Germany - Language, Culture, Customs and Business Etiquette

German Society & Culture

A Planning Culture

- In many respects, Germans can be considered the masters of planning.

- This is a culture that prizes forward thinking and knowing what they will be doing at a specific time on a specific day.

- Careful planning, in one's business and personal life, provides a sense of security.

- Rules and regulations allow people to know what is expected and plan their life accordingly.

- Once the proper way to perform a task is discovered, there is no need to think of doing it any other way.

- Germans believe that maintaining clear lines of demarcation between people, places, and things is the surest way to lead a structured and ordered life.

- Work and personal lives are rigidly divided.

- There is a proper time for every activity. When the business day ends, you are expected to leave the office. If you must remain after normal closing, it indicates that you did not plan your day properly.

The German Home

- Germans take great pride in their homes.

- They are kept neat and tidy at all times, with everything in its appointed place.

- In a culture where most communication is rather formal, the home is the place where one can relax and allow your individualism to shine.

- Only close friends and relatives are invited into the sanctity of the house, so it is the one place where more informal communication may occur.

- There are many unwritten rules surrounding the outward maintenance of one's home.

- It is imperative that common areas such as sidewalks, pavements, corridors (in apartments), and steps be kept clean at all times.

German Etiquette & Customs

Meeting Etiquette

- Greetings are formal.

- A quick, firm handshake is the traditional greeting.

- Titles are very important and denote respect. Use a person's title and their surname until invited to use their first name. You should say Herr or Frau and the person's title and their surname.

- In general, wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to a group.

- When entering a room, shake hands with everyone individually, including children.

Gift Giving Etiquette

- If you are invited to a German's house, bring a gift such as chocolates or flowers.

- Yellow roses or tea roses are always well received.

- Do not give red roses as they symbolize romantic intentions.

- Do not give carnations as they symbolize mourning.

- Do not give lilies or chrysanthemums as they are used at funerals.

- If you bring wine, it should be imported, French or Italian. Giving German wines is viewed as meaning you do not think the host will serve a good quality wine.

- Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a German's house:

- Arrive on time as punctuality indicates proper planning. Never arrive early.

- Never arrive more than 15 minutes later than invited without telephoning to explain you have been detained.

- Send a handwritten thank you note the following day to thank your hostess for her hospitality.

Table manners

- Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat.

- Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

- Do not begin eating until the hostess starts or someone says 'guten appetit' (good appetite).