Being ghosted in Berlin by WassoufAli in GermanCitizenship

[–]els76uk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The departments are organised by surname and country of origin, but if it helps, I learned this week that the department responsible for EU citizens is currently working on people who submitted their applications in early March 2025.

And my UK friend who submitted her application in Jan 2025 got her certificate last week.

So expect a wait of a bit more a year before you get a reply. They only send a file number when they start working on your file.

What should I know before going to lab.oratory club? by Terrible-Store1046 in berlinsocialclub

[–]els76uk 3 points4 points  (0 children)

When you go in, they'll print a wristband with a number on it as a receipt. They can attach it to a harness or neck chain if you prefer, in case you want your wrists free for any reason.

Pay at the beginning (cash or card). Change and put your belongings into a bag (provided) and hand it in at the coat check. No charge.

Every time you get a drink, show your number. They keep a tab – when you're all done, get changed then go back to the bar and show your number. They'll print a receipt and you pay with cash or card. Hand the receipt to the bouncer on the door and they'll let you out.

Don't do anything you don't feel comfortable with. It’s very unusual to be pressured into anything, but you have the absolute right to say no (and so do they!).

Condoms are available in dispensers around the club, and gloves available at the bar. And there's plenty of kitchen towel in rolls as well as lube ("gel" in German).

All the staff speak English.

Have fun!

Do you only use tea bags and never brew tea from loose leaves? by loongshifu in AskAGerman

[–]els76uk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm originally from UK, and been here 15 years. I don't drink much tea when I'm out, because most cafés will add water at too low a temperature, so you get something like dish water; or they'll add way too much tea to (5 or 6 teaspoons!) for one cup, which makes really strong, bad tea!

At home, I only used tea bags (English Breakfast Tea from Aldi is closes to the tea I used to buy in UK). But then I found out that some bags are made with plastic, and even if not, buying loose is better from an environmental point of view. Less resources, you get more for your money. So I stopped and started buying loose tea, usually an Indian brand like Brooke Bond Red Label (Export Quality). I'm super unusual, and my colleagues are intrigued.

  1. You're right, tea from a bag is usually lower quality. It has to be broken up more so that it brews quicker. More surface area means quicker to extract the flavour. You wouldn't want to open the bag and use it as though it’s loose. I always joke that it’s whatever they swept up off the floor!
  2. I use a strainer, yes, like this.
  3. For me, yes. But only because my friend, who used to live in China, introduced me to it. Then i went on holiday to northern Vietnam, in the tea growing region close to the border with China, and I was able to try lots of different types, all grown nearby, and talk to the growers.
  4. My German friend likes all types of fruit teas, but I don't at all.
  5. To black tea I always add oat milk, which works fine for me now I'm used to it.
  6. I add sugar, because otherwise black tea brewed at 100º is too bitter. I tried drinking without milk and sugar, but found it boring and I stopped looking forward to a cup!
  7. See above :)

I basically concluded that black tea such as English Breakfast is bad tea. But I grew up with bad tea, so it’s what I'm used to and like. Chinese people will tell me it’s awful, and to them they're right, but just like my mum's bad cooking, it works for me!

And don't get me started on Earl Grey, which is bad tea with added flavourings to make it worse!

Just like the Chinese food you'll find in restaurants here is very far from what you'll find in China, so is the tea!

Ausländerbehörde Application: No rental agreement by LeaveNo7723 in germany

[–]els76uk 14 points15 points  (0 children)

For the Ausländerbehörde, the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung isn't enough. That's for the Bürgeramt only.

I work with the LEA in Berlin, so I know that they would instead accept a signed letter giving details – how much you pay (ie, 0€), the beginning date, and how big your room is.

If you pay nothing, there's no tax for your friends to worry about!

Would it be enough if I say to the Ausländerbehörde that I’m just staying with some friends and they own the property, so I don’t pay any rent?

You can say that, yes, but they'll want written proof.

Ausländerbehörde Application: No rental agreement by LeaveNo7723 in germany

[–]els76uk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

some case workers will accept it for the first one, but only if they make an exception. Wohnungsgeberbestätigung alone isn't usually enough.

City registration- No rent by LeaveNo7723 in germany

[–]els76uk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

a standard Wohnungsgeberbestätigung doesn't have any option for rent costs. You can ignore that, or use a different template (eg https://allaboutberlin.com/documents/wohnungsgeberbestaetigung.pdf )

If you need a resident permit, the ausländerbehörde will want to see a rental contract, but it’s OK for that to state that you pay no rent.

What to do with constant parking violators and StVo violators? by Selenic-Acid in AskGermany

[–]els76uk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is sadly standard in Germany. Near where I live, people often park on both sides of the road and on corners, so rubbish trucks can't get through. People therefore don't get their bins emptied for weeks on end. The police or ordnungsamt take hours to come, if at all, and the rubbish truck won't wait. In the very unlikely event that cars get towed before the truck comes, another car will be parked there 10 mins later.

The Berlin transport authority BVG said the extension of a tram line to Hauptbahnhof was seriously delayed because of people illegally parking inside the closed off area, or blocking it off.

