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Germany is a idiot (and I say this as a born and raised Malaysian who has been told to GTFO ASAP because there's no place worse than Malaysia LOL). As a person who lived in Germany for over 5 years, I beg you to do more research, take the praises on how great Germany is with a huge pinch of salt and RECONSIDER YOUR DECISION if you're even thinking of moving to Germany (or Europe in general).
The path from visa to German PR is actually super easy (as little as 2-3 years upon arrival) but there are good reasons not many people are going for Germany but are still rushing for US/CAN/UK/AUS/NZ to work and study.
Career and education:
- Europeans claim their education system is so great and teaches everyone English from a young age, therefore everyone is fluent in English. This is partly true in Netherlands, Scandinavia, probably Belgium but completely false for France, Germany, Austria. More people in Malaysia speak english at a better level than the average German. The only places that are guaranteed to speak English are major restaurants and shops, and things that tourists would do. For every day living, forget it - banks, customer support, government office, even the immigration office!!!
- English-speaking jobs exist but are not as common as many people claim they are. The sweet spot is if you're mid 20's or 30's when you have 2-10 years working experience where you can find good jobs that only need English and pay well (50k-90k EUR before tax) in the cities.
- Bachelor's degree is almost free even for non-EU international students (you pay effectively 500-1500 EUR per semester) but assuming you also don't have work experience, the massive hidden cost is time. Majority of entry level jobs for fresh grads that pay well (35k EUR before tax) REQUIRE fluent or native German. Getting to that level is 1.5-2 years alone, so your bachelor's takes closer to 6 years than 4 years.
- Germany has 2 glass ceilings: first it's near impossible for people in general to hit 6 figures (100k EUR) before age 35. It's some archaic ageist thing I think, all the people who are earning 100-150k EUR were at least 40 years old. Second it's impossible to get into senior management/C level as a non-EU non-German foreigner (where you will also breach the 150k EUR salary mark). Those positions are reserved for Germans only (which is funny because the amdk all are brought in to snap up top level positions in Asia, and US still has a number of Indian upper management). At most they might grab one or two non-Germans to show "diversity" but sadly for you, a French or Italian person passes that criteria.
- A lot of Malaysians will say "wah but Euro wor, convert already a lot of money!" Keep in mind Germany has 40-50% tax for most white collar jobs. 50k EUR a year before taxes is actually 28k (2350 EUR per month after taxes), 60k EUR a year before taxes is actually 36k (29xx EUR per month after taxes). This is roughly equivalent to making RM10k a month, which is great in your mid 20's, but know you are trading your life/time away to another country where you will NEVER be fully accepted as "one of them".
- Basically Germany is "alright" for gaining work experience and decent savings in your mid 20's, but you should already look to GTFO once you're in your 30's if you haven't already.
- Good work-life balance is misinformation for foreigners. They exist in Germany, and probably at a higher rate than US/SG/etc but it's only largely applicable if you're a local and/or speak the language at a near-native level where you can get a job anywhere. Given the choices of companies that are a good fit for you as the foreigner, the chances of getting a crap company is not much lower in Germany.
- Germans keep boasting about employee rights and bla bla bla BS. It only says so in the law, but companies get away with breaking them all the time.
- Two of the companies I worked for (~300 employees) actually "suka suka fired" their employees at will, including me. Fortunately for me, I knew my rights and I sued them, won both times. Those companies were very much textbook Chinaman companies, founded, run and based in Germany!
Life and living:
- Healthcare, education, unemployment money, etc handouts are all not free. They are baked into the huge income taxes mentioned above and also 19% VAT (basically German GST).
- Dating racism if you're a guy. You can forget about finding a girlfriend if you don't already have one. I managed to get a total of 3 people to go on dates with in 5 years in Germany (and 2 of the 3 were Asian girls LOL). Never in my life have I been told in the face "no I don't date Asian guys" this many times (not even in US where I lived for 5 years also and stupidly left thinking Germany was gonna be better). In terms of online apps, I can go for MONTHS, literally months in Germany without a single match (IIRC average is 6 months), while using the exact same profile, pictures, etc I get a match every 3-4 days while in Malaysia/Singapore.
- Shops in the cities close at 7 or 8pm. Everything that's not a restaurant is 100% closed on Sundays. Nightlife means going out drinking and nothing else. If you're the type of person who complains Australia is boring as hell, it's worse in Germany. On top of that, indoor smoking is allowed. I can count the number of nightlife places where smoking is prohibited with literally 1 hand.
- Customer service is unhelpful and rude as hell and this is very common. It's like the people hate their jobs but refuse to leave them, and the culture makes it ok for employees to SCOLD THE CUSTOMER (world's first LOL).
- Scamming is very common around Europe, not just by individuals but by businesses. I've been scammed more times in Germany than in Malaysia (just to compare the level of third-worldness.... and I'm a paranoid guy).
- Trains most certainly ARE NOT punctual all the time (the stereotype is bullshit). In fact, they're late so often that Germans themselves love to complain about Deutsche Bahn and it's the German equivalent of "sorry traffic jam lah" if you're late for a meeting where you needed to travel.
- High-tech is also another poop German meme. Most places that are not a major brand restaurant or retail business will NOT accept credit cards. There are many more places that will take the local EC card, but your Visa/Master/Amex won't work. In fact there's lots of places which are CASH ONLY (look at the high taxes and can anyone say TAX EVASION?)
- You cannot do a lot of things online, you have to do it on printed paper and then physically mail it (not joking). Some places (filing income tax - I think they might have recently changed that however, finally in the 21st century), applying for universities) even make you fill up and SUBMIT all the forms online, before showing you a results page of everything you filled in, make you print out the exact same shiz, and then mail it to their office.
