Etiquette

Southern Germans are a pretty rigid bunch, with elderly people in particular expecting lots of set behaviour and stock phrases. It's easy to make a mistake, but the following should help you avoid red-faced moments.

• On the phone Always give your name first when you are making a call or receiving one. Not to do so is seen as impolite.
• Greetings Begin every new interaction with locals with a hearty Grüss Gott, the southern German for hello (in the rest of Germany it's Guten Tag).
• Touchy subject It's probably best to avoid conversations about Munich's role in the rise of the Nazis, especially with older people.
• Punctuality When meeting up, punctuality is appreciated – never arrive more than 15 minutes late
• At the table Tucking in before the ‘Guten Appetit’ starting gun is fired is regarded as bad manners. When drinking wine, the toast is ‘Zum Wohl’, with beer it's ‘Prost’.