Costumes

You should definitely not buy yourself a T-shirt at the Oktoberfest with "I survived Oktoberfest" or similar printed on it. The folk of Munich don't find it funny, just plain embarrassing. And no Munich man or woman would ever wear the pseudo-traditional "Bavarian" hats so beloved by tourists.

Instead, why not put on a traditional costume? Because if you turn up at the Oktoberfest in costume - i.e. in Lederhosen if you're a man, and in a Dirndl if you're a woman - then you're in. And there are a few rules to be observed: absolutely no trainers with the Lederhosen or Dirndl; buy Haferlschuhe [brogues] instead.

A Dirndl should not be knee-length, but almost ankle-length. Another important thing is: if you tied the bow to the left it means you are single, and at the Oktoberfest that means you are "up for it". Wear the bow on the right and don't be surprised that no-one talks to you: it means you're spoken for.

Beer tent

"Wegen Überfüllung geschlossen" - these words on signs outside the beer tent annoy any visitor to the Oktoberfest. That means the beer tent is so full they cannot allow any more people in. And that happens every Oktoberfest weekend. If you can choose, go to the Oktoberfest on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. It's relatively quiet then, but the atmosphere is just as good. If you want to go to the beer tent at the weekend you ought to queue up well before the opening time of 11.00 hours to still grab a place. The first beer-thirsty customers are already there at 07.00 hours. Anyone managing to get into a tent should try to find an empty seat in the middle of the tent because not all the seats are reserved there. If a table is already occupied but there are still a few free spaces, you may ask whether you can join them. They will even insist on it, as meeting new people is part and parcel of a visit to the Oktoberfest! Our beer tent map will show you which beer tent is suitable for you. A word of caution: a beer tent is not to be confused with a beer garden. That means you cannot bring food from outside into the tents.

(sueddeutsche.de/Translation: Evelyn Hoffmann, Kern AG/wib/pfau)