Etiquette and manners in Germany

A handshake with eye contact is the usual greeting at work and when meeting someone.

• You address strangers, officials and customers with the formal Sie and a title such as Herr or Frau, and you switch to the informal du only if an older or senior person offers it. Young people and colleagues in some companies and universities use du straight away.
• The surname is used with an academic title if there is one, such as Doktor.
• When entering a small shop, a doctor's waiting room or a lift many people say Guten Tag and say Auf Wiedersehen on leaving.

Being on time is a core value, and arriving on time means arriving five minutes early.

• Coming late to work, to the doctor or to an interview can be read as disrespect.
• If you are late, phone before the appointment to say so and apologise.
• For private invitations arriving fifteen minutes late is acceptable, but it is better not to arrive early.
• The same applies to bookings, official appointments and trains, and someone who is late often loses the slot with no second chance.

In apartment buildings quiet hours run from ten in the evening to six in the morning, and Sunday is a rest day (Ruhetag) when noise and disturbing work are avoided.

• Fines can be imposed on those who break the house rules.
• Greeting neighbours on the stairs is appreciated.
• Waste is separated into different bins: paper, glass, plastic, organic and general waste, and bottles with a deposit (Pfand) are returned to shops to get the money back.
• If you do not understand the system, ask your neighbours or your landlord, because it is one of the most common causes of dispute with neighbours.

When invited to someone's home it is good to bring a small gift such as flowers or sweets.

• People often take off their shoes at the door, so watch what the host does.
• When raising a glass you say Prost while looking into the other person's eyes.
• In restaurants the waiter asks Zusammen oder getrennt?, meaning whether you pay together or separately, and you tip by rounding up or adding five to ten percent.
• You ask the waiter for the bill, since it does not come automatically.
• It is not polite to leave an invitation unanswered, so reply with an acceptance or an apology.

You may meet situations linked to your beliefs, such as a handshake between men and women or food.

• You can decline a handshake politely by placing your hand on your chest, smiling and saying the greeting, and most people understand; talk about it calmly if asked.
• Tell your host in advance that you do not eat pork or need halal food, because asking about food is normal and not embarrassing.
• In public places mutual respect is the basis: nobody expects you to change your religion, but you are expected to respect the laws of the country and the customs of others just as yours are respected.

What does punctuality mean in everyday life?