# Going to Munich! Help! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 17, 2005, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-munich-help/308682 "2005-06-17T08:35:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2005, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-munich-help/308682/21 "2005-06-19T07:16:54Z")
**Einmon** has given you my tips, and more! I know this is probably politically incorrect, but I found Dachau…how can I say this…underwhelming. Go if you are so inclined, but for me it was too sanitized and looked like a travelling exhibit in a small museum. I had hoped and expected to be deeply moved, but I wasn’t. I know you said you were staying in a condo…way cool…but in case anybody else is reading this, way back when, I had a good time at [Haus International](http://www.haus-international.de/gb/). ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2005, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-munich-help/308682/22 "2005-06-19T15:07:12Z")
The two things that amazed me about Dachau - the huge outdoor sculpture depicting suffering (it’s beyond description), and the fact that the facility is located in the middle of an ordinary suburban neighborhood. Just to add a vote - we really enjoyed the art museums, particularly the contemporary art. And one more piece of vocabulary - all those signs that say **Einbahn StraBe**. That’s Deutsch for One-Way Street (they’re not named after a famous Einbahn, as I initially thought). ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-munich-help/308682/23 "2005-06-20T06:38:11Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > I’ve not been there for an length of time that allows me to recommend specifics, but: > > Brush up on the basics, and you should be fine. Most people working in tourist environments will speak English to a greater or lesser extent. > > Probably hot and humid. > > Yes, not within the city, and yes. Munich has, well, some of the best public transport anywhere outside of Switzerland. Should you want to explore further afield in Bavaria (highly recommended!), a US licence is fine. > > The most obvious one I can think of is Salzburg, two hours away by train. As I understand it, you can’t drive or bike in the main town. People use the S & U-Ban. ---
**Author:** ![Einmon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Einmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Einmon)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-munich-help/308682/24 "2005-06-20T10:17:38Z")
> [@devilsknew](#): > > There is also a delicacy not to be missed at the Gäubodener Bierhallen. They have fresh Pretzels (Brezeln) and Cheese (Käse) to be enjoyed together with the finest, “vintage”, festbieren. The cheese is shaved paper thin from giant. full wheels of a young, swiss style cheese…the closest example that I have sampled here would be Baby Swiss. I do not remmeber the name of the cheese (maybe you would know, **Einmon**?). Sounds like it might be Emmenthal cheese (they also serve it at Oktoberfest) but that usually is cut in squares and not shaved, so this particular cheese might be a local speciality. > [@ouryL](#): > > As I understand it, you can’t drive or bike in the main town. People use the S & U-Ban. That’s not quite true - we have a pedestrian zone in the center where you can’t drive and looking for a parking space in some quarters is hellish but you can go almost anywhere by bike. If you’re so inclined you might want to try the infamous [“Mike’s Bike Tours”](http://www.mikesbiketours.com/) where you can ride your bike through the city in a large group and annoy the locals 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ender\_Will](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Ender\_Will](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ender_Will)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-munich-help/308682/25 "2005-06-21T09:16:47Z")
Great advice everyone. Just found out the dates will be August 9-17, so the Gäubodenvolksfest sounds like a distinct possibility. Will I need a power converter, or is a plug adapter good enough? What are the customs regarding tipping? Isn’t Europe in general much less tip-oriented than here in the States? If we end up getting a car, is there anything I should be aware of? Generally the same traffic laws as here? The Euro has replaced the Mark, yes? My stepdad is insisting that Germany still uses the DM, I’m suspecting he might be insane. I realized that the German class that I took in high school used asking for directions to things in Munich as part of the curriculum. God knows why, but they did. So now, my handy-dandy, “Entschuldigung, wo ist der Glockenspiel bitte? An dem Marienplatz? Danke!” actually might be useful to have remembered this whole time. **Einmon** , I’ll let you know what area of town the place is as soon as I know where it is. And thanks for the offer of more info. Well worth buying you a beer, if it works out. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-munich-help/308682/26 "2005-06-21T09:20:53Z")
> [@Ender\_Will](#): > > Will I need a power converter, or is a plug adapter good enough? 220v - so a plug adaptor won’t do. The exceptions are things with a power adaptor, such as a laptop, which are often capable of dealing with either voltage input. Check the specifications - if it says “110-220/240v” or similar, you’ll be OK. > [@](#): > > The Euro has replaced the Mark, yes? Yes. It’s also used in Austria, should you decide to go Salzburg or elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Einmon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Einmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Einmon)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-munich-help/308682/27 "2005-06-21T16:58:58Z")
> [@Ender\_Will](#): > > Will I need a power converter, or is a plug adapter good enough? I don’t know how much a power converter is or what things you plan to plug into it but usually when I travel the only thing that needs plugging in is a hairdryer and you might be better off just purchasing a small one over here (less luggage space! profit!) > [@](#): > > What are the customs regarding tipping? Isn’t Europe in general much less tip-oriented than here in the States? Most restaurant servers earn a higher wage than the average American restaurant server. Hence, tipping is not a necessity but a bonus - usually people round the amount up to the next Euro or so: e.g. a bill of 7,50 would be 8 Euro with tip etc. You also do not leave the money at the table but you always pay the waiter; while you’re paying the waiter will say “7,50” and you will say “Make it 8” or give him/her 8 Euros and say “Stimmt so.” > [@](#): > > If we end up getting a car, is there anything I should be aware of? Generally the same traffic laws as here? Basically yes, but there’s slight differences to keep your eyes out for, like there’s no “Turn on red”, so a red light always means stop. Also, for the Autobahn, keep in mind that there’s no speed limit, so people can go REALLY FAST and therefore keeping to the right if you are slow is not only a rule but will increase your peace of mind considerably. In the city, streets are much narrower than in the US and thus harder to navigate and most parking spaces are pay-to-park which makes a car less than ideal for city traffic. > [@](#): > > **Einmon** , I’ll let you know what area of town the place is as soon as I know where it is. And thanks for the offer of more info. Well worth buying you a beer, if it works out. You’re very welcome, I’m glad I can help. If I’m in town, I’ll gladly take you up on the offer! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-munich-help/308682.md?page=1)