What are some German ettiques?

Show all answers

Nades

If you mean "etiquette", in what sense to do you mean? Like when you're meeting someone or something. Here is a good summary:

Meeting Etiquette

. Greetings are formal.
. A quick, firm handshake is the traditional greeting.
. Titles are very important and denote respect. Use a person's title and their surname until invited to use their first name. You should say Herr or Frau and the person's title and their surname.
. In general, wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to a group.
. When entering a room, shake hands with everyone individually, including children.

Gift Giving Etiquette

. If you are invited to a German's house, bring a gift such as chocolates or flowers.
. Yellow roses or tea roses are always well received.
. Do not give red roses as they symbolize romantic intentions.
. Do not give carnations as they symbolize mourning.
. Do not give lilies or chrysanthemums as they are used at funerals.
. If you bring wine, it should be imported, French or Italian. Giving German wines is viewed as meaning you do not think the host will serve a good quality wine.
. Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a German's house:
. Arrive on time as punctuality indicates proper planning. Never arrive early.
. Never arrive more than 15 minutes later than invited without telephoning to explain you have been detained.
. Send a handwritten thank you note the following day to thank your hostess for her hospitality.

Table manners

. Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat.
. Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
. Do not begin eating until the hostess starts or someone says 'guten appetit' (good appetite).
. At a large dinner party, wait for the hostess to place her napkin in her lap before doing so yourself.
. Do not rest your elbows on the table.
. Do not cut lettuce in a salad. Fold it using your knife and fork.
. Cut as much of your food with your fork as possible, since this compliments the cook by indicating the food is tender.
. Finish everything on your plate.
. Rolls should be broken apart by hand.
. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate, with the fork over the knife.
. The host gives the first toast.
. An honoured guest should return the toast later in the meal.
. The most common toast with wine is 'Zum Wohl!' ('good health').
. The most common toast with beer is 'Prost!' ('good health').

Leon

My German coworkers are extremely irked if somebody doesn't say good morning the first time they talk to you that day. You should exchange pleasantries before you get down to business.

If you are talking to people you don't know well, you should address them with the formal pronouns, the ones that don't really exist in English anymore and you never refer to them by their first name. Being used to seeing name tags in N-America with peoples first name on them, I was quite surprised to see in Germany that they had only the last name, not even first and last or initial and last, just last name.

They also don't have the type of N-American BBQ's or potlucks where you bring food or at least bring your own booze. You can bring a present for the host/hostess like a bottle of wine, chocolates, flowers etc. but the host provides the food and drinks.

Alwin E

Be true, and don't fart in public.

Really, that's all you need to know. Any German will appreciate it if you just ASK when you're unsure; but don't apologize too much. Be yourself.

PattyAnn

What is an ettique?

via.aries

One of my favorites:

Don't phone or visit someone in the time from 8.00h p.m. to 8.15h p.m. Most Germans are watching TV at this time. The most important News the "Tagesschau" is broadcasted at this time! You'll earn a big frown, believe me. It's rude.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: