Understanding German Culture: Traditions, Customs, and Everyday Life for Expats

Moving to Germany was a big culture shock for me. Germany is a country rich in traditions and unique cultural norms that can surprise any newcomer. From punctuality and understanding German direct communication style to a deep love of beer and unique celebrations like Oktoberfest and Carnival, Germany’s customs reflect a fascinating blend of history and modern values. Understanding these cultural nuances will not only help you to navigate daily life but also deepen your appreciation of this vibrant culture. We hope that this blog post can help manage the cultural shock for expats in Germany.

1. Punctuality: A Cultural Norm

   Time is precious and valuable. I think this is a concept that Germans, and German culture, fundamentally understand. One of the reasons why Germans value punctuality in everyday life is because work culture is very big here. Germans work a lot and work very hard, so it’s naturally that they value all the time they do have. Because of this, Germans are really punctual and efficient, except for the transportation system, hoping to maximize all the hours they have in the day. 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

   I used to wonder why Germans avoid small talk but I guess it goes back to efficiency and time. Germans are very direct people and don’t often engage in small talk. Where I come from, small talk is so important but the differences in social etiquette between Germany and the US (and Canada) are stark. I always used engage in small talk and ask my friend open ended questions like: “are you free on Saturday” or start a conversation with something like: “How are you? How’s life? What’s new?”. One day, he told me not to do that because the chances are, I’m not too concerned in the moment with how he is, I want to speak to him about something and I should get tot the point quicker. He said I should just tell him what I need and then he’ll decide if he can provide the answer or if he’s free or not. at the beginning, it felt so rude to talk to people like that but after a while, I got used to it. Now I have to be careful that I don’t engage in conversation with people from other countries like that because it can be seen as rude and demanding.

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, there’s a huge drinking culture among young people in Germany. To be honest, I always wondered why beer is central to German culture. I think it’s because German culture is generally very reserved and respectful. During normal life, there’s a lot of responsibility, stress, rules and so much more. I think the alcohol helps let loose because when German people work, they generally work very hard and when they party, they party hard. I guess it’s a form of escapism. I don’t drink alcohol so I don’t partake. 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. Here is a good introduction to German Schlager music:

   • “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

   Mallorca is probably the most popular vacation spots for Germans in Europe. There’s a joke that “Mallorca ist die 17te Bundesland” (Mallorca as 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. Most Christmas markets start late November (usually between the 23rd and 27th) and run till the 23rd or 24th of December. That being sai, some run through December till early January. 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). If you’re here at Christmas time, I highly recommend checking out and partaking in the beautiful Christmas market traditions in Germany. In my opinion, the top 5 Christmas markets in Germany are:

   1. Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt – Best Historic German Christmas Market

   • Location: Hauptmarkt in Nuremberg’s Old Town

   • Highlights: Famous for the Christkind opening ceremony Germany, authentic Nuremberg gingerbread (Lebkuchen), and traditional wooden crafts in Europe.

   • Atmosphere: Historic and festive with a timeless, traditional feel.

   2. Dresden Striezelmarkt – Germany’s Oldest Christmas Market

   • Location: Altmarkt Square in Dresden’s city center

   • Highlights: Known for the annual Dresden Stollen Festival, giant German Christmas pyramid display, and regional crafts from the Ore Mountains.

   • Atmosphere: Charming and historic, with artisanal and folk traditions.

   3. Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market – Most Romantic Christmas Market in Europe

   • Location: Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)

   • Highlights: 150+ stalls with handcrafted holiday gifts in Cologne, international Christmas food stalls, and stunning views of the illuminated cathedral.

   • Atmosphere: Magical and lively, with a grand and romantic setting.

   4. Berlin WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt – Berlin’s Top Christmas Market for Unique Gifts

   • Location: Gendarmenmarkt, central Berlin

   • Highlights: Gourmet food stalls, exclusive Berlin Christmas crafts, and elegant décor, attracting both locals and international visitors.

   • Atmosphere: Sophisticated and international, with festive flair and fine details.

