Essences of Berlin

Los Tres Amigos were sitting around Winterfeldtplatz, eating some good Habibi falafel, watching the sunset, and wax philosophical over Berlin. For better or worse, we had some funny first impressions and insightful observations as foreigners in what we all agree is one of Europe’s best cities.

Top Unusual First Impressions of a Foreigner Living in Berlin

1. When you order a Hotdog (or french fries or any number of other things) you have your choice of Ketchup OR mustard. The thought of wanting more than one condiment doesn’t seem to register.
2. The use of ice doesn’t exist. You wont get any with your pop and there is no sense in asking for some because they don’t even have the capabilities of making any!
3. German men have the exact same potty training of their female counter parts. Which is to say, while going #1 or #2, both should be done while sitting. They expect the same from everyone else as well.
4. Receiving tap water at a restaurant is sometimes difficult. On numerous occasions I have been told they don’t have any!
5. There is seldom any pressure for you to leave the restaurant/bar. The downside to that is, getting the check can sometimes be a time consuming process
6. The above problem is compounded by not knowing your servers name. They NEVER have nametags, NEVER introduce themselves, and on occasion take offensive when being asked for their name.
7. Tis an interesting place when you can drink a beer WHILE driving a car, public nudity is common place in major parks or beaches, and four letter words like sh*t arent really swear words.
8. One should NEVER cross a crosswalk without first consulting the 'Dont Walk' light. One should NEVER cross when it says 'Dont Walk', even if there are no cars in sight.
9. Clothes dryer and microwaves are NOT products that Germans like to use. In fact most places I’ve lived DONT have them.
10. The per/minute cost to call a European cell phone (from a land line) is about 20 cents. HOWEVER, when calling a cell phone overseas, it costs about 3 cents per minute.
11. Air conditioning does NOT exist ANYWHERE in Berlin. Heat solely provided by radiators and windows NEVER have screens on them.

Top Ten Things a Foreigner Living in Berlin will come to love.

1. Safety! Berlin has a VERY low crime rate.
2. Perhaps best public transportation in Europe.
3. A very low cost of living but VERY spacious rooms (12’ ceilings and 180 sq ft rooms are common)
4. VERY casual dress code. While listening to a symphony your neighbor could be gothic or punk and you will never get turned down at the door of a bar or club.
5. Rich ethnically diversity leads to colorful festivals and a wide range of restaurants.
6. Relatively low traffic makes the city easy to drive and somewhat bike friendly.
7. Caters to families, meaning lots of parks, playgrounds and a slower pace on the sidewalks.
8. Abundance of Higher Arts. The historic call divided the city, causing each to develop/grow independently. Now after reunification, there are twice the museums, opera houses, and universities.
9. Unusually quick queues in the airports due to the decentralized structure. (check in, security and gate number are all pretty much the same thing).
10. A modern history bigger than any roller coaster ride. The city retains its past while still being progressive in its future.