Part of being an American is having a good laugh at yourself every now and again. In that spirit, we have collected a few of the main “types” of American that you will find drinking beer in Munich or laying on the banks of the Rhine.
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With so many US nationals in Germany (in the past ten years, 324,000 have made the move here), it's likely you know one of these types or you'll meet one of them soon. Heck, maybe you're one of these types yourself!
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Here are 13 types of Americans to be found around and about in Deutschland.
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1. The exchange student
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"Being in Germany, I just feel like so...cultured." Man reading outside of the Bundestag in Berlin. Photo: DPA
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We have all come across this American - they came to Germany for a semester to "improve their German", but spend most of their time hanging out with the other international students.Â
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The spend all of their time outside of class eating bread and explaining to their friends and family why they MUST come to visit.
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Whether 21 years of age or not, they are excited by the lower drinking age and availability of cheap wine and beer everywhere. Beer gardens are also their life. They may or may not have chosen their study abroad term in order to ensure - at least in years other than 2020 - they can go to Oktoberfest in Munich.
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They can usually be found drinking in one of Germany’s many universities cities, like Münster, Heidelberg and Berlin.
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2. The aspiring creative
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"I just feel at one with myself when I am connecting with my art." Man street painting in Bremen. Photo: DPA
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This American moved to Germany to find their “inner muse”.Â
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Working as a dance artist, graphic designer, painter or performer, Germany is the perfect place for this American to experience a new culture and figure out what’s been "holding them back" in the States.
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The artist-type American is not too hard to find. Usually found in groups, these Americans often dress in all black and love to ramble on about their upcoming work - even if they haven’t done any yet.
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3. The Brooklynite
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"I totally knew about Berlin before it was cool." Man at the Hipster Cup in Berlin. Photo: DPA
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The Brooklyn hipster can be found across Germany, and probably doesn’t actually come from Brooklyn. Still, this American has embraced the hipster lifestyle and isn’t afraid to tell you about it - and why Germany is the perfect place for it.
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While there are many different shades to be found of the Brooklyn hipster, he or she probably is wearing something that seems more fitting to a 90s music video, only buys the newest music on vinyl and is rolling their own cigarette in a train right now.Â
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The Brooklynite is most likely to be found in Germany’s capital of Berlin (as they like to mingle amongst themselves) but will take a weekend trip to Budapest to “feel like I am east again” every so often.
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4. The gentrifierÂ
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"Look! Döner! And paintings! So cheap!" While not a gentrifier, this man excudes the excitement of one. Photo: DPA
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In many ways related to, or even friends with, the Brooklyn hipster, the gentrifier is the American guy or gal that may be the reason your rent is so high.Â
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They move into hip-places like Berlin’s Kreuzberg and Munich’s Schwabing, get a month-to-month apartment from AirBnB paying €900 per month for 15 square metres, and then exclaim excitedly about "how cheap it is to live here!"
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This American probably won’t stay in Germany for too long, but will tell all of their friends back home that they have to get over here to start “saving some money”.Â
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5. The startup guru
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"My startup found a way to make Hamburg look just like San Fransisco!" Photo: DPA
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The startup-er is a whiz when it comes to all things tech, which is why they moved to join Germany’s sizzling startup scene.Â
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Based in one of Germany’s many industry hubs, like Hamburg, Berlin and Munich, this American may not speak any German, but loves the benefits of the “Made in Germany” brand.
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Whether the founder of a company, developer or marketing geek, this person probably came to Germany by way of Silicon Valley, but will stay because of the high living standard and work-life balance.Â
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6. The Bavarian
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"Bavaria is the real Germany." Lederhosen. Photo: DPA
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This American believes that the only place to be in Germany is in its largest state, good ol' Bayern, and would never be caught dead in another part of the country.
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The "Bavarian" came to Germany wanting it to be all the things they had expected (e.g. the land of beer and bread) and found their home in the halls of Munich and the surrounding countryside.
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Because Bavaria is known as Germany’s home for beer, bratwurst and Brezel (pretzels), this German state ticks all the boxes for idyllic German respite, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
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No need to name the Americans who don’t love Bavaria, though - they are just the people who live anywhere else.
