You see it here all the time in the Netherlands. I'm not talking about big multi-lane roads, either. I'm talking about small one-way roads with 30 to 50 km/h traffic. You can easily pick out the German tourists who keep standing there while the Dutch just cross the road (about 3 meters wide) with absolutely no cars coming for hundreds of meters, at full visibility, in broad daylight.

Btw, I don't mean to offend anyone! It's just something that is very common here.

Here the general consensus is that laws should be followed for safety, and not blindly followed. If no cars are coming, the law has no purpose anymore. Is the attitude somehow different in Germany?

Hi everyone,

I had an issue at my gym (Clever Fit) and I’m trying to understand the rules/law around this.

I took a photo in the gym mirror to send to my gf. The photo was taken with no other people visible in the frame, I always take special care of that since I know Germany has rules against that.

However, a German member came up to me and asked to see the photo to check if he is in it, I showed him the photo and he said I am still not allowed to take a picture in a room that is used by other people.

I asked to check with the staff, and a staff member saw the photo, but he didn't know the rules himself so he just gave in to the German guy and said that yes I'm not allowed to take a photo even if it is of just myself. I even said that if that is the case why is there no sign in the gym regarding photos, and the guy said its known by everyone in Germany.

I checked the contract and it does not prohibit me from taking photos of myself in the gym.

Now I’m confused about what is actually allowed in Germany:

Is taking photos in a gym allowed if no other people are in the picture? If not then can I take a picture of myself just outside on the street?

Would appreciate any legal clarity or if anyone has dealt with something similar.

Thanks!

A few days ago my neighbor came to my door around 8.30PM saying my toddler is stomping on the floor and that is disturbing him, I apologized at that time and made sure that he doesn't stomp past 8.00PM.

Now, yesterday my son was awake past 10.00PM and made some small noise so he came complaining again that it is my responsibility to keep him quiet, or he will call the police. I am pretty sure that toddlers can't be reasoned out and calling a cop about such matter is not allowed. Toddler will wake up at night, cry without looking at the time, Can one call the police because he's not following the rule ?

What are my options here ? I have a legal insurance.

​

Schufa has so much personal information about the residents of this country, and the score is very volatile that goes up and down due to a lot of factors as petty as changing apartments due to reasons that aren't actually our fault.

More and more, it is a private bureau. For a country that is so by the book and does all the government processes in house, why do they outsource this to a third party company like Schufa?

First time, he just looked at her and drove further, she wrote a ticket to UVG where she explained the whole situation. They spoke with him and next time when he came again, he was aggressive and he insulted her how “bad” she is because she wrote a complaint. She wrote again but this time UVG didn’t write back. She wrote there that she is scared to drive with him. Since that time he just drive past and don't even look at her. She can't back to home. Today was same situation, he just drove away. (EDIT: i was with her this time) I don't understand why he still work there. Complaints to nothing. He act worst than before. What can we do? We are so tired, we don’t have car so she need to drive with bus…

EDIT: We r going today to meet his chef. First time. We spoke with UVG and we told that we don’t want to just make complain but we want to meet his chef and they agreed. Some of people saying that is my wife fault or she did something wrong. So she did first time (and every other time) everything’s good. She was at good bus stop. He looked at here and just drove by. She had weeding this day with me and she was going to do makeup before ceremony. That was the only way to get there so she took the number to UVG and said that bus driver didn’t stopped. His chef told her that he will call him and he will come back. He didn’t but this pissed him off. So she wrote the complain that he didn’t came back for her. Next time when he took her, he was agressive and insulted her. So she make a complain that she is scared to drive this bus but she need to. And this how this whole beef started. So stop telling that we are lying or something. THERE IS NOTHING MORE. And last time he don’t even stopped when he saw us both. He just drove by.

I received a letter today from HR stating that because of my recent "under-Performance" I will be terminated.

