Culture Project | U.S. | Germany | Greeting | In the U.S., when you greet another person, you can typically offer a handshake. This is a very common form of greeting. There are some instances where you may be meeting a friend of a friend or a family member of your friend where they will ask for a hug, but is not seen very often. Hugs are typically reserved for family or feminine friends while kisses are reserved for couples. Eye contact is also a sign of respect. Avoiding eye contact usually shows weakness, timidness, or even a lack of self-esteem.www.nativeforeignermag.com/2012/06/4-ways-to-greet-an-american/ | The German culture actually has very few differences when it comes to greetings. You can’t really go wrong with a firm handshake and good eye contact. The biggest difference between the two cultures comes between hugs and kisses. Most German men consider hugs too feminine whereas some males in the U.S. could turn a handshake or “fist bump” into a brief hug with a pat on the back. Kisses are very unusual in Germany. Kisses are almost always reserved for people VERY fond of you.German.about.com/od/vocabularytips/a/Learn-German-Greetings.htm | Homes | In the U.S. many people are pretty open and this is even seen in your home. Many homes are designed in an open way and often without many doors. Typically the only time you find doors closed in an American home is when they want privacy in the bathroom or bedroom. In some U.S. households, your street shoes are taken off at the door and it is pretty common to walk around in socks or barefoot.german-way.com/history-and-culture/cultural-comparisons/cultural-comparisons-part-5 | Most German homes are made with a separate room for almost everything, sometimes even separate rooms for the toilet and the bath/shower. It is not common to go into a German home and the doors be closed. There are exceptions, but there is typically an understood “know before entering” policy. In MOST German households you will be expected to take off your shoes at the entry area and use slippers. It’s not generally acceptable to walk around barefoot or in socks.german-way.com/history-and-culture/cultural-comparisons/cultural-comparisons-part-5 | Business | Business is a very dog-eat-dog world in the U.S. Getting to the point and gathering the bare essential information to come to a quick conclusion is not rare at all. Even once a decision is made, it’s not uncommon for a phone call or another meeting to be made to discuss or change said decision later. It’s also seen as very positive and optimistic to take risks in the business aspect here in America.german-way.com/history-and-culture/cultural-comparisons/cultural-comparisons-part-5 | In Germany before business is discussed, they like to get to know you first as a person. Even once the nosiness talk begins, they like to gather as much information as possible and really consider and weigh options before coming to a final decision because once they make it, they are not very likely to change it later. The risk-taking behavior that is praised in America, is seen as very negative or reckless in the German culture.german-way.com/history-and-culture/cultural-comparisons/cultural-comparisons-part-5 | Table Manners | The American way of eating is definitely much different than most cultures. Unless formally dining, it is very relaxed. There are many meals served with “finger foods” and eating with your hands is simply just seen as efficient. In a formal setting, the fork is held in the right hand unless cutting something. Then the fork would be switched to the left and you would hold your knife in the right. Elbows on the table can be seen as rude, but it is not uncommon to leave your hands in your lap if you aren’t doing anything else with them. Some may see it fit to clean your plate, but it’s not really a requirement here in the U.S.german-way.com/travel-and-tourism/Germany-for-tourists/dining-out-in-germany/dining-etiquette-in-germany | German table manners definitely seem more formal than that of the American culture. They do use the European style of handling silverware, where you hold your fork in the left hand and your knife in the right. Both are usually kept in your hands unless drinking or passing an item. You also wont find many people eating with their hands without heads being turned and drawing negative attention. In this culture it is seen as barbaric and impolite to eat with your hands in most circumstances. Elbows on the table are definitely frowned upon, but placing a hand in your lap over holding both utensils isn’t completely out of the ordinary. One thing you should never do is take more food than you can eat because it is considered rude to leave food on your plate.german-way.com/travel-and-tourism/Germany-for-tourists/dining-out-in-germany/dining-etiquette-in-germany |