Following the Rules in Germany

There is paperwork for everything in Germany: applications, contracts, tickets, coupons, etc.  And there is always someone that wants to review that paperwork; and even times where you will receive additional paperwork that will clarify why the documents you’ve already prepared were inadequate.  Germany may be a world leader in clean energy, but it sure is not a friend of the forests.

I had heard enough stories and participated in enough conversations to know that I should always carry identification and visa paperwork when out.  You may be stopped and asked for your documents for any reason.  In fact, there is a TV series in Germany called “Achtung Kontrolle!” (on Kabel Eins) that is an hour dedicated to all sorts of checkpoints from immigration, to airport customs, to proper cargo tie down, to seating capacity in vehicles.  There is always a confused perpetrator who is gifted a hefty fine.  In every episode.

I have already had quite a few experiences in Germany, where random checks were made; I am happy to report that I have passed all of these tests.  However, I have a couple stories and a couple observations to share.

Bus and Train Fares

This one is easy: buy a ticket, validate it (if necessary), and present it to the conductor.  There is a term in Germany for those people who ride without a valid ticket: Schwarzfahren (tr., riding black).  [Side note: the translation to ‘black’ in this case is a reference to a previous definition of illegal or illicit – doing things at night.]  While riding without a ticket is strongly frowned upon by the upright citizens, it is still a problem.

I’ll start with the people who refuse to buy a ticket.  There a group of young 20-something guys that were extremely jumpy riding the street cars.  Every time a well-dressed adult would enter one end of the train, the leader would spring toward the door and the others would follow.  They would then determine that that adult was not there to check tickets, and they would return to their beer.  Our tickets were never checked, but every stop coincided with these guys darting for the doors right before the train left that stop.

There are also the drunk people who attempt to use old, expired tickets.  Most of the conductors are extremely thorough in their review of each rider’s ticket.  When found, the rider is offered a chance to validate their ticket, buy a new one, or depart the train.  My train was stopped at a very small station for about 20 minutes as the two conductors and the train driver attempted to get one verbally abusive passenger out of the train.  While verbal assaults were traded from all parties, I did notice that physical contact was being avoided; however, I have also witnessed physical removal before.

On the topic of ticket validation, Germany is much more friendly about validating a ticket than Italy.  I have had terrible experiences in Italy when one forgets (or is not familiar with) ticket validation.  As opposed to jumping straight to fines, the conductors in Germany simply validate the ticket and explain what you did wrong.  Please remember to validate your ticket in Italy.

Workplace Surprise Inspections

Near the end of July, a butcher near where I was interning was inspected.  They were found to have some workers there that were not registered.  The workers and the shop were heavily fined.  As a consequence, the shop where I was interning was nervous about what would happen if I were found to be there.  Know that I have a visa, health insurance, and hygiene paperwork – there is no reason that this shop or I would be fined.  Regardless, I was asked to talk with the foreigner’s office about registration (and it was suggested that I take some time off).

As you would guess, the foreigner’s office had no idea if the shop needed to register me, but confirmed that I would not be in trouble if I were found there.  They also did not know where I could ask more about what the butcher shop should do.  Ultimately, we simply continued on.

Then we received a surprise inspection from the hygiene office.  There were six people in the shop at the time the inspector arrived.  However, I was the only one they wanted to talk to, other than the owner.  I explained my purpose there and was asked to provide my hygiene paperwork, which I always carry with me in my backpack.  She then wanted to know how I ended up at that shop and what organization was responsible for putting together my internships.  Interestingly, that line of questioning did help me to fully appreciate the uniqueness of my journey here.

When she then starting relating her previous vacation in San Francisco, I determined that there was no additional concerns about my presence there.  Later, the owner reassured me that all was well.  However, three of the others did not have up-to-date hygiene documentation, but were not checked.

Sometimes it is just luck, but it is always best to carry around a small filing cabinet worth of documents.  One never knows when a German official may want to perform an inspection.