We have the opportunity to take some cheap flights to Berlin, Germany for an extended weekend but are a little nervous about how English speakers will be received over there, what with the Iraq conflict (amongst others!). A Swiss friend suggested we try to pass for French but our French is even worse than our German! Thanks for your help.

People aren't looking at you, the average person couldn't care less you come from a country that started the war in Iraq, please get over yourself and just travel.

Hi laura,

M_K isn't the most tactful person, but is right.

Was there in December and had no problem - I am sure that you will have a great time ...just don't wear a T-shirt with "M-K" on it

I was there last Nov. (2nd visit) and had no problems whatsoever. Berlin is a fascinating city - I would suggest if you have time to visit the Reichstag and go up to the glass dome and walk out on the roof for some great views of Berlin. Enjoy your trip!

So many unsuspecting American tourists have been lynched on the streets in Germany, the papers don't even mention it anymore!

Seriously, there is a big difference in disagreeing with a governments policies (if this is the right expression for the handling of U.S. Foreign Affairs) and treating their citizens. Even if a majority of Germans does not agree with the war in Iraq, we still consider ourselves as friends of America and will not ambush any tourists!
BTW former President Clinton just visited Berlin and Hamburg and was frenetically celebrated by crowds wherever he turned up!

Feel welcome here!
hsv

TROLL

Hi - I'm an American military spouse living in Germany - have been since October 2001.

I've traveled a great deal since we arrived, and I've never had a problem being American even when my German was pretty much non existant. Making the effort made a difference. (My German is much better now, though!)

You do, however, want to try to blend in and be sensitive to Geramn culture.

Blending in means conservative clothing in what in the US would be 'business casual' almost for anything in the city. When in doubt, wear black. No kidding. You'll see lots of colors, but black always works.
Leave the baseball caps, college sweatshirts, US flag t-shirts and white running shoes at home.

Always try to speak German at first - it may fail miserably but most people will appreciate the effort.

Germans, to me, always seem very reserved and unwelcoming at first glance, and many times gruff - even in the hospitality industry. Do not take this as a personal affront, and also don't take it to mean that Germans are actually unfriendly and gruff.

It's hard to explain quickly, but the easiest way to think of it is this - don't expect a cheery hello from a stranger. Once you've broken the ice, though, things can thaw quickly. I don't know where you are from... if you are from, say, Manhattan you may not agree with me, but if you are from a small town in Georgia you'll probably wonder why all these people are so grim and won't acknowledge your hello.

It's not because you are American, it's just because they are German, and, darnit, they just save their friendliness for friends.

So no need to pretend you aren't American. People separate politics and people here, too.

-Helen

I was in Berlin for a week at the end of June. I do not speak any German (though,k of course, I had my phrase book and tried as much as possible but everyone definitely knew I was an English speaker and from the U.S.). I stayed in a hotel that is near but not really in a touristy part of town so on the streets and in shops interacted with people who spoke little to no English as well as with ones who spoke English quite well when I went to tourist sites, etc. I did not have any experiences that I would attribute to being from the States or English speaking. (Of course, I had some that I would attribute to not being able to speak German.) I loved every minute of the trip and can't wait to go back. I hope you go and enjoy yourself.

I'm sorry, but that is the most absurd reasoning I have ever heard - speaking English?! Nearly the entire population of Berlin speaks English and often very well too. You won't have any problems. There are so many tourists of all nationalities visiting Berlin all the time. Hearing English spoken throughout the city will not make you a standout, it is quite normal. Thanks to the tourists and the monies tourism has been generating over the years, Berlin has been able to rebuild itself into a magnificent city. Go and have a good time, speak English and don't worry about it.

lauralamb, you'd have to watch yourself at night, though. I believe that this is the time huge flying fortresses formations are coming over the city and causing big fire storms; just read in in a book recently...

I suppose we could all be cynical (cynical??? on Fodors??? never happens!!!!)and talk about the person from Switzerland recommending that you pretend to be French but seriously,

I was in berlin and throughout Germany two weeks ago and there is not any "anti-American" feeling there...anti-Bush=MOST DEFINITELY. So, I don't think you'll have any problems.

Listen to the wise old grizzled head of mgmargate, is my advice: this is a troll! One of a series of stupid "will I be safe in Hrczvynya?" or "will people in Hrczvynya abuse me in the street because I'm wandering around in big shorts and speaking English in a loud voice wearing a "Vote Bush in '04" tee shirt"? questions. I've got no idea what is motivating this person, but I wouldn't be giving them any more oxygen. Have you noticed that he/she/they NEVER return to the thread? They just wait a while and start another.

A giveaway in this one was the use of "Berlin, GERMANY". Like, to distinguish it from ... Berlin, NJ? What next - "Cairo, EGYPT", as opposed to Cairo, Illinois? The author is either a bozo or taking the piss out of us. I vote the second option.

Thanks Neil - that could be.

After I read your note I looked at the other posts by the person that started this thread... either they are a TROLL (which I didn't know what meant earlier when mrmargate said it), or they are pretty good at misinterpreting what other people mean in other cultures and looking to blame it on something besides themselves.

Oh, I feel so used.

There is one Ukranian woman who gave me the evil-eye for two years. Then my daughter showed her her new rain boots and the Ukranian woman gave us strawberries, then I carried her bucket of water up the hill to her garden and now she is very friendly.

But, lauralamb, if I'd thought it was because I was American I'd have missed out on great strawberries because I'd have never made an effort.

-Helen

First of all, to those of you who replied positively, I really appreciate your responses which I find reassuring. We will be going ahead with our Berlin trip!

Those of you who attacked me should all get of your high horses. I've never been to Germany and yes, I may not be knowledgeable about the place but I do think my question about possible hostility towards English speakers was a valid one given the current state of relations between Germany and my country esp. in the light of the Iraq war. I'm so sorry that I am obviously not as well travelled and sophisticated as you are!

Never been to Germany? From a post about Madrid:


Author: lauralamb
Date: 06/25/2004, 01:41 pm
Message: Forget about Madrid if you want to experience good nightlife. Berlin, Germany is the place to go. The people may not be so instantly friendly as the madirilinas but they are less superficial. We were disappointed that many of the bars and clubs in Madrid close at 3.00am but in Berlin they went on all night. Berlin also offers better value for money and is clean and modern.

I smell a rat...