Germany’s culture relies on nonverbal symbols considerably less than some others, usually preferring words to gestures except for handshakes. However, the country still has a set of subtler behaviors you are expected to follow, such as maintaining a specific standard of personal space or observing table manners. Learning German customs and properly following them is vital to securing the respect of business partners of that nationality.
Greetings and Personal Space
Germans are highly punctual and value the quality in other people, so it is optimal to arrive several minutes before the scheduled meeting time. When greeting a German or saying your goodbyes, you want to firmly shake their hand while maintaining direct eye contact to make a good impression. The firmness demonstrates you are not a weak person, while the eye contact indicates honesty and reliability. Holding your other hand in your pocket during a handshake is considered to show disrespect and should be avoided.
German people tend to maintain an interpersonal distance of about an arm’s length. The rule applies when standing and sitting, and invading that space may cause the person to feel uncomfortable. Germans tend not to overtly declare their boundaries the way people from other cultures may, so it is critical to watch their reactions when near them. Germans also dislike physical and contact and likely will not engage in it outside of the handshakes at the beginning and end.
Table Manners
When sitting at a table during a meal, you have to keep your hands visible above the table; however, resting your elbows on the table indicates poor manners. When eating at a restaurant, you summon waiters by making eye contact, and waving or verbally calling them is a breach of etiquette. Although restaurants are required to include a gratuity in your bill, leaving a 5-10% tip is still standard.
Hand and Arm Gestures
Germans do not use many gestures, and many signs that are common in other cultures are considered impolite. For example, using your thumb and index finger to form an “okay” sign is thought of as rude, and so is tapping your head with a finger while looking at someone. Putting your hands in your pockets while talking to someone is disrespectful to them. The “thumbs up” gesture has the dual meaning of either approval or indicating “one.” Making two fists with thumbs tucked inside and tapping a surface with them means “good luck.” Lastly, when a German person arrives at or leaves from a table and physically cannot shake hands with everyone without causing discomfort to them, they may rap their knuckles on the table instead.
Facial Expressions
Germans tend to restrain their facial expressions in front of strangers, reserving them for family and close friends. This is especially true for smiles, which usually indicate affection and so are inappropriate in a business meeting. However, you are expected to maintain eye contact with people you are talking to, and doing otherwise is seen as dishonest. One facial expression Germans will sometimes use in formal environments is raising their eyebrows, which indicates surprise and approval.
Conclusion
German culture is not as rich in non-verbal communication as those of some other European countries. However, that makes understanding and observation of the customs all the more critical, as you are not going to be able to learn the subtler aspects by imitation. Furthermore, Germans will judge a person by their manners, and as such memorizing the guidelines outlined in this essay and applying them is crucial to winning their approval.