The Germans certainly are an orderly people, but that fastidiousness gets frayed a bit around the edges in a city such as Berlin. Still, you should be prepared to hear lectures on what you should and shouldn’t do from almost anyone, because Germans also aren’t shy about telling you their opinions on just about anything. Be particularly aware that you might get yelled at if you cross the street in front of small children when the light is red. This no-no is drilled into Germans from a young age. Some adults will dutifully wait to cross even if it’s late at night and there’s no traffic in sight. The new smoking ban in public places, implemented at the beginning of 2008, is another matter entirely. Many nicotine-fuelled Berliners consider it silly and are prepared to flout the ban until the city starts regularly fining people.