i lived 5 years in peru and then you see why germany is the better place to live every second... but dont understand me wrong... peru is a beautiful country with beautiful people (my wife is peruvian and my daughter is born in lima), but i can go every time back to germany and they have to stay there and that makes you safe and you dont have to pray every day, that nothing bad will happen with you and your family, because you can lose every day everything there, you only have to get ill or lose your job and then that it was for your future...
Agreed. Don't know her, but in just a few minutes I have the very best first impression I can have of a nice person, haha. Intellectual, caring, positive vibes. ^^
You made the right choice. I went to study in Paris in 1983 and got my first « real » job in Switzerland in 1986. I did work in the US in 2000 for 6 months but found life and working conditions shockingly bad. I’ve lived and worked in Switzerland ever since. In 2017 I renounced my US citizenship.
I too moved to Germany from the mid-West, Indiana to be more precise. That was however a long time ago when American politics was more civil and civilized. I stayed due to personal reasons but the issues you highlight also played a role in my deciding to stay. I had to grin when you mentioned that point of having 30 vacation days. When we had no kids, my wife and I found it difficult to use them up. Once you have kids however, especially if they are school, you need the time to take care of them (around Easter they get two weeks off, summer 6 weeks, in "Fall" another 2 weeks)! I guess that is where the high number comes from - very family orientated. Enjoy you time here, there is nothing back in the US that is appealing anymore at the moment.
I am interested to see how raising a family in Germany will differ from my own childhood in the US. During our summer breaks in Wisconsin, I was either sent off to summer camp or my siblings and I had a babysitter for the summer. I'm not sure what the childcare options are for Germany. I also think it is interesting that there is a German law that you can't just pull your kids out of school for vacation. You HAVE to take vacation during the allocated school holidays. During my childhood, you just had to let your teachers know you would be gone and they would give you the work to be completed while you were away.
@@taylorhafemeister8794 Át first: I can´t compare the "being raised experience" between the US and Germany because I never lived in the US. But I can answer your questions. I´m sure there is such a law you mentioned, but if a perent askes for a trip(lets say to the US because of a wedding) you can take your children with you even when it is not vacation time. Not for vacation, but for family stuff like weddings or funerals (in another country.) Or you can excuse your kid from school with the reason "family stuff". Thats enough for most schools. The majority of kids in germany that go to 5th grade or higher are considert to be okay, if you let them home alone while you work. A lot of times the grandparents take care,or they are in the homes of friends which parents aren´t working right now. Babysitters aren´t a big thing in germany. I bet there are diffrent experiences, but that was accurate for my childhood.* Born ´90
@@michaelmeier270 born in 78, it was no different. So i would say, what you said is accurate for many of us germans. Never had a babysitter. Like you said, grand parents, other relatives, friends... and from a certain age on (in my case it was 11) you are supposed to get along with most stuff by yourself.
Great video, thank you! Paid maternal leave is 14 months after giving birth plus 6 weeks before giving birth for a total of 15.5 months. The 6 weeks before giving birth and the first 8 weeks after are paid 100% of the regular income. These 6+8 weeks are actually a mandatory leave. After that time the parents can opt to take the remaining 12 months with a reduced pay of 2/3.
It’s so awesome to see someone who formerly lived in Wisconsin move to Germany. I’m a minor so I live in Wisconsin with my family now, but I heavily am considering moving to Germany when I’m an adult. Thank you for this informational video!
As a German that also knows the USA pretty well (14y in CA, 2y in NM) I am quite impressed about your observations ... Agree with all you said (even though there are at least another 25 points I could think of). After 16y in the USA we (my wife is American) are "healed" ... and back in Germany for good!
Hello! There are so many smaller things that I have fallen in love with about Germany, but I'm pretty sure people aren't going to click on an hour long video (: What are some points you think I missed that convinced you to move back? I think a lot of Germans dream of moving to California.
@@taylorintransit3421 I was one of them and out of 16y in the USA 14y were spent in CA, Southern CA (Encinitas, North County San Diego) as well as Northern CA (Palo Alto, bay area). One thing most Americans will claim, is that taxes are so much lower in the USA, and quite frankly, I thought that too .... initially, even though, not for very long. It's all a matter of definition, isn't it? In my book, what really matters is my quality of life and the bottom line, not merely what one calls tax. The real question is what is that bottom line. To explain where I am coming from ... we never owned anything, even though we both worked for Fortune 500 companies and made very good money. The reason was simple, first of all, the prices for a decent home in these areas we lived and worked in, were extremely high and we had seen the market rise and fall dramatically before and after the 2008 crisis with people sitting on property that was worth half the money they had paid for. So we weren't really sure what we would do and if we would stay. And secondly the annual real estate tax for a decent home ranged from 3.000 to 10.000 (and even all the way up to 20.000 for really nice homes) in these areas - per year. How is that not a tax? We always chose very nice areas and always rented (paying a LOT), and the cost of living was extremely high which meant that all the money you made was gone faster than you made it, even though we always lived a very modest life. Then there is infrastructure, or better the lack thereof. I am sure Americans understand the concept of "You get what you pay for". Well, we didn't. Given the high cost of living, we did not get a whole lot in return - at least not from a European perspective. Simply comparing "taxes" simply doesn't cut it. Then there is the cultural offers ... or, again, the lack thereof (at least compared to European levels) - I guess we do not need to go into that one. Then there is the cost for a university education. A CA college costs $15.000 annually - on average!. Now how about you have 2 or 3 kids and want to send them to college, or even worse, a decent university (not even talking about the better ones). If that is not tax, I don't know. You can call it what you want, in my book that is simply TAX, and much of it simply qualifies for THEFT. We had a neighbour in Palo Alto that we befriended because she had an interest in Europeans (her parents had come from Italy when she was a toddler) and she rented a very small apartment around the corner. She lead a very simple life, working as a waitress in an Italian restaurant down the street and she didn't need a car to get to work. Now, when she was 63 years she had an accident. She fell and hit her head, dripping over one of those stupid sidewalk concrete slabs that were lifted from the roots of a tree. She was hauled to the hospital and they diagnosed a serious concussion and kept her in the hospital for 6 days. I only saw her weeks after it had happened, and asked her how she was doing when she told me the whole story. She was okay, except for the hospital bill they had sent her - $143.000! You heard right! Given she didn't have health insurance (that was before Obamacare), since she had a heart condition which they wouldn't insure anyways and in the first place. But more importantly she simply could not afford it. Now you can argue that this was her own fault, fair enough. But how come 50% of all personal insolvencies in the USA happen exactly because of such expenses, insured or not?! Now I call that TAX or simply THEFT on a massive scale. My own mother in law has had COPD for many years (meanwhile stage 4) and the cost for the medication she needed on a monthly basis will make you cry. Needless to say, we took her with us to Europe. I could go on and on ... food and water quality for example, again, not a tax, but something you have to deal with as part of the bottom line. And it is the bottom line that matters, and not what you call tax alone! I don't care what someone calls it, but in Germany I know my taxes, and I also know what I get in return, and I am certainly not being taken for the cleaners for the most basic things and rights and conveniences. That said, no place is perfect - but knowing the difference and having the experience, I prefer and chose Germany over the USA any day, every single time. Would I like to pay less taxes? You bet .. but then again "You get what you pay for", at least in Germany!
@@BlissLovePeace As a german who is really interested in CA and the US for a long time, this one really opened my eyes on the situation there.. Going there for a vacation? Sure why not. But living there? I think I never will do..
Literally 7 minutes into this video and you’ve convinced me to move 😂 I visited Germany ONE TIME, and I definitely saw so many differences and I thought Germany was way better than America
As a german, I never understood why people from other countries spend their vacation in Germany or even chose to live in Germany. Since I relocated to the US this year I know why. Thanks for your great summary.
Great video! I posted it for my readership on FB. I've been living in Germany for nearly 40 years and still like it. By the way, I'm from Wisconsin too.
Without overly generalising, how nice it is to hear an intelligent, well spoken and quiet American. No frills, no razzmatazz, just seeing it as it is. Your country of birth needs more like you to get itself out of the mess it's in.
As a German who visits the US at least twice a year (not in 2020 of course) I fully agree with the comment. I have many freinds in the US, but I also wouldn't want to live or even raise children there.
Hello! Thank you for your kind words! I try to emphasize that many of my opinions are based on my own experiences. Everyone has their own lived experience, and I am sure they see things differently than I do. However, I know many US Americans feel the same as I do. (:
@@taylorintransit3421 Your last line is a positive for the future if you can gain the majority in the country. I'm guessing they're all sane enough not to inject disinfectant. ;) However, I've really had to bite my tongue not to just say the US is a basket-case that's too far gone!
@Alexander Ocazio-Cortes Oh really? Hm, I do live in this beautiful country btw. and I totally disagree with everything you pointed out. But its okay, I respect your opinion.
@Alexander Ocazio-Cortes Why should I criticize the system of democracy in such a harsh way? I am a member of a party already and I know I have my influence by bringing up polls and voting. I put my efforts in this system and I like the way how I can sometimes change things to my favor. Thats how it works in my little world. I feel fine.
About vacation days in Germany: every worker have to get a minimum of 25 vacation days by law (regarding a 40 h working week), 30 vacation days are very common, I would say.
If I may slightly correct here: For a five-day week it's 20 days legal minimum (24 days are set by law for a 6-day week); commonly you have 25-30 days.
I moved to Germany for similar reasons. I retired and bought a home on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. When I turned 70, I realized I couldn’t afford to live there. I moved back to Munich 10 years ago and I couldn’t be happier about that decision.
Florida has a very large retirement community. My grandparents spend a large portion of the winter in Florida because of the weather. I'm glad you are happy with your decision to back to Germany even if the winter can get a bit gloomy.
Thank you Taylor for sharing ur insights on ur country of origin and from ur time in Germany. Please don’t apologise for ur personal opinions as you have a right to them! Keep up the great content and authenticity!
I am a political scientist and sociologist, I don't really deal with US politics. Colleagues of mine who are more concerned with US politics believe that with two or three exceptions, Bernie Sanders' political views would be on the left wing of the CDU in Germany. All positions to the left of the CDU would therefore not be represented in the USA: the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Left. In Germany, depending on the survey, this corresponds to ~ 40 to 50% of the political spectrum.
I just discovered your channel and oh my, you are so well spoken! Your voice is so soothing! I plan on moving to Germany after I complete my bachelor studies. Looking forward to finding out more about your experience there.
I am much older. My wife and son are asian and living in Arizona with the horrible divide in this country as well as the constant struggle with healthcare has caused us to shop around for our next home. We need to visit Bremen it looks very nice and all of the reasons you mention are very key to us. I would be retired but my wife would like to continue to work. Thank you for all of your videos.
