Germany Information Website: Customs and Helpful Hints

The traffic laws are not really that bad. There are just a lot of road signs that you need to learn. If you are military, you have to take a driving test before you are allowed to drive. My suggestion, STUDY! Belive me, there are quite a few people who fail. The Germans also keep cameras set up in a car on the side of the road to catch speeders. So be careful.
You must have an international drivers licence to drive in any country other than Germany. You can get that here for about 15 euro and it is good for 3 years.
New motorcycle law - you must have a EU approved helmet to ride your bike!
To ride a motorcycle here, you must take the riders course and have it endorsed on your stateside licence They do offer courses here also but it is easier if you have it done before you come if you want to ride right away.
Be warned: "flipping someone the bird" is illegal in Germany and is about $1000 for your first offense. All the other person has to have is someone in the car to be a witness.
Dogs are allowed almost everywhere, even in a restaurant, so don't be shocked.
Take special consideration when bringing your dog if you live on base and are unfortunate enough to be assigned stairwell housing. There are only certain areas that you can take your pet to do their business. And then after they are done, you have to pick it up and discard of it, even in the woods. Plus, you can't just let them out the back door to go run and play (there is no back door). What if you live on the 4th floor, you have to take your dog all the way down stairs and then to the proper area for them to do their business. Personally, I wouldn't have a dog on base if they paid me money! This is my opinion......I am not telling you to abandon your animals, but please just keep this is mind when relocating your little pets. I love Dogs! Also, shipping your pets can be expensive and really a pain. Check your airline to see what the restrictions are for shipping a pet. If your furry loved ones are small, they might be able to fit under your seat. If they are big like mine, they have to go under the plane with the luggage. If it is too hot or too cold, they are not able to fly. We flew in Aug, and had to ship our dog in June. The total price was around $700, and we had to have someone go through a nightmare trying to pick her up. There were charges that we didn't know about and she had to find about €130. It also took her forever to find the right place in "cargo city" that she had to go to get my dog. It is not called "Cargo city" for nothing. The whole process only took about 4 hours, which I have heard of much worse.
If you live in one of the new townhomes, you will have your own fenced in back yard. So, this is much better and pet friendly than the old stairwell apartments.
Ramstein AB is divided into two sides, the north and the south. The midline is the main road that runs from the east gate (by the traffic circle) to the west gate (by Burger King or the new KMCC - Mall/Hotel).
Sponsor problems? If you do not hear from your sponsor within 60 days of your reporting date, call your unit and they can help.

Cigarette Machines are everywhere in Germany (and other countries too, from what I have seen). Some now only take credit cards with special Eurochips to ensure that the person buy the cigarettes are old enough. American credit cards do not have these Eurochips in them and will not work on the new machines.
Tipping at a restaurant? Yes, but don't leave it on the table, this is considered to be rude (this also includes other businesses for service, i.e. hair care, taxi's,etc.). It is customary to round your bill up to about 50 cent euro per person for a good meal. For extra good service, a bit more.
Breakables in your first shipment/hold baggage:Be careful when they pack your stuff. We lost our TV, VCR, Stereo System, and Computer monitor. They jammed everything into three little boxes and we ended up getting it the same day as we got our household goods. And the movers were great with our HHG shipment. They packed everything great, except for our brand new couch. It was too big to fit in the crates they had so they said they were going to build a "special" crate for it. Do you know what it arrived in? A box. They built a "special" box for it and the back was busted up. We got an estimate of $300.00 to fix it.
Using transformers is a pain and they suck energy even if you are not using them. Make sure that when not in use, you turn them off and unplug them. If you leave it on and there is nothing plugged into it, it still uses about 10% of it voltage and that is $$$!! There are different sizes used for different items depending on how many watts you need to run it. They are expensive. FMO gives you 1 large one to use while you are on station. They used to give you two, but not anymore. The rest, you will have to buy. I suggest going to PCS basement sales or looking in the local military paper in the classifieds. (you will only need these if you are living off base with 110 equipment) If you call on an ad from the paper, call first thing in the morning. If not, it will be gone!
Some of your 110 appliances will work with a transformer, just note that there is a chance that things might not work as you expect them too. There are a few things that will not work right no matter what. A microwave or a digital clock (American) will not work, even with a transformer. We sold all of our 110 kitchen appliances. The 220 appliances we bought new in the store were not badly priced. And usually German kitchens are small and you don't have room for the transformers. Most houses don't have much counter space at all.
