by FFE EU News staff

Photo source: Fraser Nelson

While the UK and Germany have a strong tourism relationship, there are some things in Britain that leave Germans bewildered.

From excessive politeness to unpredictable bus schedules, Germans list the top 10 things that delight and frustrate them about Britain.

1. The British pub is a centre for any and every occasion. One German football fan remarked that he was surprised to see a football team hitting the pub before the showers after their game.

2. What winter clothes? Germans were surprised to see people ditching their jackets and scarves for skimpy fancy dresses in a cold November night.

3. No nudity. Whereas Germans are comfortable in their birthday suits in places like saunas and nudist beaches, the Brits are not as comfortable.

4. Buses come when they come. Brits don’t mind waiting for their fickle buses and trains.

5. To Brits, Germany means the war. Germans are frustrated that the Brits continue to associate their country with its World War past.

6. Too polite. To Germans, the Brits’ excessive politeness is annoying. “It feels like a Brit is uncomfortable around us when they are being really polite,” said one German. To Brits, however, this “politeness” is a way of guarding against critical comments.

7. Funny accents. Germans who are used to American or the Queen’s English are hard put to keep up with the regional accents in Britain.

8. The British are normal folks. When Germans visit, they get disappointed because clichés about Brits living in castles and enjoying afternoon tea and fish and chips aren’t real.

9. Cards over cash. Brits love cards and credit and do not carry cash around with them. This is hard to swallow for Germans who are used to paying in cash.