Page 545 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  543

Among younger Germans,
however, ideas of politeness are
changing. Older people and
women are shown less respect
and are no longer automatically
offered seats on public transport.
Another change is the tolerance
shown towards unruly children
by parents and other adults.
The German dress code,
except in a work environment
and among the older gener-
ation, is rather casual. Formal
dress is required in only the
Tourist information centre in Berlin most upmarket restaurants.
Nudity in parks and at beaches
Admission Prices Language may shock some visitors.
Admission to museums and Although German is spoken Most traffic rules are strictly
monuments can be expensive nationwide, many areas have observed. Crossing the street on
and prices vary. Entry to a dialects that are virtually a red light, even if the road is
small regional museum, for incomprehensible, even to deserted, is considered an
example, may cost as little as those from neighbouring offence and can result in an
€2–5, a large state-run museum regions. Travellers can usually official reprimand.
around €5–12, while a private be understood in Germany by
venue may charge up to €14. speaking English, particularly in
Admission to smaller churches larger cities and in places that Accessibility of
Public Conveniences
is usually free, but a fee may be are frequented by tourists.
charged in some cathedrals, Public toilets (often automatic
monastic churches and cubicles) can usually be found
church treasuries. Social Customs without much difficulty in large
and Etiquette
In many cases, discounted cities. Instructions on how to
tickets are available for Although generally friendly, use these facilities are given in
students, seniors and families. Germans tend to be very honest several languages on the doors.
Combination tickets, offering and direct, sometimes to the Public toilets can also be found
entry to multiple sites, are point of seeming rude. However, in museums, cafés, restaurants
often good value (see p544). most people, particularly the and department stores. Men’s
older generation, attach great toilets are marked Herren and
importance to courteous ladies’ Damen or Frauen.
Opening Hours behaviour. You constantly hear
Opening hours of shops, offices, “Guten Tag” when entering a Taxes and Tipping
and other businesses depend shop, and “Auf Wiedersehen” –
on the size of the town. In larger or the more youthful “Tschüss” – There are no standard rates for
cities, typical opening hours are when leaving. Germans are tipping in Germany, but taxi
from 9am–6pm, while large also very punctual and consider drivers are usually tipped €1–2.
stores are open until 8pm. Banks even a small delay to be Service and tax is generally
have shorter hours in smaller impolite. Arriving slightly early included on restaurant bills,
towns (see p548). Trading is for an engagement is regarded but it is usual to leave a tip of
limited on Saturdays, especially as courteous. about 10 per cent of the bill.
in rural areas and on Sundays
and public holidays, only airport
and train station shops are open
(see pp534–5).
Museums in Germany are
generally open from 9am–6pm,
in smaller towns from 10am to
4 or 5pm. Some museums open
later, on Wednesdays or
Thursdays, while on Mondays
most museums tend to be
closed. Larger churches in
major cities are accessible to
tourists throughout the day. In
smaller places, visits may require
prior arrangements. Exterior of Museum Brandhorst in Munich (see p224)

542-543_EW_Germany.indd 543 09/10/17 2:34 pm