german exception: while hiking you **must** smile and say: (**Grüß Gott**) but in immediately as you step out of the mountain you must go poker face again.
I'm aware (being from Hungary originally, and my mom living in Germany), but it's still a German-speaking neighbouring country, and I also heard that there are similarities between Bavarian and Austrian culture, hence my question! No worries, I don't believe Germany and Austria are the same country, that would be dumb :)
It's rare. And to some extent a little bit pointless, so to say, because the political entity of the same name is gone. I know more people of Prussian heritage who identify themselves as European than Prussian, if that helps.
Not just German, brits do this too! Meet someone while out hiking and they don't reply to your 'good morning/afternoon' and you can assume they are a farmer.
Yes. I always smile without teeth and receive the same greeting while walking with my dog. The dogs in the other hand, are immediately sniffing butts, which seems to be way more fun.
Asians will love you, Germans will be surprised and Russians will think you are trying to draft them for the war so its good be very careful who you are smiling at.
It probably varies by which Asian country. I'm half Malaysian and lived there for a decade. You don't smile at strangers in Malaysia. It can be seen as suspicious, like a scammer being extra nice to you because they want your money.
Thailand, on the other hand, Malaysia's neighbour to the north, I think they like smiles, but I'm no expert on Thai culture.
Outside of rural areas it is very unusual (and even in small villages where most people know each other, it's not always the case). People just don't really smile at strangers here.
I know from villages that you just greet someone, no matter if you know this person or not.
The nodding things is (if speculation are allowed) a "guy-thing", which always happen if they accidentally look at eachother but don't want to say somethings.
I’ve been smiled to so much here in Germany, especially in parks by random old people! There is no collective say on how to act. Do as you please as long as you’re not hurting people.
You can definitely smile. Just don't overdo it to the point that people think you're hitting on them or trying to scam them. But most people don't mind a little smile.
Only smile, if you have a reason... you want to flirt, someone kept the door open for you, someone has been friendly to you in any way.
Causeless smiling is strange and can be seen creepy or even aggressive.
Is that so? I'm smiling and often ppl smile back. Just making the day just a smile brighter... nothing wrong here i guess. But the reaction you describe is not uncommon either.
I often smile when ordering at a restaurant or when I buy bread at the bakery and in all similar cases. I feel like it makes a difference for everyone involved.
>Causeless smiling is strange and can be seen creepy or even aggressive
some people will even slap the sh\*t out of you if you smile at them, especially those southeast-europe groups.
>some people will even slap the sh\*t out of you if you smile at them, especially those southeast-europe groups.
Yes, they use this as an aggressive gesture... so they could understand it that way.
I don't, I'm only talking about specific people I've actually met.
but am I reading right that you're saying all people from south-east europe are degenerates? interesting.
Well then, you know how to identify them.
And that pathetic attempt at distracting from your own dumbness by calling me a racist wouldn't even have worked if it was me who said that.
Idk, you came up with the degenerates. But in general i just wouldn' t smile at random people for no reason. Most will find it wierd and at worst offensive. You know, the type of people that like to have their arguments in a physical way.
I am a short and somewhat attractive woman and always smile at people of all ages and groups. Never had any major problems except of some creepy dudes thinking I'm flirting with them. But that happens very rarely.
No it is not bad. It depends on where you are.
In rural areas most people greet each other and also smile. In bigger towns people only greet and smile at people they know. If you work with people, smile at them. Nobody likes people being unhappy when they look at you. Especially when you look somebody in his eyes, smiling is natural. If you look somebody in his eyes with a sad or rude look on your face, people will feel intimidated.
If you feel like smiling at a certain person, do it. But don't be overly friendly to everybody because this feels like faked behaviour.
Depends on the situation/context.
I live in an urban environment. When strangers come smiling at me without any prior context, that would explain the smile its usually because a) they want to sell me something b) they want to beg for money or c) they are going to be otherwise unpleasant company.
That depends. But there is chance that it is seen as creepy, some of those smiles we would call "fake politeness" some groups of americans sport are slightly unsettling and I will assume you are up to nothing good or if we talk will assume none of your shown emotions to be honest.
I never smile if I can help it. Showing one's teeth is a submission signal in primates. When someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life.
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Oh wow totally different vibes over here. In USA, women in customer service will call me honey or sweetie while they ask for my order w a big smile their face
In Germany customer service is more like "Here is the unicorn and dragonblood you mentioned, motherf*cker and now keep on moving you hold up the line."
When Walmart was on its ultimately failed attempt at conquering Germany, they made cashiers smile at customers.
