What Americans can expect when they come to Germany:

• The Germans close room doors
• They pull shades
• Toilet and bathroom separate
• Doorknobs are different
• Dogs and cats are important – even in restaurants
• Take showers not every day, wear same clothes
• Washer, no dryer
• Short phone calls – each call costs – local too
• No water fountains
• Mineral water, no ice
• Small breakfast, rolls
• Country clean and picked up
• School kids carry book bags
• People are reserved, courteous – friendly, not openly friendly
• Restroom attendants
• Kids more politically involved
• War time history difficult to deal with
• Nude bathing beaches, nudity in magazines
• Three types of high school
• Small refrigerators
• Hand shaking
• Girls may be arm in arm
• Young people very mature for their age
• Up early, to be early
• Hot meals at noontime more fresh vegetable, less meat – Mad Cow Disease
• Love flower and vegetable gardens
• Eat all types of food (all parts of animals)
• May not attend church
• Flowers as a gift
• Floors in buildings (main, 1,2,…)
• Fresh air
• Love to walk
• No tucked in sheets

As you welcome the foreign exchange student into your home for the three weeks, realize that he / she is curious to learn about typical American life.  The student will be nervous at first, just as you are.  Show him / her around the house.  Show him / her how to use the TV, how the shower works in the bathroom; show them where the extra blankets are, ask them if they need anything and let them know they should feel free to ask you about anything.  Tell them that you will be glad to add their laundry to yours on laundry day.  Treat your guest as you would a member of your family with regards to family activities, meals, bedding, rules, and regulations, driving to and from activities.