You must recycle in Germany, on or off base. Off base is even harder! You have to recycle plastic, milk cartons, cans, tin foil, paper, glass, your wasted food, and more!
Shopping is pretty good here. You must bring a bag or a basket of your own when shopping on the economy (in most stores). They do not provide you with bags. Sometimes they have bags for you to purchase. The hours aren't that good. Most places close for lunch and they also close around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. The German government has just extended the hours and stores are allowed to stay open later, but a lot still choose to close early. And I haven't found much that is open on Sundays.
Prices: the price on the label includes the tax, which over here is 19%. So if the store advertises (or ask them) "Tax Free Sales", this means that for purchases over a certain amount (usually €50 or more) you can avoid paying the Value Added Tax. You get them on base at the VAT office and they are $4.00 each. You are allowed to have 10 at a time. They are really a good thing and will save you 19%. There should be a VAT office on just about every base, so you should be able to get them easily. Make sure that you ask the store in advanced if they accept the VAT form. IKEA, Mobel Martin, and Walmart do for sure. You can also use the VAT form for some of your utilities - water, gas, and electric - in most places! You cannot use the VAT for phone or television service.
Knowing the language: if you don't know German, don't worry. You will end up learning at least enough to get by. Quite a bit of people know English. But, there are several German classes that are offered on base to learn the language. I suggest learning a little bit. I regret not learning but it is not necessary. Being here a second time, I am going to learn the language. Like I said above, we were here for 3 years before and got by. This time, I want to learn; especially living off base.
Waterbeds are not allowed in base housing.
The KMC is 6 hours ahead of Eastern time.
We do drive on the right side of the road just like in the states.
In the winter time, it gets dark at about 4:30 pm and doesn't get light until about 8 am. In the summer time, it gets dark at about 10 pm and starts getting light before 5 am.
We do a lot of shopping on-line here. jcp.com, target.com, and walmart.com will be your best friend! If you are going to shop online, you might as well get cash back, right? It is FREE to use! You sign up, shop for the first time, and get $5 in your account.... and if you use my email address (usafparish96@yahoo.com) as the referrer, I will also get $5 in my account. When you are ready to shop, you visit www.ebates.com, select from the hundreds of sites you want to shop at, it takes you to that site, you shop, and you get cash credited to your ebates account. Every three months, you get a check in the mail! I have gotten over $200 back... (I do a lot of shopping!) You can also click on this link to sign up for free... http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?id=32863056
If you see something in the stores on base that you think you are going to need, BUY IT! Because, when you do need it, it won't be there....Guaranteed!
GAS! Our gas prices are now updated weekly instead of monthly and the price is supposedly based on the national average, but it always seems to be a bit more for extra taxes and import fees. I think our prices are similar to the most expensive gas you could buy in the states. Our gas is rationed and you must have an AAFES Fuel card to purchase gas. We used to have ration cards and fuel coupons, but this gas card now takes their place. You can put money onto your card and use the card off base at accepting ESSO gas stations. Instead of paying the regular price that the Germans pay, you pay on base AAFES prices when you fill up off base. You just pay for the gas using your AAFES fuel card like a credit card. Most ESSO's close to the autobahn accept them, just check before you pump......and there are some in Holland that accept them too.
BUY A MAP! My suggestion is to buy a map that shows the Autobahns (asap!) That is where we get lost the most. There are no N,S,E,W signs and so if you don't know which town is next, you probably will go in the wrong direction. We went 1 hour at 100mph out of the way! So we had to go back that 100 miles where we started and we were still 1 hour from home! It was a long messup after a long day of adventure. We were almost to the Czech Republic border......take my advice, BUY A MAP!
Digital Clocks from the States will not keep time in Germany, buy one here. The clock on your computer won't even keep time unless it is dual voltage. But my new computer is dual voltage, and it won't keep time either.
American cordless phones are illegal in Germany. I know there are a lot of people who have them and I am not telling you not to bring it. I don't know what the penalty is if you get caught with one. They run on the same frequency as the Emergency System and they interfere. They do sell German cordless phones here in the Power Zone. (they are expensive, we bought one and it didn't work and the directions were in German so we took it back.)
Bring your answering machine, it will work if you have a 110 plug or transformer.
Check all of your appliances to see if they are dual voltage! You would be surprised what is. This will save you a lot of money! My curling iron and flat iron are dual voltage! Yipee!!! Just make sure you check to see if it has a switch so you can change it to the correct voltage. Some items automatically detect which to use.
CAUTION: The water here is very hard. You might want to make sure that you use a moisturizing soap and lots of lotion.
