Cultural taboos, traits etc.

[Bremen]

Don't raise your right arm and straighten it when greeting Germans, it might make them feel uncomfortable...

LOL!!

And never say you didnot know it ("Ich habe es nich gewusst...") to them either.

On a serious note, when in a business meeting with Germans, they tend to be most of the time quite formal and very rational. Hierarchy and titles mean a lot to them (If you see "Dr." in front of a name on a business name, this means the person will want to be seen as an important and critical person to deal with). You convince them by giving rational argumentation. Don't emphasize so much on the 'relation' with the person, it is about making sense to them.

Yup, go for facts and logic. The more asian aspect of "warming up" to them doesn't work. They see it as being a suck-up and lacking seriousness about the deal.

[banana]

Apparently spot moustaches are not trendy anymore either?

[Rose_YG]

On a serious note, when in a business meeting with Germans, they tend to be most of the time quite formal and very rational. Hierarchy and titles mean a lot to them (If you see "Dr." in front of a name on a business name, this means the person will want to be seen as an important and critical person to deal with). You convince them by giving rational argumentation. Don't emphasize so much on the 'relation' with the person, it is about making sense to them.

Eric

I think Germans have excellent organizational skills, not just at work but the way they run their personal lives, which makes them a pleasure to work and live with. Which partly explains why they are such good engineers. In the old days, used to have a saying among old Chinese Singaporeans, at least with my mom, "ti kok lai sin". Loosely translated as "German License" used to connotate that German products, especially electronic and automobiles, are of superior quality.

Thought i give my 2cents here..

I believe not only the germans have excellent organizational skills.

They are just very straight forward people..Respect and time keeping is very important.. So don't ever be late for any appointment either formal or informal.This they consider very rude.
Don't talk about the world war to them..
Good organizational skills in their personal lives? What is that all about?Domineering?
One more thing.. there is no such thing as 'i do not know' or 'i think' or 'maybe'.. it's either 'black' or 'white' or 'yes' or 'no' to them.And never say that you know something if you are not sure..
Well of course when it comes to engineering they are very good.. but they do make mistakes too

Last but not least be diplomatic to them.They don't like rude people.

Facts,facts,facts... it's all about facts.. don't be surprised if you have to produce a report if you want to talk about statistics!

No offense to the germans.They are some good things especially the thingy about lateness and facts!

YG

[Steppenwolf]

Oh! And do ask them to return me my bicycle...! (ask vaucluse if you don't get this one...)

Eric

I've heard of this one.

I'm told that some of them are a bit upset about this joke. Neither agreeing nor disagreeing, just stating what i've heard.[/quote]

[sundaymorningstaple]

AAAAAhhhHH......but! They are not much different that Singaporeans in one respect. They have a very bad habit as well when it comes to lounge chairs on beaches and poolside. They will "chope" all the lounges with towels the night before. Don't believe me? Ask anyone in the hospitality industries. Okay, It's not a 10¢ packet of tissues but it's the same thing.

[earthfriendly]

One more thing.. there is no such thing as 'i do not know' or 'i think' or 'maybe'.. it's either 'black' or 'white' or 'yes' or 'no' to them.And never say that you know something if you are not sure..
Well of course when it comes to engineering they are very good.. but they do make mistakes too

Last but not least be diplomatic to them.They don't like rude people.

Facts,facts,facts... it's all about facts.. don't be surprised if you have to produce a report if you want to talk about statistics!

YG

Hmmm..., are you talking about my hubby? My hubby is a typical engineer and the engineering blood runs deep in his family. Yes, every thing under the sun is best explained in terms of facts and science. But you know what, when it comes to affairs of the heart, there may not be a rational explanation. Very hard on the wife who can be very unscientific in the way she views the world.

[earthfriendly]

Yup, go for facts and logic. The more asian aspect of "warming up" to them doesn't work. They see it as being a suck-up and lacking seriousness about the deal.

Yeah, couldn't agree more. Why waste time in this age of super-efficiency. Cut to the chase and go straight to the point.

[Rose_YG]

One more thing.. there is no such thing as 'i do not know' or 'i think' or 'maybe'.. it's either 'black' or 'white' or 'yes' or 'no' to them.And never say that you know something if you are not sure..
Well of course when it comes to engineering they are very good.. but they do make mistakes too

Last but not least be diplomatic to them.They don't like rude people.

Facts,facts,facts... it's all about facts.. don't be surprised if you have to produce a report if you want to talk about statistics!

YG

Hmmm..., are you talking about my hubby? My hubby is a typical engineer and the engineering blood runs deep in his family. Yes, every thing under the sun is best explained in terms of facts and science. But you know what, when it comes to affairs of the heart, there may not be a rational explanation. Very hard on the wife who can be very unscientific in the way she views the world.

They rationalize things in their own perspective.The person has to be one step above them in thoughts/views to be able to have a common understanding/conversation.To be able to know where they are coming from.
Ever heard of - Agree to disagree ?

Love is blind..

[earthfriendly]

Hmmm..., are you talking about my hubby? My hubby is a typical engineer and the engineering blood runs deep in his family. Yes, every thing under the sun is best explained in terms of facts and science. But you know what, when it comes to affairs of the heart, there may not be a rational explanation. Very hard on the wife who can be very unscientific in the way she views the world.

They rationalize things in their own perspective.The person has to be one step above them in thoughts/views to be able to have a common understanding/conversation.To be able to know where they are coming from.
Ever heard of - Agree to disagree ?

Love is blind..

YG, I am lost. Are you quoting from TsunZhi's the Art of War? My brain not functioning too well from non-sleep due to too much coffee from TCC last night. I am not a coffee drinker but could not resist TCC.

[Rose_YG]

hmmm, you got yr quote and mine mixed up..

No i'm not quoting from anyone..



btw,TCC is a nice place ..

[dot dot dot]

They rationalize things in their own perspective.The person has to be one step above them in thoughts/views to be able to have a common understanding/conversation.To be able to know where they are coming from.
Ever heard of - Agree to disagree ?

Love is blind..

from experience?

Eric

[Rose_YG]

They rationalize things in their own perspective.The person has to be one step above them in thoughts/views to be able to have a common understanding/conversation.To be able to know where they are coming from.
Ever heard of - Agree to disagree ?

Love is blind..

from experience?

Eric

What do you think Dutchy?

[dot dot dot]

They rationalize things in their own perspective.The person has to be one step above them in thoughts/views to be able to have a common understanding/conversation.To be able to know where they are coming from.
Ever heard of - Agree to disagree ?

Love is blind..

from experience?

Eric

What do you think Dutchy?

Think you are very experienced...

Eric

[Vaucluse]

Oh! And do ask them to return me my bicycle...! (ask vaucluse if you don't get this one...)

Eric

I don't have your fiets, it's in one of the canals . . . (maybe we'll see the old rivalry in tonight's draw- all in the hands of Cruyff)