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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
