Bees: Folks I met in Berlin

When you think of German stereotypes, you might picture people who are as cold as their beer, as reserved as their museum guards, and as efficient as their train system (well, most of the time 😐). But my trip to Berlin shattered those clichés in the most delightful way. It turns out that these Berliners are some of the warmest, friendliest, and most inspiring folks you’ll ever meet.

One of my favorite moments happened while I was wandering around Alexanderplatz, enjoying the sights and smells. A man in a uniform stopped me and asked if I had five minutes to chat. He was working for Care International, an INGO, and explained their campaign, asking if I could donate a little money. Since I’ve got a soft spot for charity work, I agreed without a second thought. But just as I was about to donate, their system decided to take a nap. No dice 😅 I thanked him for his effort and mentioned that I once participated in a charity marathon for Care International in Vietnam. His eyes lit up like Christmas lights, and he started sharing how much his work meant to him. We chatted for half an hour about NGOs, languages, and culture. His name was Radu, a guy who speaks seven languages and is a passionate dancer. Before he went back to his booth, he said, “You couldn’t donate money, but you gave us your time and heart. That alone was more than enough.” I was speechless! 😳

Another fun encounter happened on the S-Bahn. I was deep into reading "Educated" by Tara Westover (seriously, go read it, 5/5 ⭐️), when an elderly lady dressed in neon pink from head-to-toe plopped down next to me. “Schönes Wetter heute” (the weather's good today), she said with a smile as bright as her outfit. I agreed, complimenting her fabulous style. She excitedly told me she was heading to a first date. Her English was a bit wobbly, but her excitement was infectious. We chatted for a while, I just sat there and smiled along with her story. Then, just before I left, she blessed me with, “God bless you, little girl. You’re gonna have a good life. I can see that.” My heart melted right there! 🥰

Then, I stumbled upon an Oxfam thrift shop and thought, "Why not?" This was a new initiative for me, so I dove into reading the leaflets and browsing the goods. The shop manager noticed my enthusiasm and struck up a conversation. We talked about organizational models and the current economic situation (I mostly listened and nodded wisely). In the end, I bought a board game for my little brother, and to my surprise, the manager gave me a discount without me even asking. Score! 🤩

The cherry on top was my return trip to Salzburg. I took an overnight train that, predictably, was delayed by two hours 😫 Exhausted, I plopped down in first class by mistake (I swear!). When the officer checked my ticket, she gently pointed out my error but told me I could stay unless someone claimed the seat. She wished me a good night with a smile, and I melted into the plush seat, grateful!

Throughout my travels, strangers were always offering to help me with my backpacks when I get on or off the train. For them, it's probably just a piece of cake, but for a petite traveler like me, it was a huge favor. May the force be with them! 🙏

These encounters taught me two things: First, kindness knows no borders. No matter where you are, there are always people willing to lend a hand or share a kind word. Second, don’t fully buy into stereotypes. The warm, generous people I met in Berlin proved that sometimes, the best way to understand a culture is to experience it firsthand, free from preconceived notions. So, next time you hear a stereotype, remember that there’s always more to the story.

#Germany