The school has already given us a schedule for what we can do. We’re going to museums, factory tours, that sort. So no suggestions for any activities to do or places to go to.
I would like some tips on some things I should know about Germany, perhaps some German phrases I should understand, cultural differences, or laws I need to know. Anything important that I should be aware of?
It will be about a weeklong trip
Insulting people can result in criminal prosecution in Germany. Also giving the nazi salute, repeat nazi slogans (or any such display of anti-constitutional allegiance).
Technically yes but realistically it only gets prosecuted in extreme cases. Like throwing feces at someone or distributing leaflets with your insults. If you just call someone an asshole, no police officer in the country will even bother with it. It’s hard to prove who said what and the maximum sentence is extremely low.
Not quite. And throwing feces would certainly constitute a more serious crime.
Insults are prosecuted at the request of the victim (with very rare exceptions). Usually, people don’t bother. However, police officers are known for their well-developed sense of personal honor, and they hang around police stations, anyway.
Important difference between Germany and EG the US: German prosecutors must, by law, investigate all potential crimes. You’re right that such an investigation into an insult does not usually merit significant resources. Much depends on how well staffed the prosecutor’s office is. Bavaria is notorious for having time for all those little things (see the warnings about weed).
You can expect them, say, to look up a license plate and send a letter to the owner requesting a statement. Insults while driving are also seen as having higher priority, on account of the danger posed by losing your cool while driving.
Someone who has been accused more than once, will certainly merit more resources. Insults against police officers are also higher priority and usually end badly.
you guys have a strange approach to being a tourist.
If you throw shit at people thats battery, not insult
Point is though, that you’ll want no trouble with the law abroad, especially on a school trip. Keeping a respectfully low profile is never a bad idea.
Though I do confirm that Munich police are quite chill and helpful.
I certainly hope that it goes without saying that you should be respectful towards others, just like everywhere else in the world. I just wanted to clarify that Germany is not some totalitarian dystopia where you immediately go to prison for insulting someone.
To you, it’s normal, but to Americans it’s absolutely dystopian. Look at how people talk about Trump. In Germany, insults against politicians are especially serious and are prosecuted.
If you feel that you cannot exercise your right to criticize politicians in Germany you’re absolutely wrong. There are very few cases where prosecution took place.
On the other hand: in Germany you don’t have to worry as much as in the US about getting shot by the police for being black, foreign, or doing something egregious like not keeping your hands on the steering wheel when pulled over. Even ‘being pulled over’ is not something that really happens. If you’re a tourist that’s not openly promoting nazi actions (I know that’s hard for half of Americans) you’ll be absolutely fine.
Good advice, no showing middle finger to unfamiliar people, can be fined a few thousand afaik.
How‘s that relevant to what OP asked though? Are you alright in the Head?
Common experience with American tourists, that’s why. Especially young ones. Sad, but true.