Apparently Germans look at you very intensely in public transport for no reason. I mean sometimes some people look at you, but I don't think I've ever had it happen where someone would look at me and I looked back and they didn't avert their gaze instantly. Maybe I'm just very ugly, but I think it's highly exaggerated online. There is a YouTube scene of English-speaking foreigners in Germany talking about funny, odd or positive things Germans do and they like to exaggerate a lot for content. Germans really enjoy the attention so now many have started to heavily lean into these stereotypes and don't even bother to consolidate what they are told by people on the internet with their 14+ years of life experience in this country.
I think there‘s a spark of truth to it but they definitely exaggerate. Also I believe many Americans are only stared at because they‘re way louder than we‘re used to in public.
Or bemusement. Always fun to watch (and listen) Tourists bubble over mundane stuff. "HUN, LOOK AT THIS! THE PLACE IS MORE THAN 400 YEARS OLD, AIN'T THAT INTERESTING?"
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u/heavy-minium 2d ago
Never heard of a German stare (foreigner living in Germany).