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Fun (and interesting) Facts about Germany and Düsseldorf

To enhance the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming IBD+ 2025 in Düsseldorf, here are some interesting and fun facts about Germany and Düsseldorf that you might find intriguing.

By clicking on the titles or triangles you can expand or collapse the topics one by one; the buttons below do so for all with a single click.
  

General Etiquette and Behaviour

  • Punctuality: Germans value punctuality highly. Arriving on time for appointments, meetings, and social gatherings is considered very important.
  • Quiet Hours: Observe quiet hours, especially in residential areas. Noise regulations are enforced between 22 and 6 (10 pm and 6 am), and all day on Sundays and public holidays.
  • Greetings: A firm handshake with eye contact is the standard greeting.
    Outside of Mensa where we’re not on first-name terms use formal titles (“Herr” for Mr., “Frau” for Ms./Mrs.), followed by the last name, unless invited to use the first name.
  • Tipping: Tipping is customary but not obligatory.

Tipping Etiquette

Understanding the local tipping customs can enhance your travel experience and show appreciation for good service. Here are some recommendations for tipping in Germany:

  • Restaurants: Tips (“Trinkgeld”) are customary but not obligatory. A tip of 5-10% of the total bill is generally appreciated, or you can round up to the nearest euro (or one further to not leave just 5 Cents as tip). For excellent service, you might leave a bit more.
  • Bars and Cafes: It is common to round up the bill or leave a small tip of around 5-10%.
  • Hotels: For porters 1-2 Euro per bag is appropriate. Housekeeping staff can be tipped around 1-5 Euro per night. You can tip the concierge if they provide special services, generally around 5-10 Euro.
  • Taxis: Round up to the nearest Euro or tip about 5-10% of the fare.
  • Other Services: For hairdressers, spa services, or other personal services, a tip of around 5-10% is customary.

As a note: In the neighbouring countries the rules are pretty similar.

Food & Beverages

  • Meat – Fish – Vegetarian – Vegan: Having the choice if you want a piece of meat, some fish or rather a vegetarian dish is common in Germany. More and more restaurants etc. offer vegan food – that's an on-going social development.
  • Bread: Germany boasts over 300 types of bread. Each region has its own specialties, and bakeries are an integral part of German culture.
    Many Germans enjoy eating bread – and there is a wide variety of bread available up to whole grain bread. Give it a try and expect a delightful taste and get your teeth to work.
    You can eat good bread just with a bit of butter, or you can top it with cheese or sausage – again, a huge choice is at hand.
  • Sausage: We offer a huge variety of sausages – be it to be eaten just as-is, or on bread or being barbecued.
    Don’t worry, we do enjoy a good steak, or a burger, too.
  • Beer: Germany is renowned for its beer and has over 1,300 breweries producing 5,000 types of beer. The famous Oktoberfest in Munich is the world's largest beer festival.
    Please be aware that beer in Germany and some other surrounding European countries has about 5% alcohol – unless you opt for the stronger ones (“Starkbier”) that further reduce the amount needed to feel dizzy offering 7 to 14% alcohol.
  • Wine: A great variety of good German wines is available – especially white wines.
  • Corkscrew: More and more wine bottles have a twist-off lid but for wines of higher quality (or where the producer wants to suggest it) a corkscrew is needed.
  • Mineral Water: In Germany sparkling mineral water is common, as is the non-sparkling variant.
    When ordering you want to state “mit Kohlensäure” for sparkling water, and “ohne Kohlensäure” for the pure stuff.
  • Tap Water: In Germany you can safely drink tap water – as a matter of fact, quite a few Germans never purchase mineral water but either drink tap water directly, or get one of the gadgets to inject CO2, that is to add the "sparkling part" to the water before drinking it. Restaurants do not offer tap water free of charge, as it is custom in the hotter parts of the world.
  • International Cuisine: In addition to many German dishes with quite some regional differences there are restaurants with Italian, Greek, Turkish, French, etc. food all over the place.