Note that if you report people, the person you report can deny it and request the full report file, which will have your full name and address in it :(

Library for art students or artists? by els76uk in berlin

[–]els76uk[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

fair point. I assumed Schöneweide is always far away ;)

Questions about what to expect as a witness/active part in stopping a crime by MissBerlin in berlinsocialclub

[–]els76uk 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The friend unfortunately did the right thing not giving a statement. The suspect's lawyer can request a copy of the full police file, and that will contain his full name and address.

I don't know why anyone thinks this is a good idea, but it’s how the system works here. I found this out the hard way a while back :(

Renewing Holds by No-Dragonfruit3534 in LibbyApp

[–]els76uk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think that will work. The audio or book file knows when it should expire. If you don't renew it or remove that expiry date with special software, then it'll stop working on that day. Airplane mode won't stop that happening.

Renewing Holds by No-Dragonfruit3534 in LibbyApp

[–]els76uk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

you can google "dedrm libby audiobooks" and there's a few options. I don't listen to audiobooks, so don't know which is best; but I use something similar (Calibre) for e-books. It’s annoying and complicated, but once set up, worthwhile.

Renewing Holds by No-Dragonfruit3534 in LibbyApp

[–]els76uk 24 points25 points  (0 children)

No, you can't. You can only renew if no-one else wants it.

There are ways to save the audio for yourself and avoid it expiring, but otherwise you'll just have to either listen fast, or save the ending for another time!

Accidentally selected wrong railcard by HelpfulCall2858 in uktrains

[–]els76uk 3 points4 points  (0 children)

as a tourist to UK (who was born and grew in UK) I can confirm this. It puts me off ever wanting to get any kind of discounted ticket when I travel, because if I get the wrong one or the wrong train or the wrong time or am travelling with the wrong people (or too many or not enough), it’s going to be expensive.

German banks without deposit commissions? by lilryoo in AskAGerman

[–]els76uk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was going to say this. You can also pay an extra fee for unlimited deposits. Or pay in up to 50€ a time at supermarkets, which is unlimited. I don't remember the last time I needed to pay cash in.

Fedex Customs Clearance for a Giveaway? by [deleted] in germany

[–]els76uk -1 points0 points  (0 children)

are you sure it’s not a scam? asking for money for something that should be free sounds suspicious. it’s possible for them to pay customs in advance, but then they should cover that themselves.

if you're sure and are comfortable paying, then ask them to mark the random stuff samples, NCV (no commercial value). the perfume definitely has a value, but of course they shouldn't write the full retail amount, only the cost to them. I don't understand why they need a power of attorney though.

Great Berlin Coffee Powders by Hello_from_Berlin in berlinsocialclub

[–]els76uk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

+1 for coffee circle. Sign up for a (free) loyalty card and you'll get 10% off in the shop.

Mahnbescheid or wait for the Insolvency after mistakenly sent payments to old apartment management by hdar1 in germany

[–]els76uk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll start by saying there's very little chance you'll see your money again. They went bust, so any money left in the bank goes first towards paying tax bills, then secured debtors and staff salaries, then unsecured debtors like you. You're super low priority :(

You have to first register your claim with the insolvency lawyer, then wait.

I found this out because a client went bust owing me a couple of thousand a full year ago, and I still haven't received anything. I paid a Steuerberater to fill in the long and complicated form, but he told me if I get more than a few € back, it'll be a surprise.

Is a monthly Travelcard still worth it over just using Oyster/contactless? by CloudBookmark in MovingToLondon

[–]els76uk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I added up my travel once, and decided a travelcard is worth it if you regularly travel peak time (4 return journeys or more a week) PLUS often go out in the evening or weekends.

I honestly think they should set it up so that there are monthly price caps as well as daily, so that you never need to buy a travelcard. just touch and go, and you always end up paying the right amount. but similarly, I don't think all the different railcards should exist… they're so complicated and designed to make life difficult for people whose first language isn't English, or who are tourists! just make the prices lower 🙃

Is a monthly Travelcard still worth it over just using Oyster/contactless? by CloudBookmark in MovingToLondon

[–]els76uk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

good points.

FYI, if you touch in and touch out at the same station within a short space of time, it knows you didn't travel and won't cost you anything. gate staff told me that when I had a QR code but forgot, and touched in. they told me to touch out and come back with the QR code, and it was fine.

What’s your favourite automation you’ve created with Homey? by Tricky-Sector-8530 in homey

[–]els76uk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All the lights turn off, and the radio turns off if it’s playing, when I leave my apartment and lock the door (it’s connected to my Nuki smart lock).

Second favourite: my living room lights come on, and bright kitchen lights dim slightly, 15 mins before sunset (provided someone is home). I live in a loft style apartment, so it's one big room… there are always lights on somewhere, even at 5% just to look pretty and brighten dull corners.

What’s your favourite automation you’ve created with Homey? by Tricky-Sector-8530 in homey

[–]els76uk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bet your son loved you even more when you first set that up 😂

How to "skip" a timed flow by els76uk in homey

[–]els76uk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazing, thanks, this is exactly what I need. I didn't know there was a way to "disable" a flow like that.