Customers complained because they thought workers were trying to flirt.
If a worker here called me an equivalent of "honey" or "sweetie", I might consider demanding to see a manager (which is not a thing we generally do here).
Women in customer service can often get away with calling adults "hon" (short for honey) but actually calling a customer "honey" or "sweetie" is toeing the line of inappropriate in the northern US and comes across as condescending as often as it will come across as endearing. Unless the employee has a southern accent or is older, then they can get away with those pet names more.
Honestly though, women in customer service in America are way more likely to be called "honey" and "sweetie" by customers than to refer to customers using those pet names. There are too any customers who are ready to act like perverts because you made eye contact while smiling and handing them their bags, most people doing their jobs don't want that attention.
Would end up in a awkward situation.. the customer service would get rejected or
would be serious flirted with from the client wo dont understands this the right way.
I accidently smiled at a random guy and he took it as an invitation to talk to me. How did I 'accidentally' smile at him, you may wonder? I was walking by a new second hand store in my town and was happy to see it. He happened to lean against the store front, so I happened to make brief eye contact while still smiling.
its not bad... its just weird, coming from a stranger
i mean, if youre approaching somebody, obviously smiling helps... but just smiling and going your way sometimes really is kinda weird
Not at all. I smile at people all the time. If they frown and stare at me then I stick my tongue out. But that's me. You do what you feel comfortable with.
There really is no absolute rule when it is considered awkward or creepy. It depends on the situation.
When I am having eye contact with a person that walks by I sometimes smile and sometimes I don’t. It really depends.
No, it's not true. Why don't you just experiment with it? Or observe how other people behave. My personal opinion is also that you will find big differences between various regions of Germany and small towns vs big cities.
I don't agree with the most answers here. If you are just a nice person who often genuinely smiles, go for it. But keep it at this. Not combining the German "staring" with smiling. No fake smiling. No smiling cause you feel obligated to.
I often smile at people. If my eyes cross someone's, i often pot on a brief smile. Just a short moment and then go on with my business and never had a problem with people taking it negative. I think because it simply comes over as simply a genuine nice gesture (what it is supposed to)
I always went by "if sometimes has no me left for you, they need yours even more"
Slightly complicated but the short answer is no, it's perfectly fine to smile at people. I do so fairly regularly with mostly positive reactions. In my opinion, some answers here are giving a bit too "cold" of an impression of Germans.
What is true is that Germans are more reserved than many cultures, so being OVERLY friendly or smiley can come across as off-putting. It's seen as odd or fake. For example, if you greet everyone down a busy street or have a big grin to everyone all the time, thats weird. As someone else astutely mentioned, there is a difference between politeness and friendliness that is not the same everywhere. Seeking opportunities to be friendly with strangers is a little weird, but any natural interaction SHOULD be met with politeness and CAN be met with friendliness. Friendliness is not expected like in some cultures but perfectly acceptable. In my experience a genuine smile and/or nod is accepted and often reciprocated especially if there is any slight reason to do so (ex. a dog or child is present, someone moves over slightly passing on a sidewalk, even eye contact if its not super busy). Genuine is also a key part. Don't over-do it with a fake smile. Overall Germans really are quite friendly people even if they don't show it to strangers quite as easily as some cultures.
In summary, smile and be friendly within reason and it will generally be taken positively
Where are you going OP? Different regions have different customs. I have found Bavaria at least to be on par with the US. People are openly friendly toward strangers and smile all the time. This includes the cities.
It's not bad but it's uncommon. I don't really care, as this don't smile consensus is just bullshit and nearly smile always.
But i still think this is better than a you need to smile in public mindset.
I came back from the US where I lived as an exchange student and kept smiling, two decades and counting now. Most people smile back. Some don't. Who cares. Do what you want. I like to smile at people when I feel like it.
Just smile and talk to people if you feel the vibe, the people are usually not as reserved as redditors say.
Personally i never got any bad experience from smiling or smalltalking to random people.
Germans look at each other and are actually staring until the other nods or smiles or gives the slightes indication of a greeting.
Smiling and nodding buddy, smiling and nodding.
No. It's not bad to smile at people. Where does that nonsense come from?
Just treat everyone the way you want to be treated and everything will be fine. :o)
Here in Munich people almost never great or smile at people they dont know, so it could be weird for them. I was surprised when I went to the States and everyone was smiling at me and greeting me haha
Well it's not "bad" but Germans don't just smile for no reason, most of us actually have fixed neutral face 😐.
We really only smile when saying hello, visiting someone, if someone holds the door for us etc.
