Every country has its own etiquettes for behaving with others and living in a way that doesn’t disturb people. If you’re planning to move to Germany, you need to understand German cultural etiquette, otherwise, you might run into trouble after arriving. Rules of politeness vary greatly from country to country. What is considered polite in your country might be seen as impolite in Germany. So, it’s better to know some do’s and don’ts before moving there to make your life easier.

Do’s:

Do’s-1 Shake hands:

When you meet someone, the first thing to remember is to shake hands with them. It’s a common etiquette in Germany. Maybe it’s different in your country, but here in Germany, shaking hands is customary when meeting someone new. If you don’t do it in your first meeting, the person you’re meeting with will likely mind, which you wouldn’t want, right? So, please shake hands when you meet someone in Germany

Do’s-2 Keep shoes outside the door:

In Germany, you must leave your shoes outside the door when visiting someone’s house. Germans wear socks or house shoes indoors, but they don’t wear outdoor shoes inside the house. So, always keep this in mind.

Do’s-3 Address people formally:

When you first meet someone in Germany, keep in mind that you should be formal. This doesn’t necessarily mean the dress code; it means behaving formally. Don’t be casual, as you might be with friends or acquaintances.

In a doctor’s office or any other office, don’t just go and talk randomly to people. Instead, wait in a seating area until they call you for your appointment. And when you leave, please say “tschüss” (goodbye) or “Schönen Tag noch” (have a nice day) to them.

Do’s-4 Arrive early enough:

When you come to Germany, you’ll see how punctual people are. When Germans give you an appointment at 4 p.m., it means 4 p.m. sharp, not 4:15 p.m. or 4:20 p.m. So, if you want to be on time, make sure to arrive a bit early.

Of course, there are some exceptions sometimes. For example, if you’re late for a few minutes, like 2 or 3 minutes, it might not be a problem, but it’s still not appreciated. If you’re running late for a valid reason, make sure to call the person or their secretary to explain your situation and provide an estimated arrival time. Germans appreciate this kind of approach, as it shows respect for their time.

These same rules apply to any kind of business or official meeting. That’s why it’s better to arrive at the appointed place earlier than the exact time. Personally, I try to arrive at any place at least half an hour before the appointed time, so if there are transportation issues, I can still arrive on time. If I arrive early, that’s okay too, as half an hour isn’t a long time.

Do’s-5 Take an appointment for a meeting:

Germans are busy with their daily lives and maintain a tight schedule. So, no matter what kind of meeting you want, it’s better to make an appointment. For official meetings, like with a doctor or a university professor, you must make an appointment beforehand. Similarly, with friends or acquaintances, it’s better to make an appointment.

You might be surprised by this, as it’s quite unusual to schedule visits with friends. But here, everyone has a fixed schedule. So, if you don’t make an appointment, you might not find them at home or they might have other important commitments. Making an appointment with your friends ensures you won’t find yourself in an awkward situation.

Do’s-6 Be Honest:

When speaking with Germans, be honest and avoid beating around the bush. Germans enjoy long conversations and like to discuss philosophy and politics. If they enjoy the conversation, they’ll appreciate it and invite you to engage in more discussions.

Do’s-7 Bring your own cake to your birthday party:

If it’s your birthday, don’t expect your friends to arrange a party for you. You’re responsible for organizing your own birthday party and providing the cake.

In other cultures, friends might surprise someone with a birthday cake, but in Germany, it’s different. Here, nobody will make a birthday cake for you. You have to arrange it yourself, and friends will come to visit you with gifts.

Do’s-8 Bring a gift when visiting someone:

In Germany, it’s normal to bring a gift when visiting someone. It’s a common practice. It can be anything you think the person would like, such as a bottle of wine or a dessert item.

You can also ask the host if there’s anything specific they’d like you to bring. Maybe they’d appreciate a cake, so you could buy one for them, or perhaps there’s another item they’d prefer.

Don’ts:

Don’ts-1 Make noise in public places:

German people are generally quiet, even in public places. They don’t like noise. If you ask any German about things they dislike, they’ll likely mention noise as one of them.

When you’re on a bus, tram, or train, keep quiet. Avoid talking loudly or playing music on your phone. Germans see this as negative. Similarly, in a doctor’s office or an office, avoid speaking loudly, as it disturbs others.

Don’ts-2 Don’t call your colleagues after evening hours:

Avoid calling your colleagues after work hours. Germans prefer to keep their work and personal lives separate.

If you call them late in the evening, they won’t appreciate it. It might harm your reputation among your colleagues, so be cautious.

Don’ts-3 Don’t open closed doors without knocking:

When entering a room or an office, remember to knock before opening the door. Germans value privacy and don’t like others invading their personal space without permission.

It’s considered impolite to enter a room without knocking, whether it’s at the office or at someone’s home.

Don’ts-4 Don’t make noise after 10 p.m:

Avoid making noise after 10 p.m. It’s prohibited in Germany. By this time, most people are sleeping, and making noise can disturb their rest. Sometimes, it might even lead to involvement of the police.

I personally witnessed a situation where a neighbor was singing all night, and another neighbor called the police. They warned him not to make noise.

Don’ts-5 Don’t stare at naked people:

Sometimes, you might see Germans naked at a beach or in saunas. They might be wearing bikinis or nothing at all, which might be unusual in your home country, but it’s normal here.

When you see someone in this state, avoid staring, as it’s awkward for both parties. Just behave normally, as you would with anyone else.

Don’ts-6 Never wish people a happy birthday before their birthday:

Germans believe it’s bad luck to wish someone a happy birthday before the actual day. They don’t take it lightly.

If you want to wish someone, do it on the exact date, a day before, or a day after their birthday. But avoid wishing them too early.