Hi! I just found your video by accident. I really liked listening to you and I linked it to my boyfriend who is living in NewJersey. I hope everything will be fine here for you and that things go the way you want them to do. Stay healthy!
Hello! Thank you for watching my video. (: I hope you can convince him to move across the Atlantic. I found the process much easier to immigrate to Germany than it would have been for my partner to immigrate to the US. The current US administration is also trying to make it more and more difficult for internationals to move there.
@@taylorintransit3421 Right now there is 0 immigration allowed. Let's see what will happen in future. First of all they must allow international flights again ;)
You made a very wise decision. I wish I'd had a fraction of the wisdom you have when I was your age. Good for you for planning for your future. Germany is exceptional without being exceptionalist.
That was a good summery. I'd like to add that our generel desinterest in religion (esp. In the northern part of Germany) makes us less small-minded. We don't have the tendency to judge or convince people as much as Americans. Another huge difference is the absence of a gun culture. We feel safe because guns are not available or common. Americans feel safe because guns are available and common. And that is connected to the last difference: We are not told to live in constant fear of each other. That is a terrible place to be psychologically and that takes it tolls. E.g. when people are shot because of "stand your ground".
Never looked at it that way but it's true. In the US pro-gun people say it's their right to have be able to defend themselves from others. In Germany we wouldn't assume people would be out to hurt us in the first place.
Public transport and walking to it> I originally always took the bus to get from my job to the S-Bahn, but I started walking this way last year, it helps to reduce the stress factors through the job, even if you are at home about 10 to 20 minutes later.
I used public transit for four years while in Dallas, TX, of all places, but not only did it not precisely help my social life, I had such interesting episodes such as a police car stopping next to me asking whether everything was ok and I just replied "Sure, I'm just walking to the light rail station over there". Guess I must have been the first pedestrian they've seen in a while :P
Great Channel! I helped an American friend move here to Germany and her life changed then drastically. She is much happier now and actually her main reasons match your’s on the list almost 100 percent. Regarding too many vacation days. I started to discover my own country by bike using the Fernradwege-network and I am saving a lot of money but gaining more physical and mental health. Maybe that’s an option?
Hello, Jens! Thanks for the comment. I am glad that your friend is also enjoying life in Germany! I was actually planning on buying a road bike and getting into cycling, which is perfect in the north because everything is so flat! Unfortunately, because of Covid 19, the supply chains have been disrupted and the bike I wanted to buy is not in stock. So I am just waiting until they produce more. :/ Thank you for the recommendation (:
When you did the, "I was 18 and I took German in high school, and my great-grandmother was from Germany." I was like ok, same. Those were the base reasons as to why I was planning on moving to Germany. With the pandemic, I have had the time to get more adult answers (cause I'm a class of 2020 high school senior), and time to lure a friend into planning to moving with me, when it's possible again.
Just talked to a guy who said Germany was in the stone age. I just laughed to myself.....obviously so many are out of touch with the modern day Germany and what it offers citizens and new ex pats alike.
Germany very much is in the past when it comes to things such as using cash for most payments, fax machines, slow internet, poor cell signal, homes that lack ventilation, excessive paperwork, headshots on your c/v. Racism seems to be a world wide problem so i'm not going to nock it there. overall Canada would be better to live.
Some of these things you mention are by choice, not by lacking behind. Germans value privacy incredibly highly so many people don't like leaving a track record of every purchase they make. Plus it gives them a closer sense of what they are spending. That's why using cash is still the preferred method by many people and it's not going to change anytime soon as the demand isn't there. Most germans also don't like air conditioning, because they feel like a) it's not really necessary due to the weather conditions and b) because the constant flux between hot and cold actually is pretty unhealthy for the body and people get sick often due to it. People who need air conditioning to live are viewed as kind of weird and unnatural to be honest.
Hello, David. I definitely have a few moments where I wonder why Germany hasn't embraced some of the things other countries have and have embraced others. I think that every countries has its flaws (the US has many, which I pointed out in this video) but it would be lying to say that Germany doesn't either. I don't think any country is perfect. I think @renzuki makes a valid argument about why Germans prefer cash payments over card payments (although I have seen a shift slowly happening I feel since I have moved here). There are other ways that Germans are much farther ahead of the curve such as with renewable energy. I would say Germany has an odd blend of traditional and progressive ideals. (:
I think that you explain well why Germans have not embraced electronic payments as other countries such have Sweden have done so. Germans seem to much more focused on the issue of privacy (including data protection) than people I have met in other countries. As for air conditioning, I have mixed feelings. I know that in many places in Germany the days in which it would be worth it to have air conditioning are few and far between (maybe a week or two during the summer), but I have noticed that the summers are getting progressively warmer. There are definitely many health benefits for having access to air conditioning in places where the heat is unbearable - such as a lower occurance of heat stroke. People are also able to sleep better under cooler conditions. - However, air conditioning can be dangerous if not properly used and cleaned. AC is also not great for the environment, so it really shouldn't be used unless needed.
@@soundtraveler9555 Homes that lack ventilation is not done because of different climate and environmental reasons / saving energy. Slow internet is a reality for more rural areas. Usage of cash has dropped significantly during Covid-19-crisis. People just seem to value data privacy which can easily be achieved by paying cash.
Regarding the point about crime. There is a video from a german journalist living in Washington DC, and she also made this point that in the US children playing on the street (e.g. riding a bicycle) without their parents is not happening. Another video I‘ve seen is where a woman explained that neighbours called the authorities because she was letting her kids play alone in the front yard and at the public playground - having grown up in germany, i met with two friends in the morning and came back in the evening (during school vacations) at the age of 8. I loved it. In the US I always have the feeling that everyone has a quite high level of „fear“ in every situation...
moving to a different country is a balsy move. i applause you for taking the risk to pursue a life style that you have in mind for your kids and yourself.
You should cover the lower parts of your window. They daylight from there is reflecting in your glasses as soon, as you raise your head a bit, totally covering your eyes. But I like this channel. Very soothing voice and good modulation :) 11:48 it is 0,25 litres, not millilitres. To make it understandable for Americans it is around 8,5 oz.
Woops, thanks for the correction! Yeah, I know, I need to buy a ring light or something, because right now I am dependent on the light from this window.
Thanks! I needed this. I’m having all those issues here in the US, but I’m happy that I have plans on going to get a master degree in Germany and learn from that wonderful culture!
Southern germany has a lot of vegetarian dishes if eggs are allowed. For example Käsespätzle, Dampfnudeln, Kaiserschmarrn, Quarkauflauf, Apfelstrudel ...
Fun fact: I worked as a paid intern for 7 months in the US quite a while ago. Buying or renting a car was too complex at the time so I ended up walking so much that I actually lost weight in US. In spite of all the fast food I consumed ;)
Where were you living that this was possible! You are definitely in the minority if you lost weight after moving to the US. Everytime I go back to visit family, I eat all of the food that I can't get when I am in Germany and come back a few pounds heavier :D
@@taylorintransit3421 I worked in Durham, NC. Long way to the next bus stop from home. And a long way from work to the next bus stop. So the fact that the US is build for driving by car worked to my advantage. I simply walked a lot ;)
It's not just fast food, it's also portion sizes and composition. When I lived in the US, I worked in the lab of a Taiwanese principal investigator. He liked to say that his mom could cook a whole week with the meat in one portion of chinese take-out in the US. And while I, despite being German, stuck to the Asian stuff in the university cantina, the portions were so huge that over time, I still gained a substantial amount of weight and worst of all, got used to big portions, a habit that I've not fully managed to shed since - and consequently, neither could I shed the weight, despite being back in Europe for well over a decade now.
Taylor, I grew up in the sixties in Germany, and my country was not the same as you experience now. People were very conservative and still influenced by the Nazi time. Beating of children was almost normal at schools. There were mainly 2 political parties in the parlament, the CDU snd SPD. These parties were very agressive against the political opponent, and the people, too. I think the tolerant Germany, you experience now, came up in the eighties, influenced also by new parties like the Green Party.
Yes, I think your country should change it's political system. More politcal parties mean more balance between the parties and would change this black and white thinking. Isn't it sad that even families are enemies because of policy?
Honestly, these are all the reasons I decided to move to Germany to be with my German partner there rather than have him move to the States to be with me. We met in Ireland and lived there for several years and had to decide where to move after finishing our PhDs. Since my family and friends all live in different cities, it didn't really make sense to move back because I wouldn't be with my friends or family (or at least all of them) even if I could get a job in a city where one of them were. More importantly, Germany could give me the kind of life I wanted much more affordably than the US could.
Hi miss Taylor I live in Bavaria, and i have been a vegetarian for over 40 years In the last 20 years there arena lot of very Good vegetarian food, we my wife and i used to eat Asian food Now i can eat at normal gasthäuser. 🙏🙂❤
The vacation time absolutely blows my mind. My company lumps all vacation and sick time into one number. So if you get sick and have to take PTO, then you could eat up a lot of your vacation time
Wow my honest respect that you touched the political topic even if I (a native babyboomer German) would not agree with every point you made, I found it brave for an American raised human to even touch this topic. Which is a bit strange, that I even did have this preconception about Americans as I know how much Americans value their right of free speech.
Another workers benefit - I'm surprised that you don't mention it - is that for most employment contracts, termination of employment is only possible with a certain period of notice. That is, you typically have several months of time to search for a new job, when you get a cancellation notice. So, one big source of anxiety that you don't need to have in Germany.
Hello, Bruno. You make a good point! I will probably make a video in the future specifically about my experiences working in Germany. I remember being relieved once I was out of my Probezeit at my current job. I'll have to do more research on what benefits you exactly are afforded when you are fired from a job.
Sooo much said sooo well !! 😳😳 I really wish there were more people in America with your insight and understanding of so many things that you mentioned in your video here. And this is my opinion: most of ' our advantages' are based on principles such as community and social justice (not communism / socialism - this should not be confused, dear americans!). In contrast, freedom and individualism are the highest principles in the USA. So - everyone should have the right to freedom and individualism? Yes absolutely !! ... but only as long as it doesn't harm the community. The Needs of the many should always outweight the needs of the few (RIP Mr. Spock). We pay for all our advantages by a) demanding a little bit less of our personal freedom b) paying a little more tax (which in the best case benefits everyone) and c) have the state patronize us a little bit more - there is always a price to pay. And about school-shootings: how the hell should a society as a whole be safer by arming it with more weapons than an entire army? Thinking in this logic, the war zones of this world should be true 'save havens'.
Hello! Thank you for watching my video. The irony is that there are many many Americans that feel the same way that I do, but they are overshadowed by the very loud right-wing community. I completely agree with your assessment of why Germany has adopted many of these social policies. I would be interested in learning more about why US Americans are much more focused on individualism.