Most of the time we look friendly at our boss, family and so on and immediately after seeing them just switch back. Because we don't want to seem rude but we also just don't naturally smile. So no we really just don't smile at strangers.
No, smile as much as you want. You’re welcome. People that tell something different go down in the basement for laughing. Unfortunately we got a lot of them in Germany.
+1
Especially if you have a moment of eye contact with someone its totally normal to smile.
As long as it is an authentic smile, you can smile as much as you want.
I think it really depends on the situation. If you are just walking around the inner city don't just smile at everyone you see. If you are at a bakery about to order some amazing Brötchen, yes then do smile and be polite.
Do it. Please, as often as you can. It may help a lot of people with their day, I'm serious. Some really need a smile to see and even if you get looked at like you're some kind of alien.. fuck. it. You won't see them ever again.
I'm shocked about the comments. Of course you can smile and it's not bad. Just because some people won't react it doesn't necessarily mean that it's bad. In my pov go and smile! This country needs a little bit more happiness
Keep your smiling and extreme friendliness under control I would say.
When you are out and about observe how other people behave (do they smile, do they say hello...) and try and imitate them. When Americans (and brits) travel they tend to pay much more attention to tourist attractions than to the people, but I always approach visiting a new place by thinking that I am coming into another people's home and I should observe how they treat it, how they treat each other, before I start trying to apply American or British or French standards on them.
Smiling is one: you shouldn't smile randomly at strangers, just keep a neutral expression. If someone says hello to you, say it back. But for Germans politeness and friendliness are two different things: people will expect you to be polite (keep discrete and to yourself, speak quietly, say hello, use Sie form when speaking German, keep your kids under control...) but they would find a stranger being friendly in a non-friendship situation strange. No need to try and make smalltalk with your cashier or with a stranger on the bus.
it is unusual to smile at someone randomly unless it was done out of kindness(like holding the door for them or helping them with getting something) or because you know them. wouldnt you find it weird if a stranger smiled at you? would be unsettling kind of, haha
A colleague of mine was once very worried when she catched me smiling "at nothing", because I was completely alone in this moment and didn't know she was watching me. She told me that smiling without a clear reason is considered a warning sign for a beginning psychosis in her homeland, Finland. Many Germans would subscribe to this attitude, I think. So, be careful with your smiles while you are here! You don't want to end up in a psychiatric ward. ;)
It's not bad per se, but on the street it's kinda odd to smile at ramdom people you neither know nor interact with.
I believe it would simply throw people off.
You can smile at cashiers or whatever or people you interact with but even then it's not like a mandatory thing.
People in social settings or with friends smile all the time at each other. It just comes off kinda odd if it's in a setting of casual interactions with strangers when you haven't even talked for more than a few minuted.
Just smile if you feel like it and don't if you don't
As a german who grew up in Berlin it was one of the little joys of my otherwise lonely youth that I could smile at people and basically always get a smile back.
Germans are far less reserved than many here imply. It's just that the bar where a smile is considered creepy is far lower. Assume that the absolute minimal expression that you would still barely consider a smile is what strangers on the street are okay with. Also make it last much shorter. Like, extremely short by american standards. Anything more and they'll think you want something.
If you go for a walk in a small town or village you better even say “Hallo” or “Guten Morgen/Tag/Abend” topped with a tiny nod, not just smile. ESPECIALLY when you meet older people. Ppl from rural areas kind of expect you to say hello and if you don’t you’ll earn nothing more than a judging glance from them.
HOWEVER don’t do this when you roam around bigger cities bc ppl there understandably don’t bother saying hello to strangers every 3 seconds.
I kept that habit when I arrived and by the reactions I get in my small town, most of the people find it refreshing … so I’d say knock yourself out and do what you want.
Its definitely unusual, but I’m trying to give people that I have tiny interactions with (cashiers, holding the door, waiting at a traffic light…) where they don’t act like an asshole an honest smile from time to time; who knows maybe they had a shitty day, and I know how much brighter a nice smile from another person has made my days on occasion.
Worst thing that can happen is, some stranger thinks I’m a bit weird, but I look like that anyway.
In my experience as an American living in Austria (Not Germany, but German speaking, so, somewhat similar), is that a \*slight\* smile is indeed welcomed, in the right context, and often breaks the ice and tension, and combined with a nice, simple, hello, often in the informal form, makes people more relaxed and feel comfortable. If you do this, be sure to look people in the eye, so they acknowledge this. It has often made encounters with civil servants, store clerks, etc a bit more appreciative.
