*Blue Overalls and Jumpsuits*

German builders/construction workers wear blue overalls and jumpsuits that a grandpa or two might be caught wearing in the U.S. Even normal guys sometimes pull out blue overalls when they're working on a project. No joke.

*Leaving Food Out*

Leaving food out is not as big of a concern over here. Sure, people have Tupperware, but some pasta and sauce sitting cold on the stove for a few days won't hurt anyone, and most don't make much extra anyway. (This habit drove me crazy at first--I felt like I either had to cover it up and refrigerate it for them, or eat it myself.)

*Lacy Curtains*

Germans have what I would call "old lady curtains," or lacy, frilly, white affairs that I thought young people had put up out of kindness to their generous grandmothers.

*Bryan Adams*

Every time a German friend of mine told me that he or she liked Bryan Adams, I thought they were talking about the comedian. Then I realized the comedian I was thinking of was Brian Regan.

When I finally recognized that they meant the singer of "Everything I Do," I was a bit thrown back. They liked the cheesy, elevator muzak-like stuff? But if you ever attend a German dance, where they dance to soft hits of the 80s and 90s and sing along with every word, you'll discover that you could easily enlighten them with a band name or two.

*Floors*

So you don't get confused when you come visit, remember that there is the groundlevel (E=Erdgeschoss) and then the first floor (what Americans would call the second floor).

However, if you don't want to push the wrong button, join me on the stairs (except when I injure my meniscus).

*Thank You*

I guess like in any language, there are a lot of ways to thank people. I just happen to think that one of them in German is really weird.

There's the basic thank you: "Danke schön," the "I thank you" ("Ich danke dir"), and the one that can only be semi-translated as "I thank myself" ("Ich bedanke mich"), even though it means that you're thanking others. I don't get it.

*Water Boilers*

Every real German household has one of these:


That's a water boiler. Maybe Americans do too. I wouldn't know because they are mainly used for making tea and Mormons don't usually make tea (unless it's herbal). I find it very useful. Instead of having to wait forever for water to boil, this thing does the job within 1-3 minutes, depending on the boiler.