@@taylorintransit3421 I dont know but as a german it seems to me when americans talk about freedom and individualism they mostly use them as buzz words that have to validify whatever they want at that spedific time. Everyone knows the us is about freedom, so being against what I want is against freedom, is against america! that kind of stuff. politicial debate in the us, in my eyes, occurs mostly around the very surface of things. not saying we have great public debates all the time, by no means, but atleast the substance still maters at least a bit. Often when I'm listening to US media its horrorfying to me to what degree media on all political sides is biased. it's always doom and gloom and you are either for them or a total idiot and traitor. And the same thing occurs in private political debate, at least as far as i can tell. there is no middle ground whatsoever, you are either on their side or an enemy. In my mind when finding a middle ground isnt encouraged or needed or even welcome it's clear that progress has a very hard time of happening. when both sides of an argument are just mentally unable to move nothing is capable of changing. you can even say its the same as in politics with a 2 party system: you either get everything or nothing, there is no need for discussion. Since in europe most countries have multiple parties, the need for conversation and compromise is much bigger. But ofc that doesnt answer a bit why it is the way it is. just some obersavtions on my part.
Vacation in Germany: Most start off working with 25 days of paid of vacation (there is law about the minimum days, but I am not certain about that number). Depending on age and time in the company it raises a little bit to 30 days
Thanks for the comment! I guess I am lucky that I started with 28! I would have probably taken less. I was pretty desperate for a job after getting my degree (;
As Pitch Black points out, legal minimum is 20 days, but: if you work six days a week, i.e. Saturdays, too, as you might when working in a store, it's 25. That being said, collective bargaining agreements usually make for 30 days being pretty much the standard number of vacation days - but that's collective bargaining and small variations exist from industry to industry and of course especially in fields where collective bargaining isn't the norm.
Hi Are you from Wisconsin..?i came across your video,very good. We are from Wisconsin too,living here in Germany 6 years now,I agree with you that it’s easier to have healthier lifestyle here.My hubby and I hikes a lot.We live in Southern Germany.
Hello, fellow Wisconsinite (: I am actually really jealous of people living in the south that are so easily able to go hiking. The closest hiking we have here is the Harz, which is about a four hour drive and isn't comparable to the Alps. My partner and I wanted to buy road bikes this spring and start cycling, but unfortunately the bikes we wanted are out of stock because of supply-chain disruption.
Taylor in Transit , Thank you for replying.Yes it is really nice to go hiking here, we are actually live very close to the Black Forest and since the Covid19 there is not much place to go but hike, lol ! .But I think even though living in the flat area ,I am very sure that there are a lot place to walk or hike right ? Germany is really good having hiking Trail and walking trail between villages and Town..You and your Partner could come to the South and join us for Hiking sometime when the covids19 slow down.BTW are you Packers Fan.?My husband miss going to the Games,but he can still watch it in Germany on TV..
As a German, I'd like to know how your History classes and the school system in general were panning out. I personally don't believe that this would be an opionion held by the majority, but I heard about people still believing that Hitler was alive and maybe even still ruling Germany. I also can't wrap my head around the thought of pledging my allegiance to the american flag, which I heard is still a thing in most public schools. And to get a little bit political here, my pet theory as to why Americans are getting so extreme, so divided, is because the political system allows for only two parties to exist, so their political views are constantly getting reduced to being for or against something, whereas in Germany, we have between 4 and 6 parties that represent the majority of our political system. What are your thoughts on that?
Hello, thank you for your comment! There are many many people in the US that hold progressive beliefs similar to my own. I would say that I went to a very good public school, but there were still many flaws, especially in our history classes. To be honest, the only time that we really discussed Germany in length was to learn about WWII, but even then, it was more about the US's role in the war. I haven't heard of this conspiracy theory or anyone that believes it, but it wouldn't surprise me. The Pledge of Allegiance is a very strange concept to me. I remember once (during my rebellious anti-establishment phase in high school) that I refused to stand and was kicked out of class. As for America's divisiveness, you could very well be right. There must be studies out that that talk about this!
I think it is also important to mention that every person in Germany is obliged to be insured with regard to health insurance. If you do not insure yourself, you are committing a crime. The health insurance company where you were last insured will demand the fees with the support of the German courts. It is a fair system but only if everyone participates. Sorry for my bad english.
Your English is great! Thank you for your comment. I know there was a similar fee people in the US had to pay if they didn't have health insurance when the ACA was put into place, but I think this may have been revoked since the new administration came into office.
You are right, plate in the US are larger. There was even a study about this fact and how it encourages obesity in the population. Otherwise, don't worry, in Germany it is usually okay to discuss politics (though I wouldn't recommend doing it with your boss, but in general, Germans enjoy a good fact-based discussion). Personally I have learned so much about the US (and the UK for that matter) I wouldn't want to life in either country. And currently I count myself especially lucky.
Thanks for your comment! I remember that my partner was really surprised when I asked him about his political beliefs on our first date and he told me that you wouldn't typically do that in Germany. It was really weird for me, because in the US people are really expressive about their political affiliations. Americans put out posters in their yards and place stickers on their cars about who they are voting for.
Well, you usually wouldn't do that on a date...but in a normal conversation at a party, it's not like politics is a taboo Thema. But it is usually less about political affiliation (nowadays most Germans are "Wechselwähler" anyway), and more about "What do you think about political decision X". Germans don't really talk about who they are voting for and they certainly don't ASK about it, because we take the notion of a secret election seriously, though if you know someone well, you usually have a pretty good idea. It's not about political affiliation in the sense of "this is my party and I'll support it, no matter what!" like it is the case in the US, Germans don't do this unless they are actual party members, and even then they tend to be very ready to be critical of their own party. So that was odd was more that you specifically asked what kind of parties he would support, not that you talked about politics. Talking about politics in itself is totally fine (though again, I wouldn't do it during a first date necessarily - just like I wouldn't ask about religious believes or anything like this...those are at the end of the day very private matters which you would only share with someone who earned your trust).
Around 28 days of vacation is absolutely normal here. So you are right. :) And DAANG girl, you are so clear and open minded. It is almost a relief for me to see that not all Americans are totally lost. I know that there are really a lot of progressive people there, but sadly as many hardcore conservatives. Our German conservatives would be considered progressive by a lot of the US conservatives. lol
Taylor, es tut mir leid … I know I'm putting this on the wrong thread .. I was born & raised in Germany (Dinkelsbuehl) .. I am a Perm Resident Alien, have been living in the US since 1975 .. I received something a while back saying that Germany now allows Dual Citizens, so you may not need to give up your US Citizenship .. just thought I'd let you know
@That Richie Guy: Not true, you’re qualified for dual citizenship in Germany if your native country doesn’t let you get out of your citizenship. My Mexican wife gained dual citizenship in Germany because of this.
@@heindaddel2531 Yes, I understand that. I'm quoting the German stance whilst being fully aware that in practical terms there are more dual citizens in Germany than just EU citizens and Swiss citizens. I don't claim to be an expert but a quick internet search suggests that the US does indeed allow its citizens to renounce their US citizenship. In which case, when applying for German citizenship as a US citizen one will be required to do so.
Hello! Thank you for your comment. Even if it is possible, I am considering renouncing my citizenship anyways. I have made the decision to pursue my career and have a family here in Germany and I have very few ties to the US.
You are absolutely correct on the phycological effect of living in a safe society. I'll recommend Jonathan Haidt and the cuddling of the American mind, if you want to know more. Or just watch one of his videos.
True! Unions are very important for the provision and maintenance of employee rights! I have a Betriebsrat at my company, but am not part of any official union.
@@taylorintransit3421 You probably should - It's not expensive (the monthly fee is only 1% of your monthly gross income) and gives you benefits like free legal consultation on all matters regarding work. After 3 months of membership, there is also a right to legal protection, i.e. even in the event of legal disputes with the employer, the trade union will bear the costs of the proceedings. And of course, in case of a strike, the trade union also pays the "strike pay", which after all is 60% of the normal income. Plus other services, such as advice on income tax, advice on mobbing, job references and various educational opportunities.
@@taylorintransit3421 To add something to TheAxel65's comment: you pay approx. 1% of your Brutto, but you will also get half of it back with the Steuererklärung. You should ask your Betriebsrat which Gewerkschaft is behind them. By joining the ("proper") Gewerkschaft, you will not only support them, you will also support and strengthen your Betriebsrat and therefore your colleagues :)
I love watching US TV series and films and am always annoyed when it says that the United States is the best country in the world. For me as a German it is not understandable why you have to define your own country by comparing it with other countries. I would never call Germany the best country in the world because there are many similar countries that just do it differently. I would find it difficult to rank the countries within the EU, because I see a lot in Scandinavia that it simply runs better there than with us. The USA is certainly a great country, but it is certainly not the best country in the world from a German perspective. Stop your (white) supremacy! I send warm greetings to all Americans here in Germany! Nice that you are here!
It is the same when people say their favorite sports team is the best in the world. It isn't always meant to be taken literally. I don't know why this is such a difficult concept. Regarding your "white supremacy" comment, the demand for racism in America has exceeded its supply. The white supremacy narrative is mostly fear-mongering media-driven and it is not any kind of significant movement in the US since probably the 1960s.
As a German I can understand above all your political way of thinking. The USA has been changing for decades in a direction that will not end well for the country itself or for millions of US citizens. The biggest problem is the insane amount of money that is in the hands of private individuals. 66% of all millionaires worldwide live in the USA. This fact massively influences politics, prevents real democracy and sensible social policy. At the same time, the USA is the most indebted country in the world with now almost 25 trillion dollars. The dollar is the world's reserve currency. Nobody can foresee the consequences of a permanently growing US debt, even in this country. By the way...the USA has the most debt in China with 16%. The US is also the world leader in private debt. Whether students, home builders, credit cards, car or consumer loans: according to the Federal Reserve Bank New York, US citizens also live privately on credit. Mortgages account for the largest share of private debt.
Hey, Roger. Thank you for your comment! I completely agree with you. The concentration of wealth, historically, never ends well. I just finished reading a great book called Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson. In the book they postulate that when political and economic institutions are extractive (i.e. controlled by the few to extract as much wealth as possible from the many) that the nation is much more likely to fail.
I know a guy who moved (back) to Germany because of Donald Trump. Just for comparison: in Germany, you would consider Trump far right, Biden centre-right and Sanders centre-left. Or in political parties: Trump=AfD, Biden=CDU, Sanders=SPD.
Hello! Thanks for your comment. That is a really good comparison to illustrate for those who understand the German political parties! Politics in the US and without a doubt one of the primary reasons I've chosen to stay in Germany.