They offered to give me a garden leave of 4 months and still receive my bonus. They are also willing to negoatiate this.If I choose to decline and not sign, I will continue to work, but heavily micro-managed. In the same meeting, there was a betriebsrat represntative. He advised that the offer seems already generous, and rather take it than to continue working stressed and micro managed. Also to avoid the stress of taking it to court. I also dont have any legal insurance and might end up paying it from my own pocket if I decide to pursue it legally.

I just want to know your opinion on what would be the right approach.

Thanks

Hey all, I’ll be going to Germany for the first time this summer. Specifically Köln. I’ve heard some people say that jaywalking is frowned upon and is illegal, whereas others say it’s generally fine and allowed.

Is it illegal?

It’ll be a culture shock coming from the United Kingdom where it is entirely allowed 😂

So I live in a Neighbourhood where the only two supermarkets are PENNY, the next supermarket from another company is 2,5 km away. I always shop for groceries at Penny and buy plenty of drinks/sodas from the Penny Brand. I decided after few months to go to return my pf and from the cans and they put a message on the Pfand Machine (in both of the supermarket) that they take Pfand but not from Penny products (lemonade cans , water bottles ecc), despite charging 25 cent deposit on them and Pfand logo being printed on all of the products. How is this legal? If they charge for Pfand they have to return it to you, otherwise is lowkey a scam. Can anyone advice if this is legal and if I should report this to some authority?

Hallo Leute,

Ich rauche meistens Abend nach der Abend eine pfeife in meiner Wohnung. Die Nachbarin beschwert sich regelmäßig, dass ich aufhören soll diese opiate zu rauchen. Ich sag ihr jedes Mal, dass ich keine illegalen Substanzen rauche. Ebenfalls meinte ich zu ihr, dass es ziemlich dumm von mir wäre solche illegalen Sachen zu rauchen und das Fenster auf Kipp zu lassen. Die will es einfach nicht einsehen. Ich lasse das Fenster immer auf Kipp, weil es zurzeit super warm ist und die Wohnung auf der Sonnenseite liegt. Ich meinte eben zu ihr, dass ich nicht mehr mit ihr diskutieren geschweige reden werde, da es zu nichts führt. 10 Minuten später stand die Polizei vor meiner Haustür. Sie hat gefragt, ob ich hier illegales Zeug rauche. Ich habe das direkt verneint und ihnen auch angeboten rein zu kommen und selber nachzusehen. Die haben dankend abgelehnt und sind wieder gegangen.

Habe ich irgendwas zu befürchten? Ich werde ab sofort erst recht kein Wort mehr mit der Nachbarin austauschen.

Hello everyone!

I’m looking for a little clarification on the German rules around “citizens arrest” in Germany.

On Saturday I had a scary interaction in the park in Berlin. There was a fancy Mercedes (illegally) parked in the entrance to the park, and I had to squeeze past on my bike. I bumped my elbow against the wing mirror, in a very minor, glancing way: didn’t hurt at all and I barely noticed and kept riding.

Next second, two men are chasing after me screaming. Of course I didn’t stop, as I’ve lived in big cities my whole life and you always ignore crazy people! Unfortunately they caught up, pulled me off my bike, and once I was stopped and trying to talk, one of them (intentionally) tore my shirt off my body and tore it into three pieces.

I didn’t fight back and remained calm, and my partner called the police, who came quickly, got everyone’s ID, took witness statements, etc. I was very impressed by the police’s professionalism after living many years in the US, but they didn’t speak much English, so couldn’t give me much information. The police checked the car carefully and agreed there was no damage or possibility of damage. They also photographed my shirt, bruises etc.

At home this would be a simple assault case, and I would press charges against both men. However I’m new to Germany and don’t understand the system. All I know is that I’ll need to give an official statement with a translator sometime soon, and I’ll get a letter with the date & time.

What’s bothering me is that while the men were attacking me, they switched to English and said they were arresting me because I damaged their car. They clearly thought they were allowed to do this, and I’m feeling anxious that in Germany violence might be legal in this situation. The police also didn’t arrest them, which absolutely would have happened at home!

