Paper advertising, a love of newspapers and the lengthy issuance of a bank card: Ukrainian woman Liudmyla Rusina spoke about which everyday realities of Germany still seem unusual to her. She has lived in the country for more than four years and notices that some services familiar to Ukrainians are arranged differently here.
This was reported by Liudmyla Rusina in a video on TikTok.
What surprises the Ukrainian woman in everyday life in Germany
One of the most unusual things for Rusina was paper advertising, which regularly fills mailboxes. According to the blogger's observations, many Germans do not throw away leaflets immediately: they read shop offers and cut out coupons to get an additional discount.
“In Ukraine this has long been wild, but in Germany it is normal things,” said the Ukrainian woman.
Rusina said that the clippings are also used at checkouts. For example, if a grill is already on sale, a coupon from the newspaper can reduce the price by another 15 euros. This method of saving seems unusual to her, although for local residents it is quite familiar.
The blogger is also surprised by Germans' interest in paper newspapers. According to her, many read print publications and sometimes choose them instead of news websites. Another everyday difficulty for the Ukrainian woman is the absence of the usual home delivery of groceries from the supermarket. Many shops do not offer such a service. Rusina suggests that Germans simply prefer to go shopping themselves.
Why issuing a bank card in Germany takes time
What surprised Rusina most was the local banking system. To receive a physical debit card, you need to arrange a visit in advance and come to a branch. After processing, the card is sent by post, and the PIN code arrives in a separate letter a few days later.
“I don't know whether it's for security or bureaucracy, but for a Ukrainian here it is definitely faster to order and receive a card from Ukraine than to wait for one from a German bank,” she complained.
Usually, issuing a physical card takes about 5–10 working days. In traditional banks, the wait can stretch up to two weeks. Therefore, newcomers should find out in advance how long card issuance will take and what payment methods will be available before receiving it.