Questions about germany?

Do not buy any DVD's or CD's in Europe because they use a different system that is not compatible with American systems. So PAL is the system that Europe uses and NTSC is the system in use in the USA. Photos and CD/DVD's cannot be used/viewed on the other system. A newer digital camera will allow you to set which system you plan to use. Europeans have to pay a yearly tax to own a TV. Not sure how much it is, but the man I talked to said he didn't bother to even own a TV because the tax is high.. American cellphones are "locked." That means you cannot make or receive telephone calls or text messages in Europe using the phone you already own. You must have an unlocked phone to use in Europe. All American cellphone companies lock their systems so you cannot use them on the European networks. Aside from having your camera out to take photos, as an American you will be easily identified by your athletic shoes. These are not really worn in Europe at all. Forget wearing white athletic shoes. Those are even worse! Wear nice leather shoes. The streets and sidewalks are generally very uneven, so wearing flat shoes is a very good idea. Even if you speak with a very good accent, your listener will invariably reply in English to answer you.. The distances there are tiny. They have no idea how really big this country is. If they did, then they would understand why we do not normally speak 3 or 4 languages, let alone 2. You should learn enough German to show you are polite. Be sure you thank any small retail shopkeeper when you leave their store. This is a different culture and that is normal. Try a used bookstore for used language CD's and books.