Germans are extremely punctual and well-mannered. Showing up late, losing your cool, or raising your voice are all considered rude and thoughtless. If you step out of line, don’t be surprised or offended if someone corrects your behavior, as this is very common in the German culture.
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Do and don’ts in Germany?
German Etiquette: Don’ts
- Don’t #1. Cross the street when the traffic light is red.
- Don’t #2. Make loud noise in public.
- Don’t #3. Open closed doors without knocking.
- Don’t #4. Call people late in the evening.
- Don’t #5. Make jokes about nazism.
- Don’t #6. Stare at naked people.
- Don’t #7.
- Don’t #8.
What is forbidden in Germany?
National Socialism is banned outright in Germany as anti-constitutional; it is illegal to found or belong to a Nazi party. Any party considered to be National Socialist can be banned by the Bundesverfassungsgericht, Germany’s highest court.
What is considered respectful in Germany?
Punctuality. Don’t turn up late for an appointment or when meeting people. Germans are extremely punctual, and even a few minutes’ delay can offend. Be five to 10 minutes early for important appointments and be sure to call the people you are meeting if you really cannot make it in time.
What should you not say in German?
11 Things You Should Never Say to a German
- What salary are you on? Talking about money and a person’s salary is taboo.
- Can I have some tap water, please? Cafés and restaurants don’t generally serve free tap water, even if you ask for it.
- Do you wear lederhosen / a dirndl every day?
- Happy birthday!
What are German taboos?
Chewing gum, blowing your nose, winking at someone you don’t know well, rolling down the window to chat with someone outside — all of these minor infractions are taboo in Germany.
Is it rude to leave food in Germany?
It’s considered impolite to leave food on your plate. If you aren’t sure what to do, watch what others are doing. Also feel free, as a stranger in a strange land, to ask your host discreetly about what is appropriate.
What is a weird law in Germany?
Don’t Drink and Bike! Driving a car while drunk is a big no-no. But in Germany, even riding a bicycle while intoxicated can get you into some serious trouble with the law. If someone is caught cycling and drinking (or already drunk), police officers will stop them and confiscate their license if necessary.
Is the middle finger illegal in Germany?
What does the law say? Showing the middle finger to another road user in road traffic is an offence in Germany under Section 185 of the Criminal Code (StGB). It’s punishable by a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine.
What you Cannot bring into Germany?
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.
How do you show respect in German?
Germans are more formal and punctual than most of the world.
Meeting and Greeting
- At a business or social meeting, shake hands with everyone present when arriving and leaving.
- When introducing yourself, never use your title. Introduce yourself by your last name only.
- Never shake hands with one hand in your pocket.
How do you handle Germans?
Dealing with the Germans
- Have an opinion; catch up on politics and current events.
- Develop a thick skin.
- Sharpen your elbows.
- Don’t expect good service.
- Learn the language.
- Watch Tatort.
- Learn the rules of soccer and support your local team.
- If you have a hobby, join a Verein.
What is H word in Germany?
When the German letter ‘h’ appears at the beginning of a word, it’s pronounced exactly as the initial sound of the English words ‘how’, ‘hard’, ‘here’. The letter is pronounced exactly the same when it appears in the middle of a word as well.
The German Consonant: H.
| Examples with Pronunciation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ruhe – calm | nehmen – to take | Jahr – year |
What is a typical German personality?
Germans are stoic people who strive for perfectionism and precision in all aspects of their lives. They do not admit faults, even jokingly, and rarely hand out compliments. At first their attitude may seem unfriendly, but there is a keen sense of community and social conscience and a desire to belong.
Why do Germans stare?
Once the shock of people staring a little longer than expected wears off, it becomes clear that staring in Germany is actually a sign of politeness in certain circumstances. Staring into the eyes of others is an important part of saying ‘prost’ (cheers) before drinking a beer or a glass of wine.
What do Germans like talking about?
When it comes to small talk, Germans rarely chat about personal matters at first. Instead, they focus on sports, traveling, movies or cooking. You should avoid potentially controversial topics like politics or religion, reserving them for good friends only.
What German cultures should not do?
Just don’t!
- Being unpunctual.
- Making noise.
- Making a spontaneous visit.
- Crossing the road when the light’s red.
- Phoning late in the evening.
- Disregarding waste separation rules.
- Raising your glass without making eye contact.
- Parking on the cycle path.
Is it rude to burp in Germany?
While in other cultures, burping or smacking might be a signal that the food was good and enough, in Germany you try to eat as quietly as possible. That doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to talk; quite the reverse, you should talk as much as you can to boost your German.
Do Germans eat fries with a fork?
Compared to American eating culture, Germans tend to eat less with their fingers and use forks and knives, even when eating french fries.
What do Germans eat for breakfast?
Breakfasts in Germany tend to be fairly hearty and often start with some bread or rolls which are served with spreads such as butter, jam, and marmalade. Sausage, eggs, cheese, and bacon are common breakfast items too, as are potato pancakes.
What is the age of consent in Germany?
14 years old
The age of consent in Germany is 14 years old. Prosecution for statutory rape (or the local equivalent) can result in prison time ranging from 6 months to 10 years. The age of consent in Germany is 14 if both partners are under 18.