The thought of moving to Germany can be daunting. But fret
not - this article covers the essential things you need to know before moving
to one of Europe’s most cultural countries - we’ll have you prepped to go
before you can say kraftfahrzeughaftpflichtversicherung (yep, it’s real word).
1.
Customs: In Germany, greetings are formal and
quick and they usually take the form of a firm handshake. When first entering a
room, it’s customary to shake hands with everyone, one at a time, including
children. A person’s title is also very important in Germany and using them
properly denotes respect and good manners. You should use a person's title and
their surname until you’re invited to use their first name as a means of
address.
2.
Conversation: Germans don’t really do small talk
so be prepared to brush up on your political or philosophical knowledge.
Germans tend to be ‘ideas’ people, and are very efficient communicators, even
in casual conversation. They are precise and pay close attention to detail,
preferring to talk about current affairs or societal issues. Germans can sometimes
appear standoffish at first but once a friendship is formed, Germans hold the
relationship at great value.
3.
Footwear: Germans are active people and
despite having excellent public transport, they generally prefer walking or
cycling to get around. Given this fact, it’s worthwhile investing in a good,
strong pair of walking shoes before setting off on a journey. Germany is a
country known for its cobbled streets and stairs, so best leave the high heels
at home.
4.
Transportation: Germany is known for having an
excellent public transport system of trains, buses, taxis and metros. If you’re
planning to be in Germany for any length of time, it may also be worth
considering buying a car as German vehicles are among the most
environmentally-friendly in the world. However, most people find that public
transport is sufficient for travelling around the city and fuel prices can
often be expensive.
5.
Weather: The weather in Germany can contrast
greatly between seasons. In the summer you can expect clear blue skies and warm
temperatures. In winter however, expect grey skies and a much colder climate.
Depending on the time of year, make sure you dress appropriately. You’ll be
pleased to know however, that most of the major festivals in Germany - such as
Oktoberfest and Mardi Gras - take place in the summer months.
6.
Culture: Germans can be sensitive about issues
pertaining to the Second World War, so it’s best to avoid such conversations
when first meeting someone. Germans are also very environmentally-conscious and
world leaders when it comes to solar energy. A huge amount of the country’s
energy comes from renewable sources and German people are keen recyclers. At
home, most people have separate bins for plastics, garbage and paper products.
The German population are also considered to be very effective planners and
pride themselves on being forward-thinking and highly organised. Even in
day-to-day life, Germans carefully plan their routine as it provides a sense of
security. Rules and regulations are strictly adhered to, as are cultural
processes and procedures.
7.
Language: While the official language of Germany
is German, you’ll find that most natives speak excellent English and many are
bilingual or trilingual. In schools, foreign language education is mandatory
which means that if you ever find yourself stuck for words, there should always
be someone around to help. However, it can be worthwhile learning some basic
German as it will undoubtedly help in the long run. Unusual for a European
language, German has some impressively long words - the word
kraftfahrzeughaftpflichtversicherung, for example, means ‘car liability
insurance’ and donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitaenswitwe is the ‘widow
of a Danube steamboat company captain’ – honestly!
Compiled by Alex Christof
hSource:www.movehub.com
