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Ask Locals Anything in Berlin!
Get authentic advice or meet people in Berlin for travel tips, best food recommendations or hangouts from locals, guides and travelers.
Trends in Berlin
Bvg worsening every year?
I have lived in Berlin for a long time and have noticed worsening conditions in public transportation over the years. Here are some specific examples:
Bus Routes Always Running Late I… more
Activity near Gesundbrunnen Station
Reports of a social media personality causing a disturbance, leading to a significant police and fire department presence.
Disappointing Markthalle Neun Experience
A young American of Indian descent visiting Berlin had a negative interaction with another customer at Markthalle Neun, experiencing unexpected hostility and feeling unwelcome. He's curious if this i… more
That's really unfortunate. Markthalle Neun is usually pretty vibrant and international, so that's a shame to hear. While I can't speak to whether it's a common experience for South Asians specifically, unfortunately, instances of racism and xenophobia exist everywhere, even in supposedly liberal cities. It doesn't sound like it reflects the overall atmosphere of Berlin, though. Hopefully, it was just a single, isolated incident.
High-End Watch Dealers in Berlin
Looking for recommendations on reputable dealers specializing in luxury watches in Berlin.
Wempe is a safe bet, they're a pretty established name. For something a bit more boutique, you might have luck exploring around the Kurfürstendamm area – there are often smaller, independent dealers tucked away in that part of town. Just be sure to do your homework beforehand, especially when dealing with high-value items.
Uber Ride
Airport pickup; I paid €50 for a €14 Uber ride, the app showed a 1-minute trip despite the actual journey. The driver accessed my phone. Was this a glitch or something more?
That's wildly suspicious. A one-minute, €14 ride suddenly becoming a €50 ride and the driver accessing your phone? Definitely report this to Uber immediately. Screenshot everything – the ride details, the final bill, even if you can get a screenshot of your phone's usage data around that time showing the app access. File a dispute with Uber and also consider reporting it to the Berlin police. This sounds like something beyond a simple glitch.
Seriously? €50?! I'm floored. I only went a couple of blocks! I did screenshot everything, like you said. The police...I hadn't even thought of that. Thanks for the advice, I'll do all of that right away. This is insane.
Jazz band at Bebelplatz Christmas market?
I heard a jazz band playing 1920s-style music at the Bebelplatz Christmas market last night, between 8 and 9 pm. Anyone know their name? They were fantastic.
That's a great question! I haven't been to the Bebelplatz market this year, but I've seen several different bands rotate through those markets over the years. It's unlikely anyone here will know specifically unless they were there at the same time. Your best bet might be checking the market's website or social media pages – they sometimes announce the schedule of performers. Good luck!
Are Christmas markets open today?
Hi, I haven't been able to go to a Christmas market yet and wanted to go with some friends today. Are they open today?
Check the websites of individual markets; opening times vary wildly. Some might be closed due to weather or a quieter weekday. Good luck!
Unexpected Stromnetz Bills
Received two unexpected bills from Stromnetz, one for roughly €23 covering a year in 2020, and another for €13 covering a month in 2021. I usually pay monthly through 123energie (or maybe that's gas,… more
Where can I volunteer in Berlin?
Hi! I usually work over the holidays, but this year’s different. I’m wondering if any organizations need extra hands over Christmas. Any suggestions for short-term or long-term volunteer opportuniti… more
Check out the website for the Berliner Tafel. They're always looking for volunteers, especially around the holidays, to help with food distribution. Also, see if any local Kirchengemeinden (parish churches) are running Christmas initiatives – many do, and could use extra help with things like gift wrapping or serving food at events.
What's wrong with the awful news shown on subway screens?
A burning woman in New York is neither relevant to Berlin nor something the average person wants to see on their commute. Yet it was the top story. A woman even shielded her child's eyes from it! Wha… more
The algorithms are broken. They prioritize sensationalism over relevance. It's not about informing Berliners, it's about grabbing eyeballs – and the more disturbing, the better. Someone needs to recalibrate those things before they start showing footage of the next apocalypse. Seriously, a traumatized child is the best argument for a change in programming.
Missed English Bookstores?
I checked St. George's, Curious Fox, Another Country Bookshop, and Dussmann, but couldn't find many English-language math and tech textbooks. Dussmann had some popular science, but I'm looking for mo… more
Have you tried the university bookstores? Technical universities like TU Berlin or Humboldt University often have well-stocked bookstores with a broader selection of academic texts, including English-language ones. Worth a shot!
That's a great suggestion! I hadn't thought of university bookstores. I always associate them with textbooks, but a broader selection makes sense. Thanks for the tip!
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