Haven't read all the posts - just responding to the OP, so forgive me if this is a duplicate.

We lived in Germany from 2003-2006. Prior to our move, my husband got a Pimsleur language CD from the library and listed to it in the car on his way to and from work. (I also used the lessons, but much less. I work at home!) He had quite a good command of conversational German by the time we actually moved.

Pimsleur is based on listening only, so is quite good for conversation. There is lots of repetition, so by the end of a level, you know it pretty well. (I am a visual learner, so I missed the written component, but it works really well for aural learners.)

I'd also like to mention that you will find many English speakers in big cities, and among college graduates (especially younger ones). There is a huge population who does not speak English, though, or speaks it like I speak my two years of high school Spanish from 35 years ago. You should be fine in hotels, tourist sites, and many restaurants. Asking a random stranger on the street where the bathroom is, or where the train station is, may or may not work. I spent 40 minutes in a grocery store once, trying to get someone who could understand me well enough to tell me where to find coffee cream. (Which happens to be a shelf-stable item in Germany, and is kept next to the coffee, which is why my forays up and down the dairy aisle were not productive.)

Last time I was in a McDonalds in Bremen, I asked the clerk how they said "to go" in German. Do you say "zu spazieren?" I asked, trying to look innocent. He had no sense of humor, and said sternly: "Nein, wir sagen zu Mitnehmen!" German humor should not be laughed at!

German language and culture are very strongly entwined.

Germans historically like to collect things (countries for example ) and display the importance of things by the capitalization of nouns.

You are completely wrong. Our humor is just different. Have a look on Loriot, who is a very typical example for German humor:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=thewurstcase#p/u/21/lliHC7QSiG8

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=thewurstcase#p/u/8/ytLTSJxmMas

And the best is this: German for foreigners. But it´s without English subtitles, so you need a minimum of German language skills:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI6UWf46hN0

My girl friend teaches German as a foreign language. She teaches people from nearly all countries of the world. She says that Loriot is obviously funny only for Germans. She showed her pupils some Loriot sketches, but most of them can´t laugh about it. Give it a try: how about you?

Gregor

I believe the reason nouns are capitalized in German is that the nouns and their gender drive the language. You simply can't speak the language without knowing the gender of the nouns.

The history of the German capitalization of nouns can be found here .... http://german.about.com/library/weekly/aa020919b.htm

People forget that there are millions of foreigners in Germany that speak neither German nor English.

For anybody needing advice how to have the time of your life without even speaking one single word of German, ask any retired GI who spent his time in Nuernberg,Augsburg, Erlangen or Grafenwoehr.

Most of them will tell you they're still all singing "memories of Heidelberg" - a tune that was a big hit in the 60's

Rest assured, German or not German speaking - you'll have one of the most memorable trip in your life!

It's the American food and drink you will have to get used to after again...

Norbert

This one's for keepers, both German and English speakers:

Just make sure you will bring large enough suitcase...

http://www.pianoworld.com:80/Uploads/files/IMG_0777.JPG :

Norbert

Yes, those are classic examples. Even though I speak the language close to perfectly, Loriot fails to amuse me - time and again. The words "corny" or "stiff" come to mind.

Well, each to his own.

OK, I admit, I found it funny.

Last week was autumn school break in the Netherlands.

I liked that!

Perhaps that's why so many of us emigrated to other shores...

Norbert