Video Summary

1. Do not throw away or recycle everything - Germans take recycling very seriously
2. Do not graffiti or vandalize public property - Respect public spaces
3. Do not jaywalk or cross streets anywhere - Use crosswalks
4. Do not use first names unless you know the person well - Address people by last name
5. Do not be late for appointments or scheduled activities - Punctuality is valued
6. Do not make noise late at night or early morning - Keep noise levels down
7. Do not assume things are free - Expect to pay for food, water, bathroom use
8. Do not wear shoes inside homes - Take them off at the door
9. Do not do the Nazi salute - It is illegal and highly offensive
10. Do not expect tap water at restaurants - Bottled water is standard
11. Do not play loud music in public spaces like public transportation
12. Do not be overly casual and friendly with strangers - Germans tend to be more formal
13. Do not expect free refills at restaurants - What you order is what you pay for
14. Do not just walk into someone's house - Wait to be invited inside
15. Do not expect shops to be open Sundays - Most close except some grocery stores
16. Do not assume people speak English - Learn some basic German phrases

Well, I'm a bit in two minds about these "donts". They rather seem common sense and are not really specific to Germany. What do you think? Maybe you've been here for a while already and can confirm or debunk the one or other "rule" these two have pointed out. I would agree though that some of these points are definitely annoyances I could do without. To that I could add two of the most annoying things also performed by Germans by the way:

• For Christ's sake get a headset. I do not want to listen to your phone call with your wife or friend when already suffering in the overcrowded and stinky Berlin metro.
• For your sake: don't walk on a bike path. Cyclists in Germany are the worst. They'll simply run over you if you don't jump out of the way the moment you feel the rubber on your heel.
• For your butt's sake: beware of the Bürgerpolizei. There's people who will play "Polizei" and tell you to not ride your bike or scooter on the Bürgersteig (=sidewalk) under threat of eternal damnation. While in general I agree, the sidewalk is for pedestrians, there are streets (at least in Berlin) that are impassable with anything but a mountain bike. So if you ride slowly and there's no sensibly paved street available, by all means, drive on the sidewalk BUT be aware that the Ordnungsamt (the German Carabinieri) will fine you if they catch you. I guess it's a tenner or 20 EUR which does hurt.