How to Survive Oktoberfest

I have to say I have not had that much experience when it comes to festivals.  So why not start with an original and do it right? 

​

Step 1: Have German friends

-Ok this might seem cliche or too easy. But let's be honest events are always easier when you go with a local, especially if they are in foreign countries.

-They speak the language and know the customs.

​

Step 2: Know the background for the festival

-Oktoberfest is held in Munich, Germany, which is considered part of Bavaria. The original party was for the celebration of a royal wedding. It was held the following years as part of an Agricultural Show, slowly other forms of entertainment/rides were added. It is now the world's largest festival.

​

Step 3: Be prepared to be flexible

-Flexible with your money, plans, eating and drinking abilities, and all types of fun. Be prepared to sing, dance, cheers, and be strong enough to hold up those steins (mugs).

​

Step 4: Totally immerse yourself

-I was lucky enough to stay with one of my great friend at her grandmother's house.  She was there with her sister and I changed my plans last minute so we could see each other. This meant I hoped on a bus to Munich from Prague, almost missed getting back on the bus at a bathroom break, and tried to communicate with her grandparents who don't speak English. All I know how to say is "yes, no, have you seen the vacuum cleaner, magnifying glass, one, and wonderful." Needless to say it could have been much more chaotic

​

Step 5: Rock the legit attire

-I wanted to buy a real dirndl (think St Pauli Girl's outfit), but the real nice ones are pretty expensive. My friend had a spare and I just fit so it worked out perfectly.  You can always buy the cheaper ones, or nothing Bavarian at all. And in case you weren't sure the dirndl is a dress that women wear, and men usually wear the lederhosen, think the boys outfits at the end of The Sound of Music.

​

Step 6: Make reservations... or

-The day I went was the first day of the festival so we were prepared for chaos and having to wait a long time. Luckily, the weather was terrible, freezing and raining. Because my friends had not made reservations we weren't sure how long we would have to wait, but they are German and knew what to do.

-Now if you DO have reservations, you go up and are brought to your table in the tent, and boom you're in!

​

Step 6.5: Do NOT act like a loud, drunk jackass

-Because we did not have reservations we quietly waited our turn for enough people to leave. When that happened they let us right in.

-Be respectful, don't get so drunk and be super annoying; or try to bribe your way in.  It won't work and it is an insult!

​

Step 7: Make new friends

-If you don't have a table you can't just hang out wherever you like, you need to find a table to join.  

-Being a woman definitely helped, but you have to be prepared to spend your time with the people you will meet this way. This means be aware of how people are acting if they are still kind of sober and imagine that intoxicated.

-We wiggled our way into a 

​

Step 8: Respect the servers!

-Those men and women run that show! Do not get in their way, ALWAYS tip them, and do not be rude to them because they will have you thrown out in a heartbeat.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​