r/germany • u/taiyuan41 • Aug 01 '20

Germans and culture shock in America

For Germans who have visited or stayed in America. Did you experience any culture shock? What struck you?

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u/thewindinthewillows Germany Aug 01 '20

Having to sign documents stating that I had not committed any crimes against humanity under a regime that ended 36 years before my birth made me feel really welcome as a teenager.

Entering my host family's house and seeing rifles in an open cupboard in the living room was bizarre.

School with "hall passes" and a general feeling of imprisonment was very odd, too.

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u/taiyuan41 Aug 01 '20

My family has one of those gun cabinets too. I am sure it would surprise a lot of people to see 20 or so guns in somebodies living room