Admit it. We all stereotype people from another country. In the olden days, we woud hear people saying Japanese people are short but look at them now. We would also hear them saying all Chinese have single eyelid but you know that’s not entirely true. 

When it comes to Germany, the common stereotype one would hear is that the German people are cold and unfriendly. Let me tell you my experience with the locals in Germany during my Europe trip there and you would have a total perspective of the German people. 

The German people are very helpful and kind. They may look cold and unfriendly on the outside because they hardly smile but deep down, they are very helpful and kind. On my first day there, I have to take a train to the city from the place I was staying. As it was my first day, I only have big notes and the ticket machine only accepts small notes up to €10. 

Upon checking my wallet, the smallest I have is €20. I saw a local man buying his ticket at the machine next to mine. I waited until he bought his ticket before approaching him. I ask in my rusty slow German, “Excuse me, I have €20 but the machine only accepts €10. Do you have any small notes for me to change my €20 with you?” 

No question asked. He straightaway took out his wallet, pull out two €10 and handed it over to me. I gave him my €20 and thanked him profusely. No questions asked. He did not ask me anything nor said a word. The trust that they put on other people, even strangers is just amazing! That was my first encounter with a German. 

When I was at the train station looking at the time-table board, a young German guy who got down from the train, came up to me and said, “Are you OK?”. He was probably thinking I might get confused with their extreme detailed time-table of the trains and wanted to help me. I ask if this was the correct platform for the train number (I’ve forgotten the number now) and he said, “Oh! You just missed the train. It was this one just now. But never mind, the next one is 10 minutes and it is the red one. The red one,” he repeated the colour to make sure I remember it’s the red coloured train that I must get on board. You see? You don’t even have to ask anyone for help and this guy just approached to offer help. I was caught off guard initially because I never expected anyone would actually come up to ask if you’re OK, to check and make sure you are not lost. That was so kind of him. 

On the day I have to take a bus from Berlin to Dresden, I was kinda lost trying to find the street where the bus will arrive so I walked to a random bus stop and ask a lady there. Although she apologize for not being sure where the street is, she took out her iPad, tap on the map with street view and search for the street for me. To make sure she got the correct direction, she turned to another lady who was standing next to her waiting for the bus and I heard them conversing in German with the first one telling the other lady that I want to go to this street and if her direction is correct. The other lady confirmed it’s correct and so the first lady turned to me and taught me how to walk to there by showing me the map and also by pointing to some buildings as landmark for me to get to my destination. 

I thanked her profusely for the help. I find that even if they do not know, they would try their best to get the answer for you because they really want to help you. That is what I admire and respect the German people for. The extra miles they would go just to help you out is truly admirable. They are truly kind and helpful to those in need of help. 

Another incident is when I reached the main train station in Dresden, I went to the information counter and ask the lady there how to get the tram and which tram to take to the street that I want to go. She said, “Follow me,” and walked out from the counter and led me to a ticket machine. She pressed everything for me and all I need to do was to insert my money to get the ticket. She stood next to me to make sure I got the ticket and then showed me which exit to walk out from the train station to wait for the tram and told me the tram number to take. Oh my God! Where on earth would you expect a staff walking out from the information counter to help you to that extent? This is just too nice, isn’t it? 

There are many more nice heartwarming stories like these about my encounter with German people. To all my German readers out there who are reading this, I truly admire your qualities and respect your people and your country. I would definitely visit Germany again and again in future. You guys are the best! Germany always has a spot in my heart.