Visiting Germany: Etiquette

No matter where it might be, there are always different things that the majority of the population are known for. When visiting places whether it be in the United States or far away places in other countries, it's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with their specific customs.

Not only will this allow you to communicate better and to feel a bit more comfortable but it also shows the respect and appreciation you have for those you are visiting. Take some time to become familiar with the way people do things in beautiful and interesting Germany.

In Germany when men are meeting they always give a firm but brief handshake and maintain eye contact. Eye contact is very important to the German people as this is a show of respect. If they happen to be good friends when meeting up with each other, simply saying "Hello" is the norm.

When women are meeting for the first time or for business reasons, they generally shake hands while maintaining direct eye contact. If their good friends or family they will usually give a quick kiss on both cheeks or the "air" next to the cheek.

When men and women are meeting a handshake is customary however, if their good friends or family members, a light hug or a quick kiss on both cheeks is acceptable. If meeting a group of people, you should take the time to shake each persons hand upon arriving as well as when departing.

Always use a persons title along with their last name when introducing them to others. The word "Frau" means Mrs. in the German language and the word "Herr" means Mr. and should be placed in front of the individuals last name.

Germans appreciate honesty and usually tell it exactly like they see it. They also are quite polite but usually direct in their approach.

When having a conversation maintaining an arms length of space is recommended. German people tend to guard their personal space. In general Germans do not touch when conversing. Unless they are talking with close friends or family, touching can be taken as an invasion upon someones personal space. You will often see close friends and family walking hand-in-hand and hugging in public is common.

Direct eye contact when speaking is a sign of being interested in what the other is saying as well as a sign of respect and should be taken seriously.

Being punctual is very important in Germany. Being on time to meetings, services and appointments is highly regarded. German people are the master's of time management. Trains and buses usually run right on time and rarely are even a minute or two late.

Calendars, agendas and schedules are taken very seriously among German people. It's important  to call if you are going to be late to an appointment, meeting or social event.

Germans are very organized and structured people. It's considered bad manners to interrupt daily schedules. They are also very clean and maintain orderly homes. Cleanliness and grooming of their homes are top priority.

It used to be that German women were expected to be in the kitchen, tending to the children or in church however, times have changed and women are accepted in the workplace today. Many German men still have issues with women earning more than they do but generally men earn more than women.

You should place the palm of your hand down and make sort of a scratching motion with your fingers when you are gesturing for someone to come see you. To signify "no" by gesture, wave your hand back and forth with the palm faced up. Instead of applauding or clapping your hands at the end of a performance or presentation, Germans show their approval by lightly rapping their knuckles on a tabletop or hard surface.

In North America, when people form a circle with their thumb and index finger, it's usually meant as a sign of "OK" however, in Germany it's considered an obscene gesture. When someone whistles during a performance it's taken as a sign of being displeased with it.

At the age of 16, beverages with a low alcohol content can be purchased, but stronger beverages can't be purchased until the age of 18.

Those who give alcohol to underage people are punished by law in Germany however, being in possession of alcohol and being underage is not punishable by law. In public, a parent can give a child who is 15 years and older non-distilled beverages.

Vehicles are always kept in top notch condition with cleanliness and organization. At work, office doors are usually kept closed. You must knock to get the person's attention and to be invited in.

The man generally enters a door first when going to an establishment such as a restaurant and will step to the side for the woman to follow.

You should expect to offer a small gift of wine or candy when visiting someone in Germany.

When eating in Germany be sure to wait to be seated. Before starting to eat when you are with guests you should wish them, "Guten Appetit" which means to enjoy their meal. The host should always lead by putting their napkin in their lap first. German's usually clean their plates so its a good practice to only take the amount of food you know you'll eat. A host will think there is something wrong with their food or cooking if you fail to finish everything on your plate.

Wait to start eating until everyone at the table has been served and the host has given the first toast and started to eat. Wait until a toast has been made to begin drinking your beverage. Keep in mind with every glass of beer or wine you consume it will automatically be re-filled. In Germany, it's proper social etiquette and table manners that make a visitor stand out.

The knife should always be used with the left hand and the fork with the right hand. Instead of cutting up an entire serving of meat at one time you should instead cut a small section of it. It's best to cut most of your food items with the fork and not the knife. This includes lettuce and salad as it should be folded against the fork into a small bundle. Remember to split rolls by hand instead of cutting them open with a knife.

Lay your fork and knife across your plate when you have finished eating. Fold your napkin and lay it to the left side of your plate when you have finished eating. You should do the same with a cloth napkin. It's also customary to thank the waiter or waitress on your way out of a restaurant after paying the bill.

If you are planning to visit this interesting country and have never been there before, you should feel more confidant about fitting in with having a better understanding about German etiquette.