Oktoberfest - tips to stay safe and have fun

How many of the points in the video are actually news to American newbies to Oktoberfest?

Not a good idea to crash somebody with a glass mug? Punching out somebody is a crime? A really big mug of strong beer is the same as a few cans? Stealing is a crime?

Really?

Too funny. Who would think that those things wouldn't be acceptable? At least I know when I go to Oktoberfest next year how to signal that I'm there to have "fun". Hahaha!!

Well, you would be surprised how many things on the list are not obvious to the average first timer, even the items falling into the area of crime.

For some of my friends, a bar fight, or threat of one, is just called "Saturday", nothing serious, more male bravado than actual contact....but things can escalate quickly. Same with the mugs, can't tell you how many people view the mugs as a "souvenir", like little bottles of shampoo at the hotel.

Same with dancing on the tables, if you see people on the benches (half the crowd sometimes) some will think it logical to go one better.

I actually disagree with the info about the ribbon, it is useless and as apt to get you into trouble as not. It might work in a traditional environment where everyone respects the cue; but as many women are likely to "mis-tie" the ribbon and as many men to misinterpret the "sign", leading to problems.

All in All, the list does little harm, a good reminder, unfortunately, given the info about the alcohol content of a mug of Oktoberfest beer, much of it can be forgotten in the heat of the moment.

similar list from Deutsche Welle Do's and don'ts at the Oktoberfest
Apparently there are significant number of tourists that need to be told these things, they'll never be the ones to read it.

I dare the guess that the US Consulate has a good reason for that communication, also in that very simple and direct way ...

We lived in Augsburg, Germany for four years and I visited the Oktoberfest three times.

Never saw a fight.

Yes, the beer is stronger than what we drink in the USA, and even stronger than regular German beer.

Yes, the mugs or steins are liter sized, so you have to pace your drinking. The most that I drank in a fest was six, over a period of 8 hours.

Best thing to eat at the fest is chicken roasted.

I still have the three steins that I purchased that are commemorative of the fest. Not sure how much they are worth.

Also, when we did the fest, people danced on the tables. I remember doing that myself.

Thanks, MarkK, good tips to know for my upcoming visit to Oktoberfest in Erfurt.

So if I get my ribbon on the wrong side and a drunk party goer misinterprets, I shouldn't bang him over the head with a beer stein. Got it, thanks!

Nigel,

I think the video was an attempt to remind everyone of certain serious things in a humorous way. Might not work for an English crowd, but those from the US do seem to pay attention to instruction presented this way.

@CWsocial: I forwarded a screenshot of your entry to US Consulate in Munich to inform them that the page and the video is obviously not clear enough for every recipient.

@Nigel, I'm sure they'll be most appreciative of the feedback 🍺🍺

Just to wrap it up the final balance of Oktoberfest 2019.
A) Oktoberfest ends with less beer drunk, but plenty of intoxicated e-scooter rides
B) The dark side of Oktoberfest

Thanks, MarkK. Do you generally attend? And do Germans ask "What color are your lederhosen?"

No, I did no attend. As non-alcoholic and rational Berliner this is something like an anti-event for me. I am fine if others like it but it is fully over-hyped and fully wrong seen as a German thing - but it is a Munich thing only, they do not even let other Bavarian breweries into that event. I do not like that fenced and excluding approaches.