| Visitors from other parts of the world
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| | girls. The shorter "Frau" is used to
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| that visit Germany for vacation or
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| | address older, unmarried young ladies and
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| business purposes are typically pleased
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| | women since it is considered a more
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| to note that Germans are cordial, polite,
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| | mature greeting. Also unlike in the
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| and welcoming. However, as with any
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| | United States, a married woman is not
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| culture, Germans have mannerisms that are
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| | addressed by her husband's first name
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| unique to them. Since social etiquette is
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| | (e.g. Mrs. John Smith), but by her own
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| considered important in every society and
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| | first name (e.g. Frau Jane Smith).
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| Germans are no different, visitors that
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| | Common Business Etiquette in Germany
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| take a small amount of time to
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| | "Du" and "Sie"
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| familiarize themselves with what Germans
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| | The method of addressing others by saying
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| consider good manners will find that
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| | "you" is divided into the formal and
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| locals will often appreciate and even
| |
| | informal manners of "Du" and "Sie." "Du"
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| more warmly accept them into their
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| | is considered informal and should be
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| country.
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| | reserved only for close acquaintances,
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| Shaking Hands
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| | friends and family. To avoid seeming
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| Germans typically wait until introduced
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| | disrespectful when meeting new persons,
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| by a host to shake hands. Typically,
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| | especially in a formal or business
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| older parties in a group or more senior
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| | environment, it is generally accepted
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| persons reserve the right to extend their
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| | that "Sie" is the proper form to use.
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| hand for a handshake first. Attendees of
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| | Attire
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| small parties will always take the time
| |
| | American standards of business dress have
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| to shake hands with one another when
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| | relaxed in certain niche industries in
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| greeting, as opposed to larger functions
| |
| | recent years, but that doesn't mean that
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| where hand shakes are very rarely
| |
| | the same is true of Germans. It is
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| performed. The act of shaking hands in
| |
| | typically customary for business attire
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| passing is considered rude. If one takes
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| | to be worn in nearly every business
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| the time to shake hands, it is considered
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| | setting. Jeans, T-shirts, and similar
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| a precursor to at least a brief chat.
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| | clothing will typically be frowned upon.
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| Additionally, it is considered to rude to
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| | When in doubt, always opt to possibly
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| shake hands while the other hand is in
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| | slightly overdress than to take the risk
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| your pocket.
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| | of under-dressing.
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| In formal settings, it is still
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| | Meetings and Functions
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| considered custom to kiss a lady's hand
| |
| | Unlike many other cultures, Germans will
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| when introduced, though the lips should
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| | typically send invitations that outline
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| never actually touch the hand. When being
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| | not only when a meeting or function will
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| introduced to adults, little German girls
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| | begin but also when it will end. It would
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| will occasionally courtesy in greeting.
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| | be considered good manners to use this
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| Furthermore, unlike in the United States,
| |
| | time as a queue to bid a proper farewell.
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| children will rarely thank someone for a
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| | Though no one will expect every one to
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| compliment.
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| | jump up and run out the door at the exact
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| Addressing Others in Germany
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| | time, it can be considered rude to ignore
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| The female term "Fraulein" is only used
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| | the outlines set up by the hosts.
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| to address particularly young, unmarried
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| |
|
