My First Steps into ‘Nachhaltigkeit’ – Talking About Responsible Consumption in Germany

Okay, so here I am, six months in Berlin, and let’s be honest, I’m still feeling like a bit of a fish out of water. I’ve navigated the U-Bahn, I can order a Kaffee mit Milch without completely butchering the pronunciation, and I even managed to buy a Gemüsebrühe (vegetable broth) from the market last week. But there’s this word that keeps popping up – Nachhaltigkeit. It’s become a surprisingly important part of everyday life here, and it’s mostly about responsible consumption. Honestly, at first, it felt overwhelming, like everyone was suddenly lecturing me about saving the planet. But I’m slowly getting the hang of it, and I wanted to share what I’ve learned, particularly how to actually talk about it.

The First Conversation – The Supermarket

The first real taste of Nachhaltigkeit came at the Edeka supermarket. I was grabbing some groceries for the week, and a colleague, Alice, noticed me grabbing a huge plastic bag for my oranges. She said, “Oh, du nimmst doch nur eine Orange!” (Oh, you’re only taking one orange!) – completely casually. I blushed and mumbled something about needing to be prepared for breakfast, but she explained, “Am besten nimmst du eine Stofftasche.” (It’s best to take a fabric bag.) I bought a reusable shopping bag – a Stoffbeutel – and it felt like a small victory.

I’ve learned that simply pointing out the plastic is a good start. Even saying “Ist es möglich, weniger Plastik zu verwenden?” (Is it possible to use less plastic?) seems to be understood. It’s a gentle way to bring it up.

Ordering Food – “Vegetarisch, bitte!”

Another area where Nachhaltigkeit is a big deal is food. Meat consumption is significantly lower here, and I’ve had to adjust my habits. Last week, I went to a Kneipe (a casual pub) with some new work friends. I ordered a Bier (beer) and asked for a vegetarische Option. The waiter asked, “Was möchten Sie denn bestellen?” (What would you like to order?) and I replied, ” Ich möchte bitte ein vegetarisches Gericht.” (I would like a vegetarian dish, please.) He suggested a Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), which was delicious! It’s important to be clear about what you want. I also quickly learned that saying “Ich esse kein Fleisch” (I don’t eat meat) is perfectly acceptable and often leads to helpful recommendations.

Talking About Secondhand – “Second Hand ist super!”

I’ve also started buying clothes from Secondhand-shops, which is completely normal here. I found a really cool jacket at a Vinted sale. When I asked the shop assistant, Maria, about it, she said, “Second Hand ist super! Es ist gut für die Umwelt.” (Secondhand is great! It’s good for the environment.) It’s a great conversation starter, and I’ve realized that people are genuinely enthusiastic about reducing waste. I’ve even started selling some of my own clothes on Vinted – it’s a bit daunting, but everyone’s been incredibly supportive.

Misunderstandings and Corrections

There have been a few awkward moments. I once tried to explain to my landlord, Herr Schmidt, that I was trying to be more sustainable, and I started talking about reducing my carbon footprint. He looked utterly bewildered! I quickly realized I needed to simplify things. I learned to focus on concrete actions like “Ich kaufe weniger neue Kleidung” (I buy less new clothing) instead of complex environmental theories. He just nodded politely and said, “Das ist gut.” (That’s good).

I also made the mistake of asking for a plastic straw at a restaurant – eine Strohhalse. The waiter looked horrified! Someone quickly corrected me, explaining that it’s generally frowned upon to ask for them. It’s a good reminder to observe and learn from others.

Key Phrases to Remember

Here are a few phrases that have been most helpful for me:

• Ist es möglich, weniger Plastik zu verwenden? – Is it possible to use less plastic?
• Ich esse kein Fleisch. – I don’t eat meat.
• Ich kaufe weniger neue Kleidung. – I buy less new clothing.
• Kann ich bitte einen Stoffbeutel bekommen? – Can I please get a fabric bag?
• Das ist gut! – That’s good! (A useful response when you’re starting out)

Ultimately, talking about Nachhaltigkeit in Germany isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being aware and making small changes. It’s a conversation, and I’m slowly finding my place in it. Ich bin dabei! (I’m in it!)