Germans are generally orderly, private and punctual. They are thrifty, hard-working and industrious. These traits are not only reflected in their work but also in their personal lives.
Therefore, understanding the typical cultural features of German people, understanding the beliefs and values that they respect will help international students integrate more quickly into life here. Let’s learn about the greeting and communication culture of German people with URIAH Vietnam !
1. Culture of greeting and addressing
How Germans greet each other depends on how well they know the other person. The most common greeting is a handshake with eye contact. Men usually greet women first and wait for them to extend their hand. Close friends may hug and younger people may kiss each other on the cheek.
A few words about German culture and people
?Guten Tag? and ?Hallo? are the most common verbal greetings used in Germany. Shortened expressions such as “Tag” or “Moin” can be used in less formal, everyday contexts.
In polite situations, it is appropriate to address others by their title and surname, “Sir” for men and “Madam” for women, for example “Mr. Professor Mayer”. However, when introducing yourself, be careful to omit the title and introduce yourself by your surname. To maintain politeness, continue to use this form of address until the person asks you to switch to using your first name.
2. Communication culture
Verbal communication:
Frankness: Germans are famous for being straightforward in speaking their minds.
This can be quite shocking to foreigners, especially to Vietnamese people who have the habit of “choosing their words to please each other”. However, it is also important to understand that the Germans’ straightforwardness is not meant to be mean or critical, but rather they are trying to convey the message in a concise, honest and easy-to-understand way.
Don’t like small talk: Germans value maximizing efficiency, so at work, they hardly spend time on small talk. When dealing with work, Germans believe that getting straight to the point is the most effective way to communicate instead of beating around the bush or beating around the bush.
A few words about German culture and people
Honesty: “Bitter medicine cures disease, but the truth hurts”, Germans probably understand and agree with this saying more than anyone else. In situations where criticism or difficult comments are required, they will still talk openly about what is important to them, even if it is not always easy to accept.
Clear separation between work and personal life: Germans are known for being highly disciplined people. They respect work, punctuality, rules and regulations; at the same time, they respect their personal lives. For them, work and private life are two distinct poles. It is rare to see a German having a personal conversation at work; and they are willing to refuse any work-related calls on their days off.
A few words about German culture and people
Sense of humor: In fact, Germans are funny in their own way. It can be understood that Germans have a rather “dry” sense of humor, meaning that even when joking, they often do not express sarcasm in their voice. This tone of voice often makes Germans misunderstood as dry, serious and not knowing how to joke.
A few words about German culture and people
Silence: Germans place a special value on silence. They tend to be clear-headed and say only what needs to be said. They also don’t feel awkward when there is a pause in the conversation. This is why Germans have a reputation for being cold and unfriendly. Germans love silence so much that if someone plays loud music on a Sunday, they have every right to call the police.
Body language communication:
Personal space: Germans are extremely careful about keeping their distance from others. Normally, when talking, they will keep a distance of about an arm’s length, maybe a little closer or farther depending on the level of intimacy. Standing too close to someone when communicating will make them feel their personal space is being invaded, causing a feeling of discomfort, even insecurity.
A few words about German culture and people
Physical contact: Germans also tend to avoid touching others when socializing, except with family and close friends. A light touch on the shoulder is acceptable to a certain extent, but any touching that makes the other person feel uncomfortable can be considered a physical assault. If you bump into someone or accidentally touch them, politely say sorry.
Eye contact: Looking directly into the eyes when talking is highly appreciated, especially when discussing important issues. Avoiding eye contact in this situation can be seen as a sign of dishonesty and lack of confidence. However, it is also important to avoid staring too long as it can make the other person feel uncomfortable.
Facial expressions: Many Germans appear serious, rarely smile, and are aloof when interacting with strangers. However, once they become close, Germans are as cheerful, sociable, and “crazy” as anyone else.
See more: 5 taboos when studying and working in Germany? Part 1