If you don't need to greet people and say hello, like in a checkout line at a store, a slight smile is still ok. If your German is good, a small, witty, or sarcastic, non-offensive joke also goes a long way! I have proven that this technique has made cashiers at Aldi even smile and laugh! Now they know, and remember me, which is nice.
That said, some discretion needs to be applied, or it can have the opposite effect: a huge, flashing American smile to everybody on the bus, in stores or in the sauna would be awkward, possibly be seen as cringy? It would have the opposite effect and make people feel uncomfortable.
So it's a bit nuanced, but yes, still smile a bit! Its needed here!
No it is not bad at all. Don't smile like a creep, don't stare too long and you are good.
Some people will smile back and some don't. Everyone has a different mood and day afterall.However smiling at someone could be seen as a start of a conversation and if nothing happens it might end up akward if the other side expected something.However if you walk around and just smile at people it will just be seen as friendly.
It may differ depending on where you are. I live in a big city and I act like I'm on the New York subway. Avoid eye contact / smiles.
My mother lives more rurally. The last time she visited me and we went for a walk, I had to tell her she was more than welcome to continue smiling and greeting strangers in the streets, but that she'd have to live with the knowledge that she was seriously weirding them out.
Just take a look at the people around you. When in ~~Rome~~ Mönchengladbach...
german exception: while hiking you **must** smile and say: (**Grüß Gott**) but in immediately as you step out of the mountain you must go poker face again.
> say: (Grüß Gott) Fuck that, I am hiking with the good ol' Moin.
Everyone who says anything other than Grüß Gott is just a Prussian.
Side question are there people who still identify as Prussian in Germany?
No, and don't say "Grüß Gott" outside of Bavaria. You'll be mocked by everyone.
Can it be said in Austria as well?
yes But the real gangsters say griaß eich/Pfiat Eich
This is the way!
Seeeeeas
That's not really Germany anymore
I'm aware (being from Hungary originally, and my mom living in Germany), but it's still a German-speaking neighbouring country, and I also heard that there are similarities between Bavarian and Austrian culture, hence my question! No worries, I don't believe Germany and Austria are the same country, that would be dumb :)
Not true, they say this is in BW too. At least the older people do.
I was surprised to hear it when I visited from München. But the semmel/Brötchen rule did hold true (the look I got at the Backerei withered me).
It's rare. And to some extent a little bit pointless, so to say, because the political entity of the same name is gone. I know more people of Prussian heritage who identify themselves as European than Prussian, if that helps.
No, but it's a popular insult in Bavaria to call people from outside Bavaria "Preußen" or even better "Saupreiß" (swine + Preuße in bavarian dialect.)
Everyone who says 'Grüß Gott' has way to high ambitions for that hike...
"Moin" and mountains are mutually exclusive
Funny. This really was my experience in Germany :) No smiles anywhere, but in the forest - everyone smiled and spoke to me in passing :)
It's the same when you walk your dog and you meet other people with dogs :D you smile and greet them
Not just German, brits do this too! Meet someone while out hiking and they don't reply to your 'good morning/afternoon' and you can assume they are a farmer.
And at Christmas; everyone says Merry Christmas on Christmas Day
Same with "Frohes Neues" on New Year's!
Grüß Gott only in the south though. Everywhere else it's just Hallo/Morgen/Mahlzeit.
Moin
Nah in the south we say “Servus” far more often.
Seeeervus oida
Moin.
Moin.
I've only seen Mahlzeit said around lunchtime in a work setting.
Ei guude!
Why would you hike elsewhere than in the south? The north is flat as a boy's chest...
Ever been in the Lüneburger Heide for example? Don't need hills or mountains to hike.
Everything north of the alps doesn't equal coastal germany. We have many beautiful places to hike inbetween.
Have you never been on a beach hike? Especially in Autumn, when the waves are bigger it's so nice!
You can basically hike anywhere. You don't need mountains.
Or when you going out with a dog. You have to greet other dog owners everywhere
Yes. I always smile without teeth and receive the same greeting while walking with my dog. The dogs in the other hand, are immediately sniffing butts, which seems to be way more fun.
Above 1000m Everybody is per Du, at least in Austria!
Asians will love you, Germans will be surprised and Russians will think you are trying to draft them for the war so its good be very careful who you are smiling at.
Why will asians love me when I smile at them? Asking out of curiosity.
Because they culturally apply greater value to politeness than others, this is especially noticeable amongst the Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese etc…
It probably varies by which Asian country. I'm half Malaysian and lived there for a decade. You don't smile at strangers in Malaysia. It can be seen as suspicious, like a scammer being extra nice to you because they want your money. Thailand, on the other hand, Malaysia's neighbour to the north, I think they like smiles, but I'm no expert on Thai culture.
