Germany- Culture & Civilization

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 Cuprins

I. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3

1. Facts and statistics ............................................................................................................. 3

II. German Society & Culture ............................................................................................... 4

1. Germany- a Planning Culture .......................................................................................... 4

2. The German Home ............................................................................................................ 5

III. German Etiquette & Customs .......................................................................................... 6

1. Appointment seeking/Meeting Etiquette ......................................................................... 6

2. Gift giving ........................................................................................................................... 6

3. Dress code/Etiquette .......................................................................................................... 7

4. Dining Etiquette ................................................................................................................. 8

5. Table manners .................................................................................................................... 8

IV. Supersitions ...................................................................................................................... 10

V. Taboos ................................................................................................................................... 13

VI. Conclusions .......................................................................................................................... 14

VII. Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 15

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I. Introduction

1. Facts and statistics

Germany is at the center of Europe, not only geographically, but also in terms of politics
and economics. The country is Europe's second most populous after Russia, with more
than 81 million people, according to the World Factbook. The German economy is the
largest on the continent and the fifth largest in the world.

While German exerts its influence on the countries that border it — Austria, Belgium,
Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland and Poland
— all of these cultures have, in varying degrees, had a hand in shaping today’s Germany.

The population is 91.5 percent German, with Turkish being the second largest ethnic
group at 2.4 percent, according to the World Factbook. The remaining 6.1 percent is
made up primarily of those of Greek, Russian, Italian, Polish, Serbo-Croatian and
Spanish descent.

Languages in Germany

Germany’s official language is German, with over 94% of the population speaking
German as their first language. In West Germany all pupils learned English as the first
foreign language at school; hence people should at least understand it. However, in East
Germany English language skills are not that common as many people older than 35
years have learned Russian instead. Most prominent immigrant languages include
Russian (ca. 3 Mio.), Turkish (ca. 2 Mio.) and Polish (ca. 1,5 Mio.).

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II. German Society & Culture

1. Germany- a Planning Culture

A planning culture

 In many respects, Germans can be considered the masters of planning.

 German culture prizes forward thinking and knowing what one will be doing at a
specific time on a specific day well ahead in the future.
 Careful planning, in one's business and personal life, provides a sense of security.
 Rules and regulations allow people to know what is expected and plan one’s life
accordingly.
 Once the proper way to perform a task is discovered, there is no need to think of doing it
any other way.
 This is a culture that prizes forward thinking and knowing what they will be doing at a
specific time on a specific day.

 Careful planning, in one's business and personal life, provides a sense of security.
 Germans believe that maintaining clear lines of demarcation between people, places, and
things is the surest way to lead a structured and ordered life.
 Work and personal lives are rigidly divided.
 There is a proper time for every activity. When the business day ends, you are expected
to leave the office. If you must remain after normal closing, it indicates that you did not
plan your day properly.

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2. The German Home

Germans take great pride in their homes.

 They are kept neat and tidy at all times, with everything in its appointed place.

 In a culture where most communication is rather formal, the home is the place
where one can relax and allow one’s individualism to reveal.

 Only close friends and relatives are invited into the sanctity of the house, so it is
the one place where more informal communication may occur.

 Often, only close friends and relatives are invited into the privacy of the house.

 In some houses you might be expected to take off your shoes when entering
(especially in East Germany). A short enquiry will help finding out.

 There are many unwritten rules surrounding the outward maintenance of one's
home.

 It is imperative that common areas such as sidewalks, pavements, corridors (in

apartments), and steps be kept clean at all times.

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III. German Etiquette & Customs

1. Appointment seeking/Meeting Etiquette

 Greetings are often formal, unless among friends.
 A quick, firm handshake with a straight look into the eyes is the traditional greeting. The
other hands should be taken out of the pocket. A man should wait until a woman offers her
hand first. Additionally, a handshake may be accompanied with a slight bow. Reciprocating
the nod is a good way to make a good impression.
 Titles are very important and denote respect. Use a person's (academic) 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. Always use ‘Sie’ instead of ‘Du’ unless you are offered a ‘Du’.
 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. A
weak handshake gives others the impression that you are insecure and not convinced of
your abilities. For this reason, always shake hands firmly without squeezing and without
holding on to the other's hand for too long or too short a time. A firm handshake sends a
message of trust, frankness, sincerity, consideration and honesty.

