100 Business Etiquette Tips for Germany.

By Little Helper Verlags GmbH

Have any of these thoughts ever gone through your mind when doing business with Germans?
› Who offers his hand first when shaking hands?
› Should I walk on the left or the right side of my host?
› How many pieces of jewelry or other accessories should I wear as a man or a woman?
Yes?
Then the time has come to act.
This book gives you a compact, competent and humorous insight into the world of business etiquette in Germany. The business etiquette author and trainer Susanne Helbach-Grosser has put together the most important business etiquette tips for you.
No?
Then you're perfect - or you've never really had to think about such questions.
In both cases it is well worth taking a look at this book. Above all, the humorous illustrations by Tine Beutel make the book entertaining reading on the train or a perfect present. No matter how you decide, we wish you a lot of fun reading or making practical use of the book, simply looking at the fine illustrations or giving it to others as a gift.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Little Helper Verlag
• Release date: Oct 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9783939445685

Book preview

1 | Why we need rules

They protect the members of a society. They provide security. Many rules have or had an immediate sense. They are also always signs of belonging to a social group and the expression of an inner attitude, namely regard and respect for other people.

2 | What makes for good manners

2 | What makes for good manners

It depends to some extent on the changing times. Today’s recommendations for style and etiquette depend on the situation and are readily understandable. A person who has a command of good manners can go anywhere. But without warmth and an inner attitude they are mere arrogance. Good style has little to do with rules and a lot to do with sensitivity for others and also with self-control and self-possession.

Nowadays professional good manners count among the key qualifications for success in professions and careers. Make use of the advantage you have after reading this little book. You will discover that the skills you acquire and the ability to deal politely and stylishly with people will facilitate your professional career. You will easily gain more influence.

International dealing and negotiating requires know-how but, even more, it calls for tact and sensitivity. The more a country is shaped by its traditions, the more important it is for a visitor to inform himself on the customs and traditions, which are still alive today. Intercultural differences cannot be pushed aside, so we should learn how to deal with them.

In 1788 Friedrich Adolph Freiherr (von) Knigge wrote the moral book of rules Über den Umgang mit Menschen (On Human Relations), which has been regarded as a classic work of German intellectual and social history up to the present day. But unfortunately it is also seen mistakenly as a standard work on good manners in all spheres of life. Knigge’s book is a treatment of worldly wisdoms rather than an introduction to proper behaviour. Here are some sentences from his book which are still valid today: Be interested in other people if you want them to be interested in you – Respect yourself if you want others to respect you.

3 | How to encounter one another

3 | How to encounter one another

The first impression

In 250 milliseconds we know whether we find a person likeable or unlikeable. In a few more seconds we form a first quick judgment on the basis of body language and clothing. External appearance is perceived by our limbic system. Everything should fit together. Above all body language, one and the purpose of the encounter should be in agreement. If this is not the case – above all in regard to emotionally coloured messages in the first seconds of an encounter – the purpose is also largely