The Electricity in Germany is 220 volts. In base housing, there are both 110 and 220 outlets. When we were on base, our living room and kitchen had both. The bedrooms only have 220 and the hallway only has 110. Some of the new remolded base housing had both 110 and 220 all through the house.
You can plug your American 110 lamps or lights into a 220 plug with an converter that is very small, cost at the most a couple of dollars, probably less. Just add a 220 light bulb and you are ready to go! (That is probably one of the easiest fixes there are!) But be carful, the converter is only for some things (we only use it for the lamps). You have to use a transformer for most other things.

110 to 220 adapter - The top one has a 110 plugged into it. Make sure you use 220 light bulbs for your lamps when using this adapter. You can also use this adapter if your appliances are dual voltage. Make sure to change the switch on the appliance from 110 to 220 if there is one. Some appliances, such as my curling and flat irons automatically change voltage.
You can bring your grill. If you live in base housing in the old apartments, everybody stores their grills on the side of the buildings. If you have a townhome or off base, your will have your own yard.
You can get your propane tanks filled at the gas station for about $15.00. To get a new tank, there is a deposit of $25 and then you have to pay the price to fill it.
Middle-aged and older Germans are usually formal with a strict order or precedence, with older persons first, and women before men. They always shake hands when introduced. Men are always presented to women, never the other way around, and younger people to older, except for very high-ranking individuals. There are several customary greetings that go with the introduction, but the simplest is merely: Guten Morgen (goot'n Mohr-g'n) Good morning, Guten Tag (goot'n Tahk) Good day, Guten Abend (goot'n AH-b'nt) Good evening, Gruss Gott (Greuss Gott) Greetings. There is no corresponding form for good afternoon. The younger generation is casual, usually introducing by first name only, greeting with: Hallo (Hah-loh) Hello. When a man is walking with a woman, he always walks to her left.
The Germans used to be known as the biggest hand shakers in the world. This is no longer true, especially for people under 30, but if doubt, shake hands. Here are some basic rules. A man greeting a woman waits until the woman extends her hand first. If a man greets a man, the older or higher ranking man extends his hand first. Men must remove their gloves outdoors for handshaking and both men and women remove their gloves when indoors. Also, if a man wears a hat, he should remove it (not just tip it) during handshaking. Not to shake an extended hand is an insult to the one who offers it.
You may greet acquaintances with the greetings you see here, followed by the individual's name and "Wie Gehtes Ihnen"? (Vee Gait ess EE-N'n or Vee getis eee nin), but this is very formal. Most people just say "Wie Gehtes" (Vee gets?) This all just means "How are you?" Middle-aged and older Germans usually adhere to formality in title and address. All forms of address begin with "Herr" (Mister), "Frau" (Mrs. or Ms.), followed either by their individual title, function or family name. Wives of husbands with rank or title may prefer to be addressed as "Frau" plus husband's title, such as "Frau Professor," but this is very old-fashioned. When leaving, you say "Auf Wiedersehen" (Aouf VEE-d'zehn) Till we meet again, A less formal "Tschuess" (chewss) (loosely translated - See you later.) Is more commonly used.
Quiet hours are a time of rest for the Germans. It's what we call naptime. Quiet hours are from 1300 until 1500 Monday through Saturday during the day. Sunday through Thursday, the night time hours are from 2200 until 0600. On Fridays and Saturdays quiet time is from 2400 until 0600. Sunday is observed as a day of rest and family time; no yard work, construction, or other chores are performed outside - quiet time all day.
If you are invited to a German home, dress appropriately for the occasion. If you are invited for a meal, it is customary to take flowers (roses are not recommended), candy or wine. Remove the paper wrapping before you hand the flowers to the hostess, if not cellophane-wrapped.
An Imbiss is smaller than a café and sometimes trailer mounted. Usually has opening to the street, sidewalk or parking area. Serve quick meals like bratwurst, chicken and frikadella's (German hamburger). They are numerous and if you leave Deutschland with out tasting a true Nurnburger bratwurst, you aren't living.
German cafes are a nice place to visit. They are primarily someplace to go to drink and perhaps to have a conversation with a friend. The most popular beverages served in cafes are coffee and hot chocolate through soft drinks to alcohol. Some cafes serve regular food items also. A cafe is not the place to go for a quick cup of coffee. Wait until you have an hour to spend watching, sipping and talking with others. The proprietor won't mind if YOU stay several hours. You can read or write letters there if you wish. Cafes are normally crowded at "coffee time" between three and five in the afternoon and often after theater and movie performances. The so-called "Tanz-Cafe" will have dances in the evenings and perhaps in the afternoons also.