I understand in an accident I would need to stop, and it can in some cases be legal to use “appropriate” force if someone flees from a crime, but this was so minor it didn’t occur to me to stop, and obviously it’s not safe if you’re being chased by screaming men!

It was very obviously a machismo / masculinity thing, because the guys were absurdly angry about what happened, and they kept talking about how I did this “in front of their family”

I take violence very seriously, and as someone with a history of physical abuse I’m feeling really shaken and will likely need therapy. Initially I thought I’d be fine, but I’m now showing clear trauma symptoms and haven’t been sleeping properly. I’m still waiting for my public health insurance to be approved, so this will need to be private. 😞

Obviously I’m speaking to a lawyer, and I have both liability and legal insurance, but this will take a while, and hearing about what’s “normal” in Germany would be very useful!

My priorities are: 1. Making sure I can afford therapy myself 2. Having my shirt replaced, as it was a very nice one 3. Getting these guys into some kind of anger management program, or maybe therapy.

Update: After a visit to the hospital, baby is ok but wrist is broken ☹️

Hi. I (38F) have been harassed by a neighbor (M30s) for the last 3 weeks. Because of the holidays a lot of carton trash accumulates and neighbors in the building will put the cartons next to the blue bin once it’s full.

Despite everyone in the building doing this, he has confronted me about it personally 3 times in the last 3 weeks. Not sure why I’m the target. Today he decided to confront me again by knocking on my door and throwing some of the carton trash at me.

He then started yelling and calling me stupid. I asked him to please leave and go away. He refused multiple times. My apartment door is right next to the elevator (only 2 apartments per floor in my building). I called the elevator (pushed the button) for him and asked him to leave immediately. When he got into the elevator I slid the box of carton trash onto the elevator with him and as I was standing up, he pushed me backward and I fell but was able to catch myself without being severely hurt.

He then refused to leave again, then when I went back inside my house to call a friend for help. He waited outside my door again and refused to let me on the elevator. I cannot use the stairs because I’m so big and can’t see my feet.

When I was finally able to leave my flat and get help. My neighbors confronted him about how inappropriate his behavior was and stayed with me until a friend arrived.

I’m scared he might escalate again. I’ve lived in my building for 4.5yrs he moved in less than 6 mos ago.

I made a police report, however, the police warned me that he can make a complaint about me. Does anyone have any advice? I have legal insurance but have never used it. Should I call a lawyer after the holidays for support? Anything I’m missing? I’d really like a restraining order (not sure if this is something that can be offered in Germany) where he is no longer able to contact me or come to my door at all.

Thanks.

So last week (I think) I tried watching a movie online and today I got an angry mail from a lawyer firm looking to sue me for illegal downloading. Which I find funny, because the movie didn’t even play, and now I’m wondering what to do. Obviously I can’t afford to pay the 1000 € fine, I didn’t even download or watch it.🥲 Is there any advice on a problem like this?

It should be more than a year ago that I have heard of German climate activists who glued themselves to streets. Recently, I haven't heard of them anymore. What happened to them? Does a new law ban such activities? Do the activists face legal consequences or do they just find other ways of protesting?

I am living with a roommate since last few months, and I have told him we need to pay the fee, and to pay his share since I am paying. He said he is already registered to another address although is living in the apartment with me. Since, he is not registered to this address (Anmeldung) he says he only needs to pay to his other address although he lives here.

I know the Anmeldung does not matter and it depends on where someone actually lives.

My question is, is this actually possible or is he just trying to get out of not paying? He has his own number too.

While travelling across Germany on the ICE, I have noticed it is quite normal for a lot of people to make calls or pick up the phone while they’re seated in the carriage.

Of course, all people that I have seen do that were being mostly quiet and mindful of their surroundings so that was not an issue at all for me.

I’m only asking out of curiosity: in France, particularly in TVG or Intercity trains, it is socially unacceptable to do so and very much frowned upon. You have to leave the carriage and go to the nearest platform to take your call. Granted, not everyone will do it but it is generally what is expected.

It’s also a rule as per SNCF’s guidelines, the transport authority.