Hi Taylor, thank you for making this video. It was excellent. I began watching your videos because I, also, want to move to Germany. And after watching this video I see that my reasons correspond to yours quite closely, which validates my desire to move. I thought I heard you say, tho, that your father was originally German? If so, then it must have been easy for you to claim German citizenship. I am not in such a fortunate circumstance and would need advice regarding what I would need to do to move there and work toward citizenship. Can you suggest where I might look for this sort of advice? I look forward to watching your future videos. They are a great resource for those of us interested in a move to Germany. Best of luck and good wishes, Michael
Hi Michael, if you have a USA passport you can stay in Germany up to 90 days without a visa. If you consider to move (completely independent of the Covid-19 situation at the moment which changes things so fast) just check the many German internet sites about this topic or contact a German embassy in the USA. www.germany-visa.org/immigration-residence-permit/moving-germany-from-us/ This is a good basic site to start with. I don't know how old you are - a very good idea before you even start with your research would be to try to learn the first few hundred vocables of the German language. If you want to move to foreign country with another language you should be willing to learn it. Perhaps an exciting perspective to your question came from a former USA president - J.F. Kennedy "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." Born in the USA you have inherited the right to live in the USA. Many people all over the world envy you for that! When you think about an alternative perhaps it is a good question "ask not what another country can do for you - ask what you can do for this country." Stay safe!
I just can't understand that "free refills " still are considered free, nothing is for free in the US, you pay for it in another way but they don't give away anything for free. But maybe it has something to do with the amount of time that you are getting in a US restaurant to eat. In Europe nobody is in a hurry when you go out to eat in a restaurant.
I disagree. Beverages are heavily overpriced in Germany in restaurants. A diet coke from a fountain is dirt cheap for the seller. In the US, they make their living by pushing you out quickly after you are done to serve the next customers, whereas in GErmany, you sit in a restaurant forever...
Thank you for making this video and for sharing your thoughts. Over the past several years I’ve gotten more and more uncomfortable living in the United States for the reasons you mentioned, especially the last reason. Funny thing, I’m also from Wisconsin! Thankfully not rural Wisconsin (that would be awful) but from Madison which is considered very progressive, not just in Wisconsin but nationally. Our county/city is always blue despite the majority of Wisconsin being red, with the exception of Milwaukee. Even so, I see Europe as being better in terms of social progression and equity than Madison. Overall I think things are getting worse here due to our current national administration and also because of set oppressive systems very few people seem to acknowledge. On a different note, I want to live in a country where I don’t have to rely on a car. Winter here can be brutal, as you might remember. It’s not uncommon to reach temperatures far below negative zero Fahrenheit (without windchill!) and I cannot imagine having to walk a couple miles in that. Not only that but ice coated sidewalks are no joke. I love walking and want to live someplace I can walk almost every where, or take transit. Let’s talk about eating...why are healthy foods usually only more accessible to wealthy Americans here!? A small bag of romaine lettuce or spinach costs about $3. Yet an entire loaf of sliced white “bread” is $1?! A giant container of soda is $1 yet one avocado is $2. It’s disgusting. You can buy a giant pack of Oreo cookies for less than a salad mix. There’s such much wrong with the food system here. And this is just the tip of the iceberg with what is wrong with the food system here. Anyway, I’m glad you found a lifestyle in Germany that you enjoy! I hope to find that one day too! You give me hope! Thank you for that! 😊💕
Hi Taylor, I absolutely appreciate your video. I heard you mentioned you’re half-Asian. Which Asian ethnicity do you belong, Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Filipino?
I technically speak at a C1 level. I still make a lot of simple mistakes like articles and prepositions. I think that filming a video in German is a bit exclusive because many more people speak English than German (including Germans themselves). By making my videos in English, more people can interact with my contact. (:
Regarding #1, healthcare: I think it's important to mention, that the cost is a percentage of your income. Sort of like a tax. You make more money, you pay more. You make less money, you pay less. The point is, it's always affordable. Also, in the US the employer contribution can be higher. Often it's 80% or even 100%, ... but that's only for the employee, family costs extra, a lot extra. In Germany, your entire family is covered, and kids even until they can support themselves (I believe the maximum age is 27 though), and your non-working spouse. The cost stays the same.
@@Anonymuskid I'm pretty sure it was 27 when I lived there, however there was an extension for Wehr- or Zivildienst time served because the service would delay your university enrollment. The point is, that in the US, the day you turn 18, you're on your fucking own. Thanks for checking though.
The rule that you were refering to, about recording work hours, needs to be put in place, because of a decree on the EU-level, which the memberstates are requiered to put into law on a national level. It can however take a while until tje individual governments manage to actually sign it into law.
I'm glad CZcams recommended this channel to me. I wish you all the best there in Germany. I lived there for six years from 1998 to 2003 and then moved to Japan. I liked Germany a lot but met a Japanese woman and am now "stranded" in Japan. No, it's very civilized here just like Germany. By the way, I hear Wisconsin has been going more blue in the recent elections, at least in the statewide races. Unfortunately the Republican-controlled legislature has gerrymandered the legislative districts so badly that Democrats don't have a chance to control either state chamber. Maybe you can still vote absentee in Wisconsin. I can still vote in the last precinct where I lived in Illinois. Every blue vote counts! Viel Spass in Deutschland!
Better Work / Life balance in Germany? I always thought we Germans are the non-stop hard working people. In fact you are right, thanks to strong unions the working people have reached many things like ca. 30 days paid vacation, 6 weeks of paid sick leave, paid maternal leave etc.
Even though Germans have all of these employee benefits, they are still very hard working! The government, the employers, and the employees just knew that productivity is actually higher when people have a better work-life balance! Think of how unproductive someone becomes when they suffer from burn out...
xellossaxon : Yes, I was kidding. I know your example of ineffective work in american companies. I worked 32 years in a company, first 12 years it was a Swiss owned company with very strong German subsidary (BBC, ABB), then it was aquired by French Alstom and in 2015 it was aquired by American GE General Electric. With each new owner the management structure and internal workflows got worse. An activity that took 5 minutes at ABB could have taken up to 3 months at GE, because we had to create tickets in one of the several internal IT workflow systems and then several people in different countries had to approve these workflows. These people usually sat in other countries and had no understanding of our German laws and rules and therefore a lot of email Ping Pong has been played before the approval has been made or in some cases we have never received. We always wondered how GE could have ever earned any money in the past, when they worked so ineffective. When being aquired by GE in 2015 the several business managers came to our location and held so called „roadshows“ telling us how glad they are to have us ex-Alstom units aboard, now we are stronger than ever bla bla. Just 2 months later they than revealed, that they wanted to close many businesses in Germany and all over Europe and lay off large parts of the employees in the other businesses. American management culture, at least in stock listed companies, is driven by satisfying stockholders‘ interest, even when this means that the company will suffer in the long term. Next quarter figures is all that counts. Strategies have been changed on a yearly basis. R&D expenses have been cut down, because short time money saving was king. Why should the management care about future products, that could keep the company competitive? This is so opposite to common sense.
wait, what? you couldnt ride your bike around your block at 9 years old because it was deemed to dangerous? i was always allowed to roam outside until it got too dark, just like most of my friends. and i rode the bus or train iny my town alone too. today there are even cameras in the trains and busses not only on the trainstation. i grew up in hamburg and it wasnt exactly a rich neighbourhood. it still amazes me to hear stories like this from the US
yeah, the usa has a lot of gun violence, child abduction and pedophilia. i was always taught to only stay in my front yard and to _never_ talk to strangers.
The 'best' diet: [Think of what the ancients had to eat - meat just once or twice in a month, maybe three or four times if they were lucky to hunt bigger animals, eggs, vegetables & fruit, bread, and later lard & butter.] So the perfect diet is 1/3rd protein (your body weight in grams) 1/3rd carbohydrates, 1/3rd fat und the remaining 1/10th dietary fiber and no less than 30 minutes walking each day.
As a German it is good to realize our benefits, which seems quite normal for us. Thank you.
Michael Ludwig let’s not take it for granted. That is one of the main realizations for me, having lived abroad for a long time.
i lived 5 years in peru and then you see why germany is the better place to live every second... but dont understand me wrong... peru is a beautiful country with beautiful people (my wife is peruvian and my daughter is born in lima), but i can go every time back to germany and they have to stay there and that makes you safe and you dont have to pray every day, that nothing bad will happen with you and your family, because you can lose every day everything there, you only have to get ill or lose your job and then that it was for your future...
Welcome to Germany. You are such a nice person. Wish you all the best.
Wow, thank you! Stay healthy!
I second that! Welcome to our wonerful country, even if you have been living here for some time already.
heartly welcome to Germany i wish you and your born or unborn children all the best
Agreed. Don't know her, but in just a few minutes I have the very best first impression I can have of a nice person, haha. Intellectual, caring, positive vibes. ^^
I wish I could be back in Germany. Ich wäre gern zurück in Deutschland 😭
You made the right choice. I went to study in Paris in 1983 and got my first « real » job in Switzerland in 1986. I did work in the US in 2000 for 6 months but found life and working conditions shockingly bad. I’ve lived and worked in Switzerland ever since. In 2017 I renounced my US citizenship.
Workers' rights are the one of the main reasons I stayed in Germany... And definitely a reason I don't want to return to UK.
Hello, Liam. I have never actually worked in the UK and know very little about workers' rights there. Could you explain a bit what you mean?
I too moved to Germany from the mid-West, Indiana to be more precise. That was however a long time ago when American politics was more civil and civilized. I stayed due to personal reasons but the issues you highlight also played a role in my deciding to stay. I had to grin when you mentioned that point of having 30 vacation days. When we had no kids, my wife and I found it difficult to use them up. Once you have kids however, especially if they are school, you need the time to take care of them (around Easter they get two weeks off, summer 6 weeks, in "Fall" another 2 weeks)! I guess that is where the high number comes from - very family orientated. Enjoy you time here, there is nothing back in the US that is appealing anymore at the moment.
Nervous, I will be moving from Indiana as well.
I want to visit Germany
I am interested to see how raising a family in Germany will differ from my own childhood in the US. During our summer breaks in Wisconsin, I was either sent off to summer camp or my siblings and I had a babysitter for the summer. I'm not sure what the childcare options are for Germany. I also think it is interesting that there is a German law that you can't just pull your kids out of school for vacation. You HAVE to take vacation during the allocated school holidays. During my childhood, you just had to let your teachers know you would be gone and they would give you the work to be completed while you were away.
@@taylorhafemeister8794 Át first: I can´t compare the "being raised experience" between the US and Germany because I never lived in the US. But I can answer your questions. I´m sure there is such a law you mentioned, but if a perent askes for a trip(lets say to the US because of a wedding) you can take your children with you even when it is not vacation time. Not for vacation, but for family stuff like weddings or funerals (in another country.) Or you can excuse your kid from school with the reason "family stuff". Thats enough for most schools. The majority of kids in germany that go to 5th grade or higher are considert to be okay, if you let them home alone while you work. A lot of times the grandparents take care,or they are in the homes of friends which parents aren´t working right now. Babysitters aren´t a big thing in germany. I bet there are diffrent experiences, but that was accurate for my childhood.* Born ´90
@@michaelmeier270 born in 78, it was no different. So i would say, what you said is accurate for many of us germans. Never had a babysitter. Like you said, grand parents, other relatives, friends... and from a certain age on (in my case it was 11) you are supposed to get along with most stuff by yourself.
