Etiquette Secrets: how to behave in Germany

Punctual, careful, frugal, disciplined and accurate to pedantry - such worldwide believe people in Germany. And rightly so. Germans are really very rational. They belong to all serious and clearly follow different instructions. In particular, the rules of etiquette.

Of course, as in other European countries, in Germany strongly felt influences of globalization. Young people should be less and less national canons of behavior. Nevertheless, the Germans always notice and respect the ability of an alien to behave in their country.

Speech etiquette

The Germans believe their language difficult and try to be polite in speech.

In Germany, as in Russian and two forms of treatment:

• "thou» - du;
• and "you» Sie.

The first is used in communication between family and friends. Appeal to "you" indicates the close relationship of trust. Sie speak to people who are older or higher status. Also, this is a common appeal to the representatives of the intellectual work - the doctors, lawyers, etc.

Choose the right form of treatment, not to be rude. If you are not sure what to say - "you" or "you" - listen to the interlocutor. If he tells you du, boldly follow his example.

As for the names of their own, the Germans often refer to each other by name with the addition of prefixes Herr ( "Mr.") and Frau ( "Mrs."). For example: "Good day, Mr Schulz!» (Guten Tag, Herr Schultz!). But it is the language of official communication. So treat each other people at work or study (students to teachers). In everyday life, the prefixes are rarely used.

Frau - appeal to a married woman. Unmarried, often referred to simply by name. Previously used the expression gnädiges fräulein, but it is out of date.

In Germany, they are proud of all kinds of titles. If a German doctorate, the treatment Dr. Schultz is incredibly flattering him (Herr prefix in this case is usually not added). Ranks are important in the official dating. The first is the one whose title above.

basic phrases

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In many cities in Germany (especially in the provinces) remains a tradition to greet strangers. For example, going to a small shop or taking place in the hospital.

gestures

In Germany, the common handshake. Both men and women shake hands at meetings, acquaintances, and even when parting. It is considered impolite, holding out his hand for a handshake, hold the second in a pocket. It is also bad manners to hide his hands in his pockets while talking.

Women in the informal communication may greet each other with a kiss on the cheek (or rather just a touch of the cheek). But this is only if they are familiar with.

We are taught from childhood that point to something and, even more, to someone the finger - ugly. In Germany, it is quite normal. Germans can raise finger up or tyknut them somewhere to attract attention of the interlocutor.

A different meaning in this country has gesture - "Fist". We have a threat, and there - a hint that the addressee brain no longer fist ...

Never show in Germany "ridge» (Nazi salute). It is punishable by law and is considered the height of ignorance.

Outdoors

Germans love order. And it begins with purity. No wonder many foreigners, after returning from Germany, to the question "What has most surprised you?" Answer - "Gloss!".

Germany is not accepted to litter on the streets. The debris are all seriously: in the big cities it is sorted and sent for recycling. Do not miss past the urns, but vygulivaya dog, clean up after it. For the latter, in the parks of major cities have special machines for plastic bags.

By the way, the Germans were very kind to animals. Do not stop the car and do not miss... a frog - is incivility in their eyes, bordering on barbarism. There's even a road sign to help frogs safely cross the road during migration.

Travel Etiquette - a topic in Germany. It is practically impossible to meet a man crossing the road in the wrong place or at the traffic signal. And it's not a heavy fine (although they are really big). Just such behavior creates discomfort to other road users and, therefore, is disrespectful. Same with the parking: leave the car in the wrong place - not just run into the penalty, and to show the public his disdain.

If you are the driver, do not use the car horn to fit the front of the car barely twine or "wake up" at the traffic lights unwary driver. This may be regarded as "coercion to commit a violation."

The guests and the table

The Germans clearly distinguish between private and public life. First - it's family, friends, hobbies, recreation, and more. The second - the work, business, politics, etc. Mix with one another - is unacceptable.

Therefore, if you are invited to visit, then you have the honor you entered the realm of personal life. Refuse the invitation - ugly. Late - even more so. About punctuality German legends. Young people are not so pedantic, but most also appreciate the respect for their time.

Should not come into the house empty-handed. As a gift to the hostess at the first appearance in it quite suitable flowers or candy.

Red roses in Germany speak of a romantic intentions of the giver. Carnations, lilies and chrysanthemums - a symbol of mourning.

With wine as gifts should be accurate. If the owner is engaged in winemaking himself, such a present can be regarded as an allusion to the scarcity of its wine cellar and can hurt. If you bring with wine, choose French or Italian brand.

