CULTURAL SHOCKS !!!!!

I learn to Smile 😊 to Strangers...

Yes i learn to smile at strangers. Back in India, i rarely smiled to any strangers or even looked back in someone's eyes. Here most of the people will smile at me even though i am stranger for them and say "Hello" , "Guten Morgen" etc while we were passing them. In the beginning i was surprised that how they can smile at strangers but later I also learnt to respond the same way positively with a nice smile. I smile to everyone here, the lady at the counter of supermarket, or the guy selling things or the bus driver and so on.As  Indians we are not accustomed to strangers smiling at us. But here everyone will give a good smile to you if you are interested to do that you can also give a beautiful smile back. It won't cost, but its make your day fresh and  best. I hope when i get back to India if i smile at strangers people don't give me a strange looks.

Greetings and Thank you

Wherever you go like shopping,bus stand,cafe shop, and almost all places the people will greet you by saying "Guten Tag","Guten Morgen", or "Guten Abend". This shifts to next level with other type of questions when i gone for attending a concert like "Are you Indian!!!!???", "What are you doing here?", " Have you tried this restaurant for Indian food? ",  etc...etc......!! I am really happy to hear such things from the German people.

Whenever i am sitting to have food in Naturschutzzentrum even the strangers who is coming to visit the place they will say " Guten Appetit" that means have a good lunch. Really they were made my days with single word.

Public Display of Affection

Pubic display of affection is still not popular in India and sex is still talked about in hushed tones. So, when once i arrived in Germany, its really a shock for me and it  embarrassed me a lot but now after a long days in Germany it liberated me. Here most of the people display their affection towards their dear ones through hug and kiss. Even it is a public place also they will show their affection in the same way. I was impressed by how couples could become oblivious to the world around them stop in the middle of the road and embark on a passionate kiss and hug and how couples did not have to be careful with their display of affection around their kids. Now i also believe that the best way to express our love towards our dear on is " Hug and Kiss"

Unerring Punctuality of Transport

I have been amazed how the city buses are always on right time. If the bus is came early also it will be waiting till their own time. Really the transport systems were marvelous about their punctuality. 

Toilet Paper Tragedy

However much i love Germany, there is something that shocks me till today is how it can make piece with toilet paper. Indians need their splash of water. But now i also learnt to survive without water.!!!

Sun, Water & Nudity

I have seen Germans across all cities share a common love for sun and water and swimwear. In the summer they can be found lounging in their shorts and bikinis and even some people without dress in beaches or lakes. 

Smoking & Drinking is common without Gender Discrimination.

More smokers than nonsmokers, it doesn't have Gender discrimination. While they don't smoke indoors(in bus/trains/buildings or closed shops), i have seen people put a cigarette in their mouth and lighter ready in their hand. Then as soon as they are in the open place, they light it. Every time someone smokes around me. Its a irritated thing for me. I always end up by inhaling some smoke from the people. I always try to find out a place where the smoke not attack me. 

People drink a lot of alcohol, especially beer and wine. People drink beer while walking, partying, travelling in train / bus within the city. Here beer is consumed with food too. One of the favorite leisure activity of people after work includes going to Beer garden to eat and drink beer. 

No Cycles only Bikes....!!!

Here bicycle are called Bikes. Very first day i told my mother that i have to ride bike everyday to Naturschutzzentrum, and she was surprised as she thought i got bike and didn't tell her. In India bike gives a different meaning "Motor Bike". Over the period of time i get so adjusted that i forget the vernacular of my country.  

In this random post i only mentioned some cultural shocks which i experienced my four months of stay in Germany. Waiting for the new things to see and experience...!!!