Kreis Herzogtum Lauenburg - Willkommen- ukrainisch, russisch

Integration
Some information about life
in Germany
• Privacy is important to many people in Germany. So, it
often happens that in the bus or in a restaurant not much
more than "Moin" or "Guten Tag" or "Auf Wiedersehen" is
said. If you want to pay a visit to a person you don't know
well, it can make sense to announce your visit beforehand.
However, this is handled very differently and it makes sense
to simply talk about this topic.
• Sunday is a day of rest in Germany. Most shops are closed
and many people do not have to work. It is customary
not to be too noisy in your home on Sundays and on public
holidays all day, and on every other day at night between 10
p.m. and 6 – 7 a.m. as well as at lunchtime between 1 p.m.
and 3 p.m. Neighbours might complain if they feel disturbed
by loud music, for example.
• Toilets in Germany are not equipped with a water hose.
Instead, toilet paper is used, which is thrown into the toilet
and flushed down with it. The sewage system is designed
in such a way that the toilet paper can be easily removed,
but other paper, food scraps or feminine hygiene products
(tampons, sanitary towels) must not be thrown into the toilet
- otherwise it can become clogged. To ensure that the toilet
is clean and dry for the next user, it should be used by men
and women sitting down if no urinal is available. Washing
your hands after each use of the toilet is also important for
hygienic reasons. Urinating in public is not allowed.
• Talking loudly in places where there are many people
crowded in a small space (e.g. on buses or in waiting areas)
may be considered disturbing and impolite by some people.
• Smoking is not allowed in public buildings and in most
enclosed areas. There are smoke detectors in flats and other
buildings to warn in case of fire of the danger. If there is
smoking nearby, such a device may be triggered and a loud
beeping sound will be heard. It is forbidden to remove smoke
detectors. However, the battery must be replaced from
time to time.
• Personal freedoms exist for everyone in Germany.
Everyone can openly profess a religious affiliation or
describe themselves as non-religious. As a rule, this
is considered a private matter. There is freedom of the
press and every person has the right to freely express
his or her opinion as long as it does not restrict anyone
else's freedom or discriminate against or offend anyone.
It is not uncommon for married as well as for unmarried
couples to hold hands or kiss and show physical
closeness. Homosexuality is also permitted and socially
accepted in Germany.
• Equal rights for men and women is an important issue
in German society. Discrimination on the grounds of gender,
color of the skin, religion or sexual orientation is forbidden
in Germany. Physically approaching men or women if they
do not want this to happen is prohibited by law.
• Greeting people (men and women alike) you do not
know well usually takes the form of shaking hands. Among
friends (men and women), however, it is often customary to
hug each other. Kissing on the cheeks can also sometimes
be observed in Germany, but this is rather rare between men
who are friends.
• Punctuality is very much appreciated by many people
in Germany. It is considered impolite to keep someone waiting
and to be late for an appointment without calling and
informing about this in time. This is true in private life and
especially at work.
• Saying “no” is not unusual in Germany. People often say
directly what they think and usually do not mean it in a bad
way. Rather, constructive criticism is appreciated usually.
Saying first "yes" - out of “politeness”, although you actually
mean "no" - is rather unusual. So - if you can't or don't
want to keep an appointment, people may be annoyed if you
agree to come and then do not show up.
Some general information
• Tap water is usually drinking water and can be drunk
without hesitation.
• Time change: In Germany, the clock is adjusted by one
hour twice a year. “Summer time” – i.e. daylight saving time
begins on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last
Sunday in October when winter time begins.
• Handling documents: Keep all important documents
and letters sorted by subject and issue and have them recorded
in files.
• Doorstep transactions: Do not conclude any transactions
in your home and don´t let anyone in whom you do
not know and who has no authority to come in. There are
people who take ad-vantage of the fact that you do not (yet)
speak German well and that you are a newcomer in Germany
in order to get your money. Do not sign anything that
you don´t understand properly.
You must allow, however, members of the staff of the Social
Security Office the access to your flat if it has been
rented through the Social Security Office. However, you
should ask them to show you their identity card. This also
applies to police officers.
Work
Whether you are allowed to work, and on what conditions
depends on your residence status and the corresponding legal
provisions.
If you are holder of a residence permit, you are generally
allowed without any restrictions to take up an employment.
The Job Centre and the Employment Agency will support
you in finding a job and, if necessary, in obtaining further
qualifications or professional re-training.
Advice: Register as a "job seeker" at the Employment
Agency and take advantage of the career counseling offered
there.
34
35