Great video, thank you!
Paid maternal leave is 14 months after giving birth plus 6 weeks before giving birth for a total of 15.5 months. The 6 weeks before giving birth and the first 8 weeks after are paid 100% of the regular income. These 6+8 weeks are actually a mandatory leave. After that time the parents can opt to take the remaining 12 months with a reduced pay of 2/3.
Welcome to Germany! Exactly why I moved from the US to Germany.
All the same reasons I want to move to Germany after graduation.
I'll be making a video soon on how I moved to Germany, so maybe that will give you some insight into the immigration process!
@@taylorintransit3421 Thank you. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Karl Weiß :)
karl white - US-Americans and Canadians are always be welcome here in Germany.
OFFICIAL ESC unless their name is Donald Trump.... 🤷🏻♀️
It’s so awesome to see someone who formerly lived in Wisconsin move to Germany. I’m a minor so I live in Wisconsin with my family now, but I heavily am considering moving to Germany when I’m an adult. Thank you for this informational video!
Let me know if you have any questions! Would love to help!
YOu are very welcome!
Enjoyed listening to you. Glad you are happy in Germany! Wishing you the best for your family.
Thank you for your kind words! Stay healthy!
As a German that also knows the USA pretty well (14y in CA, 2y in NM) I am quite impressed about your observations ...
Agree with all you said (even though there are at least another 25 points I could think of). After 16y in the USA we (my wife is American) are "healed" ... and back in Germany for good!
wolf B welcome home 😁
Hello! There are so many smaller things that I have fallen in love with about Germany, but I'm pretty sure people aren't going to click on an hour long video (: What are some points you think I missed that convinced you to move back? I think a lot of Germans dream of moving to California.
@@taylorintransit3421 I was one of them and out of 16y in the USA 14y were spent in CA, Southern CA (Encinitas, North County San Diego) as well as Northern CA (Palo Alto, bay area). One thing most Americans will claim, is that taxes are so much lower in the USA, and quite frankly, I thought that too .... initially, even though, not for very long. It's all a matter of definition, isn't it? In my book, what really matters is my quality of life and the bottom line, not merely what one calls tax. The real question is what is that bottom line. To explain where I am coming from ... we never owned anything, even though we both worked for Fortune 500 companies and made very good money. The reason was simple, first of all, the prices for a decent home in these areas we lived and worked in, were extremely high and we had seen the market rise and fall dramatically before and after the 2008 crisis with people sitting on property that was worth half the money they had paid for. So we weren't really sure what we would do and if we would stay. And secondly the annual real estate tax for a decent home ranged from 3.000 to 10.000 (and even all the way up to 20.000 for really nice homes) in these areas - per year. How is that not a tax? We always chose very nice areas and always rented (paying a LOT), and the cost of living was extremely high which meant that all the money you made was gone faster than you made it, even though we always lived a very modest life. Then there is infrastructure, or better the lack thereof. I am sure Americans understand the concept of "You get what you pay for". Well, we didn't. Given the high cost of living, we did not get a whole lot in return - at least not from a European perspective. Simply comparing "taxes" simply doesn't cut it. Then there is the cultural offers ... or, again, the lack thereof (at least compared to European levels) - I guess we do not need to go into that one. Then there is the cost for a university education. A CA college costs $15.000 annually - on average!. Now how about you have 2 or 3 kids and want to send them to college, or even worse, a decent university (not even talking about the better ones). If that is not tax, I don't know. You can call it what you want, in my book that is simply TAX, and much of it simply qualifies for THEFT. We had a neighbour in Palo Alto that we befriended because she had an interest in Europeans (her parents had come from Italy when she was a toddler) and she rented a very small apartment around the corner. She lead a very simple life, working as a waitress in an Italian restaurant down the street and she didn't need a car to get to work. Now, when she was 63 years she had an accident. She fell and hit her head, dripping over one of those stupid sidewalk concrete slabs that were lifted from the roots of a tree. She was hauled to the hospital and they diagnosed a serious concussion and kept her in the hospital for 6 days.
I only saw her weeks after it had happened, and asked her how she was doing when she told me the whole story. She was okay, except for the hospital bill they had sent her - $143.000! You heard right! Given she didn't have health insurance (that was before Obamacare), since she had a heart condition which they wouldn't insure anyways and in the first place. But more importantly she simply could not afford it. Now you can argue that this was her own fault, fair enough. But how come 50% of all personal insolvencies in the USA happen exactly because of such expenses, insured or not?! Now I call that TAX or simply THEFT on a massive scale. My own mother in law has had COPD for many years (meanwhile stage 4) and the cost for the medication she needed on a monthly basis will make you cry. Needless to say, we took her with us to Europe. I could go on and on ... food and water quality for example, again, not a tax, but something you have to deal with as part of the bottom line. And it is the bottom line that matters, and not what you call tax alone! I don't care what someone calls it, but in Germany I know my taxes, and I also know what I get in return, and I am certainly not being taken for the cleaners for the most basic things and rights and conveniences. That said, no place is perfect - but knowing the difference and having the experience, I prefer and chose Germany over the USA any day, every single time. Would I like to pay less taxes? You bet .. but then again "You get what you pay for", at least in Germany!
@@taylorintransit3421 You have no idea. I'd love to get an in-detail outsiders view of my Country. So yeah, keep'em coming. :)
@@BlissLovePeace As a german who is really interested in CA and the US for a long time, this one really opened my eyes on the situation there..
Going there for a vacation? Sure why not.
But living there? I think I never will do..
Literally 7 minutes into this video and you’ve convinced me to move 😂 I visited Germany ONE TIME, and I definitely saw so many differences and I thought Germany was way better than America
As a german, I never understood why people from other countries spend their vacation in Germany or even chose to live in Germany. Since I relocated to the US this year I know why. Thanks for your great summary.
Do you regtet to have moved ?
thank you the was useful! I'm thinking of moving to Germany after uni in Australia.
Great video! I posted it for my readership on FB. I've been living in Germany for nearly 40 years and still like it. By the way, I'm from Wisconsin too.
Without overly generalising, how nice it is to hear an intelligent, well spoken and quiet American. No frills, no razzmatazz, just seeing it as it is. Your country of birth needs more like you to get itself out of the mess it's in.
I 100% agree!
As a German who visits the US at least twice a year (not in 2020 of course) I fully agree with the comment. I have many freinds in the US, but I also wouldn't want to live or even raise children there.
Hello! Thank you for your kind words! I try to emphasize that many of my opinions are based on my own experiences. Everyone has their own lived experience, and I am sure they see things differently than I do. However, I know many US Americans feel the same as I do. (:
@@taylorintransit3421 Your last line is a positive for the future if you can gain the majority in the country. I'm guessing they're all sane enough not to inject disinfectant. ;) However, I've really had to bite my tongue not to just say the US is a basket-case that's too far gone!
every country needs more people like her ....
I can only say: "Welcome to Germany".
Thank you! (:
@Alexander Ocazio-Cortes I can only ask: What do you mean by that?
@Alexander Ocazio-Cortes Oh really? Hm, I do live in this beautiful country btw. and I totally disagree with everything you pointed out. But its okay, I respect your opinion.
@Alexander Ocazio-Cortes Why should I criticize the system of democracy in such a harsh way? I am a member of a party already and I know I have my influence by bringing up polls and voting. I put my efforts in this system and I like the way how I can sometimes change things to my favor. Thats how it works in my little world. I feel fine.
@Alexander Ocazio-Cortes Yeah if this abyss... I don´t know what is bad?
About vacation days in Germany: every worker have to get a minimum of 25 vacation days by law (regarding a 40 h working week), 30 vacation days are very common, I would say.
Thanks for your comment (:
If I may slightly correct here: For a five-day week it's 20 days legal minimum (24 days are set by law for a 6-day week); commonly you have 25-30 days.
@@hoff5109, thank you :)
I love how structured your video is, with the outline and corresponding times at the beginning! First time I see that in this kind of video :)
I moved to Germany for similar reasons. I retired and bought a home on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. When I turned 70, I realized I couldn’t afford to live there. I moved back to Munich 10 years ago and I couldn’t be happier about that decision.
Strange, that Munich turned out to be cheaper. It is the most expensive city in Germany.
Florida has a very large retirement community. My grandparents spend a large portion of the winter in Florida because of the weather. I'm glad you are happy with your decision to back to Germany even if the winter can get a bit gloomy.
Thank you Taylor for sharing ur insights on ur country of origin and from ur time in Germany. Please don’t apologise for ur personal opinions as you have a right to them! Keep up the great content and authenticity!
I am a political scientist and sociologist, I don't really deal with US politics. Colleagues of mine who are more concerned with US politics believe that with two or three exceptions, Bernie Sanders' political views would be on the left wing of the CDU in Germany. All positions to the left of the CDU would therefore not be represented in the USA: the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Left. In Germany, depending on the survey, this corresponds to ~ 40 to 50% of the political spectrum.
I just discovered your channel and oh my, you are so well spoken! Your voice is so soothing! I plan on moving to Germany after I complete my bachelor studies. Looking forward to finding out more about your experience there.
I love your Videos. They are well structured and you talk calmly ^-^
Glad you like them! (:
School shootings actually happen every single day in the US. Most of them aren't mentioned nationwide because of the low victim count.
What you said is a complete lie.
I am much older. My wife and son are asian and living in Arizona with the horrible divide in this country as well as the constant struggle with healthcare has caused us to shop around for our next home. We need to visit Bremen it looks very nice and all of the reasons you mention are very key to us. I would be retired but my wife would like to continue to work. Thank you for all of your videos.
Hi! I just found your video by accident. I really liked listening to you and I linked it to my boyfriend who is living in NewJersey. I hope everything will be fine here for you and that things go the way you want them to do. Stay healthy!
Hello! Thank you for watching my video. (: I hope you can convince him to move across the Atlantic. I found the process much easier to immigrate to Germany than it would have been for my partner to immigrate to the US. The current US administration is also trying to make it more and more difficult for internationals to move there.
@@taylorintransit3421 Right now there is 0 immigration allowed. Let's see what will happen in future. First of all they must allow international flights again ;)
You made a very wise decision. I wish I'd had a fraction of the wisdom you have when I was your age. Good for you for planning for your future. Germany is exceptional without being exceptionalist.
When we Swiss come to Germany we always think what huge portion sizes they have! In my opinion portion size is inversely correlated with food qualiy.
