SO you are heading for your first trip to Oktoberfest? Well, before you completely immerse yourself in beer, song and pork knuckles there are some important things to know.

Don’t worry if you aren’t in Munich. No matter where you are on the planet you will probably find a similar celebration happening within a 100 mile radius. It’s THAT popular. Nevertheless, whether you make it as far as Deutschland or not, the following tips and pointers will help you navigate your Oktoberfest experience and have fun while you do.

1. Check out the Different tents

There are plenty of choices from the fourteen large tents. Go over to the Augustiner Tent for a traditional relaxed friendly feel. That’s where you will find Munich’s most popular brew.

There is fun to be had for younger folks in the Hippodrom and Hacker Pschorr tent. So this is a good chance to seek your lungs out to such timeless tunes as ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ by John Denver or ‘Angels’ by Robbie Williams’.

Or, you can reconnoiter the grounds looking for:

A. First, interesting thing to catch you eye

or

B. Whatever will cost you the least in waiting time.

2. Remember to eat

Don’t forget to grab plenty to eat to give your strength for fun. There will be Hendl or Schweinshaxe which add to the experience and taste delicious as well. But, you might find food very expensive inside. It would be better to hop on outside to the many snack stalls and venues where food can be found economically. If you need a suggestion, potato cakes are the perfect, easy Oktoberfest side or appetizer!

3. Take with you as little as possible

The less you have with you, the less you will have to worry about. It can be a considerable hassle constantly checking for that bag of valuables and must-have items. The only things you really need are cash and the address of your hotel.

4. If you get a spot in a tent, hold on to it

Tents will get very busy as time goes by and this is especially true on the weekends. Have no far about grabbing your stein and sitting next to some random strangers. Soon you will be swilling and swaying to the joyous rhythms of oom-pah music.

5. Learn and Practice the Prosit song:

“Ein Prosit, ein Prosit [deletethis]der Gemütlichkeit, ein Prosit, [deletethis]ein Pro-o-sit der Gemütlichkeit. [deletethis]Oans, zwoa, drei, g’suffa!”

You won’t have to practice before you go or anything, you will find it is played just about 10 to 20 minutes. But, learn to recognize the brass intro that cues everyone to stand and toast with the people around them. Always make sure you maintain eye contact with your prost-er or you could incur a terrible curse –– no less than seven years of bad sex!

6. Don’t underestimate Oktoberfest beer

It will not take too many steins of Maß (pronounced Mass) and 6% Alcohol Content to get you lightheaded. Make sure you go slow and pace yourself or you will be counted among the “bierleichen” or beer corpses. Those that do not pace themselves well will soon hit the dirt and make up part of the traditional München Kotzt.

7. Maß glasses aren’t indestructible

Nothing says Oktoberfest than flinging your beer cup into someone else’s beer glass, but take it easy. Breaking a beer glass is common and very unhappy thing to happen.

8. Get involved!

There is no better way to make yourself part of the action than wearing traditional Tracht. For Men this will men donning the traditional Lederhosen complete with braces and flap cap.

For girls this can mean the traditional Dirndls, which is made to accentuate the female form with a high-waisted skirt and bodice. It can get a little pricey to buy this brand new, so consider heading over to a second hand store.

Furthermore, your local company will appreciate that far more than buying Amazon replicas.

Take note: The bow placed in the left side of the apron indicates the wearer is available, the right side means they are taken. A bow placed in the middle is the sign of a virgin or a confused tourist.

9. Tip the barmaids

Always do the classy thing, even though the cost of Maβ has gone up almost 500% in the past 40 years.

10. Roller Coasters and rides aren’t just for kids

It is a great feeling to soar through the air at high speeds after your first few Maβ. But, it might not be such a good idea later on.

11. Go explore Munich, beyond the Festival

There is plenty to do in Munich beyond the Oktoberfest, you can surf the standing wave at Eisbach River. Take an afternoon for a BBQ in Flaucher or try out some of the extensive food options available at Viktualienmarkt. Never forget that Munich is about more than Oktoberfest, although drinking can be a good part of the fun.