I have to know if anyone else has had an experience similar to this. Evidently, in Germany it is almost criminal to have your feet anywhere but on the ground in public spaces.
During part of a high school exchange program, I was on a train traveling from Berlin to another city close by (those German trains are fast!). I was seated next to the window and had put my right foot up on the small, silver ledge on the ground next to my seat; the kind that most trains have. A few seconds after getting comfortable, the woman sitting across from me nudged my foot with hers. Surprised, I looked up, but found her staring into her lap. Thinking it had been an accident, I continued sitting as I was—until she nudged me again, at which point I put my foot back on the floor. While this seemed to satisfy her, it only confused me.
Now, don’t get the wrong idea here. I have a good sense of what proper manners are. I certainly don’t prop my feet up on dining tables or even on empty passenger seats. This tiny ledge was dirty and one no one would think of touching but with a foot.
When I first arrived in Germany, my host, Jackie, commented on the differences between American and German etiquette. After I attended a class at her high school, she explained that German students were not allowed to slouch over their desk or put their face in their hands as most American students do. They were expected to sit upright, hands flat on their desks, and eyes focused only on the teacher. She never mentioned anything about feet.
Thinking the woman on the train had just been strange, I let the incident go and continued on with my day.
A few days later as we were shopping in Berlin, I, along with my friends Sarah and Alex, happily wandered into a Starbucks. We went inside, ordered, and sat down satisfied with our American drinks. The train incident far from my mind, I put my feet up on a footstool underneath the table. Sarah and Alex did the same.
As we sat there talking, a man walked into the store and headed for the register. Seeing my friends and I at our table inches from him, he suddenly stopped. He stared at the three of us and then stared down at our feet. When he looked back up, his face was set in a cold, angry expression. His eyes bore into my skull, and he said nothing.
I haven’t been able to find anything on the web to confirm my belief that placing your feet anywhere other than the ground in Germany is very, very bad. I’m sure these two incidents can’t be coincidental though, and I am yearning for an explanation.
Have you ever been to Germany? Has anyone ever asked you to remove your feet from a footstool?
Comments (8)
Wow, I haven't heard of this before. I've only visited Munich, Germany.
The student part was interesting though. I always put my face in my hands during class to try to keep from falling asleep.
I was never told that in germany, but, then again, many of the germans i met were pretty xenophobic and intolerant, especially towards americans. Even if you did something to offend them, they wouldn't say much. (I lived in germany for 6 months, and met quite a few, incidentally)
Oh, good to know. Don't think German and American can be friends.
@JadedJanissary@xanga - You must have been in the wrong corner of Germany!
The "small, silver ledge" was probably the heating. lol
haha i see you experienced the "german stare." that would be something that in germany is alright to do, but in america is rude. so don't be surprised that putting your feet up is not ok-- to them it might be as bad as if someone was staring at you over here in the states.
Haha. This is interesting, if true.
That is strange, especially if no one you were with could explain it. The train heater, maybe... but the footstool...? I would have suggested for you to just stare back with equal contempt!