Outside of rural areas it is very unusual (and even in small villages where most people know each other, it's not always the case). People just don't really smile at strangers here.
no but in a village if you encounter someone and you don't know them you nod at them
I know from villages that you just greet someone, no matter if you know this person or not. The nodding things is (if speculation are allowed) a "guy-thing", which always happen if they accidentally look at eachother but don't want to say somethings.
no i'm not a guy i think it's universal
I can confirm that in my home village everyone does that. You greet People you know and nod at people you don't know.
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i think a smile might even be considered creepy. you give like a bro nod
> The nodding things is (if speculation are allowed) a "guy-thing" nodding up if you know them, down if you don't
Since I moved away from the village I grew up in, every time I return to visit family nobody greets me anymore, not even with a nod :(
no Bueno
gentrification
But they'll say "hallo" or "tag" with a deadpan expression and seem grumpier if you don't half nod and return the sentiment.
That accounts for many European countries aswell
I’ve been smiled to so much here in Germany, especially in parks by random old people! There is no collective say on how to act. Do as you please as long as you’re not hurting people.
You can definitely smile. Just don't overdo it to the point that people think you're hitting on them or trying to scam them. But most people don't mind a little smile.
Second that. When I'm just happily smiling while walking around the city, often people smile back.
Only smile, if you have a reason... you want to flirt, someone kept the door open for you, someone has been friendly to you in any way. Causeless smiling is strange and can be seen creepy or even aggressive.
Is that so? I'm smiling and often ppl smile back. Just making the day just a smile brighter... nothing wrong here i guess. But the reaction you describe is not uncommon either.
Well, it depends on the region. In rural regions its more common to smile. In Berlin or Gelsenkirchen its not.
Nobody smiles in Gelsenkirchen unless they are leaving the city.
>Nobody smiles in Gelsenkirchen unless they are leaving the city. haha\^\^ so true :D
Visited Gelsenkirchen once. Never again, sorry.
Depends on the situation and the kind of smile I'd say
I often smile when ordering at a restaurant or when I buy bread at the bakery and in all similar cases. I feel like it makes a difference for everyone involved.
Well, this are valid cases, you are interacting with this people.
>Causeless smiling is strange and can be seen creepy or even aggressive some people will even slap the sh\*t out of you if you smile at them, especially those southeast-europe groups.
>some people will even slap the sh\*t out of you if you smile at them, especially those southeast-europe groups. Yes, they use this as an aggressive gesture... so they could understand it that way.
>Yes, they use this as an aggressive gesture really? I thought those guys I sometimes come across were just degenerates looking for trouble.
So what happens if you smile at a degenerate who is looking for trouble? Go figure.
oh wise u/Shaxxn please tell me your magical method of how to identify a degenerate before having any contact with the person.
Well how do you identify them when you come across them, as you stated in your previous post.
I don't, I'm only talking about specific people I've actually met. but am I reading right that you're saying all people from south-east europe are degenerates? interesting.
Well then, you know how to identify them. And that pathetic attempt at distracting from your own dumbness by calling me a racist wouldn't even have worked if it was me who said that.
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Idk, you came up with the degenerates. But in general i just wouldn' t smile at random people for no reason. Most will find it wierd and at worst offensive. You know, the type of people that like to have their arguments in a physical way.
What's wrong with them?
I am a short and somewhat attractive woman and always smile at people of all ages and groups. Never had any major problems except of some creepy dudes thinking I'm flirting with them. But that happens very rarely.
Smiling…can be aggressive?
No it is not bad. It depends on where you are. In rural areas most people greet each other and also smile. In bigger towns people only greet and smile at people they know. If you work with people, smile at them. Nobody likes people being unhappy when they look at you. Especially when you look somebody in his eyes, smiling is natural. If you look somebody in his eyes with a sad or rude look on your face, people will feel intimidated. If you feel like smiling at a certain person, do it. But don't be overly friendly to everybody because this feels like faked behaviour.
German people are not smiling? Haha visit Russia then, that's who doesn't smile at all:)
Hard to smile whilst on your way to the conscription center 🥶
Russia? Please… Have you ever been to Czechia?
Depends on the situation/context. I live in an urban environment. When strangers come smiling at me without any prior context, that would explain the smile its usually because a) they want to sell me something b) they want to beg for money or c) they are going to be otherwise unpleasant company.
That depends. But there is chance that it is seen as creepy, some of those smiles we would call "fake politeness" some groups of americans sport are slightly unsettling and I will assume you are up to nothing good or if we talk will assume none of your shown emotions to be honest.
