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AmericansInLeipzig
Frequently Asked Questions
The Basics:
What documents do I need to go to Germany?
If you are an US citizen, the only documentation that you need to visit
Germany for up to 90 days is a current valid US passport. That's it -
no shots,
no note from your mother, nothing.
But make sure you read the last paragraph of this section!
In case you don't already have a passport, comprehensive information is
available from the U.S.
Department of State Passport Services website.
To quote their website: "Remember...apply early for your passport." You
should allow 6-8 weeks to complete the passport process. It is possible to get
an expedited passport: you have to take the required documents, including
your airline tickets, to a passport office in a major city. The fee will
be doubled, and you will probably spend many hours in lines, and/or be
required to return the following day. Expedited passports are supposed
to be for emergencies, not because you were lazy.
Most other visitors - including those from Canada, Australia, and New
Zealand - will need no more than a passport. If you are
coming from an EU-member-nation, you don't even need a passport! If you
are not sure of the requirements for you, contact your nation's German
embassy or consulate. A Google search for "German Embassy" turns
up lots of nations' embassies - try adding your country to the search.
Now, if you are reading this section of the FAQ, then most likely you should
get yourself a basic tourist guide to Germany.
Not only will it cover a lot of material that is beyond the scope of this
website, it will also give
you a broader picture of German history, language, culture, and points of
interest. For the younger, more-active, and less-wealthy crowd, the most
highly recommended
guide series are Let's Go, Lonely Planet, and Time Out. You can even borrow
the guides for free from your local library, although your selection might
be limited.
Do I need to speak German?
Well, no, not really. Most people in Germany that are in their 30's
and younger often speak English better than you or I. It can be hit-or-miss
for the older generation; especially in the former East Germany, residents
often learned Russian in school.
However, if you don't want to look like an arrogant American
who expects that everyone else will speak English for you, then
it makes sense to learn at least a few German words - especially
for words like yes, no, please, thank
you, excuse me, and food
items. To that extent, here is a brief guide to get you started
[coming
soon].
What currency does Germany use?
In 2001, Germany retired the Deutsche Mark (DM) and, with many nations
of continental western Europe, adopted the Euro (€) as its unit
of currency. If you are traveling between any of the countries that use
the Euro, there is no longer any need to exchange currency (note that
this does not include the UK).
Conveniently for those of us from the US, the value of the Euro is
very close to the US Dollar. In 2002 and 2003, the conversion has roughly
varied from US$1 = €1.10 to US$1 = €0.90. You want
to buy the most Euros with your dollar, so the first exchange would
be better for you than the second. Unfortunately, as of this writing,
the US Dollar is weak compared to the Euro, so things will seem more
expensive.
To see what the current exchange rate is, I strongly suggest XE.com.
I just looked, and the dollar is the weakest I've ever noticed it:
US$1 =
€0.899. Blah. I hope it improves before we leave for the Treffen!
[It got much worse - it was around €0.82 per dollar during the 2003
Treffen!]
[2005 update: the dollar has been consistently weak against the Euro
throughout the last year. The conversion rate has stopped dropping like
a rock, at least - and the value has hovered between $1.25/Euro and $1.35/Euro.]
For further info about money, see the Money section
of the FAQ.
When I enter a restaurant, should I wait for
someone to show me to my table?
The easy answer is NO. In almost every case, you just take whatever
table you like. But please, if there are two of you going to dinner,
don't take the table that seats 6 people! Bad news for non-smokers: only
a few restaurants offer
non-smoking areas.
How much do I tip my waitperson?
You might have heard that you don't have to tip in restaurants because
unlike in the US, in Germany restaurants actually care enough about their
employees to pay them a reasonable wage - or the tip is included in the
prices. That's somewhat true, but tips are still given for good service
- just not as
high a percentage as you might be used to.
Lilly, a German AmericansInLeipzig member, writes:
While service is included in the bill, generally waiters are
tipped about 5% for good service. Germans do not leave the tip on
the table
but round up a sum when handing the payment to the waiter. For example,
if your bill is €18,70, you can either give €20 and say "danke" (thank
you) or give a 50 Euro note and say "Zwanzig, bitte" (twenty,
please) {in other words, you tell the waitperson how much you want to
pay}.
Why was I charged €3 for my €2 beer?
In many situations - such as in bars, clubs, concerts, and
biergartens - you will be charged a deposit for the glass or
cup that your drink comes in. This deposit is called a Pfand (yes,
you pronounce the "p"), and if you get a huge, fancy beer glass
(or a stein), the Pfand can be more than the cost of the drink
itself!
Oftentimes, you will also receive a wooden coin with your glass. This
is essentially your proof that you are owed your deposit back - usually,
you take the glass (along with your "proof" if they gave
you one) back to the counter where you got the drink, and they'll
give you
your deposit back. Or maybe you really want to keep the glass more
than you want your Pfand back...
Can I plug in my hairdryer/computer/battery charger?
From a website: "A normal 110-volt electrical appliance designed for use in
the US, Canada, or Mexico will provide a nice fireworks display
- complete with sparks and smoke - if plugged into a European
outlet."
Lilly writes:
In case you are considering bringing your hair-dryer or any other electrical
item, I need to warn you of something: what's coming out of
that socket is a whopping 220 volts at 50 cycles, twice the
voltage of American power systems. It may be way too much for
your appliance. Remember: an adapter plug doesn't convert the
voltage, it just converts the hardware. Using your appliances
in Germany requires a plug adapter and a voltage converter.
For detailed information see this
website.
Shea offers additional info in "What else should
I pack".
How do I make a phone call?
Lilly writes:
In Germany, 85 percent of pay phones don't require
a coin deposit. Take advantage of the popular "smart" telephone
cards used all over Europe. These smart cards have a
built-in memory chip that contains the monetary value
of the
card and "remembers" how much has been used. The Telefonkarte is
sold in post offices and many other shops.
Emergency numbers: police- 110, fire/accident- 112
For information about the use of cell phones in Germany, see "Can I use
my cell phone?"
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