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). . Do not rest your elbows on the table. . Do not cut lettuce in a salad. Fold it using your knife and fork. . Cut as much of your food with your fork as possible, since this compliments the cook by indicating the food is tender. . Finish everything on your plate. . Rolls should be broken apart by hand. . Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate, with the fork over the knife. . The host gives the first toast. . An honoured guest should return the toast later in the meal. . The most common toast with wine is 'Zum Wohl!' ('good health'). . The most common toast with beer is 'Prost!' ('good health').

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Germany

Relationships & Communications . Germans do not need a personal relationship in order to do business. . They will be interested in your academic credentials and the amount of time your company has been in business. . Germans display great deference to people in authority, so it is imperative that they understand your level relative to their own. . Germans do not have an open-door policy. People often work with their office door closed. Knock and wait to be invited in before entering. . German communication is formal. . Following the established protocol is critical to building and maintaining business relationships. . As a group, Germans are suspicious of hyperbole, promises that sound too good to be true, or displays of emotion. . Germans will be direct to the point of bluntness. . Expect a great deal of written communication, both to back up decisions and to maintain a record of decisions and discussions.

Business Meeting Etiquette . Appointments are mandatory and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance. . Letters should be addressed to the top person in the functional area, including the person's name as well as their proper business title. . If you write to schedule an appointment, the letter should be written in German. . Punctuality is taken extremely seriously. If you expect to be delayed, telephone immediately

and offer an explanation. It is extremely rude to cancel a meeting at the last minute and it could jeopardize your business relationship. . Meetings are generally formal. . Initial meetings are used to get to know each other. They allow your German colleagues to determine if you are trustworthy. . Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times. . Maintain direct eye contact while speaking. . Although English may be spoken, it is a good idea to hire an interpreter so as to avoid any misunderstandings. . At the end of a meeting, some Germans signal their approval by rapping their knuckles on the tabletop. There is a strict protocol to follow when entering a room: . The eldest or highest ranking person enters the room first. . Men enter before women, if their age and status are roughly equivalent.

Business Negotiation. Do not sit until invited and told where to sit. There is a rigid protocol to be followed. . Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times. . Treat the process with the formality that it deserves. . Germany is heavily regulated and extremely bureaucratic. . Germans prefer to get down to business and only engage in the briefest of small talk. They will be interested in your credentials. . Make sure your printed material is available in both English and German.

. Contracts are strictly followed. . You must be patient and not appear ruffled by the strict adherence to protocol. Germans are detail- oriented and want to understand every innuendo before coming to an agreement. . Business is hierarchical. Decision-making is held at the top of the company. . Final decisions are translated into rigorous, comprehensive action steps that you can expect will be carried out to the letter. . Avoid confrontational behaviour or high- pressure tactics. It can be counterproductive. . Once a decision is made, it will not be changed.

Dress Etiquette . Business dress is understated, formal and conservative. . Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits. . Women should wear either business suits or conservative dresses. . Do not wear ostentatious jewelry

Bibliography Petersen, A. &. (2012, July 31). Executive Planet. Retrieved October 27, 2012, from http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Germany Weber, M. F. (2011, February 10). My German Travels. Retrieved October 27, 2012, from German Business Etiquette Ground Rules: http://mygermantravels.com/2011/02/german-business-etiquette-ground-rules/