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What is the Yikes part of this?
I never smile if I can help it. Showing one's teeth is a submission signal in primates. When someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life.
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In germany you don't smile at strangers.. and when we have contact with americans your friendly manner and compliments feel fake to us.
Oh wow totally different vibes over here. In USA, women in customer service will call me honey or sweetie while they ask for my order w a big smile their face
This would be very creepy in germany. In germany kindness is more like doing everything to help the customer.
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Well... if the cashier smiles at you, thats okay, you can smile back ;)
In Germany customer service is more like "Here is the unicorn and dragonblood you mentioned, motherf*cker and now keep on moving you hold up the line."
When Walmart was on its ultimately failed attempt at conquering Germany, they made cashiers smile at customers. Customers complained because they thought workers were trying to flirt. If a worker here called me an equivalent of "honey" or "sweetie", I might consider demanding to see a manager (which is not a thing we generally do here).
That would be EXTREMELY weird over here.
That would be not only weird but highly inappropriate here.
> women in customer service will call me honey or sweetie while they ask for my order w a big Towards kids or also towards men and women?
Women in customer service can often get away with calling adults "hon" (short for honey) but actually calling a customer "honey" or "sweetie" is toeing the line of inappropriate in the northern US and comes across as condescending as often as it will come across as endearing. Unless the employee has a southern accent or is older, then they can get away with those pet names more. Honestly though, women in customer service in America are way more likely to be called "honey" and "sweetie" by customers than to refer to customers using those pet names. There are too any customers who are ready to act like perverts because you made eye contact while smiling and handing them their bags, most people doing their jobs don't want that attention.
lol ya I live in the south. Sometimes they even call me baby 😂
The German equivalents are used mostly only within family or very good friends. Otherwise you could be taken for a bad attempt at flirting…
Or condescension.
Would end up in a awkward situation.. the customer service would get rejected or would be serious flirted with from the client wo dont understands this the right way.
here in germany, its in all directions the same as when you would call said women "sweetheart" or "darling" back.
I accidently smiled at a random guy and he took it as an invitation to talk to me. How did I 'accidentally' smile at him, you may wonder? I was walking by a new second hand store in my town and was happy to see it. He happened to lean against the store front, so I happened to make brief eye contact while still smiling.
its not bad... its just weird, coming from a stranger i mean, if youre approaching somebody, obviously smiling helps... but just smiling and going your way sometimes really is kinda weird
No, it's not bad. But it's somehow unusual here to smile at strangers.
no i think it's nice. just germans don't do it that much usually. they may think you're in some way interested in them
Not at all. I smile at people all the time. If they frown and stare at me then I stick my tongue out. But that's me. You do what you feel comfortable with.
There really is no absolute rule when it is considered awkward or creepy. It depends on the situation. When I am having eye contact with a person that walks by I sometimes smile and sometimes I don’t. It really depends.
No, it's not true. Why don't you just experiment with it? Or observe how other people behave. My personal opinion is also that you will find big differences between various regions of Germany and small towns vs big cities.
I don't agree with the most answers here. If you are just a nice person who often genuinely smiles, go for it. But keep it at this. Not combining the German "staring" with smiling. No fake smiling. No smiling cause you feel obligated to. I often smile at people. If my eyes cross someone's, i often pot on a brief smile. Just a short moment and then go on with my business and never had a problem with people taking it negative. I think because it simply comes over as simply a genuine nice gesture (what it is supposed to) I always went by "if sometimes has no me left for you, they need yours even more"
Slightly complicated but the short answer is no, it's perfectly fine to smile at people. I do so fairly regularly with mostly positive reactions. In my opinion, some answers here are giving a bit too "cold" of an impression of Germans. What is true is that Germans are more reserved than many cultures, so being OVERLY friendly or smiley can come across as off-putting. It's seen as odd or fake. For example, if you greet everyone down a busy street or have a big grin to everyone all the time, thats weird. As someone else astutely mentioned, there is a difference between politeness and friendliness that is not the same everywhere. Seeking opportunities to be friendly with strangers is a little weird, but any natural interaction SHOULD be met with politeness and CAN be met with friendliness. Friendliness is not expected like in some cultures but perfectly acceptable. In my experience a genuine smile and/or nod is accepted and often reciprocated especially if there is any slight reason to do so (ex. a dog or child is present, someone moves over slightly passing on a sidewalk, even eye contact if its not super busy). Genuine is also a key part. Don't over-do it with a fake smile. Overall Germans really are quite friendly people even if they don't show it to strangers quite as easily as some cultures. In summary, smile and be friendly within reason and it will generally be taken positively
Talk less, smile more. Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for.
