I'd like to keep a running list of cultural differences I've noticed in Berlin (as opposed to the midwest/north Texas). I'll probably update this list often throughout the trip.

-Open windows are huge here. Everyone always has the windows open during the summer (and many places, my apartment included, don't have air conditioning). Sometimes they'll just leave the door open.

-Outdoor eating is very common. Most restaurants have tables inside, but they are all empty during the summer. Everyone sits outside.

-You seat yourself at restaurants and a waiter comes to you. (Typically). If there is a counter to order at (no waiter), there are giant signs that say "self-service"

-You have to ask for the check, it is not brought to you.

-Tipping here is closer to 10%, and giving someone a 20% tip will make them incredibly happy (Waiters have adequate wages without any tips)

-Rarely are credit cards used. Everyone pays with cash, and at many places, you cannot even use a card.

-People don't really use drinking fountains. They just fill up water bottles from the tap.

-When you order water, it costs money. You can also buy a glass bottle of water (which you use to refill your cup) or a single cup. It's usually around 3 Euros for a bottle.

-Germans have something called Pfandflaschen. Most plastic and glass bottles are "Pfand", meaning they can be recycled. You take them to a machine at the grocery store and recieve money for recycling them. (Not a lot, though, usually less than 25 cents per bottle).

-Supermarkets close earlier (around 6 pm) and are not open at all on Sundays.

-Tax is included in the prices. If the sign says 3 Euro, you can expect to pay exactly 3 Euro at the register.

-"Pfand", however, is not included. You often pay a little extra when buying plastic or glass bottles. You get this money back if you recycle them.

-Bikers are everywhere. The weave in and out of traffic, and you have to always watch for them.

-Women frequently wear skirts or dresses on bikes. I guess it makes sense. Lots of people bike to work.

-The traffic lights turn yellow before they turn green! (Green-Yellow-Red-Yell0w-Green). Maybe it is so everyone has a chance to shift their manual cars into gear?

-You must sort all your trash. There are bins for paper waste, for plastic packaging, for white and colored glass, for organic waste, and for other trash. You are also expected to return your Pfandflaschen yourself, so there isn't a trash can for it. People will leave beer bottles out on the street next to trash cans so someone can come by and collect them to make a little money.

-At grocery stores, there are no free bags. You either have to bring your own or buy them.

-You also have the fill the bags yourself. It's like a race between you and the cashier. S/he is swiping your items super fast and you're stuffing them in the bags in a panic!

-There is a TON of Wurst in German grocery stores. It's almost more common than hotdogs in America

-Germans don't have sheets, they have duvets. Which are quite a bit thicker than sheets. I really love my sheets, so it's been an adjustment. I'm almost too hot underneath the duvet, but too cold without it.

-Ziploc bags (little baggies with zippers) are a lot harder to find. Most of their plastic bags are just open, and you close them with a twisty-tie.

-Keyboards are different (I'm using one right now). The 'y' and 'z' are switched, and there are umlaut keys (ä ö ü). Several special characters (like @) are also in different locations. There are two different alt keys, an 'alt' and an 'alt gr'.

-"Eiskaffee" (ice + coffee) is not iced coffee. Instead, it is ice cream with coffee poured over it. The German word for ice and ice cream are the same. If you want iced coffee, find a Starbucks. (But Eiskaffee is way better anyway)

-Apparently, Germans distrust people who smile too much. It's hard not to politely smile at people I pass. Of course, this isn't a strict rule, but smiling is generally less common around strangers or business partners.

-Americans tend to smile when we're uncomfortable (much like nervous laughter). In Germany, this is perceived as a genuine smile and may encourage the uncomfortable behavior.

-Lots of foods that are 'finger foods' in America are not here. French fries, for example, are eaten with a fork!

-Jay-walking is not a thing. Germans will wait for the crosswalk light to turn green, regardless of how empty the roads are. (Of course, there are plenty of foreigners in Berlin, so you do see people running across the street occasionally)

-"How are you" is not just a greeting, but an actual question. A German expects a thought-out response, not just "I'm good".

-H&M is everywhere! As Christine says, they are like the "Starbucks of Germany" in that there are at least three on every street.

-Apotheke are German pharmacies, and they work a lot different than the US. Instead of being self-serve, you have to go up to the counter to get medication. The person behind the counter will ask for your symptoms and any medical conditions before recommending drugs. It's nice.

-Who needs a helmet to ride a bike anyway?

-You can drink beer in public here. Walking down the street with an open bottle is no problem. It's also a lot more common to have beer with lunch.

-Children are a lot more independent. I've seen little kids (probably around 8 years old) riding the S-bahn alone. There are frequently groups of unacompanied children walking down the sidewalk.

-Public transit tickets sort of work on an honors system. Instead of scanning a ticket to get on the train/bus/tram, you simply buy one and get on. Occasionally public transit workers will hop on board and ask to see everyone's tickets. Although this happens infrequently, if you do get caught without a ticket it's a very hefty fine.

-Apparently if you move here, Germans expect you to integrate into their society fairly quickly. On average, it takes 12 months before an outsider is expected to know all the rules of a culture. In Germany, it's closer to 8 months.

-The customer is not always right

-Aka customer service (waitstaff, retail, etc.) is not as friendly. They're not rude by any means, but they won't hover over you while you're eating/shopping and ask you if you need anything. It's up to you