12 Curiosities of life in Germany — country where people have rules for using the bathroom and don’t usually use bath sponges

Germany is known the world over for its cars, freeways with no speed limits, mouth-watering sausages and overall high-quality products. Therefore, it seems that we know a lot about the Germans and their daily life, however, some local customs and practices may surprise even those who have lived in the country for a few years.

We, from awesome.club, we studied the details of everyday life in Germany and are ready to share the main peculiarities of Germans with you. Check out!

Germans are very particular about cleanliness. There is even a special expression in the country to indicate that you like someone else: “I like the way you smell”. Generally, Germans tend to express their opinions about other people’s appearance and scent quite openly.

Usually, baths there last about ten minutes – or even less. Water in the country is very expensive and is therefore used sparingly. In Germany, it’s common to get in the shower, get wet, turn off the water, soap up, and only then turn the shower back on to remove the soap.

In Brazil we have electric showers, but they are not common in Germany. There, some houses have water heaters, which can be central or not. But for this mechanism to work, the water pressure must be maximum. Otherwise, the person may have a terrible cold surprise when turning on the shower.

Instead of the usual sponges for bathing, the Germans use mittens made of soft cotton, similar to towels but the size of an adult’s hand. Exfoliating sponges and body brushes are not very popular in the country, as they are believed to harm the skin. Bar soap is also not the most common option there. Germans, in general, prefer shower gel or liquid soap.

In Germany, there are strict customs for using the bathroom. And one of the most important items is the toilet brush. If in neighboring France the availability of this product in public places is prohibited for reasons of hygiene, for the Germans it is an indispensable item. Anyone who needs to use the bathroom must use the toothbrush. The toilet should be as clean as it was found.

Germans believe that both men and women should sit on the toilet. By the way, they have a lot of interesting ways to designate the bathroom. It could be “the place where the emperor walks”, “the two zeros”, “the porcelain department”, among others. If a German acquaintance asks you where the “quiet place” in your home is, best not to consider taking him to the office or bedroom — that’s the bathroom he’s looking for.

The diversity of feminine hygiene products may seem a little more limited than in other countries. In Germany, scented pads are very popular, while simpler options are less in demand. However, you can find products that cost less than 1 euro (about 6.30 reais).

By the way, finding tampons with applicators in Germany is quite a difficult task. In large part, this is due to the fact that German society is more committed to protecting the environment and trying to reduce the use of plastic as much as possible.

It’s been a few years since Korean cosmetics and personal care techniques became popular all over the world. Now, however, it is the turn of German products. In the country, people tend to be meticulous about many things, and the cosmetics production process is one of them. Currently, Germany ranks sixth in the world in the production and sale of these articles.

Special attention is paid to the composition of cosmetics — ecologically clean ingredients are chosen. Furthermore, German women tend to take personal care very seriously, especially cleaning and moisturizing the skin. In addition, women usually treat themselves once a week with various beauty treatments, making a kind of spa at home.

Hot springs and spas are very popular in Germany. And each place has strict rules of etiquette, responsible for regulating the behavior of visitors. Thus, in some establishments it is only allowed to wear a swimsuit in the pool area (and not everywhere). In all other areas — in the sauna, Turkish bath, massage or treatment cabins — people flaunt their natural beauty. Now in others, on the contrary, even a bikini can be considered too revealing an outfit. In the country, when entering the spas, customers receive a towel and slippers. You can sit or lie down just on the towel. And slippers must be removed when entering the sauna.

In Germany, there is no clear distinction between sports enthusiasts and those who prefer to relax on the couch. On weekends, practically everyone, regardless of age, goes to the parks to ride a bicycle, to practice some sport. Germans are noted for their love of the outdoors, so they tend to move around a lot. Sports are an inseparable part of life in the country. So much so that the monthly fee for a gym there can cost only 15 euros (about 95 reais). And the habit of running is not considered an individual feat, but an everyday practice.

Every citizen in Germany must have a health plan responsible for partially or completely covering their medical expenses. By the way, the name of some medical specialties in the country does not follow the traditional logic of the Latin or Greek radicals, so that ophthalmologist in German is “Augenarzt” (“doctor of the eyes”), and dentist, “Zahnarzt” (“doctor of the eyes”). teeth”, both in free translation).

Although Germany is known for its pharmaceutical products (the largest volume of medicines in Europe is produced there), many Germans continue to rely on traditional home remedies and therapeutic methods, known for generations. Among them are the use of raw onion, cold compresses and warm scarves – one of the most popular.

German women, in fact, use cosmetics very carefully. But that doesn’t mean they don’t make up. They just have the habit of not exaggerating, using a minimal amount of makeup. For them, the main goal is to hide weak points and not highlight the face with strong colors. In the country, women prefer a more natural look. This approach also saves time.

A simple trip to the hairdresser in Germany can be quite an experience for an unsuspecting tourist. When they find a professional they like, German women tend to become loyal customers and do everything they can to not lose their valuable hairdresser.

Prices for services can be quite high in the country. It is worth noting that drying and brushing the hair are services considered extra and paid for. Moreover, despite the “heavy” price, employees of beauty salons generally do not have conversations while working, which may seem antisocial to an inexperienced client.

In general, German women prefer practical and comfortable clothes. And even the richest don’t do without second-hand clothes. After all, buying pieces at thrift stores doesn’t just mean saving money, it’s also a way to take care of the environment.

In Germany, brightly colored pants are used a lot in everyday life. And the Germans also value their national costumes very much. Lederhosen, for example, are traditional leather pants that are popular and can be short or knee-length. Out of curiosity, some men claim that you shouldn’t wear underwear with one of these pants.

Germans believe that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. However, many don’t do it correctly. Dentists in the country note that people tend to brush them in a circular motion, which contributes to the development of gum inflammation.

It is practically impossible to find hard toothbrushes in the country. On the other hand, this personal hygiene article is usually made with bristles so soft that an unsuspecting person can have the feeling of gently caressing their teeth and not brushing them.

Could you adapt to the German way of life? What did you find most different from the Brazilian reality? Tell us in the comments section!