By Mila Friske
Hi, I’m an exchange student from Germany, and I’ve been given the chance to write an article here. Naturally, a classic “Germany tour” would make sense: there used to be East and West Berlin, we’re famous for our beer culture — but no, we don’t all walk around in lederhosen, and beer is (usually) not our main source of hydration. That sounded a bit too boring to me. So instead, you’re getting an absolutely random but totally authentic Germany tour — a wild mix of clichés, surprises, and things you probably didn’t know about us. Welcome to your crash course: Germany for Beginners.
To give a quick overview: Germany has 16 federal states. They’re similar to your states, each with its own government, laws, and strong regional identity. And just like yours, they differ in dialects, traditions, and food.
In Bavaria, you’ll see lederhosen (occasionally). In Saxony, even native speakers sometimes don’t understand a word. In Hamburg, you’ll smell fish; it’s close to the North Sea and home to Germany’s largest port. And in Berlin, our capital, you’ll wait an hour to get into a club.
And speaking of Berlin — my favorite city. It has developed a fascinating subculture that deserves attention. Once you’ve understood the concept, it’s easy to spot a young Berliner: they will always drink Mate. It’s a beverage brewed from mate tea; haters say it tastes like cigarettes dissolved in water. And if you want to see Berlin’s youth in action, head to a Späti, a small convenience store that sells snacks and drinks and stays open late.
Now, let’s talk about a popular debating question of Germany: sparkling or still water. It’s a topic people simply can’t agree on. However, most do agree that water from the brand Gerolsteiner is the worst (don’t ask). But if you do make the mistake of buying it, you’ll take the empty bottle to a Pfandautomat, a reverse vending machine that scans barcodes, returns your deposit, and allows the bottle to be recycled.
Staying with beverages but moving to traditions: tea in Ostfriesland, a coastal region in northwestern Germany. Teatime there is a ceremony that takes place at 4 p.m., and that’s taken seriously. My dad is half Ostfriese, and he had to be home by 4 p.m. No exceptions!
Speaking of dads: road cycling. For whatever reason, many German dads start cycling at some point in their lives. I’m not sure if it’s a midlife-crisis thing, but apparently, it’s fun — and those diaper-looking bike shorts certainly do look great.
Next up: Schrebergärten. A Schrebergarten is a small garden you can rent to grow plants or relax. The idea started in the 19th century to give city families some fresh air and space for children to play. It’s still popular today as a peaceful break from city life, often found in small green communities on the edges of cities. And let me tell you, people take their Schrebergarten very seriously.
I want to finish with one of my favorite youth-culture traditions: the Youth Word of the Year. Langenscheidt, a publisher of language dictionaries, has been letting young people vote for it since 2008. The voting for this year isn’t done yet, but the 2024 word was aura. Young people use it to describe someone’s vibe or energy — their personality, style, or just the feeling they give off.
So, what does this all mean? From lederhosen and sparkling-water debates to Spätis, Ostfriesland tea time, cycling dads, Schrebergärten, and the Youth Word of the Year, Germany is full of traditions, odd habits, and small communities. It’s a place where history and humor mix, where every region has its own story, and where even the smallest things, like returning bottles, afternoon tea, or a new slang word, say something about who we are. That’s what makes Germany so interesting to me.
Germany isn’t just a spot on the map, it’s all these little moments and quirks that together create something unique. Welcome to Germany for Beginners!
Mila Friske is an exchange student from Germany attending school at Spring Grove, one of 10 area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 27th year.
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