Other Interesting Facts about Germany

  • Inventor’s Paradise: Germany is known for its innovation and has been home to numerous famous inventors, including Johannes Gutenberg (printing press), Albert Einstein (theory of relativity), Konrad Zuse (computer), and Karl Benz (automobile).
  • Castles Galore: Germany is home to around 25,000 castles, with many of them offering tours and overnight stays. Particularly Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most famous and picturesque ones among them.
  • Green Initiatives: Germany is a leader in renewable energy, with about one-third of its electricity coming from renewable sources like wind and solar power.
  • Christmas Markets: Germany's Christmas markets (“Weihnachtsmärkte”) are legendary. They feature festive decoration, handcrafted gifts, and delicious seasonal treats like Glühwein (mulled wine) and Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Too bad these only start in late November or the beginning of December.
  • No Speed Limit: Germany's autobahn network is famous for sections without speed limits, attracting car enthusiasts from around the world.
  • Unity: Every region is different in different ways (federal states, regional specialties, customs, dresses)
  • Tilt Windows: In some high buildings you can't open the windows at all – probably for safety reasons (or to save money).
    Usually if you can open a window, you have the choice to fully open it, or to just tilt it. Tilting is probably more convenient when it is raining or if you want an open window in your bedroom during the night.

Fun Facts about Düsseldorf

  • Fashion Hub: Düsseldorf is known as the fashion capital of Germany. It hosts numerous fashion trade fairs, including the world-renowned CPD (Collections Première Düsseldorf).
  • Königsallee (Kö): Düsseldorf’s Königsallee (in short “Kö”) is one of the most luxurious shopping streets in Europe, lined with high-end boutiques, restaurants, and cafes.
  • Carnival Festivities: Düsseldorf is famous for its vibrant Karneval celebrations, culminating in a grand parade on Rosenmontag (Carnival Monday/Rose Monday). It’s a time of costumes, music, and street parties.
  • Altbier Tradition: Düsseldorf is famous for its Altbier, a traditional dark beer brewed in the region. The city’s Altstadt (Old Town) is known as “the longest bar in the world” due to its concentration of pubs and bars.
  • Rhine Promenade: The Rhine Promenade in Düsseldorf offers stunning views of the river and the city’s skyline. It’s a popular spot for leisurely walks, cycling, and enjoying the local cuisine at riverside cafes.
  • Modern Art: The city is a hub for modern art, with renowned institutions like the “Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen” and the “Kunsthalle Düsseldorf” showcasing contemporary masterpieces.
  • Japanese Community: Düsseldorf has one of the largest Japanese communities in Europe, including a lot of great Japanese restaurants, shops and even a Japanese garden. The annual Japan Day celebrates this cultural connection with traditional performances, food, and a spectacular fireworks display. But of course, you will be here to get to know German culture and food. Just in case 😉
  • Düsseldorf’s Mascot: The city's unofficial mascot is the cart wheeler (“Radschläger”) stemming from a legend that children celebrated a local victory by cartwheeling through the streets. You’ll see cart wheeler motifs throughout the city.

Helpful German Vocabulary and Phrases

You’re welcome to learn a bit of German, but English is widely spoken in cities.

EingangEntrance
AusgangExit
NotausgangEmergency exit
ToiletteToilet
AufzugLift
BahnhofTrain station
HaltestelleStop (for busses, trams, …)
BusBus
TaxiTaxi / Cab
ZugTrain
S-BahnLocal train like a subway
StraßenbahnTram
U-BahnSubway
FahrkartenautomatTicket vending machine
Gepäckausgabeluggage claim
Schließfächerlocker
GeldautomatATM
Bitte Please
Danke (sehr) Thank you (very much)
Bitte sehrYou’re welcome
Wo ist der/die/das ...? Where is the ...?

Translation Apps

You might find it useful to download a translation app or use a website like the following to help with language barriers.

If you rather not use an app but learn German, you might want to consider the Goethe-Institut. It promotes German culture worldwide and offers resources on learning German and understanding German customs and traditions.

Some free resources are available here.

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