Germany - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs Culture

Culture Smart / Cultuur Bewust

by Barry Tomalin

Don’t just see the sights—get to know the people.

Germany powerhouse of Europe and pillar of the Eurozone feels reassuringly familiar. However, despite superficial appearances, this is a country that operates very differently from the USA and Britain. German history is more than a thousand years old and the relatively new German nation-state encompasses an astonishing variety of cultural and regional differences. German society is also in a state of flux, as people respond to immigration and a tough economic climate, and traditional attitudes such as formality and rigid protocol are softening as German business globalizes.

Culture Smart! Germany sets out to show you how to be a good and sensitive guest. With chapters on core values and attitudes, and a practical business briefing, it is a valuable introduction to the German way of life. It tells you what treatment to expect, what pitfalls to avoid, and how to build rapport and credibility with this culturally rich and inventive people at the heart of Europe.

Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Germany, Cultural, Reference, Audiobook, German Literature

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Stephanie Ricker · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I are taking a trip to Munich this July, and I wanted to learn more about German culture and etiquette. This little book was perfect! It's full of useful information, like these gems:

--Don't jaywalk. This will earn you a fine.
--Business and pleasure do not mix. Don't try to take your German coworkers out for Happy Hour.
--Credit cards aren't used much; debt is frowned upon.
--Almost nothing is open on Sunday.
--Germans start counting on the thumb, so be careful when using your fingers to specify how many of something you want.

It also highlights cultural differences I wouldn't have considered otherwise. In the US, it's common for people to say, "We should get together sometime" or other casual statements without firm intention of following through. "I'll try to make it" means "probably not." In Germany, these statements are far more binding (which is how I believe they should be). "We should get together sometime" will probably be followed up with, "How about next Tuesday at 7:00?" "I'll try to make it" will be perceived that you will do your level best to be there. I'm interested to see how many of these cultural differences still exist in the younger generation today; globalization has tended to smooth out the differences between cultures.

[Andrea Crosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this before moving to Germany for a couple years and found it extremely informative and helpful. Great that it is also easy reading and not too dry.

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, and it did seem informative, but unfortunately, some of the information it contained was incorrect. It states, for example, that there are no longer any U.S. military forces in Germany, and I can promise you that is not true. How could an author overlook that? Otherwise, it seemed quite good, but accuracy is important in a book of this nature, so I can't give it any more stars.

[Lloyd Earickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is the difference between defining a culture and defining a stereotype?  Awareness of, and interest in, other cultures is lauded as a valuable trait that should be cultivated, quite unlike stereotypes, which are almost universally condemned, but they both arise from similar origins.  Culture is a kind of emergent gestalt from the distinctive characteristics of a given population; stereotypes, likewise, arise from observation of distinctive characteristics in a given population and their application to individuals.  And perhaps that is the difference: stereotypes apply cultural ideas to individuals, whereas culture applies to a larger population, without the added connotation and context of applicability to specific individuals within that population.

Neither, by itself, is right or wrong – such moral judgements arise only in application, and both are arguably useful tools so long as one is aware of the proper circumstances for implementation, and the limitations, of the tools in question.  I thought about these ideas significantly while reading Culture Smart: Germany, and during my (limited) time in-country.  Like stereotypes, cultural descriptions can be too generalized to be applicable to individual interactions…but you can also find many examples where certain cultural traits are on plain display.

Like Culture Smart: Japan, this book is perhaps more intended for a business traveler, but it remained well written and applicable for other types of travelers, as well.  Through no fault of its own, I found it less interesting than Japan, probably because I have far more background knowledge about Germany than I do Japan.  Between reading history, studying linguistics (Twain’s essay probably doesn’t count as “study,” for all its apt observations), and the relatively greater influence of German culture on cultures closer to home, most of what Germany had to say did not come as a surprise.

It’s not the author’s job to surprise me with trivia, however, and this remains an excellent reference material for the would-be German traveler.  I do wish that Tomalin included a brief list of common German phases, as is present in the Japanese book, but otherwise, I think you’ll find Culture Smart: Germany a handy piece of literature with which to start your explorations.

[Luke Southard · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was in Texas, I would go to a gym during lunch. I would work out and then have to shower, change, brush my teeth, etc.

There were plenty of people very comfortable with their nudity (good for them) and… lounging - meandering around with no seen purpose.

I, on the other hand, would do the necessary tasks and then for at least a half-hour after, consider how I could be faster in the future. More efficient. I could use a smaller towel, I could pre-position this or that, I could undress before my workout in this order so my clothes are positioned just so for re-dressing. I was aiming to trim all of the fat and wasted time so I could have a little more time to get back to work in case traffic was bad for some reason. Or a little more time to eat lunch before going back to work.

I never understood the slow pace of everyone else around me.

It wasn’t just the shower thing, either. I strive for efficiency in a lot of things. But people are usually much more chill (and good for them. I’m sure they sleep better, too).

So it was a big relief to read that this is a common trait with Germans. Not that I’m German or anything, but at least I’m not alone in my weirdness.

Yes indeed, I loved reading about the efficiency and culture in general of the Germans. They seem like my kind of people, though I wouldn't discount the French either.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been to Germany (BDR, DDR, and reunified) more than a dozen times in the last 40 years for vacations and for my job. I have several business associates who work in Germany for aerospace companies and regulators. Especially if you've never been there, the author makes a number of very good points. Nothing in the book surprised me, but some of the stereotypes are a little overblown. For example, I joke a lot with my German clients, and so do they during our business meetings.

One reviewer claims the book says the military presence is gone. I could not find that claim as i read it. There was one point that I think might be interpreted that way, but i think the author meant there are no longer any occupation forces from Britain, France, or the US.

[Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm interested in visiting Germany, and saw this at half price books the other day, thought I'd pick it up. It's an interesting view of 2003 german culture. I can't wait to visit and see what's changed and just how stereotypical the views from this book are. Regardless, it's one data point, and was a quick read and informative.

[Hayley Hobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am passionate about languages and learning about different cultures.
I have always found German people to be quite intimidating but after reading this and learning more about their culture, I've realised that they can be nice once they get to know you.
I would like to travel to Germany one day so I have found this book helpful in becoming more aware and understanding the German culture.

[Jonathan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book to teach about many of the customs of Germany, even including a brief history in the beginning as well
I recommend this book to anyone planning to travel to Germany or do business in Germany

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting read. As a German-American, the section on values and attitudes felt like a manual to how my brain works, which was unexpected and funny and fascinating. Overall, it rang true to my experiences in Germany (although I read for tourism use and not business).

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and informative, albeit a very generalized introduction to German culture.

[koza]

Assigned reading before a sort of business trip. LIES! They totally jaywalk all the time, and no one gets yelled at. Disappointing.

[Dan Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars.

[Vincent V · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most efficient culture in Europe. I think organising is something to adopt in every country.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful brief guide that gives just enough about the basics!

[Cuddly Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very comprehensive!

[Unit of Raine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book only increased my anxiety, paranoia and feelings of inadequacy in preparing for my international meeting. I did find the cultural background and history interesting, it did little resolve any of my international business struggles. I think it only made them worse.

[Saif AL Jahwari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good short guide to the German people, history, culture and style of life.

“Ordnung muss sein” means that order “must be.” It reflects the belief that there is an inherent order and system in everything.”

[Donut Cat (Leah) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and thorough. I'd recommend to anyone wanting to do business in Germany or planning an extended stay there.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: 4.0/5.0