That was a good summery. I'd like to add that our generel desinterest in religion (esp. In the northern part of Germany) makes us less small-minded. We don't have the tendency to judge or convince people as much as Americans. Another huge difference is the absence of a gun culture. We feel safe because guns are not available or common. Americans feel safe because guns are available and common. And that is connected to the last difference: We are not told to live in constant fear of each other. That is a terrible place to be psychologically and that takes it tolls. E.g. when people are shot because of "stand your ground".
Never looked at it that way but it's true. In the US pro-gun people say it's their right to have be able to defend themselves from others. In Germany we wouldn't assume people would be out to hurt us in the first place.
Public transport and walking to it> I originally always took the bus to get from my job to the S-Bahn, but I started walking this way last year, it helps to reduce the stress factors through the job, even if you are at home about 10 to 20 minutes later.
Taking a short walk in the fresh air is always a great way to clear the mind! (:
I used public transit for four years while in Dallas, TX, of all places, but not only did it not precisely help my social life, I had such interesting episodes such as a police car stopping next to me asking whether everything was ok and I just replied "Sure, I'm just walking to the light rail station over there". Guess I must have been the first pedestrian they've seen in a while :P
Very interesting and informative American perspective, thank you.
Great Channel! I helped an American friend move here to Germany and her life changed then drastically. She is much happier now and actually her main reasons match your’s on the list almost 100 percent.
Regarding too many vacation days. I started to discover my own country by bike using the Fernradwege-network and I am saving a lot of money but gaining more physical and mental health. Maybe that’s an option?
Hello, Jens! Thanks for the comment. I am glad that your friend is also enjoying life in Germany!
I was actually planning on buying a road bike and getting into cycling, which is perfect in the north because everything is so flat! Unfortunately, because of Covid 19, the supply chains have been disrupted and the bike I wanted to buy is not in stock. So I am just waiting until they produce more. :/ Thank you for the recommendation (:
When you did the, "I was 18 and I took German in high school, and my great-grandmother was from Germany." I was like ok, same. Those were the base reasons as to why I was planning on moving to Germany. With the pandemic, I have had the time to get more adult answers (cause I'm a class of 2020 high school senior), and time to lure a friend into planning to moving with me, when it's possible again.
Just talked to a guy who said Germany was in the stone age. I just laughed to myself.....obviously so many are out of touch with the modern day Germany and what it offers citizens and new ex pats alike.
Germany very much is in the past when it comes to things such as using cash for most payments, fax machines, slow internet, poor cell signal, homes that lack ventilation, excessive paperwork, headshots on your c/v. Racism seems to be a world wide problem so i'm not going to nock it there. overall Canada would be better to live.
Some of these things you mention are by choice, not by lacking behind. Germans value privacy incredibly highly so many people don't like leaving a track record of every purchase they make. Plus it gives them a closer sense of what they are spending. That's why using cash is still the preferred method by many people and it's not going to change anytime soon as the demand isn't there.
Most germans also don't like air conditioning, because they feel like a) it's not really necessary due to the weather conditions and b) because the constant flux between hot and cold actually is pretty unhealthy for the body and people get sick often due to it. People who need air conditioning to live are viewed as kind of weird and unnatural to be honest.
Hello, David. I definitely have a few moments where I wonder why Germany hasn't embraced some of the things other countries have and have embraced others. I think that every countries has its flaws (the US has many, which I pointed out in this video) but it would be lying to say that Germany doesn't either. I don't think any country is perfect.
I think @renzuki makes a valid argument about why Germans prefer cash payments over card payments (although I have seen a shift slowly happening I feel since I have moved here). There are other ways that Germans are much farther ahead of the curve such as with renewable energy. I would say Germany has an odd blend of traditional and progressive ideals. (:
I think that you explain well why Germans have not embraced electronic payments as other countries such have Sweden have done so. Germans seem to much more focused on the issue of privacy (including data protection) than people I have met in other countries.
As for air conditioning, I have mixed feelings. I know that in many places in Germany the days in which it would be worth it to have air conditioning are few and far between (maybe a week or two during the summer), but I have noticed that the summers are getting progressively warmer. There are definitely many health benefits for having access to air conditioning in places where the heat is unbearable - such as a lower occurance of heat stroke. People are also able to sleep better under cooler conditions. - However, air conditioning can be dangerous if not properly used and cleaned. AC is also not great for the environment, so it really shouldn't be used unless needed.
@@soundtraveler9555 Homes that lack ventilation is not done because of different climate and environmental reasons / saving energy. Slow internet is a reality for more rural areas. Usage of cash has dropped significantly during Covid-19-crisis. People just seem to value data privacy which can easily be achieved by paying cash.
Regarding the point about crime. There is a video from a german journalist living in Washington DC, and she also made this point that in the US children playing on the street (e.g. riding a bicycle) without their parents is not happening. Another video I‘ve seen is where a woman explained that neighbours called the authorities because she was letting her kids play alone in the front yard and at the public playground - having grown up in germany, i met with two friends in the morning and came back in the evening (during school vacations) at the age of 8. I loved it. In the US I always have the feeling that everyone has a quite high level of „fear“ in every situation...
And hey, your kids will learn geography at school and will be able to find countries on a map, so that'll be cool.
Antananarivo ist die Hauptstadt von........ genau!
@@wolfgangfalck1250 Madagaskar, easy.
@@semir9112 Der Tatortreiniger hat es mir verraten 😃
@ukkr its like Bielefeld, a myth??
That's the hope :D
From me a very warm Welcome, too. Hopefully you'll enjoy IT here
moving to a different country is a balsy move. i applause you for taking the risk to pursue a life style that you have in mind for your kids and yourself.
My original motives for moving to Germany weren't so much thinking about my future, but definitely moving the second time. Thank you for watching (:
Kudos from an Expat who's been here for 38 years now ;-)
You should cover the lower parts of your window. They daylight from there is reflecting in your glasses as soon, as you raise your head a bit, totally covering your eyes. But I like this channel. Very soothing voice and good modulation :)
11:48 it is 0,25 litres, not millilitres. To make it understandable for Americans it is around 8,5 oz.
Woops, thanks for the correction! Yeah, I know, I need to buy a ring light or something, because right now I am dependent on the light from this window.
You have thought carefully and explained complex issues very clearly. Good job!
Subscribed 😘 I like your mindset, Taylor! Please stay safe and healthy. 😷
Thank you for watching and subscribing! (: If there is anything you particularly want to see, feel free to make suggestions!
Wisconsinite here! Thanks for the videos as we consider weather or not to move to Germany.
Thanks! I needed this. I’m having all those issues here in the US, but I’m happy that I have plans on going to get a master degree in Germany and learn from that wonderful culture!
Very nice video, very interesting. Thank you for that - of course I subscribed and: welcome to Germany. Wish you all the best!
Thank you for the support! I appreciate it (:
For the table of contents and time stamps alone you have deserved a thumps up. It's very efficient. 😉
Southern germany has a lot of vegetarian dishes if eggs are allowed. For example Käsespätzle, Dampfnudeln, Kaiserschmarrn, Quarkauflauf, Apfelstrudel ...
lol, habe 48 Tage Urlaub dieses Jahr..!und ich war bisher in nur 35 Ländern, also noch nicht besonders rum gekommen..
Fun fact: I worked as a paid intern for 7 months in the US quite a while ago. Buying or renting a car was too complex at the time so I ended up walking so much that I actually lost weight in US. In spite of all the fast food I consumed ;)
Where were you living that this was possible! You are definitely in the minority if you lost weight after moving to the US. Everytime I go back to visit family, I eat all of the food that I can't get when I am in Germany and come back a few pounds heavier :D
@@taylorintransit3421 I worked in Durham, NC. Long way to the next bus stop from home. And a long way from work to the next bus stop. So the fact that the US is build for driving by car worked to my advantage. I simply walked a lot ;)
It's not just fast food, it's also portion sizes and composition. When I lived in the US, I worked in the lab of a Taiwanese principal investigator. He liked to say that his mom could cook a whole week with the meat in one portion of chinese take-out in the US. And while I, despite being German, stuck to the Asian stuff in the university cantina, the portions were so huge that over time, I still gained a substantial amount of weight and worst of all, got used to big portions, a habit that I've not fully managed to shed since - and consequently, neither could I shed the weight, despite being back in Europe for well over a decade now.
Taylor, I grew up in the sixties in Germany, and my country was not the same as you experience now. People were very conservative and still influenced by the Nazi time. Beating of children was almost normal at schools. There were mainly 2 political parties in the parlament, the CDU snd SPD. These parties were very agressive against the political opponent, and the people, too. I think the tolerant Germany, you experience now, came up in the eighties, influenced also by new parties like the Green Party.
That's a really interesting perspective! I am so grateful that Germany has become a more tolerant and progressive society!
Yes, I think your country should change it's political system. More politcal parties mean more balance between the parties and would change this black and white thinking. Isn't it sad that even families are enemies because of policy?
Welcome to germany..good having you here!
Honestly, these are all the reasons I decided to move to Germany to be with my German partner there rather than have him move to the States to be with me. We met in Ireland and lived there for several years and had to decide where to move after finishing our PhDs. Since my family and friends all live in different cities, it didn't really make sense to move back because I wouldn't be with my friends or family (or at least all of them) even if I could get a job in a city where one of them were. More importantly, Germany could give me the kind of life I wanted much more affordably than the US could.
Hi miss Taylor
I live in Bavaria, and i have been a vegetarian for over 40 years
In the last 20 years there arena lot of very
Good vegetarian food, we my wife and i used to eat Asian food
Now i can eat at normal gasthäuser.
🙏🙂❤
Welcome to Germany......fine Video ...have a good time👍🏻😊
Thank you! (:
The vacation time absolutely blows my mind. My company lumps all vacation and sick time into one number. So if you get sick and have to take PTO, then you could eat up a lot of your vacation time
Wow my honest respect that you touched the political topic even if I (a native babyboomer German) would not agree with every point you made, I found it brave for an American raised human to even touch this topic. Which is a bit strange, that I even did have this preconception about Americans as I know how much Americans value their right of free speech.
30 days of paid vacation is pretty much standard in Germany after you have worked a certain time at a company.
Sorry, but you forgot we have much more. Add the payed public holidays to the number. So it's 10-12 more.
True! I am very grateful to have so many days off!
It is only the standard in some jobs. In others it is exactly the legal minimum. Things have gone far downhill since the 90s.
Yep... Pretty much the same reasons why I would like to move to Germany at some point :) Thanks for sharing!
The smallest amount of vacation days you can have in Germany in a full-time job are 24 days. That is what the government has determined
Hi miss taylor
Dont worry about money to travel,
You have bicyles you can do day or weeked trips
They are cheap
Another workers benefit - I'm surprised that you don't mention it - is that for most employment contracts, termination of employment is only possible with a certain period of notice. That is, you typically have several months of time to search for a new job, when you get a cancellation notice. So, one big source of anxiety that you don't need to have in Germany.
