Friends, this is my first Guest Blog post on the plan for Germany website and this post is about How can you stay safe in Germany? Well, Germany is still a whole lot safer than a lot of other places in this world…and definitely safer than the US…on any given day. I have NEVER felt the need to “protect” myself with a gun or pepper spray…and I never felt the need to use a taxi to be safe. I walk, I bike, I use public transportation. Even at night. But if you’re looking for the answer to “How can you stay safe in Germany?” then this post is for you.
How can you stay safe in Germany?
#1 – You can’t carry a weapon, but you can hold a key between your fingers to pack more to your punch if needs are.
Actually, I read somewhere that you can carry throwing knives legally because throwing a knife is considered a sport. But you are not allowed to use it on people. You can also carry pepper sprays, but you are not allowed to use our own people (then why carry them anyway).
About pepper spray: that’s a little bit of a grey zone. You are allowed to have pepper spray BUT you are only allowed to use it for self-defence in severe cases. For e.g., if a man grabs your butt you cannot use pepper spray and he could sue you for doing it, however, if you are violently being attacked or someone obviously trying to attack/rape etc., you are allowed to use pepper spray for self-defence.
#2 – Always pay attention to your surroundings
It’s easy to go with the assumption that Germany is safe. No. Look around you before you enter the car, before you open the door to your flat, before unlocking your bike. Make sure no one is behind you. In public transport look at who is around, who sits next to you. If you don’t feel comfortable, move, or talk to someone.
#3 – Avoid areas/ events with huge crowds
Protests do get violent here, so stay out of trouble. I don’t care how politically active you are, if you want to be safe, stay at home. And the serial rapings in the new year you hear about? Those are real. Just don’t go to these places unless your life depends on it. Or unless you have a bunch of guy friends who can form a protective circle around you in such crowds.
#4 – Have the number of the nearest police station on your phone
My friend encountered this once— someone pretended to be a policeman and asked her to open the door late at night. She lives alone and did not have a cat eye to her door. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. Call the police to verify if needs are. An exception is if you are holding a loud party because your neighbours might call the police to complain about the noise.
#5 – Avoid drunk people
Especially if they are boys/men in a pack. Men are at their dumbest and most violent when they are drunk and in a pack.
Does that make it unsafe? No, of course not. Germany is still a perfectly safe place to be, all told. There is obviously no 100% guarantee that nothing bad will ever happen to you in Germany at all – but that’s true absolutely everywhere.
I feel safe 95% of the time. Choose your neighbourhood wisely, and stay vigilant. Have a group of friends who check on one another regularly. You should be fine.
All the best, stay safe and have a nice day.
Read Also:
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