While there are a ton of things I'll always love about the US, I've learned that there are an equal number of things that good ol' Deutschland does a little better. Here are some!
1.Generous paid time off and vacations.
2.There's excellent maternity leave, too.
3.The variety of grocery stores, including lots of affordable ones.
4.The social welfare programs that protect people.
5.Top-quality playgrounds for kids.
6.And so many public spaces to relax in.
7.And of course, the great beer.
8.And the most delicious bread.
9.So many people are bilingual.
10.They are expert recyclers.
11.An overarching respect for privacy.
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Sometimes, the lack of social media use in Berlin makes me feel as if I've traveled back to the early 20th century. Social media usage is definitely less ingrained here. When I go out to dinner, no one is whipping out their phone to capture a perfectly plated pasta dish or rehearsing TikTok dances on the reg. And most of my friends are off Facebook and/or Instagram, or hardly using either.
It's not just social media, though. People here have an overall expectation of privacy, and they assume that that any personal data they input into web or physical forms (such as in a doctor's office, an event registration, etc.) will be deleted after they are done with the transaction. This might have something to do with how violently personal privacy was abused during World War II. I didn't care for this heightened respect for my privacy at first, but it's slowly raised my standard of living in a subconscious way. Overall, it's pretty reassuring knowing that my public life doesn't have to interfere with my private life.
12.Better gun control laws.
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When I hear loud noises in Berlin, I do not automatically think that there is a shooter on the loose. And it's becoming harder and harder, at least for me, to feel the same level of safety in a major US city.
It's much harder to obtain a firearm in Germany. You must fulfill a couple of key requirements, and you must show a demonstrated need for a firearm (e.g., you're a hunter or are someone who is more likely to be the victim of a crime); display specialized knowledge, usually through passing an exam; and prove that you are mentally stable, among many other conditions. It's the reason Germany has some of the world's strictest gun control laws, and in 2016 was heralded for being the only country that requires anyone under 25 years of age to pass a psychiatric evaluation before applying for a gun license.
13.A wonderful relationship with nature.
14.Clearly marked, flat bike lanes all over the city.
15.And finally, the affordability of higher education.
What's something you've experienced or seen abroad that you wish the US would adopt? Tell me in the comments!
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