QUIZ: Can you pass our alternative German citizenship test?
German citizenship For Members
To naturalise as German, you have to pass a citizenship test to show your understanding of life and society. But from chip flavours to bill etiquette, do you have what it takes to REALLY be German?
When you are applying to become German through the standard naturalisation route, you have to show you've integrated into life in Germany.
That means you need to show proof of things like B1 level German, the ability to support yourself and your family financially and you have to pass a citizenship test.
The citizenship test for naturalisation - called the Einbürgerungstest - includes 33 questions about different aspects of life in Germany, such as history, politics and culture. You have to get 17 correct answers to pass.
We decided to create a alternative - and hopefully fun - version of a culture test designed to see if you know the unwritten rules that can help you feel integrated in Germany.
In our test, remember you're looking to find the most 'German' answer in each situation rather than the one you most agree with.
Note down your answers as you go and compare them against the "right" answers at the end - they're at the end of the article below the photo.
Viel Glück!
1. You're bringing chips (that's crisps in British English) round to your German friend's house. What flavour do you bring?
A: Gesalzen
B: Paprika
C: Salt and vinegar
D: Sour cream
2. You're in the park and don't have a bottle opener. How do you open a bottle of beer?
A: You don't
B: You take it to a pub or Späti nearby and ask them for a bottle opener
C: Smash the bottle
D: With anything, whether that's a lighter or your teeth
What flavour of crisps do Germans love? Photo: Pixabay
3. What's the first step you take when someone leaves a mess in your building's stairwell?
A: You leave a passive aggressive note near the mess insinuating that the culprit should clean it up
B: You begrudgingly clean it up yourself
C: You round up your neighbours to organise community effort to clean it up
D: You call the Hausverwaltung (property management)
4. You invite someone out for Kaffee und Kuchen. How do you handle it when the bill comes?
A: You split the bill equally
B: You pay for it
C: You pay for what you had, and your companion pays for what they had
5. You go to the Stadtbad (swimming pool) and realise you've forgot you're swimwear. What do you do?
A: You swim naked
B: You use the 'textilfrei' sauna - and ditch your swimming plans
C: You go home sad
The supermarket is an interesting cultural experience in Germany. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Julian Stratenschulte
6. When you're in a supermarket in Germany, which of these actions will result in disapproving looks from Germans?
A: Having a catch up with the cashier
B: Taking too long to bag your groceries
C: Making conversation with other customers
D: All of the above
7. When speaking German, when would you ALWAYS use the formal 'Sie'?
A: In a German work environment
B: With a stranger or acquaintance you don't know very well (regardless of their age)
C: In conversation with a police officer
D: Ordering in a restaurant
8. What should you expect in your rental contract in Germany?
A: A clause that says you must regularly open your windows to ventilate rooms
B: Exact details on how much noise you can make
C: A notice that says you must be friendly with your neighbours
D: A clause telling you to respect the art of bureaucracy
9. It is Sunday in Germany. What will you not do?
A: Get ice cream because the sun came out (even though it's winter)
B: Clean your house thoroughly, including vacuuming
C: Go for a hike in the rain
D: Get rowdy in the pub with friends
10. You are trying to cancel a contract in Germany. How did you tackle it?
A: You send them an email
B: You call them
C: You write an official letter, print it and then fax it to the company. You put a copy in the post as well and keep a copy for yourself, just for security
D: You don't. You stay in the contract forever because you feel it's impossible to leave
A new tenant signs a rental contract in Germany. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-tmn | Christin Klose
Answers:
1 B - Paprika is king.
2 D - Germans have creative ways of opening beer (with no spillages).
3 A - Calling the Hausverwaltung could be the next step, though.
4 B - Germans like to pay for things "getrennt" or separately. But when you invite someone - " einladen" - it implies you will pay for the person you've invited.
5 B - You're not afraid to be naked in public but you follow the rules and only do it in the 'textilfrei' - nude - areas.
6 D - Know that everyone is annoyed all the time at a German supermarket.
7 C - Although the use of du and Sie can be ambiguous nowadays, you should always use 'Sie' with the police. You can be fined for addressing a police officer with the informal 'du' if they think you're being disrespectful.
8 A - Lüften (ventilation) is super important in Germany.
9 B - Don't make noise in your flat on a Sunday! You could break the house rules.
10 C - But we'd understand if you chose 'D' because why do they make it so difficult?!
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