Americans generally keep doors open except when they want privacy (bathroom, bedroom, etc.). Offices also often have an open plan (cubicles) and an “open-door” policy. Germans generally keep doors closed at all times. Although there are exceptions, offices also usually have separate rooms and a “closed-door” policy (knock before entering).
American houses and apartments are designed with a lot of open space and few doors. The kitchen, for example, may not be closed off from the dining area. Americans prefer an open floorplan and may be uncomfortable with too much compartmentalization. German houses and apartments are designed with separate rooms for almost everything, sometimes even separate rooms for the toilet and the bath/shower. Germans prefer compartmentalization and are often uncomfortable with too much open interior space.
In some US households, street shoes are taken off in the entry area and exchanged for house slippers, but walking around at home barefooted or in socks is common. In most German households, street shoes are taken off in the entry area and exchanged for house slippers. Walking around barefooted or in socks at home is generally not acceptable. Spare house slippers are often available for visitors.
American houses and apartments are sold with a kitchen that contains most of the common kitchen fixtures and appliances. German houses and apartments are usually sold with a bare kitchen. Often the purchaser must buy and install a kitchen, including the kitchen sink! More…
Refrigerators tend to be large. Frozen food is very common. Refrigerators tend to be small. Frozen food is less common.
American houses and apartments are sold with most lighting fixtures already installed. German houses and apartments are often sold with no lighting fixtures installed. The new owners get to select (and buy) their own.
American houses and apartments have built-in closets and storage space. German houses and apartments usually have no built-in closets or storage space. Closet cabinets (furniture) are used instead.
A clothes washer and dryer are common in American houses and apartments. A clothes dryer is far less common in German houses and apartments.
American doors usually have round door knobs. German doors have a door handle (die Türklinke) rather than a round door knob.
Window screens are standard. Window shutters are rare or only decorative. Window screens are very rare. Window shutters (the metal roll-down kind) are standard.
Modern windows are insulated and usually only slide open vertically or horizontally. Modern windows are insulated and often have a 2-way function: Tilt inward or open completely (like a door). More…
In the US and Canada the floors of a building are counted differently than in Europe and much of the world. In North America the ground floor is considered the first floor. In Germany, Europe and much of the world, the first floor of a building is the first floor above the ground. A US second floor is the first floor in Germany and Europe. In a German elevator or staircase, the ground floor is called das Erdgeschoss (EG), das Parterre (P) or “0” (zero).