PhD Handbook

31 destroyed by connecting it to a 220 V outlet. Second, a German plug has two round prongs. Logically, a German electrical outlet has two round holes for a receptacle. 5.15 SHOPPING & GOING OUT Shopping hours Since 2006 each of Germany’s 16 states has been allowed to pass its own laws concerning store hours. Normally, shopping on Sunday or after 8:00 p.m. in most of Germany will be not successful. Sales Tax/VAT („Mehrwertsteuer“/Mwst) When you see a price tag or a menu in Germany, what you see is what you’ll pay. The VAT (value-added tax) is included in the price, but you can see the tax amount on your receipt. The sales tax is a national tax, and the standard tax rate is 19% in Germany (since 2007; 7% for groceries, books and magazines, flowers, transportation.) Paying the Bill & Tipping This is usually done at the table with the waiter or waitress who served you. They even carry a money pouch to take care of the financial transaction. Depending on the service you received, you should tip the normal 10% or so. Of course, if the service was poor, you don’t have to tip at all. Paying by credit cards (“Kreditkarten”) Very few German grocery stores (or any stores for that mat- ter) accept credit card payment, and then only in tourist areas or at larger stores. Most will accept the EC bank card (which requires a German bank account), but your best bet is plain old cash. There is usually an ATM (“Geldautomat”) in or (at least) near the store. Shopping carts You’ll need a 50 cent, €1 or €2 coin for the shopping cart deposit. Just insert the coin into the slot to unlock the cart. When you return the cart, you get your coin back. Bottle return (“Leergut”) Most of the beverage glass and plastic bottles you get in Germany/Europe have a deposit value that you can get back by returning them to any market (not necessarily the one where you bought them). The grocery chains have automated machines that scan each bottle and determine the deposit value. You get a ticket (“Bon”) with the total amount, which you give to the cashier at checkout to get your cash. Deposit bottles are labeled as follows: 5.16 SORTING WASTE/RECYCLING Germany has a well-organized recycling and waste collec- tion system. All waste is separated into at least 5 different categories, although the details, particularly for the yellow bag (”Gelber Sack”) may depend on which town you live in. If you are unsure, then ask your colleagues, neighbor, flat-mate, or the Town Hall for how it works in your city. 1) “Papiermuell” paper and cardboard 2) “Biomuell” biodegradable/compost/organic material 3) “Gelber Sack” recyclables including plastics and packaging, empty food cans and mixed plastic and metal. This may be collected in either yellow bags (“Gelber Sack”) which you may need to buy, or in large yellow bins.

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