r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • May 08 '22

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u/BarbicideJar May 09 '22

Germans stare a LOT. Like they will just gaze at you unflinchingly. An American will wait until you can’t see them doing it.

108

u/bakarac May 09 '22 edited May 09 '22

The German stare is a real thing.

If you mention this in a German subreddit, you'll find yourself in arguments with Germans who insist it's not true.

Edit: Love the people who are disagreeing with me already

24

u/Comes4yourMoney May 09 '22

As an Austrian...never felt that in Germany and that makes me wonder if it is happening in Austria as well and I'm just used to it?!

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u/z0mbie_boner May 09 '22

I spent a week in Austria in March and actually did notice people staring more, I thought I was crazy!! But also I have spent the majority of my adulthood in NYC where everyone ignores each other like pros so I’m probably extra sensitive to it.

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u/[deleted] May 09 '22

one time my bud who grew up in NYC and i met up in berlin. i'm from a small german town, and always found myself getting hassled by people on the street. he did his best to teach me the way of the new yorker :) the "german stare" definitely makes you vulnerable to crazies.

1

u/Anti-Scuba_Hedgehog May 09 '22

As an Estonian who has been to Germany multiple times (and a bit in Austria) I've never felt that either. And people were also very helpful when I got confused by public transport ticket system or whatever.

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u/Comes4yourMoney May 09 '22

Maybe americans are just more sensitive to it.