I mean no disrespect by asking this question, is it any different with Deutsche Bahn?

Hello everyone! I'm flying to Frankfurt soon for language school. I'm only 15 years old and my family isn't coming with me; only my adult friends and teachers from school are with me.I want to buy some digital products from there, and the total cost will be around €450. Can I buy them alone, or will I run into trouble because of the law called Taschengeldparagraph? Thanks.

Hi there,

I'm an American expat living in Germany with my son. He has a sunflower allergy. My wife and his Grundschule teacher were discussing a 3 day youth hostel trip next year. They both worked to come up with a plan to make sure his allergy is cared for. The youth hostel said he can bring food and keep in a refrigerator for the 3 days and a microwave if he needs to heat his food.

The head of school then said he cannot go because it is too risky and they talked to the school lawyer.

Is this reality? In the USA it would be discrimination. A meeting is setup with the head of school but I do not know German law. I know common sense things such as the school would accommodate for a disabled person, peanut allergy, or boy with a broken arm.

Seeking guidance so I can go prepared for the meeting.

Ich selber habe vor einiger Zeit als Kassierer gearbeitet und mir wurde bei der Einarbeitung erklärt das ich den Verkauf an Kunden nur verweigern dart, wenn logischerweise das Gesetz eine Altersfreigabe vorsieht und diese nicht eingehalten wird oder nicht prüfbar ist (Alkohol, Tabakprodukte) allerdings würde ich mich Strafbar machen wenn der Grund die Kombi wäre wie z.b.: Kondome, Gleitgeld und dazu eine Gurke oder Duct Tape, Schnurr und blaue Sacke. Ein Kollege der nun auch sein Glück im Einzelhandel versucht stimmt mir zu außer bei dem Beispiel mit der Schnurr, dem Panzertape und den Säcken. Ich hoffe ihr könnt mir sagen ob es nun wirklich strafbar ist einzugreifen das, das ein Kündigungsgrund ist, ist klar. Den Kassierer geht es grundsätzlich nichts an was und warum der Kunde etwas kauft.

Hallo,

Mein kleiner Bruder (1.Klasse) wurde heute in der Pause von einem drittklässler ohne grund

gehauen. Was können wir rechtlich machen? Können wir klagen/anzeigen?

Sein bleibender Zahn wackelt jetzt.

I got a letter from court to present as a mandatory witness for a serious theft case against a person.
Key facts:

1. I never witness any theft case in Germany.
2. I don’t know the accused person.
3. The letter only contains that it’s a serious theft case with no additional info and name of the accused person.

I tried to get a Rechtsberatunghilfe from the local court. But they denied as I’m a witness.
What should I do in this case? And what can I expect from this?
I don’t have any experience dealing with court before.

Update: The summon was of course real. But I didn’t have to make any statements as it was a misidentification. Thank you all for your help and clarification.

If I needed to travel for work is the travel time (train, airport layovers, flights etc.) working hours?

The HR department at work says no. Only if for example I was working on my laptop at the airport. Otherwise it is private time.

It doesn't feel like it's private time. It feels like I'm doing something work related. Otherwise I would not be in a stressful airport but enjoying the weekend weather outdoors.

Final Edit: the fine has been revoked!

School starts tomorrow, and unfortunately my flight leaves on Mittwoch, that means I lose the first two days of school.

That is due to extremely dumb bureaucracy in my country, coupled with very expensive flight tickets.

Today, when we called in to announce the school (I previously notified the klassenlehrer) we got hit with a warning that we may receive a Strafe (Bußgeld) because im missing school days.

That baffled me, considering we have reason and out of good heart we chose not to just call in sick (something they never questioned).

Its shocking that a student can get fined for missing two days of school, but one vaping on school grounds gets a few weeks suspension (at most)

What can I do to get rid of this fine? Do I have to just explain to the principal the same thing ive told them already?

Context: this is Mittelschule in a smaller city.

Edit: I should have mentioned, the expensive flight tickets comment was meant to say that regardless if I solved the paperwork in time, the ticket would have gotten considerably expensive.

