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Germany is known for it’s natural beauty and stunning scenery, ranging from its long sandy beaches to the high peaks of the Alps. This country’s rich history has allured travelers for many years from all over the world. Whether you choose to explore the countryside, museums, castles and palaces or just sit and enjoy a glass of wine at a local cafe, there’s always something to see or do in Germany! But, don’t forget to taste the outstanding cuisine, or sample beverages at the popular wine and beer festivals. Even enjoy the holiday shopping at the German Christmas Markets or explore the area’s robust nightlife. The possibilities are endless!
ETIQUETTE - Visitors sometimes get a bit frustrated when doing business with Germans, but they will generally be rewarded if they exercise some patience. Germans often mull things over for a while and take their time reaching decisions. However, they’ve usually put forth a lot of diligence during that decision-making period, and thus follow-ups and final arrangements go fairly fast and smoothly. Germans speak their minds openly, and they readily express any doubts and misgivings they have about a proposal or project. When this happens, don’t be evasive, as Germans consider this a negative trait—answer all doubts and questions honestly and carefully.
Germans generally prefer doing business with people they feel they can trust. Germans can also be inflexible, preferring to stay with a time-tested way of doing things, even to the point of insisting there is no other way. This is changing gradually, and they are showing greater flexibility in many areas, but the reluctance to try new things remains a stumbling block. Try to be understanding of this built-in hesitance and to find ways of getting around it. One tip: German businesspeople tend to be empirical, and demonstrating that something works usually sells them on the idea. Because of the legacies of its police-state past, contemporary Germany has enacted stringent privacy safeguards and data-protection laws. Sharing of certain personal data, even between government agencies and businesses, is severely restricted. This makes some forms of market research, especially the exchange of sensitive customer information, extremely difficult, if not impossible.
To learn more, visit the German National Tourist Board.
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