What are the GERMANS Really Like? (According to Germans and Foreigners!)

I ask locals and foreigners on the streets of Munich and Cologne about the most and least true German stereotypes, and here is what they had to say. From the directness, to the neighbors, to the economic nature of the Germans – this video covers a lot of what you need to know about the German mentality!

Shop for our cultural merch here:
Dating in Scandinavia? Read:
Join DBB mailing list:
We used Epidemic Sound in this video. FREE MONTH:

Dating Beyond Borders is a Youtube channel that focuses on highlighting the cultural differences that come into play while dating people from other countries.

Videos out every Thursday – hit the bell button to receive notifications! πŸ””

Follow DBB on Social Media!

Facebook:
Instagram:
TikTok:
Website:

Premium
 

  • @henri_ol says:

    “Be on time” is something that would like to be normal in my country , here if someone said “10 A.M” probably will be at “11 A.M” πŸ˜‚

  • @yasser7139 says:

    Great video as usual, your journey in Europe was epic, I learned a lottttttt from that so thank you so much and keep up the hard work

  • @carl_11 says:

    “Some refugees taking advantage because of our past and germans won’t complain about it” that’s so true , even way far from Germany i’ve heard the news about foreigners says such things and how germans are seems as weak for doing nothing about it

  • @cqtaylor says:

    There’s a difference between being straightforward and lacking a sense of tactfulness. One should be able to gauge the context of a situation and the sensitivity of the recipient, before sharing “direct” criticism. Otherwise these direct opinions can appear somewhat cruel.

    • @klimtkahlo says:

      Yes, I feel the straightforwardness is in opposition to American (mostly USA) fake-ness. I feel a German would refrain from complimenting your outfit if he did not think it was good, whereas an American (USA) would perhaps compliment you and then laugh and criticize you to others behind your back. Just my personal experience, I suppose.

    • @macroxela says:

      ​@@klimtkahloperhaps the younger generations in some cities but Germans won’t just refrain from compliments if they don’t like something, they will actively criticize it. At least that’s what I’ve seen from most Germans.

    • @klimtkahlo says:

      @@macroxela I have lived in both Germany and Austria and no one has ever come to me and just gave me unrequested criticism.

    • @macroxela says:

      @@klimtkahlo I’ve lived in Germany for nearly a decade and it’s happened more often than I can count. Not just to me but also to others including various friends.

    • @inotoni6148 says:

      Hmm, if the Dutch are direct it’s OK, but if the Germans are direct it’s not OK. Strainge!
      The Dutch are actually very proud of their directness and even say that they are even more so than the Germans

  • @azoresfacereading says:

    Great Video, also from CologneπŸ₯°

  • @MarK-fp1hm says:

    Wow, that was spot on!

  • @kbbarton1 says:

    Nice work!

  • @hoomankalan says:

    What a great culture.

  • @heyenu says:

    Moving to Switzerland after living for years in Germany, I realize how disorganized Germany is

    • @tobiasphilippwittlinger8753 says:

      Do you like that?
      It is also way cleaner, I am always surprised how ,,dirty,, cities in Italy or Germany are compared to Swiss ones.

    • @MsYolost says:

      Yes, as a German who worked in Switzerland for half a year I used to say that Swiss people are the more german Germans πŸ˜€

    • @ichbinhier355 says:

      this only applies to the German speaking part of Switzerland, the other parts are kinda different

    • @horstborscht7401 says:

      Funnily enough, a (German) friend of mine once complained that in her opinion Germans are too spontaneous, disorganised and not direct enough – whereas all the non-Germans among my friends said the exact opposite. When she dabbled with moving to Switzerland, I said thatβ€˜s probably the right choice, Β΄cause itΒ΄s the only country in the world that is even more obsessed with punctuality and organisation. It didnβ€˜t happen in the end, and it wouldnβ€˜t have worked, because in Switzerland people tend to be more reserved, which wouldnβ€˜t have gone too well for her.

  • @MajorKusanagi43 says:

    A large part of German humor is based on savvy wordplay. Therefore, a lot gets lost in translation. It is very sad that as a result we are being seen as humorless.

