After spending six years in New York for school and then work, I started to worry that if I didn’t make a hop across the pond soon, it might never happen at all.
So, when a close friend who had just moved to Berlin started encouraging me to do the same, I knew that my opportunity for life in Europe had finally arrived. There was just one hitch in my plan: Other than what I’d learned in history classes, I knew next to nothing about Berlin.
It was never the type of place I had envisioned building a home in, but I made the leap in 2017, figuring I’d find a way to adapt even though my German was limited to “ja” and “nein.”
There was a definite learning curve when I first arrived, but I soon discovered there are some things Berliners just do better.
I eventually left Germany for France, but there are a few things about Berlin culture that I still miss now and just one cultural custom I’m happy to go without.
I found nightlife in Berlin to be uniquely welcoming and laid-back
When I lived in New York, going out usually meant donning the tightest dresses and highest heels, only to listen to mediocre house music while being leered at a bunch of creepy men. As a result, I rarely liked to go clubbing.
I was aware of Berlin’s famous nightlife scene when I first moved there, but my previous experiences hadn’t exactly left me eager to dive in.
Thankfully, my friends gave me the push I needed to try it out anyway and I’m so grateful I did. After some time in the city, I quickly became a fan of clubbing.
In Berlin, clubs often don’t have strict dress codes, and it’s more common to see folks in sweats and sneakers than dressed to the nines. I find the interiors of Berlin clubs generally more comfortable, too. Sure, you can dance the night away, but there are just as many areas to kick back and relax.
