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Living abroad is amazing for so many reasons - it opens your heart and mind to new people and different cultures, languages, climate, food... the list goes on. The things that seem mundane at home, going to work or running errands, for example, take on a whole new meaning as you have to figure them out from a fresh and exciting perspective.

Getting used to local customs as a foreigner is not only a fun challenge, but it can also be a good laugh too. Misunderstandings and funny things are bound to occur as you try to get to grips with a complicated new language and way of doing things, and the best way to deal with them is to try not to take yourself too seriously!

American English teacher and blogger Jessie Meier knows this all too well. Her witty and erudite observations about life in Germany encompass things like the endless joy and beauty of the German language, some lighthearted complaining about slightly odd local habits and the German culture, and the funny everyday sightings and occurrences that living as an 'expat' can throw up sometimes.

Scroll down below to see what we mean for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!

#1

German-Funny-Things-Jessie-Meier

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Julia Federkiel
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Nehmt Rücksicht!" is like, Take into consideration that you're not alone on this path (Best tanslation I can came up with xD)

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Laci
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do not launch yourself off your bike when there are pedestrians around.

Monika Soffronow
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To add a little more meat on the bones for non-Europeans: many European countries have a lot of designated bike lanes. Cyclists will likely be going full speed ahead and if a pedestrian then steps into the bike lane without looking, a bad accident may happen.

NWB
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Graphically it has so much going on! the designer probs thought...hmm how many folks can I get in this sign! AND speed lines!! epic!

Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t know German, but judging from the graphics on the sign I’m going with “Don’t Be A Rocket!”

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#5

German-Funny-Things-Jessie-Meier

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Thyamath
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5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a very popular childrens book from Wolf Erlbruch. He taught illustration at our university. Considering most of his stuff aims at kiddos, he was a very... let's say difficult person! :D

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#10

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Wil Vanderheijden
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5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But you do need a lot more education to be a busdriver then to be a blogger.

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#12

German-Funny-Things-Jessie-Meier

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Night Owl
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the animals ready to eat with knifes, forks, napkins and everything LOL

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#13

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#16

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Falcon
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

clever sentence, the design on the other hand still requires a lot of work.

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#17

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Vex Boxx
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe she's just tossing them all up in the air and then smiling as she walks off, not catching them but setting herself free.

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#18

German-Funny-Things-Jessie-Meier

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#22

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Vicky Zar
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Itts just a name. Doesn't mean anything. Look up Hella von Sinnen

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#23

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Dynein
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel the need to add that the sign says : Will by gold fillings (also with teeth). Never seen that specification...

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#24

German-Funny-Things-Jessie-Meier

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Rissie
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well F**k in this context doesn't need to be blurred out, since it's not used as a profanity. And it's pronounced f**k anyway.

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#25

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Koalamonster
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't get past that face... the other 2 the eyes are just kinda cute but THAT one creeps me out.

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#29

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Ellie Ragsdale
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I immediately thought of dank in another context... I guess this business is fine while people ar high?

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#33

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Stimpy
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... But even in America "bang" has other, more dominant, meanings than "f*****g", right?

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#37

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earringnut
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The grammar is humerus but let's take a second to appreciate the punctuation.

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#39

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AJu
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honoré de Balzac is a Frech writer. As far as I know, this chain of coffee shops was named after him

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#40

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Caridina Japonica
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some kids play firefighter because they are big fans, some play family because they repeat their experienced family life, some play nurse or doctor because themselves or a kindergarden fellow is sick, there's nothing wrong with giving your kids (non-functional childproof) doctor toys.

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