It is very important for a stranger to be accepted in German society. Study the following rules, use your intuition, think of all the good things you were taught in your childhood, and good luck!
Difficulty Level: Hard
Time Required: 2 hours
Here’s How:
- Be on time (at least do your best not to be late).
- Take off your shoes at the front door.
- Bring a bottle of wine or a bunch of flowers for the hostess.
- Use “du” when talking to children up to the age of 14.
- Use “Sie” addressing any other person over 14.
- You should apply “Herr” or “Frau” together with the person’s surname instead of using his/her first name (using of first name is also accepted, provided you are friends with the addressed person).
- Do not hurry while eating.
- Do not speak bad about Bundesliga.
- Do not comment on overall German unfriendliness.
- While on a visit, take care not to break any family rules (or china).
Tips:
- You are allowed an “academic quarter” which means you can arrive up to a quarter of an hour late to be still within the limits.
- Unwrap the flowers before presenting the hostess with them, unless they’re nicely bound in cellophane.
- Avoid using “Fraulein” even if you know the woman is not yet married.