You seem educated, well adjusted, able of critical thinking. In fact I relate to another Malaysian man I once met in a plane and was quite pleasant and intelligent (not an ethnic, although) That’s also important, sadly, to mention…
Let’s not forget Malaysia is one of the most racists places that exist in today’s word, by constitution.
There is racial segregation, human rights are barely respected, in particular freedom of thought and religion, anti-semitism thrives to the point Jews are not allowed in Malaysia and Israel is not recognised as state, the education system is non-existent, except for the purpose of spreading Islamic values (they even allocate 90% of the spots to students that fit the racial and ethnic profiling), homosexuality is criminalized, Sharia laws apply etc. etc.
You’re good in Germany. Not saying that you are not right about what you wrote.
At least we have the privilege to moan about it.
I am only venting and bashing as I have my own traumas with Malay mentality, which is faaar worse than German.
Right… To be petty and comment on that excellent English you mentioned: An idiot. ‘an idiot’ would be the excellent way to say… One might think it’s a typo at first, but maybe, just maaaaaaybe you took a bit of that supremacist vibe with you from back home :)
Just maaaaaybe.
Broken people, who like to see others suffer (because they suffer as well), with no dreams or any ambition. With few exceptions.
These sub-civilised rotters would jump over their dying grandmother to push in front of you and before whoever has exited the bus to ensure they get the best picking of the seats… of which there are 10 free… but THEY just have first choice. Actually it is programmed into them. Elbows out the furthest, take no prisoners. B.E.A.S.T.S.
LMAO Germany standing up to Russia and warning them against aggression against Ukraine. As if the Krautarmy could do anything. Thankfully Germs charged forward with Nord Stream 2 so in a year or 2 Russia can shut off gas to Germ like they used to do with Ukraine all the darn time. What a retarded country of people who don't see they have zero leverage over anyone. Third world shithole.
Miserable and ugly people everywhere, just like the weather! A cesspit!
Is it me or have the piles of dog scheidt grown? They have become massive. HUGE piles, like pyramids. Some tagger drew around a few with spray paint. Only time I appreciated graffiti/vandalism, as it served as a warning.
My thought process went: ahh the dogs must be getting well fed… or are people getting bigger dogs… no wait… you know already… the only beasts producing these piles are the ‘locals’ themselves. Charming folk.
Rules for survival:
1: Become an ass: Give Germans a taste of their own medicine. Don’t accept any poop from them, ever!! Always call them out on their shxt! No matter the circumstances or location, don’t be afraid to check them when necessary.
2: Don’t trust anyone here: There is something in the air here that attracts the most slimy, predatory ( men and women) individuals. Germans or other migrants from different countries. Every one here is looking to gain something from you whatever that my be. This is a big warning! Most of the people here aren’t good people. Narcissism runs high in this place.
3: Germans, deep down are racist: In my experience, more young Germans are more racist than the old. They pretend to be open but deep down they don’t won’t you here. Germans are in love with their own image. An image only fellow Germans could love.
4: Dating: Just forget about it! Don’t do it. You will regret it afterwards. Besides, Germans see you as an experiment. They are all the same regarding they personalities. All the same= boring, boring and boring.
5: Constant gawking: I promise you if you pretend you don’t see them looking at you it will drive them crazy. They gain power in their ability to make you uncomfortable. I’ve had these weirdos gawk at me until I gave in and gave them attention. Big mistake on my part! I learned my lesson nonetheless. Ignore them and see their insecurities come to the surface.
Anyway, be strong and ruthless and a freaking jerk to these people until you get out here. Remember you are at war for your sanity. Don’t let these neo-Nazis win.
Why do the pillows and blankets in this country suck so much shit?
So Friday I sent my Abmeldung to the freaking office! Today I rented a van to get my stuff back home! I ended up almost 5 years! Thursday 6 am I am gonna drive home and be trying never gonna be looking back! I am not gonna lie: Almost my whole time here was miserable, made 3 friends in all these years! Dating: maybe twice, gave up afterwards! Wasted countless years in useless start ups! Almost skint! Enough to get an Appartement in my hometown! The day you post that freaking Abmeldung letter in the letterbox, imagine that feeling! Still I have hard Time Accepting I had wasted 5 years of my life here! I wish you guys all the best, keep your sanity! And most of all don’t fall in the trap and cycle of alcohol and drugs if you feel unhappy…work towards your exit! I m out! Peace
Germans only value work and rules. They consider everything else to be superficial distractions from the slow inevitable march towards death.
Germans are so stupid. Cases are skyrocketing and they still gather in crowds to "protest" (lol) restrictions
It is so distasteful how German media outlets like DW have the nerve to air documentaries about the Holocaust or postwar Jewish life in Europe. They disingenuously try so hard to downplay the severity of past events and distance themselves from their dark past. It's a cynically ugly attempt to project a phony image of their society being remorseful or exempt from their past. These attitudes and this type of behavior are insult to the memory of those who perished.
Here's what I mean (evil, twisted f#cks): www.youtube.com/watch
So from Saturday on you either need to be boosted or tested. What about those who just got their second vaccine in recent weeks and therefore are fully vaccinated?
The winter in Germany is too @%%#$ cold!
www.spiegel.de/panorama/justiz/netzdg-bka-rechnet-durch-kampf-gegen-hass-im-netz-mit-150-000-zusaetzlichen-strafverfahren-a-b4d35117-9d98-4e8a-9fc5-f22ce30a3824
Germany is fucked.