14 September 2009 11:00am
Germany dos and don’ts
Note: Javascript is disabled in your browser.
To see the gallery in all its glory, you'll need to enable Javascript.
Social rules. Germany’s got a lot of ‘em, and ignoring etiquette yields a puckered brow, pronto. But don’t fret – our tips will get you on the right track.
Do
- shake hands when you’re introduced to someone – it’s impolite not to
- say Prost! (cheers!) before you sip your beer – and look your drinking buddy in the eye when you say it
- feel free to have serious discussions in social settings – Germans like talking politics and philosophy. They don’t relish idle chit-chat or small talk.
- say your name at the beginning of a phone call, even if it’s followed by ‘do you speak English?’
- address people with the formal ‘you’ (Sie). If the familiar ‘you’ (Du) is cool, they’ll let you know.
- hit the ATM – cash rules in Germany and many restaurants don’t take credit cards
Don’t
- be late – everyone else will be on time
- send a German friend lilies – they’re for funerals. Carnations symbolize mourning, too.
- dig into that Sauerkraut before your host says ‘Guten Appetit’ (good appetite)
- stroll in the bike lane. You’ll get bruised or yelled at (or both). It’s marked red for a reason.
- jaywalk. Nobody else does, and you might get fined.
- drink yourself into a stumbling fool. We know the beer goes down easy, but public drunkenness is frowned upon.
Tempted to test our tips in country? Get inspired with our Germany guidebook.
Comments
-
17 September 2009 7:47PM
sl4y
Report this comment
Not all is Do't are correct here. Coming from a german let me add or correct the following:
- dig into that Sauerkraut before your host says ‘Guten Appetit’ (good appetite)
Another word for this is "Guten Hunger" which basicly means the same thing. The best reply for this would be "gleichfalls" (you too).
- stroll in the bike lane. You’ll get bruised or yelled at (or both). It’s marked red for a reason.
All depending on where you are. Some streets are full of bikes and on some you won't see any. You won't get attacked by bikes usually they will ring their bell to warn you they are coming from behind.
- drink yourself into a stumbling fool. We know the beer goes down easy, but public drunkenness is frowned upon.
-
17 September 2009 7:47PM
sl4y
Report this comment
Also depending of time, place and events. Of course being drunk in mid-day will be frown upon. But coming from discos in the night or in town centers will simply be ignored. It is also normal to be drunk at the Oktoberfest (which is not only in munich) and on the "Schützenfest" which is organized by local clubs that shoot at a (metall or wooden) bird. The "Schützen"-King is the person or shoots it down. (Mind only the club may shoot at the bird). Other then that everybody and do to them and drink as much as they like.
-
17 September 2009 7:51PM
sl4y
Report this comment
- say Prost! (cheers!) before you sip your beer – and look your drinking buddy in the eye when you say it
This is normaly only said at the beginning of a drinking night or drink. And only once. Looking into the eye is not needed.
- feel free to have serious discussions in social settings – Germans like talking politics and philosophy. They don’t relish idle chit-chat or small talk.
This would depend on age. I would say this is coeect for 40+ but for 30- this is a no go (don'ts) and can kill a conversation very fast.
