German Culture

1. Punctuality: A Cultural Norm

   Germans are really punctual and efficient, except for the transportation system. They plan ahead, making accommodations for any possible delays, so that they can arrive earlier than expected. If you want to live in German, be ready to become punctual, if you already aren’t.

2. Direct Communication Style

   Germans are very direct people and don’t often engage in small talk. Where I come from, small talk is so important. I always used engage in small talk and ask my friend open ended questions like: “are you free on Saturday”. One day, he told me not to do that. I should just tell him what I need and then he’ll decide if he’s free or not.

3. Bad Customer Service

   I come from the land of “The customer is always right” so it was a shock to me when I found myself arguing with clerks on the phone, or in store, for something wrong that they did. It’s not bad everywhere but many places, if something goes wrong, they can blame you for it instead of taking responsibility.

4. Beer: A Central Element of Culture

   Germans LOVE their beer. It’s a central part of the culture. Not only beer but among the young people, there’s a huge drinking culture here. You naturally don’t have to take part but they also have alcohol free beer.

5. The Popularity of Schlager Music (Schlagermusik)

   Germans love a genre of music called Schlager. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like a combination of pop music and German folk music. There’s also classic Schlager and current Schlager. Some examples are:

   • “Achterbahn” - Helene Fischer,

   • “Wieder Alles im Griff” - Jürgen Drews

   • “Cordula Grün” - Die Draufgänger

   • “M.I.A Meine Gang”- Mia Julia.

6. Mallorca: The Favourite Vacation Spot

   This is probably the favourite vacation destination for German people. There’s a joke that “Mallorca ist die 17te Bundesland” (Mallorca is the 17th German province). Older German people like to enjoy Mallorca because it’s beautiful, has good weather, great for hiking and many other reasons. Younger German people like Mallorca because of “Ballermann”, which is a beach mile where young Germans love to engage in partying, drinking and all of the sorts. I think more German is spoken on Ballermann than Spanish.

7. Bureaucracy and Rules

   As much as these two things are bred into the the culture, they are also in the hearts of the people. Germans seem to have a love/hate relationship with bureaucracy. They complain about it but at the same time, they implement it into their daily lives.

8. Christmas Markets: A Festive Tradition

   In most German cities, they have their own Christmas markets during the winter time. It usually happens when they decorate a specific area of the city (usually the “old city”) with traditional German and Christmas decorations. It’s a fun and enjoyable time where you can partake in lot’s of fun traditions and activities, enjoy great food and try some Glühwein (wine mulled with spices, sugar and some other stuff, served warm or hot).

9. Carnival: A Time for Celebration

   Carnival is a celebration that officially starts on November 11th at 11:11 a.m and ends before Ash Wednesday. is a festive season of parades, parties, and traditional celebrations that takes place before the Christian season of Lent. It's a time for people to dress in colorful costumes, attend street parades, and indulge in music, dancing, and food. The celebrations have deep cultural and historical roots and vary depending on the region of Germany. Carnival usually takes place in Cologne, Dusseldorf, Mainz, Rottweil and Munich. If you’re ever in one of these cities during Carnival, make sure to check it out.

10. Oktoberfest

    Oktoberfest is the world’s largest folk festival, celebrated annually in Munich, Germany. It’s a 16- to 18 day event filled with traditional Bavarian culture, beer, food, music, and fun. The festival attracts millions of visitors from around the world, all eager to experience authentic German beer, traditional food, lively parades, and folk dances. It’s a time to embrace Bavarian customs, wear lederhosen or dirndls, and enjoy Munich’s festive atmosphere. I personally haven’t experienced Oktoberfest yet but if you have, send us a message and let us know how you enjoyed it.

Germany is a country full of fascinating customs and traditions that reflect its rich history and culture. From punctuality to vibrant festivals like Oktoberfest and Carnival, understanding these cultural nuances will enhance your experience in Germany.

If you feel you know a lot about Germany and its culture, you can check out these quizzes. Let us know your score:

• https://www.jetpunk.com/quizzes/germany-a-z

• https://www.jetpunk.com/quizzes/germany-multiple-choice

Unwritten Rules in Germany

Navigating a new culture can be challenging, and understanding the unwritten rules of a society is crucial for successful integration. Germany, known for its rich history and unique customs, has a set of unwritten rules that can help you blend in and avoid misunderstandings. Naturally, people not everybody acts or responds the same way, but here are some general unwritten rules to keep in mind while living or traveling in Germany.

1. Always Have Cash on Hand

   While most establishments accept card payments, Germans prefer to carry cash. It's not unusual to find places that only accept cash, especially smaller shops and restaurants.

2. The Importance of Handshakes

   Handshake culture is huge and expected in Germany. When I first arrived here, I was astounded at how many hands I had to shake when walking into work. It’s like I had to shake everybody’s hands there. No nod, no wave, but a hand shake. I’ve heard and seen people get visibly upset because somebody didn’t shake their hand. I remember during Covid, it felt like people were at a loss because they could no longer shake hands, so they resorted to fist bumps. Now that Covid is gone, always remember a nice firm handshake when greeting people you know or are being introduced to. If you’re greeting a couple, make sure to shake the female’s hand before the male’s.

3. Greeting Etiquette

   Apart from handshake culture, greeting culture is also big. If you don’t know somebody but you will be spending time in close proximity, you don’t have to shake their hand but you should greet. For example, if you go into the waiting room of a doctor’s office, you usually say a moderately loud “Hallo” and then everybody there will usually return the greeting as you find your seat. When you leave, it’s also appropriate to give a general “Tschuss”, which is goodbye. When you meet with the doctor, he/she will most likely shake your hand.

4. Separate Your Waste

   Germans are very detail oriented, even when it comes to garbage. There’s paper recycling, bottle recycling, plastic recycling and many more different types of recycling. Make sure you don’t confuse them. There’s also garbage for everything and garbage for biodegradable items. It’s frowned upon to put the wrong garbage in the wrong bin.

5. Avoid Late Evening Calls

   Don’t call people late in the evening. They aren’t expected to pick up, even if they’re not doing anything. Calling past a certain time can also be considered rude. If it’s your very close friend and you know they’re okay with it, go ahead, otherwise, I would personally refrain.

6. Politeness is Key

   In Germany, you’re expected to be polite, or feign politeness. Even if what you’re saying is really rude, you should say it politely, using the appropriate grammar and always say thank you after your request.

7. Bring Cake for You Birthday

   It’s an expectation to bring a cake or pastries to share with your colleagues on your birthday. You can bring anything you want as long as you can share it with your colleagues.

8. Follow Pedestrian Rules

   If the crossing sign is red, don’t cross. I know it’s tempting… the road is free, but it’s highly frowned upon.

9. Respect Bike Lanes

   Bikes have special lanes. If they coincide with the sidewalk, they’re usually indicated by a red colour or bike sign. If you’re a cyclist, stick to the the bike lanes. If you’re a pedestrian and you care about your safety, don’t walk in the bike lanes.

Naturally, this isn’t a comprehensive list. Germany has a rich social culture and you’ll discover many more upon arriving. Keeping these things in mind can help you adjust to life in Germany. Have you had any clashes with German culture? Let us know you experience!