Hello, Bruno. You make a good point! I will probably make a video in the future specifically about my experiences working in Germany. I remember being relieved once I was out of my Probezeit at my current job. I'll have to do more research on what benefits you exactly are afforded when you are fired from a job.
i used to live in Wisco...great place, but yes you're right with your opinion
A very warm Welcome to Germany ☘️☘️☘️🥰🥰🥰👍👍👍 Hope you'll Like it here
Great comments and reasons for moving to Germany!
Sooo much said sooo well !! 😳😳 I really wish there were more people in America with your insight and understanding of so many things that you mentioned in your video here.
And this is my opinion: most of ' our advantages' are based on principles such as community and social justice (not communism / socialism - this should not be confused, dear americans!). In contrast, freedom and individualism are the highest principles in the USA.
So - everyone should have the right to freedom and individualism? Yes absolutely !! ... but only as long as it doesn't harm the community. The Needs of the many should always outweight the needs of the few (RIP Mr. Spock). We pay for all our advantages by a) demanding a little bit less of our personal freedom b) paying a little more tax (which in the best case benefits everyone) and c) have the state patronize us a little bit more - there is always a price to pay. And about school-shootings: how the hell should a society as a whole be safer by arming it with more weapons than an entire army? Thinking in this logic, the war zones of this world should be true 'save havens'.
Hello! Thank you for watching my video. The irony is that there are many many Americans that feel the same way that I do, but they are overshadowed by the very loud right-wing community. I completely agree with your assessment of why Germany has adopted many of these social policies. I would be interested in learning more about why US Americans are much more focused on individualism.
@@taylorintransit3421 I dont know but as a german it seems to me when americans talk about freedom and individualism they mostly use them as buzz words that have to validify whatever they want at that spedific time. Everyone knows the us is about freedom, so being against what I want is against freedom, is against america! that kind of stuff. politicial debate in the us, in my eyes, occurs mostly around the very surface of things. not saying we have great public debates all the time, by no means, but atleast the substance still maters at least a bit.
Often when I'm listening to US media its horrorfying to me to what degree media on all political sides is biased. it's always doom and gloom and you are either for them or a total idiot and traitor. And the same thing occurs in private political debate, at least as far as i can tell. there is no middle ground whatsoever, you are either on their side or an enemy.
In my mind when finding a middle ground isnt encouraged or needed or even welcome it's clear that progress has a very hard time of happening. when both sides of an argument are just mentally unable to move nothing is capable of changing. you can even say its the same as in politics with a 2 party system: you either get everything or nothing, there is no need for discussion. Since in europe most countries have multiple parties, the need for conversation and compromise is much bigger.
But ofc that doesnt answer a bit why it is the way it is. just some obersavtions on my part.
Vacation in Germany: Most start off working with 25 days of paid of vacation (there is law about the minimum days, but I am not certain about that number). Depending on age and time in the company it raises a little bit to 30 days
No, 20 days of vacation is minimum from the EU and also in Germany.
When you work full time your minimum vacation days are 2 per month -> min. 24 a year
Thanks for the comment! I guess I am lucky that I started with 28! I would have probably taken less. I was pretty desperate for a job after getting my degree (;
As Pitch Black points out, legal minimum is 20 days, but: if you work six days a week, i.e. Saturdays, too, as you might when working in a store, it's 25. That being said, collective bargaining agreements usually make for 30 days being pretty much the standard number of vacation days - but that's collective bargaining and small variations exist from industry to industry and of course especially in fields where collective bargaining isn't the norm.
Hi Are you from Wisconsin..?i came across your video,very good. We are from Wisconsin too,living here in Germany 6 years now,I agree with you that it’s easier to have healthier lifestyle here.My hubby and I hikes a lot.We live in Southern Germany.
Hello, fellow Wisconsinite (: I am actually really jealous of people living in the south that are so easily able to go hiking. The closest hiking we have here is the Harz, which is about a four hour drive and isn't comparable to the Alps. My partner and I wanted to buy road bikes this spring and start cycling, but unfortunately the bikes we wanted are out of stock because of supply-chain disruption.
Taylor in Transit , Thank you for replying.Yes it is really nice to go hiking here, we are actually live very close to the Black Forest and since the Covid19 there is not much place to go but hike, lol ! .But I think even though living in the flat area ,I am very sure that there are a lot place to walk or hike right ? Germany is really good having hiking Trail and walking trail between villages and Town..You and your Partner could come to the South and join us for Hiking sometime when the covids19 slow down.BTW are you Packers Fan.?My husband miss going to the Games,but he can still watch it in Germany on TV..
As a German, I'd like to know how your History classes and the school system in general were panning out. I personally don't believe that this would be an opionion held by the majority, but I heard about people still believing that Hitler was alive and maybe even still ruling Germany. I also can't wrap my head around the thought of pledging my allegiance to the american flag, which I heard is still a thing in most public schools.
And to get a little bit political here, my pet theory as to why Americans are getting so extreme, so divided, is because the political system allows for only two parties to exist, so their political views are constantly getting reduced to being for or against something, whereas in Germany, we have between 4 and 6 parties that represent the majority of our political system. What are your thoughts on that?
Hello, thank you for your comment! There are many many people in the US that hold progressive beliefs similar to my own. I would say that I went to a very good public school, but there were still many flaws, especially in our history classes. To be honest, the only time that we really discussed Germany in length was to learn about WWII, but even then, it was more about the US's role in the war. I haven't heard of this conspiracy theory or anyone that believes it, but it wouldn't surprise me. The Pledge of Allegiance is a very strange concept to me. I remember once (during my rebellious anti-establishment phase in high school) that I refused to stand and was kicked out of class.
As for America's divisiveness, you could very well be right. There must be studies out that that talk about this!
I think it is also important to mention that every person in Germany is obliged to be insured with regard to health insurance. If you do not insure yourself, you are committing a crime. The health insurance company where you were last insured will demand the fees with the support of the German courts. It is a fair system but only if everyone participates.
Sorry for my bad english.
Your English is great! Thank you for your comment. I know there was a similar fee people in the US had to pay if they didn't have health insurance when the ACA was put into place, but I think this may have been revoked since the new administration came into office.
You are right, plate in the US are larger. There was even a study about this fact and how it encourages obesity in the population.
Otherwise, don't worry, in Germany it is usually okay to discuss politics (though I wouldn't recommend doing it with your boss, but in general, Germans enjoy a good fact-based discussion). Personally I have learned so much about the US (and the UK for that matter) I wouldn't want to life in either country. And currently I count myself especially lucky.
Thanks for your comment! I remember that my partner was really surprised when I asked him about his political beliefs on our first date and he told me that you wouldn't typically do that in Germany. It was really weird for me, because in the US people are really expressive about their political affiliations. Americans put out posters in their yards and place stickers on their cars about who they are voting for.
Well, you usually wouldn't do that on a date...but in a normal conversation at a party, it's not like politics is a taboo Thema. But it is usually less about political affiliation (nowadays most Germans are "Wechselwähler" anyway), and more about "What do you think about political decision X".
Germans don't really talk about who they are voting for and they certainly don't ASK about it, because we take the notion of a secret election seriously, though if you know someone well, you usually have a pretty good idea. It's not about political affiliation in the sense of "this is my party and I'll support it, no matter what!" like it is the case in the US, Germans don't do this unless they are actual party members, and even then they tend to be very ready to be critical of their own party.
So that was odd was more that you specifically asked what kind of parties he would support, not that you talked about politics. Talking about politics in itself is totally fine (though again, I wouldn't do it during a first date necessarily - just like I wouldn't ask about religious believes or anything like this...those are at the end of the day very private matters which you would only share with someone who earned your trust).
I think a lot of this advantages are present in a way or another in most countries in Europe.
Around 28 days of vacation is absolutely normal here. So you are right. :) And DAANG girl, you are so clear and open minded. It is almost a relief for me to see that not all Americans are totally lost. I know that there are really a lot of progressive people there, but sadly as many hardcore conservatives. Our German conservatives would be considered progressive by a lot of the US conservatives. lol
And thank you for your videos
Taylor, es tut mir leid … I know I'm putting this on the wrong thread .. I was born & raised in Germany (Dinkelsbuehl) .. I am a Perm Resident Alien, have been living in the US since 1975 .. I received something a while back saying that Germany now allows Dual Citizens, so you may not need to give up your US Citizenship .. just thought I'd let you know
EU citizens and Swiss citizens qualify for dual citizenship in Germany. US citizens do not, I'm afraid.
@That Richie Guy: Not true, you’re qualified for dual citizenship in Germany if your native country doesn’t let you get out of your citizenship. My Mexican wife gained dual citizenship in Germany because of this.
@@heindaddel2531 Yes, I understand that. I'm quoting the German stance whilst being fully aware that in practical terms there are more dual citizens in Germany than just EU citizens and Swiss citizens. I don't claim to be an expert but a quick internet search suggests that the US does indeed allow its citizens to renounce their US citizenship. In which case, when applying for German citizenship as a US citizen one will be required to do so.
Hello! Thank you for your comment. Even if it is possible, I am considering renouncing my citizenship anyways. I have made the decision to pursue my career and have a family here in Germany and I have very few ties to the US.
Nice video thanks for the info and your perspective, well done! 😃
Thank you for watching! (:
You are absolutely correct on the phycological effect of living in a safe society. I'll recommend Jonathan Haidt and the cuddling of the American mind, if you want to know more. Or just watch one of his videos.
Very nice video! But you forgot to mention why Germans have these benefits. The magic word is "Gewerkschaft"
True! Unions are very important for the provision and maintenance of employee rights! I have a Betriebsrat at my company, but am not part of any official union.
@@taylorintransit3421 You probably should - It's not expensive (the monthly fee is only 1% of your monthly gross income) and gives you benefits like free legal consultation on all matters regarding work. After 3 months of membership, there is also a right to legal protection, i.e. even in the event of legal disputes with the employer, the trade union will bear the costs of the proceedings. And of course, in case of a strike, the trade union also pays the "strike pay", which after all is 60% of the normal income. Plus other services, such as advice on income tax, advice on mobbing, job references and various educational opportunities.
@@taylorintransit3421 To add something to TheAxel65's comment:
you pay approx. 1% of your Brutto, but you will also get half of it back with the Steuererklärung. You should ask your Betriebsrat which Gewerkschaft is behind them. By joining the ("proper") Gewerkschaft, you will not only support them, you will also support and strengthen your Betriebsrat and therefore your colleagues :)
11:49 0,25ml would a very small glass, even by german standards :)
Ohhh where is the point about the good public transport? 😁...just kidding.
These are five really good reasons to move to Germany 👍
Plus: if you work and you get ill, you get 6 weeks payment and after 78 weeks money from the social insureance.