2. Gift giving
 If you are invited to a German's house, bring a gift such as fine chocolates, a bottle of
wine or flowers.
 A gift of German wine, however, should be a more up market label. Remember that the
Rhein-Main region is taking great pride in wine production.
 When purchasing flowers at a flower shop, ask the florist to wrap it up as a gift
(“Würden Sie mir das bitte als Geschenk verpacken?”) or wrap them yourself before
presenting them to the hostess.
 Yellow roses or tea roses are always well received.
 Do neither give red roses as they symbolize romantic intentions nor carnations as they
symbolize mourning nor lilies or chrysanthemums as they are used at funerals.

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  A local food specialty of your home country is usually a good idea for a gift, provided it
is not too exotic. Very unusual food gifts may well be under-appreciated.
 Clothing, perfumes, and other toiletries are considered far too personal to be appropriate
gifts unless among good friends.
 Gifts are usually opened when received

3. Dress code/Etiquette
 Germans take great pride in dressing well, regardless of where they are going or what
position they hold. Appearance and presentation is very important to Germans,
particularly with regard to business.
 Even when dressed informally, they are neat and conservative; their clothes are never
ostentatious.

The following points give an insight into the correct dress code suitable for conducting business
in Germany:

 Being well and correctly dressed is very important. Casual or sloppy attire is frowned
upon.
 Business dress in Germany is understated, formal and conservative
 Businessmen should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits; solid, conservative
ties, and white shirts.
 Women also dress conservatively, in dark suits and white blouses or conservative dresses.
This form of dress is observed even in comparatively warm weather. Do not remove your
jacket or tie before your German colleague does so.
 Women are recommended to refrain from wearing heavy make-up and ostentatious
jewellery or accessories.
 Do not be surprised however, if occasionally you do see a fashion statement with white
socks being worn with a dark suit.

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 4. 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.
 Do a short phone call or send a thank you note the following day to thank your host for

her/his hospitality.

 Switch your mobile phone off or put it on silent.

If you are invited to a restaurant:

 It is common for everyone to pay for her/his own meal.

 Generally, waiters and bar staff should be tipped approximately 5% to 10%.

5. 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.
 Germans do not generally serve other people. Plates of food are passed around the table
and each person takes what and how much he wants.
The host will, however, often ask his guests if they would like more to drink. In the case of
wine, the host usually does the pouring, but if this is a large table, it is perfectly normal to
pass the wine bottle to the person who wants it and he would pour for himself or herself.
 Do not expect Germans to ask you if there is anything you do not eat.
Because Germans are direct communicators, they will expect someone to speak up if she/he
wants something, disagree about or don't like something. Irritation and inconvenience will
rather result if you remain silent and “spring” the problem on the host only when the dishes
are being served.

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 Do not begin eating until the hostess starts or someone says 'Guten Appetit' (Good
appetite) then repeat the words and start eating.
 At a large dinner party, wait for the hostess or host to place her/his napkin on her lap
before doing so yourself.
 Do not rest your elbows on the table.
 While eating, always leave your hands on the table besides your plate.
 Finish everything on your plate.
 Bread-rolls should be broken apart by hand.

 Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork diagonally across your
plate.
 If you do not want any more food or drink, say so politely.
Germans will not ask again, as they expect you to express your personal wishes. They will
also not take it as impolite or an insult if you say “no”.
 Do not start drinking alcoholic drinks until 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!' (' To your health').
 The most common toast with beer is 'Prost!' (lat. 'May it be beneficial’).
 Mainly on smaller dinner parties and occasions all participants clink glasses after the
toast.
 When clinking the glasses never cross anyone else’s arm and carefully look into the eyes
of the person you are clinking with, from the time the glass is raised, until it is placed
back on the table.
 If many people are being toasted, make eye contact with each individual around the table
as you make the toast. This rule becomes even more important to remember as you move
west to east through Germany
 In some of the more informal restaurants (like universities’ cafeterias) you may share a
table with others, instead of waiting for a free table. If this happens you are not obligated
to initiate conversation with your tablemates and socialize with them throughout the
meal.
 The person who extends the invitation will be the person who pays.

