Of late, I happened to read this interesting article. If you
are someone by any chance work or make business with Germans, these are some
must to follow tips. I learnt the hard way by making mistakes and taking the
hard lesson.
These rules are for traditional office and business
environments, but they could be embarrassingly out of place in, say, an urban
start-up run by twenty-somethings. If in doubt, use the golden rule: do as
those around you do.
1. Be on time
Being late in Germany is a cardinal sin. Seriously. Turning
up even five or ten minutes after the arranged time - especially for a first
meeting - is considered personally insulting and can create a disastrous first
impression. Minimize reputation damage by calling ahead with a watertight
excuse if you're going to be held up.
2. Use titles and surnames
German workers tend to stick to roles rigidly and rarely
step out of strict office hierarchies. Stay in line and always address
colleagues and business associates using their title and surname, unless or
until they invite you use first names. If you find yourself hosting, introduce
your highest ranking guest to everyone else taking care to use full names and
job positions.
3. If in doubt, shake hands
As well as shaking hands in greeting, Germans also shake
hands with everyone in a room before and after a business meeting or
conference. If you have to leave early, shake everyone's hand again, starting
with the most senior person present and working down. The German handshake is
firm and brief, said to convey confidence and reliability. A weak handshake
will suggest you are unsure of your abilities.
4. Dress like an MP
German business attire is reserved and conservative, with
both men and women typically donning dark suits and few, if any accessories.
Men are advised to avoid flashy ties and women should keep make-up and jewels
simple and low-key.
5. Business, not personal
Don't expect your German colleagues to be natural sharers,
and don't take it personally if they seem distant, even after some time. Keep
small talk light and non-specific, as most prefer to keep the details of their
home life or political and religious views out of the office. Most co-workers
will brighten at the prospect of talking shop, however, which is almost always
acceptable, even during meals. NB: Never discuss your or anybody else's income
- a taboo in German workplaces where wages vary
6. Knock first
Earn German colleagues' respect by respecting their privacy.
If you find yourself faced with a closed door, especially to a private office,
always knock before entering. Equally, never call a German colleague at home
unless it's really an emergency - of catastrophic proportions.
7. Keep your distance
Germans don't tend to be the touchy-feely types. Observe the
personal space of others and avoid patting shoulders, arms or generally any
physical contact beyond that all-important handshake.
8. Say what you mean
In negotiations, Germans tend to be direct and frank about
what they want and they will expect you to do the same. If you are pitching a
project, remember making a decision can be a long process, so don't bother with
the hard sell, just present all the facts as thoroughly as you can. Likewise,
if Germans are presenting you with a proposal, stock up on coffee and be
prepared to be shown a barrage of figures, graphs, tables and pie charts.
9. Plan ahead
Germans tend to keep full, relatively inflexible calendars,
so be sure to schedule meetings well in advance. Surprises are generally
frowned upon, so don't expect to be able to change or cancel an appointment at
short notice without annoying your German associates. Last minute cancellations
are an even worse sin than being late.
10. Guten Appetit
If attending a business lunch or other meal, wait for the
host to initiate most things - drinking wine, eating and conversation. Make
sure to wish everyone Guten Appetit before digging in. When toasting chime in
with Prost! or Zum Wohl!, and look other guests in the eyes when clinking
glasses. Hopefully, the meal will follow the German toast Erst mach' dein' Sach
dann trink' und lach! (First take care of business, then drink and laugh!)
[Courtesy: thelocal.de]
Cheers | Jayabalaji
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