GERMAN

DINING/PARTY o o To beckon a waiter, raise your hand and say, "Herr Ober." To beckon a waitress, raise your hand and say, "Frulein." Guten Appetit is said before eating and means "enjoy your meal". It is the host's way of saying, "please start". Guests can respond by saying Guten Appetit or Danke ebenfalls, which means, "thank you." Germans A "thank you" is usually done in person or with a telephone call. value direct eye contact, particularly during face-toface conversations, seeing it as a sign of honesty and interest in the discussion. A person who does not look you in the eye is regarded as untrustworthy and of weak character. Smiles are used with discretion, typically being reserved for close friends and family only. Germans do not normally smile to express politeness Nobody drinks at a dinner party before the host has drunk. The host will raise his glass to the woman on his right and then toast to the health of the group. Thereafter, people may drink as they see fit. When toasting as a guest, hold the glass only at the stem, clink your glass with everyone near you at the table and say Prosit, then take a drink. Then look into the eyes of someone at your table and lift your glass just slightly, then bring your glass down to the table. Do not use a knife to cut potatoes or dumplings (suggests food is not tender). The general rule is whatever does not need a knife, should not be touched with your knife. Do not smoke until after dinner is finished and coffee is served. Then ask permission. If you are taking a break during the meal, but would like to continue eating or would like more food, cross the knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife. Do not ask for a tour of your host's home, it would be considered impolite. For a large party, it is nice to send flowers before the party or the next day. Give an uneven number of flowers (unwrapped, not 13), yellow roses, tea roses or chocolates. Do not give red roses (love symbol) or carnations (mourning). Yellow and white chrysanthemums and calla lilies are given for funerals only. MEETING/BUSINESS o o When introducing yourself, never use your title. Introduce yourself by your last name only. Addressing business partners by their first names is not usually appropriate, and German employees tend to refer to all colleagues as either "Herr" or "Frau," followed by their surname. Lunch with business colleagues generally involves social conversation. Do not discuss business during lunch or dinner unless your German host initiates the conversation. Written or spoken presentations should be specific, factual, technical and realistic. Shake hands with everyone present when arriving and leaving.. Never shake hands with one hand in your pocket. Two titles should not be used at the same time, except when addressing a letter to someone. If a person does hold several titles, the higher one is used in speaking to him/her. Germans produce massive written communications to elaborate on and confirm discussions. Reports, briefings and presentations should be backed up by facts, figures, tables and charts. Remain silent if the floor has not been given to you or if you are not prepared to make an informed contribution. Do not call a German at home unless it is an emergency. Men should wear suits (dark colors) and ties. Women should wear dresses, suits, pantsuits, skirts and blouses during business meeting.

DATING When you walk with a girl on road, make sure you walk on the left side of the girl. This is indirectly telling that the girl is in your heart. But if the road is busy, you have to walk on the closest side of the traffic telling her that you are protective and guarantee security in her life.

 OTHERS VERBAL COMMUNICATION Verbal communication in Germany tends to be clear and to the point. When Germans answer the telephone, for example, it is common to simply give their last names rather than a greeting such as "hello," Different words for "you." As "du" is reserved for addressing children, animals and close personal friends, "Sie" should normally be used when initiating conversations with colleagues and acquaintances, unless the other person specifically suggests that you use "du."

NON-VERBAL COMMUNATION Germans use their little finger to point. When counting items on their fingers, Germans customarily start by numbering their thumb as "one. "Thumbs up" gesture means "one" or is a sign of appreciation or agreement. Making hands into two fists, thumbs tucked inside the other fingers and making pounding motion lightly on a surface expresses "good luck." Never use the "okay" sign. Don't point your index finger to your own head Dont shout or be loud, put your feet on furniture or chew gum in public. When you wave your hands to bid a bye, it conveys the message NO to others. To make your intention of telling bye can be accomplished by raising your hand up showing your palm and beckon your fingers up and down Dont think about showing Nazis salute or swastika symbol as it is highly offensive and applicable to tourists too. You will be awarded an imprisonment for five years for just that act. Dont speak by chewing a gum ever in Germany. Raising your index finger, it is actually interpreted as Wait a second.

Ask someone their name by asking "Wie heissen Sie?" Ask someone how they are when you meet them by saying "Wie geht es Ihnen?" which means, "How are you?" Welcome someone by saying "Willkommen," which means welcome. "Tag" which means "hello" and "auf Wiedersehen" which means "good-bye." "Guten Tag" which means, "Good day," and variations of the phrase such as "Guten Abend" for, "Good evening," and "Guten Morgen" for "Good morning." "Guten Tag" which means, "Good day," and variations of the phrase such as "Guten Abend" for, "Good evening," and "Guten Morgen" for "Good morning." Use the phrase "Gute Nacht" to mean good night. You can use this term to mean hello or good-bye at night. Say "Gruss dich" which means "greet you" and "Gruss Gott" which means "good God." Use the most informal expression when speaking to your friends by saying "Tschus" which means "Hi.

Words used1 Introduce yourself by saying "Ich heisse Jim" which means, "I am Jim."

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eHow.com How to speak formal and informal in German

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