   5. Munich Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz – Authentic Bavarian Christmas Market

   • Location: Marienplatz in Munich’s city center

   • Highlights: Traditional Bavarian holiday crafts in Munich, mulled wine (Glühwein), and Christmas treats, with nearby ice skating at the Tollwood Winter Festival.

   • Atmosphere: Festive Bavarian warmth with local and international influences.

9. Carnival: A Time for Celebration

   One of the unique German celebrations expats should know about is “Carnival”. 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.

German culture can be very from anything you’ve previously experienced but different doesn’t always mean bad. From my experience, the best way to enjoy your time here is to fully embrace it. Take a deep dive and embracing German culture with an open mind. Only then, can you fully recognize its true beauty. What have your experiences been with German culture? Share your cultural shock experiences in Germany with us below.

If you feel you know a lot about Germany and its culture, here are some interactive quizzes on Germany. Let us know your score:

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

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

Unwritten Rules for Living in Germany: Cultural Etiquette Tips for Expats

Navigating a new culture can be challenging, and understanding the unwritten rules of a society is crucial for successful integration. Like any other country, Germany has its own set of unwritten rules. With Germany being known for its rich history and unique customs, the set of unwritten rules can be LONG, comprehensive, detailed and sometimes tedious. That being said, doing your best ti embrace and understand them can help you blend in and avoid misunderstandings. Naturally, not everybody acts or responds the same way, German cultural norms expats should know 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. I always wondered why cash is preferred in Germany and I think it’s for three main reasons. First is the tradition. I think it’s just rooted in culture partly due to post-war economic conservatism and a general focus on financial responsibility. Additionally, the culture of credit cards and debt is less prominent in Germany compared to countries like the U.S. Second is the privacy and anonymity. Germans value financial privacy and are often wary of data collection associated with digital payments. Spending in cash is a way of maintaining that privacy. Finally, since Germany, and Europe, is full of many independent restaurants and small businesses, as opposed to North America, shop owners save money when people pay in cash. I had a discussion with a shop owner the other day and he told him that the machine that does his card transactions charges him a certain fee (and i believe an additional tax) that he wouldn’t have to pay if he just received his money in Cash. Finally, some stores will make you pay this fee if your purchase is under a certain amount.

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

   Avoiding calling people after a certain time is one of the unwritten phone etiquette rules in Germany. 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

   Following crossing signals in Germany is one of the social norms. I think we all know the rules but break them from time to time. It doesn’t seem like such a big deal but the pedestrian rules are more respected here that other places I’ve been, so If the crossing sign is red, don’t cross. I know it’s tempting… the road is free, but it’s frowned upon. In addition, the road rules translate to walking. You are supposed to walk and bike on the right side of the road. If you’re walking slowly, let people pass on your left or stay completely on the right side. If you’re an escalator and you don’t want to walk while it’s moving, stay to the right so that people can pass you on the left, etc…

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.

10. Lüften (Ventilating)

    Lüften is a big thing in Germany. They love their fresh air and they love to open the windows. It’s actually a big expectation here. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter, you’re still expected to open the windows multiple times a day. There are ventilation expectations in German homes. Lüften is so important that it often appears in rental agreements. You’re usually expected to open the windows, not partially but completely, for 5 - 10 minutes several times a day. My wife is an elementary school teacher and while working at a school in Germany, she was required to open the windows for 3 minutes, every 15 minutes (this was after Covid so maybe it was a bit more extreme). That being said, this was a stark contrast to her teaching experience in England where there was no such requirement or expectation to open the windows and she worked there even closer to the reopening of society after the lock down.

    There are so many reasons that Germans value Lüften. Some of them have to do with mold prevention. Due to the humidity in Germany, houses are extra susceptible to mold. There are also other reasons like perceived and actual health benefits, air quality etc… but whatever it may or may not, just make sure you open your windows.

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 here and understand the expectations of how to behave in Germany. Have you had any clashes with German culture? What unwritten rules surprised you in Germany? Let us know you experience!