A guide for Australians on what australians are surprised by when they first arrive in germany.
## 5. What Australians Are Surprised by When They First Arrive in Germany Moving from Australia to Germany involves more than language and paperwork. It involves adjusting to a culture that operates differently in dozens of ways that no guidebook quite prepares you for. Here is what Australians consistently say surprised them most. ### The Silence on Public Transport In Australia, chatting with strangers on public transport is not unusual. Someone might make a comment about the weather, ask about your day, or strike up a conversation on a long train journey. In Germany, public transport is mostly silent. Not awkward-silent — just the normal, accepted quiet of people going about their day. Talking loudly on your phone, having a conversation that others can hear, or making unsolicited comments to strangers is noticed and generally frowned upon. This is not unfriendliness. It is a different social norm around shared public spaces. Once you understand this, the quiet becomes comfortable rather than isolating. ### Sunday Is Genuinely Sunday In Germany, Sunday (*Sonntag*) is protected by law as a day of rest. Shops are closed. Supermarkets are closed. Hardware stores, clothing shops, department stores — all closed. The exceptions are petrol stations, some bakeries, and businesses at train stations and airports. For Australians accustomed to Sunday afternoon shopping runs, this takes adjustment. The upside is that German Sundays have a genuine character — parks fill with people, families go for walks (*Spaziergang*), cafés and restaurants are busy, and there is a collective agreement that today is not a day for productivity. Stock your fridge on Saturday. It matters. ### The Directness German communication tends to be more direct than what Australians are used to — and Australians are already more direct than many cultures. In Germany, if something is wrong with your food at a restaurant, you say so plainly. If a colleague disagrees with your proposal, they say so directly in the meeting, not to someone else in the corridor afterwards. If your German landlord thinks you have not cleaned the apartment well enough, they will tell you. This directness is not rudeness. It is respect — the assumption that you can handle honest feedback and prefer it to vague politeness. Once you adapt, it is actually refreshing. You always know where you stand. ### Cash Is Still King Germany uses more cash than almost any other developed economy. Many restaurants, small shops, and services are cash-only or strongly prefer cash. Saying *zahlen bitte* (the bill, please) at a restaurant and having only a card can cause a genuine problem in some places. Get into the habit of carrying €50–€100 in cash at all times. ATMs (*Geldautomaten*) are widely available, particularly at banks, and withdrawals from your own bank's network are usually free. ### The Recycling System Germany's waste separation system is among the most rigorous in the world. At minimum, you will have separate bins for paper (*Papier*), packaging (*Gelbe Tonne* or *Wertstofftonne*), organic waste (*Biotonne* — not everywhere), and general waste (*Restmüll*). Glass is sorted by colour — clear, green, and brown — at public collection points. Getting this wrong has social consequences in apartment buildings. Your neighbours will notice, and some building managers are quite serious about correct sorting. Take five minutes to understand your building's system in your first week. ### Bakeries Change Your Life German bread (*Brot*) is genuinely, objectively excellent. Germany has more varieties of bread than almost any other country — dark ryes, sourdoughs, mixed grain loaves, rolls (*Brötchen*) of every description. The local *Bäckerei* (bakery) becomes a daily ritual for most people. Most Australians arrive somewhat indifferent to bread and leave as evangelical bread people. This is a known phenomenon. Embrace it. ### The Bureaucracy Is Real But Navigable Germany is famous for its bureaucracy, and the reputation is earned. Getting your *Anmeldung* (address registration), opening a bank account, dealing with the health insurance system, navigating the tax office — each of these involves forms, appointments, waiting times, and sometimes letters in formal German that are difficult to parse even with good language skills. The key insight is that the system is thorough, not arbitrary. Every step has a reason. Every form asks for specific things. If you approach it patiently and methodically — and get help from German-speaking friends, expat groups, or a professional when needed — it moves forward. Most Australians who have lived in Germany for a year look back at the initial bureaucracy with something close to amusement.Found this useful? Share it with other Australians learning German 🇦🇺
AD
AussieDeutsch
B1 German / Beginner Swiss German
An Australian who learned German to B1 level without living in Germany — navigating the same lack of local resources that most Australian learners face. Currently learning Swiss German. This site is the resource I wished had existed when I started.
Get new German learning guides in your inbox
No spam. New articles for Australian German learners only.