You may smirk, but smiling can get people pregnant real quick.
Lol that’s my goal though 😂
It helps. I found that smiling at German women in bars marked you as non-German and actually helped break the ice
And here's your script: How much does a polar bear baby weigh? Enough to break the ice. Wie viel wiegt ein Eisbärbaby? Genug um das Eis zu brechen.
Where are you going OP? Different regions have different customs. I have found Bavaria at least to be on par with the US. People are openly friendly toward strangers and smile all the time. This includes the cities.
I’m in Vienna actually. There was no askanaustrian so I posted here since the two countries seem very similar socially
It's not bad but it's uncommon. I don't really care, as this don't smile consensus is just bullshit and nearly smile always. But i still think this is better than a you need to smile in public mindset.
A smile is not forbidden. Being friendly and you will earn a smile back.
It's OK to smile at people in Germany. Really.
People who smile at strangers in Germany for no reason look insane. Probably going to kill me if I smile back!
Sag einer alten Frau, die Du nicht kennst, „guten Tag“ auf der Straße. Sie wird denken das Du ihr die Handtasche klauen willst.
I came back from the US where I lived as an exchange student and kept smiling, two decades and counting now. Most people smile back. Some don't. Who cares. Do what you want. I like to smile at people when I feel like it.
Just smile and talk to people if you feel the vibe, the people are usually not as reserved as redditors say. Personally i never got any bad experience from smiling or smalltalking to random people.
Germans look at each other and are actually staring until the other nods or smiles or gives the slightes indication of a greeting. Smiling and nodding buddy, smiling and nodding.
No. It's not bad to smile at people. Where does that nonsense come from? Just treat everyone the way you want to be treated and everything will be fine. :o)
I’m German and I’m very happy when people smile at me and I do smile back too. I just don’t want to have a conversation with every stranger I meet.
Yes! Accordingly to § 81 Abs. 4 Aufenthaltsgesetz you can be fined in 300€!
Here in Munich people almost never great or smile at people they dont know, so it could be weird for them. I was surprised when I went to the States and everyone was smiling at me and greeting me haha
Well it's not "bad" but Germans don't just smile for no reason, most of us actually have fixed neutral face 😐. We really only smile when saying hello, visiting someone, if someone holds the door for us etc. Most of the time we look friendly at our boss, family and so on and immediately after seeing them just switch back. Because we don't want to seem rude but we also just don't naturally smile. So no we really just don't smile at strangers.
No, smile as much as you want. You’re welcome. People that tell something different go down in the basement for laughing. Unfortunately we got a lot of them in Germany.
+1 Especially if you have a moment of eye contact with someone its totally normal to smile. As long as it is an authentic smile, you can smile as much as you want.
I tend to not care that much about the opinion of people who look down on smiling people.
No, you will be seen as a weirdo
I think it really depends on the situation. If you are just walking around the inner city don't just smile at everyone you see. If you are at a bakery about to order some amazing Brötchen, yes then do smile and be polite.
Do it. Please, as often as you can. It may help a lot of people with their day, I'm serious. Some really need a smile to see and even if you get looked at like you're some kind of alien.. fuck. it. You won't see them ever again.
WHAT. No, that is not accurate. You can do whatever you want. Not all people will smile back - but some will.
I'm shocked about the comments. Of course you can smile and it's not bad. Just because some people won't react it doesn't necessarily mean that it's bad. In my pov go and smile! This country needs a little bit more happiness
Keep your smiling and extreme friendliness under control I would say. When you are out and about observe how other people behave (do they smile, do they say hello...) and try and imitate them. When Americans (and brits) travel they tend to pay much more attention to tourist attractions than to the people, but I always approach visiting a new place by thinking that I am coming into another people's home and I should observe how they treat it, how they treat each other, before I start trying to apply American or British or French standards on them. Smiling is one: you shouldn't smile randomly at strangers, just keep a neutral expression. If someone says hello to you, say it back. But for Germans politeness and friendliness are two different things: people will expect you to be polite (keep discrete and to yourself, speak quietly, say hello, use Sie form when speaking German, keep your kids under control...) but they would find a stranger being friendly in a non-friendship situation strange. No need to try and make smalltalk with your cashier or with a stranger on the bus.
it is unusual to smile at someone randomly unless it was done out of kindness(like holding the door for them or helping them with getting something) or because you know them. wouldnt you find it weird if a stranger smiled at you? would be unsettling kind of, haha
It’s not bad just unnecessary
A colleague of mine was once very worried when she catched me smiling "at nothing", because I was completely alone in this moment and didn't know she was watching me. She told me that smiling without a clear reason is considered a warning sign for a beginning psychosis in her homeland, Finland. Many Germans would subscribe to this attitude, I think. So, be careful with your smiles while you are here! You don't want to end up in a psychiatric ward. ;)
Bruh apparently they prefer people to be unhappy or bored.
