Below are a few small things I've noticed since I started living here, and these might be very useful tips.
- NEVER download movies, games, music, software, etc. through pirated channels! While browsing the internet might be considered a gray area, downloading is a serious offense here and you could face a hefty fine if caught.
- Although many sections of theAutobahn(Highways) have no speed limit, although some sections do. Take them seriously.
- If you happen to be driving or walking along the road and witness an accident or someone being injured, you MUST call 112 to report an emergency, even if you didn't help the person. Ignoring an injured person and simply walking away is a crime.
- Pedestrians always have the highest priority on the road.
- While Germans can be loud during a soccer match, they generally prefer peace and quiet. Try not to be noisy at your accommodation. You could receive a warning from the police if your neighbor takes it too seriously.
Edit: I forgot to mention the most important thing. That would be point 0.
Never forget to validate your ticket in Germany if you're traveling on public transport. Even if you've bought a ticket, if you haven't validated it, it's the same as traveling without one.I know it sounds ridiculously stupid, but that's how DB (Deutsche Bahn) has done it.Your ticket is considered validated only if it has a date and time stamp.Generally, a weekly, monthly, or annual pass doesn't need validation, as they are pre-validated with the dates. But I assume that as a tourist you can't buy monthly passes.
There are DB employees who wear ordinary clothes and travel with you on trains. You'll never notice them until they show their ID and start checking passengers and asking for tickets. They especially frequent airport routes where there are more tourists. This is because the more people they catch without tickets, the more commission they can earn.