    • @inotoni6148 says:

      That’s right. I always say that too.
      A performance by Torsten StrΓ€ter, for example, cannot be translated

    • @Anglo-Saxon_2001 says:

      As an Englishman, honestly imo, I like talking to Germans, I like making banter with them. Other people take it seriously

    • @val-schaeffer1117 says:

      German humour is an oxymoron.

    • @camanou1430 says:

      ​@@Anglo-Saxon_2001Yeah German and English humor are a great fit, we can appreciate each other’s witt.

    • @Kokuswolf says:

      @@camanou1430Totally. I love the english humour. Can’t imagine not having seen Monty for example. German humour often based on trust too. Many jokes I made wouldn’t work if they don’t know me and my friendly relation to them. And I love when they recognize that and do it me too.

  • @johngonzalez4298 says:

    Buon Giovedi signorina Marina! This was great to watch and you did great a job with the interviews. Sending my love ❀ from Miami, Florida, USA

  • @jusebacho says:

    I believe that Germans are fun and have a sense of humor, the β€œproblem” according to my theory about that stereotype is that humor is lost in translation, in addition to the fact that in general the gap of measuring what is normal and not normal is perspective of the USA, I have lived in Texas as a foreigner and now in Germany and I can say that they are very friendly in a different way than the American one and in my opinion, among countries like Holland, Sweden and Austria (what I know) without the most open

  • @Bloodark124 says:

    I think it’s better if some where in the video maybe in one of the corners you label where you interviewed these people, because culture between cities can surely differentiate and is probably important to know.

  • @IIIOOOUS says:

    They have so nice weather in January in Munich.

  • @tobiasphilippwittlinger8753 says:

    I think one can say that the culture from Scandinavia all the way down to Switzerland is quite similar.
    A lot of comments in the videos about Sweden and Germany also applie to Switzerland.

  • @othabir says:

    A lot of people come here for work and aren’t young anymore, when you’re working, you don’t have much time and you have to plan. It’s everywhere. Germans can still be spontaneous. But it’s just adulting. When I go to my home country, I also can’t meet everyone I know because people now have more responsibilities and if I want to meet, they need to know in advance

  • @elisabettazuppardi1469 says:

    Germans are colder than us utalians but it’s normal considering their climate. I was in Germany 2 months ago and everyone was kind to me and helped me in an extremely detailed way (even checking the bus timetables themselves on the internet) or they offered to help me get my luggage and take photos without me asking. If you are polite and don’t claim everything you will hardly have any problems (obviously there are exceptions)

    • @val-schaeffer1117 says:

      Germans are cold, humourless, and boring. And I am just being direct, which Germans claim to like.

    • @Anglo-Saxon_2001 says:

      This is why it’s best to travel not rely on Internet/stereotypes

    • @val-schaeffer1117 says:

      @@Anglo-Saxon_2001 Stereotypes do not emerge out of thin air. Most of the stereotypes are true.

    • @elisabettazuppardi1469 says:

      ​@@Anglo-Saxon_2001 yes,but it depends on the city/region because I heard different experiences.I was in rural South Germany,I don’t know about the rest.

  • @Brian6587 says:

    It’s funny but I’m German-American and always laugh when I hear about German punctuality. Whether’s it’s for appointments, hanging out with friends or work. I also like things being planned out lol. My family emigrated to the United States during the late 1920’s just after the Depression hit. I still have family in France (we are part French as well) and Germany today and will always be proud of my heritage. In the State of Pennsylvania where I live there are many MANY families with German background mostly what is called “Pennsylvania Dutch”.

  • @andreize49 says:

    Not related to this video, but I wanted to say that the quality of your production has increased significantly over the years. I remember watching one of your vids 7,8 years ago, and I was like “what is this, she is just narrating something in front of camera which is half true”, but now(when you have more money probably) you fly out and interview all these random people, drone and street shots, research result discussion etc. Mad props, I hope more and more of your content goes viral.

  • @seanmovie9077 says:

    Hi … I really liked this series of β€œWhat the __________ are really like”…

    I know it’s easy to request and difficult to make , but personally I feel you should make more of these of as many countries as possible… and this will for sure increase your viewership a lot…. As well as we as the audience will enjoy it a lot so it’s a win win for all… Sincere thanks from me for making this series and I hope you fulfill my request which I have stated above

  • >
    Verified by MonsterInsights