German Business Culture

How do you greet in a German business? 

Always greet business associates, German colleagues, and clients with a German background with a handshake and use formal titles. This is especially important the first time you meet, for example, at a new workplace. 

How can I be polite in Germany? 

German people are not aggressive or pushy. It is normal to wait for a person to finish speaking before you speak and treat everyone with respect and dignity. Maintain good eye contact when you speak, keep hands out of pockets and use a person's surname with the titles Frau or Herr (Mrs/Mr) until first name terms have been established. 

Business Dress Code

How to dress in the workplace

In Germany, there is a formal dress code in place in the majority of workplaces. Men generally wear dark suits and ties, whilst women wear simple trousers or skirt suits.

In young or emerging sectors companies such as PR agencies or tech start-ups, especially those located in the more cosmopolitan cities like Berlin, it is common to find people dress informally to work. 

Punctuality & Reliability

This German stereotype is very much true

Punctuality is very important to Germans and is especially vital in business. Always attempt to arrive early and allow plenty of time to get to where you need to be. 

If you think you may be running late for work or for a business meeting, always call as early as you can to let your manager or the person you are meeting know in advance. In Germany, punctuality is a sign of reliability and you may be judged harshly if you are late, even once. 

Fairness & Loyalty

Other aspects of the German business culture

Germans tend to operate fairer business practices than you may experience in other countries and cultures. This sense of fairness includes equal pay, good working conditions, and fair disciplinary practices. It also means that employees are not generally expected to work more than their contracted hours. Most offices close at 5 pm Monday to Thursday and 4 pm on a Friday. One's personal life is highly valued, and there is a strict separation between people's personal lives and work life.

German businesses also reward loyalty, both to their employees and to clients. In Germany it is likely that a business chooses the same client for many years, enjoying the advantages that loyalty offers, rather than constantly looking for cheaper services elsewhere.

Germans always do business in a civilized manner, preferring to find a compromise between two parties rather than force their views on the other party in an aggressive or pushy manner. In Germany, boards tend to feature many more women than most countries (although there is still an imbalance).

In 2015 government guidelines were published to advise that non-executive boards should be at least 30% female. This improved gender balance tends to mean a more nuanced and human-centered approach to problem-solving and less pushy or domineering practices. 

How do you negotiate in Germany? 

Germans negotiate in a fair, open, and transparent manner. Claims should be backed up with data and fair prices should be offered or requested. All negotiations should be undertaken in formal language and it's important to be early for any meetings or appointments with German businesses or German colleagues.