Germany – people, culture, language
A guide for businesses
The country
Germany today: Germany is the world's third
largest economy after the USA and Japan, despite its
recent economic and unemployment difficulties and
the problems caused by the re-unification of East and
West Germany in 1990. It has Europe's biggest
population (83.5 million people) and a land area of
357,021 kilometres (137,828 square miles). It is a
founder member of the EU and of NATO.
Growth sectors: Germany's economy is famous for
its industrial output in the automotive, machine tools,
white goods and engineering industries, as well as
textiles and finished goods.
Environment: Germany has three main geographical
areas, the lowlands in the north, the uplands in the
centre and the mountains in the south. Politically and
socially, Germany is quite regionalised and is organised
in sixteen states or “Bundesländer” with the federal
capital in Berlin. As a result, each major city has its
own character and the cities and villages of Bavaria are
quite different from the north. Germany has a
temperate climate with average rainfall of 600-700 mm
(23-27 inches) per year.
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin. Brandenburg Gate is the most famous place
for tourists to visit, it is a symbol of the division of Berlin and the unity
since November 1989.
Information correct on 6th March 2006.
The people
Federalism: The Head of State is the President,
elected every five years. The Chancellor, currently
Angela Merkel, is the Head of Government, elected
every four years and leader of the winning party in
the election. The two main parties are the SPD
(Social Democratic Party), and the CDU (Christian
Democratic Union).
North/South divide: Like many parts of Europe,
Germany preserves a cultural difference between its
Lutheran north and its Roman Catholic south
(Frankfurt and below).
Rules: Germans tend to stick to the rules. Jaywalking
is an offence and there are many restrictions about
what you can and can’t do at home, or on a Saturday
or Sunday (car washing, use of laundry facilities,
noise after 11p.m). This is seen as good civic sense
rather than obedience to authority for its own sake.
Environmental awareness: There are rules about
recycling rubbish and using biodegradable packaging
for products. The Green Party has real influence in
politics.
Did you know..?
The name Germany (Germania) was awarded by the
historian Tacitus, a Roman, to the tribes defeated by
Marcus Aurelius in the 1st century AD. The final
battle was presented in the 2000 film ‘Gladiator.’
Some of the world’s greatest composers and writers
were German. They include Bach, Beethoven, Brahms
and Wagner, and Schiller and Goethe, as well as the
modern German novelist G nther Grass. Most federal
capitals have their own subsidised opera house and
company.
2out of 3 World Trade Fairs are based in Germany.
The Oktoberfest in Munich is the largest beer festival
in the world.
The first rocket to reach space was launched in
Peenemünde.
 Language Business culture and etiquette
Official language: German
Formality: Germany is a surname culture. In business
meetings, Germans will address each other by
English: English and German are both Germanic
surnames alone or as “Herr” or “Frau”.
languages. German has different roots to French but
many German words have been adapted in English.
Efficiency: For Germans, efficiency is important. They
Many short words are German (Anglo-Saxon) in origin.
will always look for a clear organised system and will
look for order and clarity in all dealings. Two German
Finding translators/interpreters: in the UK, you
values are ‘Klarheit' (clarity) and ‘Ordnung' (order).
can search for local, quality-assured providers on
BLIS Professionals (www.blis.org.uk/professionals).
Greetings and friendship: Shaking hands at the
In Germany, translators and interpreters are readily
beginning and end of business meetings or at the end
available – the best place to enquire is at the British
of a business day is de rigeur. Germans get offended if
Embassy.
you DON’T shake hands. Germans have a much more
rigid definition of 'friendship' than we do. A friend is a
Basic German phrases close friend for life and the relationship will be
The positive impression you will make by learning to initiated from the German side. If you speak a little
speak a few basic German phrases cannot be German, never use 'Du' (personal you) to a colleague
overestimated. Below are some commonly-used until invited by them to do so. Keep to the formal 'Sie'
phrases – if you are interested in learning the German (plural form) and address in “Herr” or “Frau”.
language, you can search for quality-assured trainers
and courses at www.blis.org.uk. Directness: Germans are quite direct in their speech
German Pronunciation and writing style. This can easily cause offence to the
Hello Guten Tag Gooten tark politer and more indirect British. It is important to
Good morning Guten Morgen Gooten morgern realise that the 'aggressive' style of German business is
Good evening Guten Abend Gooten arbend often just a desire for clarity and directness. Germans
Goodbye Auf Wiedersehen owf veederzane tend to find the British style long-winded and unclear.
Yes / no Ja / Nein Jar / Nine
Please Bitte Bitter Hierarchy: German companies can be quite
Thank you Danke Danker hierarchical. Be careful not to step outside the ‘chain
Excuse me Entschuldigung Ent shuld e gung of command’ when doing business.
Sie bitte? zee bitter
Ich Heiße.. Ikh hiesser…. Negotiating: Germans prepare thoroughly for
I am called…
ikh fehrshtayer meetings, keep strictly to agendas and expect you to
I don’t Ich verstehe nicht
understand Nikht
do what you promise. They are very aware of the
prices of products and services and expect you to
Good bye Auf Weidersehen Owf veeder-zane
keep within a fair margin of a recognised ‘fair price’.
Signposting and resources Germans seek common ground in meetings.

BLIS Professionals (www.blis.org.uk/professionals) Presentations: Germans expect technical detail in

– an on-line, quality-assured database of translators, presentations and are prepared to concentrate for
interpreters, language trainers and cultural longer in order to hear it. Aggressive questioning is a
consultants in your area. You can search for BLIS sign of interest rather than disapproval.
providers offering German language services in the
East Midlands. Building a successful working relationship:
German companies will typically build the relationship
International House is one of the largest language gradually by starting with a small project and building
and cultural training organisations in the world, with to bigger ones if the approach is a success.
200 centres in 40 countries. They are members of
BLIS, training UK business in modern languages and
international culture. Contact them on
www.ihlondon.com/culture.

Sources: RLN East Midlands: promoting a

greater capability in language and
Research and text: Tomalin, Barry (2003) cultural skills for business and
employment.
CultureSmart! Germany, London; Kuperard Publishing. Tel: 0115 854 1399
Mole, John (2003) Mind your Manners, London; NB Publications Fax: 0115 854 1617
www.rln-eastmidlands.com
Other resources: UKTrade & Investment www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Please note: While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the Regional Language Network does not take responsibility for the content of this briefing. Opinions expressed are not
necessarily those of the Regional Language Network or of CILT, the National Centre for Languages.
Information correct on 6th March 2006.