Gifts are usually handed and open as soon as the guests arrived.

American movies, we know that visitors usually arranged a tour of the house. In Germany, it is not accepted. Guest is carried out in a room, where the lunch or dinner.

Germans appreciate the discipline, so cooking techniques they usually occur strictly by the hour. From 7:00 to 9:00 am - breakfast, from 12:00 to 13:00 - lunch 15:50 to 17:00 - coffee break, and from 19:00 to 20:00 - dinner. Matter what time you are invited to visit it depends a treat. If the meeting is scheduled for 4 days, then surely be of coffee and some kind of pastry on the table.

Before meals made to wish bon appetit - Guten Appetit or Mahlzeit. When the table a lot of people, this phrase says the owner of the house, it means - everything is served, you can eat.

If the meal is held in a restaurant, it is important to remember a few more subtleties:

• Keep your hands (not elbows!) on the table, rather than on your lap, even if you do not eat;
• crossed on the plate knife and fork means that you have not finished the meal;
• knife and fork, lying to the right of the plates parallel to each other, - a signal the waiter to clean the dishes.

As for tipping, they tend to make up 10% of the total order.

It deserves special attention the German culture of drinking. Residents of Germany, like drink, moderate alcohol (beer or wine) is always present on the table. But forced to drink it is not accepted. If you want to treat the Germans, but he refuses, it does not shy and polite. It is not necessary to press ( "Do you respect me ?!") - he just does not want to.

Beer - the national pride of the Germans. So if you want to arrange them to themselves, demonstrate their ability to drink beer.

Firstly, the Germans never drink beer from the bottle or on the go. It is believed that it is not possible to feel the taste of beer.

Secondly, not all the same beer mugs. Each class has its own glassware.

MS (mug with handle 1 liter) - for light "Helles".
Narrow glass with capacity of 0.2 liters - for "Koelsch".
A short cylindrical glass of the thin glass - for dark "Altbier".
High widening to the top of the glasses (0.5 liters) - for wheat varieties.

Third, in Germany, unlike France or England, never shake beer foam. After all, this is another criterion for evaluating the taste and quality of the drink.

Clinking glasses, say Prost! ( "Hurray!") Or Zum Wohl! ("Good health!"). In this case, try to look into the eyes of his counterpart.

In a large company do not start drinking until things get glasses. (To eat before the meal is served to everyone as it is considered impolite. The exception, when the restaurant your meal brought before, and it can cool down, and other dishes more prepared. But in this case, you should ask for permission to present the meal to begin.)

Business Etiquette

To say that the Germans are serious about the work, - to say nothing. They do not allow levity, of irresponsibility and chaos in the conduct of affairs.

This is evident even in the details. The Germans are straight, do not understand the allusions and innuendo do not accept. They require precision in everything. Thus, in discussing the price is not enough just to say "two thousand". It is important to specify the currency - the "two thousand euros."

Also, in order to avoid ambiguity business in Germany clearly say - "Yes" or "No". Unlike JapaneseThat, in order not to offend the partner refused, shirk response, the Germans speak directly Nein, if the deal does not suit them.

For the same reason (to avoid confusion), all presentations, contracts and other official documents should be made available in two languages ​​- German and the language of the counterparty. (Business cards, you can hand in English - the language of international business communication, and in Germany it is well known.)

German love of order in business communication means that you should:

• To come to the meeting on time. If a private visit small delay still admissible, then there is no business. When running late for objective reasons (detained the plane, stuck in traffic, etc.), it should always be alert on the phone partner.
• Comply with the dress code. Suit, shirt and tie will show your status and approach to business.
• Remember subordination. In Germany not taken familiarity with his superiors.

About a meeting to be agreed in advance and only if you have a really good reason. At the talks made go directly to the point, without unnecessary talk "about the weather." Germans are meticulous and methodical partners, so always consider carefully the conversation plan.

Accuracy German businessmen might even seem excessive and strange. For example, briefly excommunicated from the workplace, they are sure to set a password on your computer or take a laptop with them. This does not mean that your German colleague does not trust you. Simply, most likely, so it is written in his official statement.

How are you to me, and I'll / Wie du mir, so ich dir

German proverb

The main rule of etiquette in any country - mutual politeness. Follow the rules of conduct adopted in Germany, and will be a welcome guest in this country.

Write in the comments, What other secrets do you know German etiquette.