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7. The Cali-hippie
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"These ribbons and flowers are so beautiful. And organic!" Photo: DPA
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Only shopping at Biomarkt (organic food stores) or non-plastic shops, the California hippie is easily spotted amongst Germany’s hustle and bustle.
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This person is glad that Germany has finally jumped on the vegan-food train, and loves that recycling and Pfand is a way of life. He or she is still upset, though, that they can’t get their Gardein or Beyond Meat burgers here.
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Most often seen sporting Birkenstocks and a heavy jacket, this American probably still likes California best - but Germany is a great second home.
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8. The military brat
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"Where am I from? Hard to explain," says every military brat. With all of its American bases, there are a ton of military families around Germany. Photo: DPA
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Given the larger number of American military bases around the country, there is a significant number of Americans who come to Germany by way of the military.
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For those officers, most of their time is spent working on base and within their units; not so for their children and spouses, who often mix with the local German culture.
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This American may have been born and raised in Germany, or may have moved to one of the many bases around the country, but either way they feel a tie to Germany without being German themselves. Most of the time they are to be found in the south of the country, in areas like Stuttgart and Rammstein.Â
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9. The “gone-native”
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This person attempts to pass themselves off as a native - their German is flawless (or, at least good enough) and they pride themselves on not being asked where they come from. When the topic does come up, they might just lie.
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This person eats their Muesli with yogurt, has Abendbrot at the end of the day and knows what time Tatort comes on Sunday evenings. The gone-native won’t often be found hanging around most of the other expats of Germany; they pride themselves on their extensive collection of local friends.
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Despite living their life auf Deutsch, this American’s social media posts remain in English so that everyone back home knows that their heart belongs to Germany.
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10. The all-American
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The stars and stripes will forever be the best to the all-American boy or girl. Photo: DPA
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In contrast to the “gone-native”, this guy or gal may live in Germany, but they are 100% American, baby.Â
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They still dress in t-shirts and basketball shorts, complain about the cereal offerings and import their favourite American snacks online. They are really upset that there are no American-style chocolate chip cookies and still celebrate Thanksgiving with their exclusively American and/or English-speaking friends when turkey day rolls around.Â
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Maybe they moved here for a job, or maybe they found love, but regardless, their heart still belongs in the ol’ US of A.Â
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11. The vagabond
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This American has lived in so many countries they have lost count, and Germany is just another check on their list. With this type, questions like, “What brought you to Germany?” lead to long-winded answers filled with lively descriptions of Odysseus-inspired journeys far and wide. And don’t ask them how long they are planning to stay - they have no idea.
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The vagabond American can probably speak a tiny bit of six of seven different languages, but German really isn't one of them. They hang around with other well-worn travelers and pride themselves on being a “citizen of the world”.
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As to how they have been able to afford a year backpacking across Europe - no one, themselves included, can be sure.Â
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12. The political expat
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The political expat moved to Germany because they were tired of American politics. Sometimes, though, politics follow you abroad. Photo: DPA
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This American moved away from the US recently, and is very critical of American politics. Germany, on the other hand, is their safe haven.Â
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They applaud Germany for having a “socialist healthcare system” and having liberal politics open to all people. They likely go on long Facebook rants with their friends back home about the terrible political system in the US and nasty polarizing politicians. They don't know German politics too well, but it just has to be better - right?
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When countered by Germans who tell them that 'Schland also has its share of right-wingers and company moguls, they refuse to buy it.Â
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13. The “hey, wait, I'm actually Canadian...”
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Near and dear to one of our journalists’ heart here at The Local, this American isn’t actually American at all - they're Canadian!Â
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Depending on where they are from, this may be tricky to know at first introduction, but don’t be fooled - a sudden "aboot" or reference to maple syrup will quickly set these fellow North Americans apart.
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The good news is, if you do mess up and peg one of Germany’s Canadian residents as an American, there is no need to worry - they will be too nice to call you out on your mistake.
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