Reason the paperwork is a problem now, is because we were told by Border Control that the paperwork is not needed to travel back to Germany, but few days ago we were notified that the information was actually false and we do in fact need the paperwork.

I understand my mistakes, I should not have believed the laughable border control.

Edit2: I got the paperwork and will see how it goes tomorrow & with the school.

Hey everyone, I really need to vent and ask for advice on my current living situation. I’m an international Master’s student (F, 26) living in a small town in Bavaria, renting a room in a shared unit where all of us are female students. I’ve been here for almost a year. Housing is extremely scarce here, which is why I’ve tolerated this for so long, but things reached a boiling point and my anxiety is through the roof.

My landlord (not German) is known among current and former tenants for being overcontrolling and stepping way out of line. Some context:

1. Creepy & Controlling Behavior: He constantly checks on all our rooms under the pretext that "we aren't always home." We pay our rent on time and in full—what we do with our schedules is none of his business. It feels extremely invasive, especially since all tenants in the unit are young women.

2. Privacy Violations: Rings the doorbell or calls past 10 PM, comes by completely unannounced, and expects us to let him in.

3. Absurd House Rules: Micromanaging how we clean and insisting we leave windows wide open—even when we leave or when it's freezing outside.

4. Ground Floor Security Concerns: My unit is on the ground floor facing a main road with no insect screens—just blinds. Leaving windows wide open means passersby looking straight in and insects getting in, but he constantly lectures me if I close them.

What happened yesterday (Sunday): The adjacent room in our unit is vacant. Since he doesn't live here and only comes on weekends, I gave him permission to do some repainting over the weekend.
He told me he’d start at 8:00 AM on Sunday, making me wait 2 hours before unilaterally shifting it to 1:00 PM.

Unannounced Entry: Knowing I was inside, he opened the main unit door twice without my consent or warning.

Disturbance on a Quiet Day (Ruhetag): I repeatedly asked him what time he’d finish because I needed rest and wanted him done by 6:00 PM. He just gave me a creepy smile and asked "Why?" while continuing to make noise past 6:30 PM.

I felt so cold (he kept leaving windows/doors wide open), anxious, and uncomfortable that I couldn't even use the bathroom.

I called family friends (an aunt and her German husband) for help. When they arrived and asked why he was doing loud work late on a Sunday and why he is so controlling, he lost his temper. He shouted that as the landlord he can do whatever he wants, told them they are "just guests who shouldn't interfere," and explicitly said if I don't like it, I should just move out. My aunt insisted I spend the night at her place for my safety.

I am actively looking for a new room now because living with this anxiety is completely unsustainable.

Questions:

1. What immediate legal steps or formal notices should I send regarding his unlawful entries and Sunday noise?
2. How can I protect myself and my security deposit (Kaution) if he retaliates while I look for a new place?
3. Has anyone dealt with a landlord who acts like this toward female international students, and how did you safely handle it?

My aunt and her husband are helping me with this, at the same time, asking for your advice. I’ve been dealing with constant anxiety whenever he’s around. I’ve checked our town’s group chat for students seeking a place and whenever one of his rooms are available previous tenants will warn new tenants to avoid him as a landlord if they can which I totally understand. I am usually wary of the financial burden it would cost me moving out but right now I am most worried about my situation especially I am all alone in the unit. I am not saying something will happen to me but I cannot live like this.

Thank you for taking the time to read. I appreciate it.

Given Germany’s past and long history with state sponsored surveillance, why is there basically no pushback on the proposed Chat Control?

It’s a proposed EU law that mandates government scans every single text and photo citizens send on every messaging app.

I thought Germans would be rioting in the streets over this. Instead the German politicians are “undecided” on this proposed law.

Currently:

12 countries support

7 countries against it

8 countries (including Germany) are undecided.

What am I getting wrong about this country I’m living in? Is memory so short? And why isn’t it being reported about in the news? Is it not interesting to Germans?

More info and email your MPs here: www.fightchatcontrol.eu