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 It is not at all expected that the guest should even offer to pay. Do refrain from dramatic
and persistent efforts to obtain the bill, as this will not only create confusion and
embarrassment in the German hosts, but in some cases it could be that you do, in fact,
end up with the bill.

Don't forget:
 Germans are likely to take your insistence literally!
 If a German colleague or friend merely suggests that you go out together to get
something to eat, this is not to be taken as an invitation!
Typically, in German restaurants, the waiter will come at the end of a meal and ask if the
total should be “zusammen” (totaled together on one bill) or “getrennt” (separate bills).
Unless you have been explicitly “eingeladen” (“invited”), you can expect the waiter to
be asked for separate bills.

IV. Supersitions

When it comes to superstitions that Germans hold,we have a plenty of interesting stuffs to
see,things that for people,from other countries may seem weird. As for some it’s the very spooky
day of Friday the 13th, for them there are many things that are considered to bring bad
luck.This tips & tricks may save you from some very bad luck in the Bundesrepublik.

Above,there are a few of the most known superstitions:

• Toasting with water

Never, ever say "cheers," or "Prost," with water in Germany. Not even for a joke. Especially
not for a joke. You are literally wishing death on all your drinking buddies. It means you really
want your friends to die. Is that what you want?

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 • Knocking on the Stammtisch

When greeting your German drinking buddies, instead of waving, you should knock on the
table. According to legend, this is because the Stammtisch, the regular table in the tavern, was
traditionally made of oak. Since the devil is unable to touch oak, considered a holy tree,
knocking on it proved you weren't the devil.

• Gift knives

Giving a German knives as a gift means that you are wishing them and everyone in their
household injury and death.This superstition comes from an ancient deal gone wrong a knife
smith once made with the devil, which ended with the devil cursing all his work.

Also giving a German knives as a gift means that you're cutting through the friendship, so make
sure you steer clear when looking for a house-warming present. And avoid gifting your lover
shoes, too. It is said that if they then run away it is your fault.

 Doorstep dog

If your dog dies, and you have no interest in sticking to local council rules about disposing of
animal carcasses, you might consider burying your old friend under the doorstep – his ghost will
guard the house.

• Never wish someone a happy birthday before the actual day

In other parts of the world, wishing someone happy birthday before the actual day is considered
pretty normal. If you're not going to see that person on the day or just because you might forget,
you say happy birthday in advance. In Germany, however, this is widely considered to bring bad
luck, even if the birthday wishes are only a few minutes early.

The tradition of "reinfeiern" in Germany or literally "celebrating into" is when guests gather the
evening before someone's birthday to celebrate, and wish the birthday boy or girl a happy
birthday, in stereotypical German fashion, precisely when the clock strikes midnight.

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  Always make eye contact during toasts

Nobody really knows where this superstition comes from, but some say the middle ages when
poisoning was very common. Eye contact was supposed to establish trust between hosts and
guests that nothing was poisoned.

 Never light cigarettes from candles

Given that you can't smoke in many public spaces anymore and the fact that candles and matches
have been replaced by lighters as the preferred method of lighting cigarettes, you probably won't
break this rule anytime soon. Good thing too, as it is said that every time you do, a sailor dies.

The reason for this superstition is actually quite logical as in olden days sailors used to make
matches to tide them over in the winter months when they couldn't go out to sea. Therefore, by
using a candle instead of a match, you were robbing sailors of their temporary living.

 Evil old ladies

There are a range of German superstitions related to old ladies, who are generally seen as evil.
Which they are, obviously. According to ancient medieval custom, one of the unluckiest things
you can do is walk between two of them on the road. Because then they'll trap you in a pincer
movement like the velociraptors in Jurassic Park.

 Bread and salt for a new home

The traditional gift at a housewarming party is bread and salt. It will make sure that your new
hosts will never be hungry in their new home. Especially if they like salty bread.

 Being touched by a chimney sweep

Chimney sweeps are considered lucky as their services meant people could cook food again after
having blocked chimneys and also reduced the risk of the house burning down. And if you get
ash from a chimney sweep in your face, it's considered lucky.

