the better.
5. Expecting Shops to Be Open Late or on Sundays
Germany’s shopping hours will mess with your plans if you’re used to 24/7 convenience. Most stores close by 8 PM on weekdays, often earlier in smaller towns. Saturday hours usually end around 6 or 8 PM, depending on the area.
Then comes Sunday. Almost everything shuts down. Grocery stores, clothing shops, and hardware stores—all closed. Germans use Sunday for rest, family time, and leisure, not shopping. The only exceptions are restaurants, bakeries (sometimes, in the morning), gas stations (for emergency supplies at premium prices), and shops in train stations or airports.
This means you need to plan. Running out of groceries on Sunday afternoon? Too bad. You’re either eating out, hitting a gas station for overpriced basics, or going hungry until Monday. Forgot to buy a birthday gift for a party on Sunday? You’re showing up empty-handed or getting creative.
Saturday becomes crucial. That’s your last chance to stock up before the Sunday shutdown. Germans do their big shopping on Saturday mornings, so supermarkets get crowded. Go early if you want to avoid the rush, or accept that you’ll be navigating packed aisles.
Some cities have special “open Sundays” a few times per year, where shops can open for a few hours. These are events, basically. People mark them on calendars. But don’t count on stumbling into one. Check local calendars if you’re desperate, but better yet, just stock up on Saturday.
6. Talking Loudly in Public Spaces
Americans, this one’s especially for you. Germans speak more quietly in public than you’re probably used to. On trains, in restaurants, on the street—the ambient volume sits noticeably lower than in many other countries.
You’ll notice this immediately on public transportation. People talk in hushed tones, if they talk at all. Many prefer reading, looking out the window, or scrolling their phones silently. When your voice rises above that baseline, every head turns.
It’s not that Germans never get loud. Beer gardens, festivals, sports bars—these places buzz with energy and noise. But default public spaces maintain a quieter atmosphere. Talking at your normal volume might feel fine to you, but to everyone around you, you’re That Loud Tourist.
Phone conversations are particularly sensitive. Germans either keep these brief and quiet on public transit or step away to somewhere more private. Taking a long, animated call on a crowded train marks you as inconsiderate. Even worse? Playing music, videos, or games without headphones. That’s a fast track to hostile glares.
Lower your volume by about 30% in public. Read the room. If everyone around you speaks quietly, match that energy. Save your animated storytelling for appropriate settings. Your travel companions will thank you, and locals will appreciate your awareness.
7. Skipping the Recycling Rules
German recycling isn’t casual. It’s precise, organized, and taken seriously. You’ll find multiple bins for different types of waste, and you’re expected to sort correctly.
The basic categories: paper and cardboard go in blue bins. Packaging materials—plastic, metal, composite materials—go in yellow bins or yellow bags. Organic waste—food scraps, garden waste—goes in brown bins. General waste, the stuff that doesn’t fit anywhere else, goes in black or gray bins. Glass gets its own containers, usually located in neighborhoods, and you separate it by color: clear, green, and brown.
But wait, there’s more. Bottles and cans often have a deposit system called Pfand. You pay extra when you buy the drink, then return the empty container to a machine at the supermarket for your money back. The deposit ranges from €0.08 for some glass bottles up to €0.25 for plastic bottles. Skip this, and you’re literally throwing money away.
Getting this wrong causes problems. Your neighbors will notice if you consistently mess up, and in apartment buildings, someone might even dig through the bins to identify who’s not sorting properly. Property managers take this seriously because incorrect sorting leads to fines for the whole building.
Take five minutes to learn the system when you arrive. Most accommodations provide guides, and you can always ask your host or a neighbor. Once you’ve got it down, it becomes second nature. Plus, you’ll feel good about reducing waste in a country that takes environmental responsibility seriously.
8. Using Formal Spaces Casually
Germany maintains clear boundaries between formal and informal settings. University lectures, business meetings, government offices, medical appointments—these spaces demand a certain level of formality.
Address people with titles and last names unless invited otherwise. “Herr” (Mr.) and “Frau” (Ms./Mrs.) plus the last name is standard. If someone has a doctorate, it’s “Herr Doktor” or “Frau Doktor.” Professors get “Herr Professor” or “Frau Professor.” Skipping these titles, especially when you first meet someone, comes across as rude or immature.
The formal “you” (Sie) instead of the informal (du) matters too. Even if you’re both young adults, start with Sie in professional or unfamiliar contexts. Wait for the other person to suggest switching to du—they might say “Wir können uns duzen” (We can use the informal you). Don’t jump the gun on this.
Dress codes matter more than in many other places. Showing up to a business meeting in jeans and sneakers raises eyebrows. Germans tend to dress more formally for professional settings. Clean, well-fitted clothing that looks intentional rather than thrown together makes the right impression.
This formality eases up in social settings. Bars, parties, casual hangouts—these spaces let you relax. But when in doubt, start formal. You can always move toward casual if the situation allows it. Going the other direction feels awkward and disrespectful.
9. Bringing Up World War II Casually
Germany’s relationship with its history is complex, serious, and ever-present. The country has done extensive work confronting its past, and that process continues through education, memorials, and ongoing dialogue.
Here’s what not to do: don’t make Nazi jokes. Don’t do Hitler impressions. Don’t throw around casual references to World War II or the Holocaust as conversation starters or icebreakers. These topics are profoundly sensitive, and Germans learn about this history with a depth and solemnity that shapes their national identity.
This doesn’t mean the subjects are taboo. Germans discuss this history openly and critically, especially in appropriate contexts—museums, educational settings, and serious conversations. The difference is tone and intent. Treating these topics with gravity and respect is essential. Using them for shock value or humor? That’s crossing a line.
The legal side matters too. Nazi symbols, salutes, and certain related materials are illegal in Germany. Displaying a swastika or doing a Nazi salute can lead to arrest and prosecution. There’s no “just joking” defense. The law doesn’t care about your intent.
Young Germans might engage with this history differently from older generations, but the sensitivity remains. If you genuinely want to understand this part of German history, visit the memorials, read the plaques, and ask thoughtful questions in appropriate settings. Show respect for the weight of what happened.
10. Expecting Everything in English
Yes, many Germans speak English, especially in cities and among younger people. But assuming everyone will accommodate you linguistically shows a lack of respect for where you are.
Learning basic German phrases goes a long way. “Guten Tag” (good day), “Bitte” (please), “Danke” (thank you), “Entschuldigung” (excuse me)—these small efforts signal respect. Even if you butcher the pronunciation, people appreciate that you tried.
Start interactions in German, even if it’s just “Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie Englisch?” (Excuse me, do you speak English?). This gives the other person a choice rather than forcing them into English. Many will happily switch to English to help you, but that courtesy works better when you acknowledge you’re in their country, speaking their language.
Rural areas, older generations, and certain professional settings present bigger language barriers. Not everyone speaks English, and even those who do might not feel comfortable using it. Bring a translation app, carry a small phrasebook, or at least have key phrases written down.
Some Germans get frustrated with tourists who show up expecting English everywhere without any attempt at German. It’s not about being unwelcoming—it’s about reciprocity. You’re visiting their country. Making an effort, even a small one, changes the dynamic completely. People become friendlier, more patient, and often more helpful when they see you’re trying.
Wrapping Up
Germany rewards visitors who take the time to understand its cultural norms. These aren’t arbitrary rules designed to frustrate outsiders—they’re the social fabric that makes German society function smoothly.
You’ll make mistakes. Everyone does. Germans generally recognize when someone’s making an honest effort versus just bulldozing through with no regard for local customs. A little preparation and awareness transform your experience from frustrating to genuinely enjoyable.
Respect the quiet hours, carry some cash, learn a few German phrases, and wait for those pedestrian lights. These small adjustments open doors to richer connections and smoother interactions. Germany has so much to offer once you know how to meet it on its own terms.