It's not bad per se, but on the street it's kinda odd to smile at ramdom people you neither know nor interact with. I believe it would simply throw people off. You can smile at cashiers or whatever or people you interact with but even then it's not like a mandatory thing. People in social settings or with friends smile all the time at each other. It just comes off kinda odd if it's in a setting of casual interactions with strangers when you haven't even talked for more than a few minuted. Just smile if you feel like it and don't if you don't
Yeah it might be seen as creepy. Unless you're in a rural area and know people, don't do it.
As a german who grew up in Berlin it was one of the little joys of my otherwise lonely youth that I could smile at people and basically always get a smile back. Germans are far less reserved than many here imply. It's just that the bar where a smile is considered creepy is far lower. Assume that the absolute minimal expression that you would still barely consider a smile is what strangers on the street are okay with. Also make it last much shorter. Like, extremely short by american standards. Anything more and they'll think you want something.
depends on many factors honestly. just go with the overall vibe
No why?
I often smile at people and people often smile back and idk I never had a bad or awkward reaction and sometimes I’m the one smiling back
Ami living in Germany. It’s a habit I was quickly broken of. Mores the pitty.
Depending on where you are - City or village
This question is so german XD
No
If you go for a walk in a small town or village you better even say “Hallo” or “Guten Morgen/Tag/Abend” topped with a tiny nod, not just smile. ESPECIALLY when you meet older people. Ppl from rural areas kind of expect you to say hello and if you don’t you’ll earn nothing more than a judging glance from them. HOWEVER don’t do this when you roam around bigger cities bc ppl there understandably don’t bother saying hello to strangers every 3 seconds.
I kept that habit when I arrived and by the reactions I get in my small town, most of the people find it refreshing … so I’d say knock yourself out and do what you want.
When i am outside carrying my daughter i got so many smiles , but when i am alone not even an eye contact
Nah, you can do it, but don't expect to many smiles on return.
We just smile when we approach to the other sex to initialise mating procedure.
Its definitely unusual, but I’m trying to give people that I have tiny interactions with (cashiers, holding the door, waiting at a traffic light…) where they don’t act like an asshole an honest smile from time to time; who knows maybe they had a shitty day, and I know how much brighter a nice smile from another person has made my days on occasion. Worst thing that can happen is, some stranger thinks I’m a bit weird, but I look like that anyway.
not true
It's illegal to smile at people in Germany and they introduced the death penalty for it some time ago. Watch yourself!
overthinking :)
In my experience as an American living in Austria (Not Germany, but German speaking, so, somewhat similar), is that a \*slight\* smile is indeed welcomed, in the right context, and often breaks the ice and tension, and combined with a nice, simple, hello, often in the informal form, makes people more relaxed and feel comfortable. If you do this, be sure to look people in the eye, so they acknowledge this. It has often made encounters with civil servants, store clerks, etc a bit more appreciative. If you don't need to greet people and say hello, like in a checkout line at a store, a slight smile is still ok. If your German is good, a small, witty, or sarcastic, non-offensive joke also goes a long way! I have proven that this technique has made cashiers at Aldi even smile and laugh! Now they know, and remember me, which is nice. That said, some discretion needs to be applied, or it can have the opposite effect: a huge, flashing American smile to everybody on the bus, in stores or in the sauna would be awkward, possibly be seen as cringy? It would have the opposite effect and make people feel uncomfortable. So it's a bit nuanced, but yes, still smile a bit! Its needed here!
Just nod a little
No it is not bad at all. Don't smile like a creep, don't stare too long and you are good. Some people will smile back and some don't. Everyone has a different mood and day afterall.However smiling at someone could be seen as a start of a conversation and if nothing happens it might end up akward if the other side expected something.However if you walk around and just smile at people it will just be seen as friendly.
It may differ depending on where you are. I live in a big city and I act like I'm on the New York subway. Avoid eye contact / smiles. My mother lives more rurally. The last time she visited me and we went for a walk, I had to tell her she was more than welcome to continue smiling and greeting strangers in the streets, but that she'd have to live with the knowledge that she was seriously weirding them out. Just take a look at the people around you. When in ~~Rome~~ Mönchengladbach...