German etiquette

When Germans meet for the first time, if you need a third party to introduce you, you should pay attention as an introducer: you can't introduce one person to another regardless of age and status. The general habit is to start with old people and women. Introduce young people to old people, men to women, and people with high status to people with low status. When shaking hands, both sides should look at each other in a friendly way to show their respect for each other. It's impolite to look around at this time. When reporting names for the first time, the two parties who meet for the first time should listen carefully and remember each other's names, so as to avoid the embarrassing situation of forgetting and calling the wrong name. When many people introduce each other, try to be concise and avoid dragging their feet. Due to the characteristics of German itself, when communicating with Germans, there will be problems in using honorifics or UFIDA terms. Generally associate with strangers, elders and people with ordinary relationships, and usually use your respectful name "you"; People with deep personal relationships and close relationships, such as window friends and colleagues who have been close for many years, often call each other "you". The initiative to exchange titles is usually in the hands of women and elders. The change of appellation marks the close relationship between the two. We must master and use this skillfully, so that we can communicate with the Germans easily.

(2) Observance and punctuality

Westerners generally pay attention to punctuality, and there is a saying in Germany that punctuality is the gift of emperors. When Germans invite guests, they often send invitations or call the invitees one week in advance. If it is a phone call, the invitee can reply orally immediately; If it is a written invitation, you can also reply orally by phone. But whether you accept it or not, you should reply as soon as possible so that the host can get ready. If you don't reply later, the host will be at a loss. If you can't keep the appointment, you should explain the reason politely. It is impolite not to keep an appointment without giving reasons. In Germany, official or semi-official invitations will also indicate the dress code, which is not superfluous, because no one wants to make a fool of himself on such a solemn occasion because of improper dress. If you can't go as scheduled after accepting the invitation, you should inform the host as soon as possible so that the host can make other arrangements. If you are late for more than 10 minutes due to temporary reasons, you should also call in advance, because in the occasion of private banquets in Germany, the time for waiting for late guests generally does not exceed 15 minutes. If the guest is late, apologize to the host and other guests. People can get used to being late at the cinema, but being late at the concert is annoying. At this time, latecomers had better wait until the end of a scene or a movement before taking their seats. If you can't wait, you need to walk slowly to your seat, don't make a mistake, and say "thank you" to those who stand up and make way. When going to an appointment for dinner, in case of rush hour, you must go out early to avoid being late. It is impolite to be late, but it is thoughtless to arrive early. In case of formal invitation, Germans often go out early. If they arrive early, they will drive around or take a walk nearby, and then enter their master's house.

3. Tips

In western countries, tipping service personnel has become a habit, and tipping has also become an important source of income for waiters. Tipping is not only a reward for their service, but also a respect for others' work. So it is also within the scope of courtesy. So, who should I tip? Hotel waiters, doormen, waitresses, room cleaners, hotel baggage porters, railway station and airport baggage porters, ship waiters, sleeper car waiters, bar bartenders, hairdressers, taxi drivers, gas station workers, toilet waiters, shoe polishers, tour guides, tour bus drivers, motor yacht drivers, ushers and parking lot guards. Experience has proved that paying a proper tip can improve your comfort in resorts and restaurants. At the same time, tipping also expresses your gratitude to the waiter for his warm and thoughtful service. Tips are different from service charges. Service charge is the surcharge paid by the customer, which is generally 10%- 15% of consumption. It is listed at the end of the bill. There is no need to tip if the service charge of 15% is listed on the general bill. If the service charge is only 10%, the customer will have to add 5% to the tip. Of course, if you are very satisfied with the service here, you can make up the money or put the coins on the table or the waiter's plate alone. It has become a rule that I will tip anyone who helps me 2-5 marks. Give a few marks' tips to the hotel room cleaning lady in advance to ensure your room is clean and comfortable. Give a tip to the person who rents the sun umbrella and lounge chair early to ensure that you can rent these two things in time. Paying a few extra marks as a tip can give you warm and thoughtful service, which is actually very affordable. Never underestimate the tip, it is also a sign of your politeness.

How to give gifts

It is human nature to give some gifts when friends are in contact, when they meet weddings, funerals and celebrations, when they are guests, when they are sent to welcome, when they are on holidays, when they comfort patients and so on. Germans are not used to giving heavy gifts. Most of the gifts they give are inexpensive but memorable items to express their condolences, congratulations or thanks. Go to a friend's house for dinner, and the guests bring some small gifts. As the saying goes, a bunch of flowers, a box of chocolate candy or a bottle of wine is enough. Of course, if a China tourist visits a German friend's house, he will get the host's sincere gratitude if he can give the hostess a small souvenir with rich national style. If you just drop in, you don't need to bring any gifts. You can bring some gadgets to your child at most. If it is a business gathering, the communication between the two sides is business. As long as you are invited to attend on time, you don't need to express anything else. In Germany, if a friend moves or gets married, you can talk openly with the recipient in advance about what gift to give. Some German newlyweds will make a list of their daily necessities, and friends who give gifts can mark their gifts on this list, which will not only benefit the newlyweds, but also make the giver happy. Germans usually give gifts to newspaper couriers, cleaners, doormen or nurses who take care of patients to thank them for their hard work, but it is more affordable to give them money. You can put the bill in an envelope or put it directly into their hands and thank them for their work.