Thanks for your comment. It's so great that worker's get compensation when they are ill through no fault of their own!
I love watching US TV series and films and am always annoyed when it says that the United States is the best country in the world. For me as a German it is not understandable why you have to define your own country by comparing it with other countries. I would never call Germany the best country in the world because there are many similar countries that just do it differently. I would find it difficult to rank the countries within the EU, because I see a lot in Scandinavia that it simply runs better there than with us.
The USA is certainly a great country, but it is certainly not the best country in the world from a German perspective. Stop your (white) supremacy!
I send warm greetings to all Americans here in Germany! Nice that you are here!
It is the same when people say their favorite sports team is the best in the world. It isn't always meant to be taken literally. I don't know why this is such a difficult concept. Regarding your "white supremacy" comment, the demand for racism in America has exceeded its supply. The white supremacy narrative is mostly fear-mongering media-driven and it is not any kind of significant movement in the US since probably the 1960s.
As a German I can understand above all your political way of thinking. The USA has been changing for decades in a direction that will not end well for the country itself or for millions of US citizens. The biggest problem is the insane amount of money that is in the hands of private individuals. 66% of all millionaires worldwide live in the USA. This fact massively influences politics, prevents real democracy and sensible social policy.
At the same time, the USA is the most indebted country in the world with now almost 25 trillion dollars. The dollar is the world's reserve currency. Nobody can foresee the consequences of a permanently growing US debt, even in this country.
By the way...the USA has the most debt in China with 16%. The US is also the world leader in private debt. Whether students, home builders, credit cards, car or consumer loans: according to the Federal Reserve Bank New York, US citizens also live privately on credit. Mortgages account for the largest share of private debt.
Hey, Roger. Thank you for your comment! I completely agree with you. The concentration of wealth, historically, never ends well. I just finished reading a great book called Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson. In the book they postulate that when political and economic institutions are extractive (i.e. controlled by the few to extract as much wealth as possible from the many) that the nation is much more likely to fail.
You are such a big win! :)
I know a guy who moved (back) to Germany because of Donald Trump.
Just for comparison: in Germany, you would consider Trump far right, Biden centre-right and Sanders centre-left. Or in political parties: Trump=AfD, Biden=CDU, Sanders=SPD.
Hello! Thanks for your comment. That is a really good comparison to illustrate for those who understand the German political parties! Politics in the US and without a doubt one of the primary reasons I've chosen to stay in Germany.
Hi Taylor, thank you for making this video. It was excellent. I began watching your videos because I, also, want to move to Germany. And after watching this video I see that my reasons correspond to yours quite closely, which validates my desire to move. I thought I heard you say, tho, that your father was originally German? If so, then it must have been easy for you to claim German citizenship. I am not in such a fortunate circumstance and would need advice regarding what I would need to do to move there and work toward citizenship. Can you suggest where I might look for this sort of advice? I look forward to watching your future videos. They are a great resource for those of us interested in a move to Germany. Best of luck and good wishes, Michael
Hi Michael, if you have a USA passport you can stay in Germany up to 90 days without a visa.
If you consider to move (completely independent of the Covid-19 situation at the moment which changes things so fast) just check the many German internet sites about this topic or contact a German embassy in the USA.
www.germany-visa.org/immigration-residence-permit/moving-germany-from-us/
This is a good basic site to start with.
I don't know how old you are - a very good idea before you even start with your research would be to try to learn the first few hundred vocables of the German language. If you want to move to foreign country with another language you should be willing to learn it.
Perhaps an exciting perspective to your question came from a former USA president - J.F. Kennedy "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." Born in the USA you have inherited the right to live in the USA. Many people all over the world envy you for that!
When you think about an alternative perhaps it is a good question "ask not what another country can do for you - ask what you can do for this country."
Stay safe!
I just can't understand that "free refills " still are considered free, nothing is for free in the US, you pay for it in another way but they don't give away anything for free.
But maybe it has something to do with the amount of time that you are getting in a US restaurant to eat.
In Europe nobody is in a hurry when you go out to eat in a restaurant.
I disagree. Beverages are heavily overpriced in Germany in restaurants. A diet coke from a fountain is dirt cheap for the seller. In the US, they make their living by pushing you out quickly after you are done to serve the next customers, whereas in GErmany, you sit in a restaurant forever...
Just found this channel!
Subscribed + Like + Comment (for the youtube algorythm)
Stay safe!
Thank you for making this video and for sharing your thoughts. Over the past several years I’ve gotten more and more uncomfortable living in the United States for the reasons you mentioned, especially the last reason. Funny thing, I’m also from Wisconsin! Thankfully not rural Wisconsin (that would be awful) but from Madison which is considered very progressive, not just in Wisconsin but nationally. Our county/city is always blue despite the majority of Wisconsin being red, with the exception of Milwaukee. Even so, I see Europe as being better in terms of social progression and equity than Madison. Overall I think things are getting worse here due to our current national administration and also because of set oppressive systems very few people seem to acknowledge. On a different note, I want to live in a country where I don’t have to rely on a car. Winter here can be brutal, as you might remember. It’s not uncommon to reach temperatures far below negative zero Fahrenheit (without windchill!) and I cannot imagine having to walk a couple miles in that. Not only that but ice coated sidewalks are no joke. I love walking and want to live someplace I can walk almost every where, or take transit. Let’s talk about eating...why are healthy foods usually only more accessible to wealthy Americans here!? A small bag of romaine lettuce or spinach costs about $3. Yet an entire loaf of sliced white “bread” is $1?! A giant container of soda is $1 yet one avocado is $2. It’s disgusting. You can buy a giant pack of Oreo cookies for less than a salad mix. There’s such much wrong with the food system here. And this is just the tip of the iceberg with what is wrong with the food system here. Anyway, I’m glad you found a lifestyle in Germany that you enjoy! I hope to find that one day too! You give me hope! Thank you for that! 😊💕
Hi Taylor, I absolutely appreciate your video. I heard you mentioned you’re half-Asian. Which Asian ethnicity do you belong, Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Filipino?
I'm a brand new subscriber watching in the UK. What is the hockey league like in Germany ? ❤
How good is your german? Are you considering doing a video in german?
I technically speak at a C1 level. I still make a lot of simple mistakes like articles and prepositions. I think that filming a video in German is a bit exclusive because many more people speak English than German (including Germans themselves). By making my videos in English, more people can interact with my contact. (:
I really like your approach. Welcome to Germany, welcome to Europe.
Thank you! 😃
Regarding #1, healthcare: I think it's important to mention, that the cost is a percentage of your income. Sort of like a tax. You make more money, you pay more. You make less money, you pay less. The point is, it's always affordable. Also, in the US the employer contribution can be higher. Often it's 80% or even 100%, ... but that's only for the employee, family costs extra, a lot extra. In Germany, your entire family is covered, and kids even until they can support themselves (I believe the maximum age is 27 though), and your non-working spouse. The cost stays the same.
max age is 25 other than that correct afaik
@@Anonymuskid I'm pretty sure it was 27 when I lived there, however there was an extension for Wehr- or Zivildienst time served because the service would delay your university enrollment. The point is, that in the US, the day you turn 18, you're on your fucking own. Thanks for checking though.
The rule that you were refering to, about recording work hours, needs to be put in place, because of a decree on the EU-level, which the memberstates are requiered to put into law on a national level.
It can however take a while until tje individual governments manage to actually sign it into law.
I'm glad CZcams recommended this channel to me. I wish you all the best there in Germany. I lived there for six years from 1998 to 2003 and then moved to Japan. I liked Germany a lot but met a Japanese woman and am now "stranded" in Japan. No, it's very civilized here just like Germany. By the way, I hear Wisconsin has been going more blue in the recent elections, at least in the statewide races. Unfortunately the Republican-controlled legislature has gerrymandered the legislative districts so badly that Democrats don't have a chance to control either state chamber. Maybe you can still vote absentee in Wisconsin. I can still vote in the last precinct where I lived in Illinois. Every blue vote counts! Viel Spass in Deutschland!
Sending greetings from Bremen!
Better Work / Life balance in Germany?
I always thought we Germans are the non-stop hard working people.
In fact you are right, thanks to strong unions the working people have reached many things like ca. 30 days paid vacation, 6 weeks of paid sick leave, paid maternal leave etc.
Even though Germans have all of these employee benefits, they are still very hard working! The government, the employers, and the employees just knew that productivity is actually higher when people have a better work-life balance! Think of how unproductive someone becomes when they suffer from burn out...
xellossaxon :
Yes, I was kidding.
I know your example of ineffective work in american companies. I worked 32 years in a company, first 12 years it was a Swiss owned company with very strong German subsidary (BBC, ABB), then it was aquired by French Alstom and in 2015 it was aquired by American GE General Electric.
With each new owner the management structure and internal workflows got worse. An activity that took 5 minutes at ABB could have taken up to 3 months at GE, because we had to create tickets in one of the several internal IT workflow systems and then several people in different countries had to approve these workflows. These people usually sat in other countries and had no understanding of our German laws and rules and therefore a lot of email Ping Pong has been played before the approval has been made or in some cases we have never received.
We always wondered how GE could have ever earned any money in the past, when they worked so ineffective.
When being aquired by GE in 2015 the several business managers came to our location and held so called „roadshows“ telling us how glad they are to have us ex-Alstom units aboard, now we are stronger than ever bla bla.
Just 2 months later they than revealed, that they wanted to close many businesses in Germany and all over Europe and lay off large parts of the employees in the other businesses. American management culture, at least in stock listed companies, is driven by satisfying stockholders‘ interest, even when this means that the company will suffer in the long term. Next quarter figures is all that counts. Strategies have been changed on a yearly basis.
R&D expenses have been cut down, because short time money saving was king. Why should the management care about future products, that could keep the company competitive?
This is so opposite to common sense.
wait, what? you couldnt ride your bike around your block at 9 years old because it was deemed to dangerous? i was always allowed to roam outside until it got too dark, just like most of my friends. and i rode the bus or train iny my town alone too. today there are even cameras in the trains and busses not only on the trainstation. i grew up in hamburg and it wasnt exactly a rich neighbourhood. it still amazes me to hear stories like this from the US
yeah, the usa has a lot of gun violence, child abduction and pedophilia. i was always taught to only stay in my front yard and to _never_ talk to strangers.
The 'best' diet:
[Think of what the ancients had to eat - meat just once or twice in a month, maybe three or four times if they were lucky to hunt bigger animals, eggs, vegetables & fruit, bread, and later lard & butter.]
So the perfect diet is
1/3rd protein (your body weight in grams)
1/3rd carbohydrates,
1/3rd fat und the remaining
1/10th dietary fiber
and no less than 30 minutes walking each day.
I just live by the motto "everything in moderation" for the things which aren't great for me (: