Practical German Habits

(That I Wish the States Had as Well)

"People are very open-minded about new things... as long as they're exactly like the old ones."

~Charles Kettering

Picture taken in Germany on March 3, 2022.

Guten Tag! Wie geht es euch?

Today, I am sharing a post about Germany and some practical things they do in their day-to-day lives. My family is German, so my sisters and I have visited Germany four times so far (2014, 2017, 2019, & 2022). We're mostly fluent and quite familiar with many German traditions and ways, many of which we even incorporate into our daily lives.

At a brief glance, German life and American life don't seem too different (after all, they're both part of Western Civilization). But there are quite a few things that Germans do differently, and in my opinion, make more sense. I was inspired to make this post after my mom sent me this video made by an American family who moved to Germany. They make lots of videos showing what life is like in Germany, especially compared to the United States.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMJaDAVTAZ8

These are some of my favourite tips from the video.

1) Bottle Deposits (Pfand)

In Germany, it is the norm to return your empty drink cans and bottles to the store and get your money back. Seriously! Most supermarkets have special machines where you put in your plastic, glass, and tin cans, which motivates more people to recycle them so they don't end up in a landfill. How clever is that?

2) Shopping Carts

If you ever visit Germany, you'll notice that parking lots have no random carts strewn across the asphalt! That's because there is a system where you put large coins (or something similarly shaped) into slots in the shopping carts, and the only way to get the coin back is if you return the cart yourself to the store and attach it to another one. Another useful system that should become a norm in American stores.

Image found on Ecosia.

3) Collecting Rainwater

Nearly everywhere in Germany, people have large barrels under their storm drains to collect rainwater from roofs, which they then use to water their gardens. I remember that around 10 years ago, doing so was actually illegal in Colorado! They finally made it legal to have up to two barrels, which my family and I then got. It saves water and makes good use of the water that comes with a heavy rainstorm!

An image of a typical rain barrel I found on Ecosia. It looks much like the green ones my family has!

4) Natural Gardens

While Americans love their perfect lawn grass (which is expensive and unhealthy to maintain with all the weedkillers and fertilizers), Germans prefer gardens that grow more naturally. In a typical German yard, you'll see a plethora of flora, from "weeds" to flowers to shrubs growing in random places. People occasionally go out and trim whatever is overgrowing a fence or path, but they don't try to make their gardens look overly unnatural or perfect, like they do in a typical American suburb.

Picture taken in my grandpa's yard on March 4th, 2022.

Picture taken in my grandpa's yard on March 3rd, 2022.

Picture taken in my grandpa's yard on February 21st, 2022.

5) Two Comforters

In Germany, it's normal for a bed, especially a queen- or king-size bed, to have two separate comforters so couples don't have to fight over just one blanket at night. Instead, they each get their own, so they can sleep warmly and peacefully and avoid an expensive divorce.

An image from Ecosia.

6) Windows!

Perhaps one of the most popularly discussed German home features is their tilt-and-turn windows! You can open them slightly at the top to let in a fresh breeze, or open them fully on the side hinges for easy cleaning (or climbing out). Meanwhile, I'm stuck with American windows, which are a pain to push upwards or to the side to open. Need I say more?

Image found on Ecosia.

7) Airing Out Their Homes

As most German homes don't have air conditioning, opening the windows to create a cross breeze is a must. But! It also keeps their homes from smelling stale and musty, as I've noticed many American homes do.

8) Reusable Bags

Instead of using those thin plastic bags to store all the fresh produce, Germans use reusable net bags. They also generally have significantly less plastic packaging on all the items they sell, opting for more cardboard, paper, or biodegradable materials. Most people also bring their own bags and baskets to put all their shopping in, rather than using the thin plastic bags at the checkout.

9) Air-Drying Clothes

Not everyone in Germany has a dryer at home, so it's more common to air-dry your laundry. I personally find it a little ironic: the wetter climate means the clothes take longer to dry, but it's so much more environmentally friendly, saving energy, and the clothes are more likely to last longer without having to endure repeated exposure to extreme heat from the dryers.

An image I found on Ecosia.

Here are some other things that I have heard of or noticed myself that weren't mentioned in the video...!

Picture Taken: May 2nd, 2019

10) Better Food Quality (no corn syrup or preservatives)

In Germany, there are many more regulations than in the United States regarding what companies can put into their food products and what they cannot. Many pesticides, preservatives, and food colourants are not allowed in Germany due to their health risks. Because of this, the food is so much more appetizing and easier to eat for someone with a sensitive stomach, such as me.

An eye-opening meme my dad sent to me a while back.

Due to their stricter regulations, it is also possible to drink unpasteurized milk and eat certain meats raw! Totally unheard of in many of the States.

An automatic machine where you can buy fresh milk. Picture Taken: April 30th, 2019

11) More Potatoes

According to my mom, there are over 200 varieties of potatoes in Germany! Some are better for mashed potatoes, others for baking, and so on. Meanwhile, the US has what... 4, 6 kinds of potatoes? So much for Idaho being the potato state!

12) Sundays

No matter your background or religion, Sundays are seen as a day to relax and rest. Most stores are closed, so no one goes shopping. People stay home and do quiet things around their house. You won't likely hear a leaf blower or a drill anywhere, as everyone respects the natural peace and quiet on Sundays, which we all need every now and then.

Picture Taken: April 30th, 2019

Picture Taken: May 13th, 2019

13) Safer Places to Walk

Many people enjoy going on casual strolls outside, whether it is raining or shining. But the villages and neighbourhoods are also built to be more pedestrian-friendly, with safe trails through forests and even special streets in the cities where no cars are allowed! You don't feel as trapped as you do in American neighbourhoods, where you constantly have to be on the lookout for cars and other possible hazards coming your way.

  

Pictures Taken: February 25th, 2022

Another thing unique to Germany/Europe is that, along forest trails, you often see signs that tell you what kind of plant or tree you are passing by. So you can learn a little something along the way and become more familiar with your surroundings!

Picture Taken: May 1st, 2019

I'd like to briefly mention that, as my family is German (but we live in the States), we try to adopt as many of these German lifestyle hacks as we can, such as 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Some of these things are not only practical and eco-friendly, but also money and energy-saving!
Just a few years ago, Colorado passed a law making it illegal to hand out free plastic bags at the stores' checkouts. At first, you had to pay a few cents per bag, until they were gone altogether. Of course, the excessive plastic packaging surrounding all the other products you buy anyway somewhat defeats the purpose, in my opinion... but at least it's a start, and they're trying. There is hope yet that more and more states will adopt these useful habits and incorporate them into society.

That's all I have for now. Bis nachher!

Which of these habits would you like to have in your life if you don't already have them?

Is there anything else I forgot to mention? Let me know!

Picture taken in Germany on March 5, 2022.

"Look beyond the paint. Let us try to open our minds to a new idea."

~Julia Roberts