Saying hello in Germany

Germans are generally quite formal, so stick to Herr (Mr) or Frau (Mrs) with the surname until you and they feel comfortable with first names. Shake hands when you meet, when you part, and when you meet again.

Plain speaking

German people have a reputation for directness. They have a word for yes, ja, and no, nein. The British also have a word for yes, but two words for no : 'yes but'. Their body language and tone usually make it clear what they mean; but they seldom spell it out as directly as Germans do. Germans are frank and direct. They are customarily very punctual, arriving neither too late nor too early. In the UK people like to mix business with pleasure. In Germany meetings are held in meeting-rooms, and social get-togethers are enjoyed somewhere else. The two do not mix.