Julio asked me where we shop and what we take German as a gift when we are invited somewhere. Since Christmas is soon, I will tell you like.

In Germany it's like in many other countries: In the past there were many small shops in the city or in villages. Today, these small shops are disappearing. The shops where you could buy everything from food to diapers and the like are called in Germany, by the way "mom and pop store." But as I said: There are not many more of them.

Today the Germans are based on the American model. There are more and more malls, then shopping malls, where many shops are located under one roof. Especially in Germany, this has an advantage, because the weather here is often very poor and it rains a lot, because it is nice if you can walk dry-shod from one shop to another. Too bad thing is that these shopping centers are very similar everywhere. There is no nice little shops to explore, but mostly you will find only the big chains. A chain is in this case, a chain of stores. So, for example, H & M, C & A, Starbucks or McDonald's. I find it so boring to go into other cities such malls - because they all look the same.

Much more interesting are the many small boutiques and shops, which in some streets in the city are still found. In addition, almost every German city has a pedestrian zone, which is a great street full of shops that is open only to pedestrians. Cars, buses and taxis are allowed to drive here, not even bicycles. Just before Christmas this pedestrian zone but are usually very crowded. There are just too many people on the go.

The opening times are strictly regulated in Germany. In Munich, nearly all shops close at eight clock. On Sunday all the shops remain closed. Even the supermarkets. You can then buy food such as milk or bread only at a gas station - usually at high prices. There are exceptions, of course, already: In Berlin, for example, the shops often open longer, sometimes even on Sunday. I think it's a shame that people can no longer shop at night. Every summer is a debate about whether to extend the opening times could not. But if I remember when I was a child we have today are perfect occasions. As a child, the shops were open only to six clock in the evening, and in the small town where I grew up, had most of the shops on Wednesday afternoon.

Food is available either in the supermarket, or in smaller shops. There are at least in large cities often specialized shops for Asian or Turkish food. In the summer there are many roads to fruit stands where you can also buy fresh fruit and vegetables directly. And there are many street markets. This means that once a week, many retailers present their products on a village square and sell. Cheese, fish, flowers, fruits and vegetables - everything. Here in Munich, there is such a market, which is very famous: the Viktualienmarkt. It is available for many, many decades, and here you can buy in the open air at low levels, no matter how bad the weather. The Viktualienmarkt is a tourist attraction, but also the Munich itself like a buy here. The product is regarded as particularly fresh - but some of it is also very expensive.

What we give others when we are invited? Suppose someone invites me to dinner at his home. Then I bring a woman flowers or perhaps something sweet, or something nice that I've seen. A beautiful candle, a nice picture frame or something. For a man, then I'll bring a bottle of red wine but rather, if he likes it. Often one can deny, of course, even among friends, and brings a cake with, for example, as a dessert.

Because Christmas is coming, I'm thinking of course, again, what could I give to my friends and relatives. That's not easy! Some people here in Germany to give a lot of money for Christmas gifts. I try to make people with small gifts a pleasure. And then of course I have to write myself even a wish list, how do the kids there ...

"Be fine" Finally, the song from the canner Köberle , which is also a podcaster from Bavaria, the link takes you to his podcast at slowgerman.com in today's episode.

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Julio asked me where we shop and what we take German as a gift when we are invited somewhere. Since Christmas is soon, I will tell you like. In Germany ...