by Richard Burck

Created on: June 30, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2009

Are you planning on going to Germany in your very near future? Whether you are studying abroad, being hosted by a German family, visiting family or friends, or just touring around the country, this article will be very important to you. Throughout this article you will read the does and don'ts of the Federal Republic in Germany, and what to bring what to leave behind and what to expect.

Before you go you must get a passport. After you fill out the documents and get your passport pictures taken, it will take around two or three months to receive your passport, so allow enough time for the passport arrival. You should learn as much German as you possibly can. Not as many people can speak English as many people say. Even if they can speak English, many are not confident enough to speak English. Most people who can speak English are teenagers and adults up to the age 50. Young children and Senior citizens usually can't speak English. Many important signs are only seen in German. Whether you are going to Germany in the winter or the summer time bring clothes for rainy weather. If it is summer time the temperatures range for high 60s to low 80s. Bring an OPEN MIND! An OPEN MIND is CRUCIAL for survival in Germany for any length of time.

In Germany you will notice that people LOVE their dogs! Many hotels and restaurants prohibit or discourage their customers from bringing their young children, but encourage bringing dogs. At a restaurant you will notice that dogs are often served first with fresh water and sometimes dog treats. You should also be warned that Germans love mineral water and that getting tap water is very difficult. If you get the water from your faucet at a house, it's perfectly safe to drink though. You may even ask for tap water at a restaurant, but the waiter or waitress will probably think that you are weird.

Oh, and don't freak out like most impatient Americans! Service at a restaurant in Germany is pretty slow. But if you think about the process in America, you often have to wait 15 minutes to be seated at a table, then you have to wait 5 minutes to order drinks. Then you have to wait 5 minutes to be brought the drinks and order your dinner. Then in 20 minutes your food is brought to you. That is about 45 minutes in America. In Germany you seat yourself, then you wait about 10 minutes for a waiter to ask what you want to drink and what you want to eat. The waiter or waitress will bring you your drink 15 or 20 minutes after you order. Then he or she

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