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V. Taboos

Although Germany is very “open-minded” culture,there are a few things that you absolutely
know before visiting it. Some of these sensitive subjects that you should avoid are the taboos,
which if you are not aware of may put you in unpleasant situations or even bring you
troubles.

Please note a few things that you should bear in mind:

 Anything related to World War II or the Holocaust.

 Do not ever,under any circumstances show the “Nazi greeting”, shout “Heil Hitler”,or
show swastikas or other symbols of the Third Reich,which is a criminal ofence. You can
can even get you arrested, with a 5-year prison sentence. Moreover, it is better not to
mention Hitler at all and even if the subject props up, do it respectfully.
 Punctuality – Do not be late for even a minute. Arriving late is an insult.
 Personal questions until the relationship is better established.
 Work and family life are usually kept separate, so stick to the business at hand.
 Current events and politics. Don’t get involved in the political discussion unless you are
well-informed.
 Never point your finger to your head. This is considered an insult, which means you are
saying the person is crazy.
 Germany is a very proud culture, so avoid criticism of anything pertaining to Germany or
the German people.
 Chewing gum, placing one hand in the pocket, etc. while talking to someone can be
considered very impolite.
 “Small talk”. Conversation focuses on matters of substance and genuine interest.
 Too much smiling and public gestures of affection,especially in the business.
 “Small talk” is not part of the culture in Germany. Conversation focuses on matters of
substance and genuine interest. There is little use for superficial inquiries or observations.
 Refrain from interrupting others. Allow each speaker to make his or her point before
responding.

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VI. Conclusions

Germany, the country of beer, sausages, and Oktoberfest is an interesting country no doubt.
With so much going on there it surely calls for in-depth research. With international travel
becoming so essential and affordable, learning about a country's culture and etiquette, before
visiting the place, has never been so important. Being well-informed about the customs and
etiquette prevalent in that region, can help prevent blunders, visitors usually make in a
foreign land.

Ignorance may lead to offending somebody's beliefs or hurting someone's emotions. Thus, it
is better to be well-versed with the same. Germany, being the third largest economy in the
world, is a great platform for international business. People from all over the world, come
here for business meetings.

The customs and etiquette will vary from one part of the country to the other. These were just
some commonly followed customs. The crux is to keep your eyes open; be alert and
observant. Observe the people around you and imitate them more or less. This will help you
avoid major cultural blunders.

To conclude we may say that Germany is a “country of contrasts”, an interesting

combination between culture,customs,etiquette,high standards and manners and at the same
time a mixture of ancient superstitions and taboos which bring color to the black & white
tones and seriousness which so characteristic when we speak about the “German spirit”.

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VII. Bibliography
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ora 12:37;
2. https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/62886456/Guide-to-German-culture_-costums-and-etiquette-
Aug-2016.pdf, accesat la data de 01.12.2017, ora 12:53;
3. http://www.gaylecotton.com/blog/2012/11/cultural-clues-dos-taboos-communication-
guidelines-for-germany/, accesat la data de 01.12.2017, ora 13:37
4. https://www.livescience.com/44007-german-culture.html, accesat la data de 01.12.2017, ora
13:52;
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germany/, accesat la data de 01.12.2017, ora 14:16;
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accesat la data de 01.12.2017, ora 14:30;
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ora 15:48;
9. http://www.softschools.com/facts/cultures/german_culture_facts/3255/ , accesat la
data de 02.12.2017, ora 16:09;
10. https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/strange-interesting-facts-germany , accesat la
data de 02.12.2017, ora 16:24;
11. http://www.dw.com/en/10-myths-about-culture-in-germany/a-40351656 , , accesat la data de
02.12.2017, ora 17:04;
12. http://businessculture.org/western-europe/business-culture-in-germany/ , accesat la
data de 02.12.2017, ora 17:29;
13. https://www.expatica.com/de/about/30-facts-about-Germany_108768.html, accesat la
data de 02.12.2017, ora 18:09;
14. http://confessedtravelholic.com/2011/02/69-fun-facts-about-germany.html, accesat la
data de 02.12.2017, ora 18:36.

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