Gasthaus is the German word for a local pub that may or may not serve meals and a restaurant is just that. When you go into a Gasthaus or a restaurant you should not sit at a table that has a sign on it that says "Stammtisch" unless the Gasthaus is completely full. This means the table is reserved for the local townspeople who are regular customers. A Gasthaus is not fast food. The pace is leisurely, so be prepared to visit and enjoy the atmosphere. They expect you to spend an hour or two for a relaxing meal. Hot food is usually served during lunch and dinner hours only. You may be able to get hot food late at night, but do not count on it. Hot food in the late afternoon is even more difficult to get. It is all right to sit down at an occupied table with empty chairs, but first ask the permission of the occupants. Use the phrase "Gestatten Sie"? (ggeh-SHTAHT-t'n Zee) do you mind? You can get tap water with meals but it is not customary, and it probably won't be cold when you get it. If you ask for water, you will more than likely be brought mineral water in a bottle. Milk is not customary with meals either and may not be available. If you want to steer away from wine or beer, try mineral water, some juice, Saft (Zaft), like apple juice, Apfelsaft (APE'l-zaft), or a soft drink. Fewer Germans than Americans eat bread or rolls with hot meals. If you order them, there will be a small charge. A German may wish a "Guten Appetit" (have a good meal) just before the meal begins. If someone uses the phrase to you, answer "Danke, ebenfalls" (DAHN-keh, E-b'n-fahls) (likewise). Of course, the same reply to the waiter or waitress wouldn't be appropriate. Before the first sip of an alcoholic beverage, raise your glass and say either "Zum Wohl" (tsoom vohl) or "Prost" (Prohst), both of which mean "to your health". You pay the waiter at your table. When you are ready to pay, say "Bitte zahlen" (BIT-teh TSAH-l'n) the check please. The waiter will add a service charge to your bill of from 10 to 15 percent. This is not a tip; it's the waiter's wage. You need never give more than the final total on the bill, but it is customary to round out the sum to the nearest 10 cents or Euro. One Mark is a fair tip for an average meal. If you feel that your service was exceptional, a little more might be in order. Now that you know a little about Gasthauses and restaurants in German, we hope that you enjoy your meal.
Deutsch/English translation; "Guten Appetit" = Eat it all up. It is customary to clean your plate in Germany. They might think you are dissatisfied with the food, and may ask if something is wrong with the food.
The stores are normally open from 0800 to 1200 and closed from 1200 to 1400 for lunch and then open from 1400 until 1800 Monday to Friday. On Saturdays the stores are open from 0800 until 1600. The recent trend in Germany is later shopping hours. Some hours are different than others, this is just an example and not written in stone.
The monetary unit in Germany is the Euro €. Exchange rates between the American dollar and the Euro change daily, which makes budgeting tough at times. Just as the dollar is divided into 100 cents, the Euro is divided into 100 cents. You can check the curency rates at various websites. To determine how much an item actually costs, simply divide the purchase price by the current exchange rate. Euro can be purchased at the Community Bank, and the automatic cash machines on base or at the ATM's off base at the local banks. Exchange rates on military installations are at a special rate only for military personnel, and are normally slightly higher than the exchange rate offered by German banking facilities. The military exchange rate is announced several times daily on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Services and is published daily in the Stars and Stripes newspaper. When shopping on the economy in Germany, all prices include a 19 percent value added tax (VAT), unless otherwise indicated. You can save on the things you want to buy through a program known as Tax Relief. By taking advantage of this program, you can save the 19 percent VAT or Mehrwertsteuer. You can read more about this on our VAT page of this site.

Some things to know about your return trip to the United States. You are able to bring with you on the plane, gifts and/or personal items with a value not to exceed a total value of $300. This amount would be exempt from declaration. Items with a value of more than $300 may be imported, but they must be declared and are subject to customs duties and IRS taxes. A flat 10% charge will be levied on up to $600 worth of items over the duty free limit. The value of gifts, which can be mailed home duty free, has been increased from $10 to $25. Liquor, perfume, and tobacco cannot be mailed, but must be hand carried. There are no currency restrictions, however, the amount imported cannot exceed the amount exported. There is duty free entry for personal effect such as portable typewriters, radios, camera and film, 400 cigarettes or 500-gram cigars, 2 open bottles of wine or liquor (see below for other information on alcohol). Cigarettes or liquor must be declared or a fine may be levied on items confiscated. Items imported duty free will not be sold or exchanged.