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The importance of cultural

Understanding when

planning

a trip overseas.

For the cultural visitor

On business or pleasure

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According to Chamberlain, Culture represents the values, norms, andtraditions that affect how individuals of a particular group perceive, think,

interact, behave, and make judgments about their world

(Chamberlain 2005: 197)

There is nothing more terrible than ignorance in action.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

(1749 -1842)

As cited in Flamini, R 1997 Passport Germany: Your Guide to German business,customs and etiquette, p. 18, San Rafael, World Trade Press.

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Destination Germany

Germany is the seventh largest country in Europe. Germany has shared boarders with France,

Poland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland. It has a population

equivalent to 1/3 of the population of the USA ( in a much smaller area).

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A Google search reveals many potential

sources of information.

957,000 results

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Guidebooks offer many insights into understanding the dos and taboos of other

culturesGermany is a land where many things are done differently .

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What is knigge?

Knigge a term the Germans use when referring tocorrect behaviour.

Baron von Knigge lived from 1752 to 1796 as a writer and

philosopher in northern Germany and coined the termKnigge with his publication "ber den Umgang mitMenschen" (How to Associate with People), which firstdefined the behaviours that signal a good upbringing andhow these should be passed from one generation to the

next.

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How Do Germans view themselves?

Ridged yet Romantic, full of wanderlust (a zest and love of travel),

organised, reserved, educated, successful, strong sense of national pride,

straight forward (take everything at face value), direct, strive for consensus

and stability and are very house proud and environmentally focused.

Germans are not the stereotypical

personas that some travellers think of.

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Greetings

Shaking hands is the established form of greeting in Germany.

.Hand shakes with everyoneincluding children and ladies before men.

Say Guten Tag (good day), not how are you!

When being introduced to a woman wait to see if she extends her hand.

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Introductions

Douse title and last name to address people. Say Herr (Mr) or Frau

(Mrs.) and do not use the formal pronoun du when talking to elderly peopleunless invited to.

Addressing someone: Should I use "Du" or "Sie"?

The use of "Du" or "Sie" is usually an important indicator of the type of

relationship that people have with each other. As a general rule, "Sie" is used

with anyone who is not a close friend or a family member.

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Maintain eye contact when greeting

someone.DO

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DO - BE ON TIME

Dont be late. Germansattach great importance to

punctuality. You will win their

favor if you keep your

appointment on time!

Apologise if you are late!

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Germans can be considered the masters of

planning.German culture values forward planning and knowing what they will bedoing at a particular time.

Careful planning in ones personal and business life provides a sense ofsecurity.

Rules and regulations allow people to know what is expected and plan their

life accordingly.

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Dress Etiquette

Dontwear flashy jewellery and accessories (especially in EastGermany where such ostentation would be tactless, considering

there is a lower standard of living). .

Do wear understated, formal and conservative clothing forbusiness.

DONTDO

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Essen und Trinken: Eating and

Drinking in Germany

There are a few things you are allowed to

eat with your hands. Wrstchen, the German

version of a hotdog is one.

Generally if you know your

table manners you should

be alright. Although, if youwant to be more

specific

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DontPut your hand in your lap while

you are eating.

Put your elbows on the table.

Cut all of your food at one timecut one piece at a time

Start eating before every one else.

Eat with your hands

No burping and slurping at the table.

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DO Wait for every one to be seated.

Wait for the host or hostess to propose a toast

before commencing drinking.

If invited for dinner bring a gift for your hosts.

Place your napkin next to your plate if you need

to leave the table (not on your chair!)

Say Guten Appetit before beginning to eat.

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Public Behaviour

Dont get drunk inpublic. (Public

drunkenness is frowned

upon)

DONT

DontJay Walk(German drivers may not stop)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCBd0KS

rQVo

(dinner etiquette)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JEPwFlx

MHU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCBd0KSrQVohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCBd0KSrQVohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JEPwFlxMHU&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JEPwFlxMHU&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JEPwFlxMHU&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JEPwFlxMHU&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCBd0KSrQVohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCBd0KSrQVo

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BibliographyAPA: Cultural competence(n.d.) Source:Answers.com. Viewed 18 June 2011, Source:

Bernstein, E 2004 Culture and Customs of Germany, Greenwood Press, Westport.

Chamberlain, S P 2005 Recognizing and responding to cultural differences in the

education of culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Intervention in School & Clinic,

40, p: 195-211. Source: www.answers.com/topic/cultural-competence, Viewed:

http://www.answers.com/topic/cultural-competence 17 June 2011.

Flamini, R 1997 Passport Germany: Your Guide to German business,

customs and etiquette, San Rafael, World Trade Press.

Flippo, H 1996 The German Way, NCT Publishing Group, Lincolnwood/U.S.

Germany Travel Taboo GuideDos and Donts. (n.d.), Viewed: 17 June 2011,Source:.

Leigh, J (Ed.) 2006, German Culture Profile, Diverscare, Westend, Viewed: 16 June

2011, Source: .

Lord, R 2003 Culture ShockGermany, Times Books International, Singapore.

Wilson, P 2009 Culture Wise GermanyThe Essential Guide to Culture, Customs &

Business Etiquette, Survival Books, London.

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List of ImagesImage 1, Source: www.cartoonstock.com Viewed: 15 July 2011.

Image 2. Source: Greenwich Mean Time. Viewed: 15 June 2011, .

Image 3. Source: Google. Viewed: 15 June 2011,.

Image 4. Source: Google. Viewed: 16 June 2011,.

Image 5. Source: wikiquote. Viewed: 16 June 2011, .

Image 6. Source: Word Press. Viewed: 16 June 2011, .

Image 7. Source: German Business Etiquette. Viewed: 16 June 2011, < http://www.german-business-etiquette.com/4-addressing.html>.

Image 8. Source: German Business Etiquette. Viewed: 16 June 2011, .

Image 9. Source:Savage Chickens. Viewed: 18 June 2011, .

Image 10. Source: Screen Geek. Viewed: 16 June 2011,

< http://www.screengeek.co.uk/reviews/article/rango>.

http://www.cartoonstock.com/http://www.german-business-etiquette.com/4-addressing.htmlhttp://www.german-business-etiquette.com/4-addressing.htmlhttp://www.german-business-etiquette.com/4-addressing.htmlhttp://www.german-business-etiquette.com/4-addressing.htmlhttp://www.german-business-etiquette.com/4-addressing.htmlhttp://www.german-business-etiquette.com/4-addressing.htmlhttp://www.german-business-etiquette.com/4-addressing.htmlhttp://www.german-business-etiquette.com/4-addressing.htmlhttp://www.german-business-etiquette.com/4-addressing.htmlhttp://www.cartoonstock.com/

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Image 11. Source: G Static.Viewed: 17 June 2011,

.

Image 12. Source: Flickr.Viewed: 17 June 2011, .

Image 13. Source: Shitty-chic BlogSpot, Viewed: 18 June 2011,

.

Image 14. Source: Jaywalkers crossing, Viewed: 18 June 2011, .

Image 15 Source: The German Way. Viewed 16 June 2011, .

Image 16 . Source: Village Voice. Viewed: 16 June 2011, .

Image 17. Source: Cartoon Stock. Viewed: 16 June 2011, .

Image 18. Source: shapingyouth.org. Viewed 16 June 2011, .

Image 19. Source: Danrosetti.blogspot. Viewed 17 June 2011,danrostetti.blogspot.com>.

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