• The People:
  • German people tend to be thrifty, be sensible, and respect one another’s privacy, and they typically respect the structure and laws of society to an above-average degree. German people tie a lot of importance to notions of family and community. Community is partially where the well-known ‘rule-following’ and orderly nature of the German people comes from: if everyone in the community follows the rules and does things the right way, the neighborhood/town/city/country will be a nice place for all residents to live, hence why many might seem like sticklers when it comes to correct recycling and late-night noise – they take it seriously for the sake of everyone. You may initially be surprised by the ‘directness’ of German people. But do know that in pretty much all cases, this is not meant to offend or be rude. You will soon become more comfortable with this cultural trait that encourages honesty, openness, and sincerity when communicating with one another and that avoids polite superficiality.
  • Germany is considered a country of thinkers, poets, and, nowadays, businesspeople, German culture and people are, to a large extent, all about reason and logic.
  • You should keep in mind that, in Germany, all shops, supermarkets, and even pharmacies are closed on Sundays and public holidays. So those who move to Germany quickly learn to do their grocery shopping in advance.

 

• The Language:
  • The German language has around 100 million native speakers and around 80 million non-native speakers. It is the most widely spoken first language in the EU, and Germany’s prominence in business means that it is the operational language of much trade in Europe. The National Anthem is, Nationalhymne. While German is considered the official language, most would consider High German, or Hochdeutsch, to be the most ‘official’ version of the language.

 

• Their Values:
  • The nation has some of the most progressive policies regarding gender equality, LGBT rights, and immigration.
  • When it comes to school and work, it seems to be ingrained in most German people that they should be conscientious and hard-working, which is probably why the country can boast impressive economic development and one of the best education systems in the world. The average working week in Germany is around 35-40 hours. Productivity, however, is high, and whilst at work, most Germans take pride in doing a good job.

 

• German Lifestyle:
  • Many Germans are passionate about international travel, and taking foreign holidays is an important part of the lifestyle. In fact, Germany spends more per capita on international travel than any other country in Europe.
  • Sport is an integral element of German society, both in terms of participation and spectating. A third of all German residents belong to a sports club or organization and hundreds of thousands watch football, ice hockey, and handball games every week. Many Germans have their own plot in a communal garden.
  • Many Germans view driving as a relaxing pastime as much as a means of getting from A to B. And you can often get from A to B quickly, thanks to the lack of a national speed limit on the Autobahn (motorway) and an excellent road network.
  • German food culture revolves around the preparation of hearty meals. Meat in Germany is very popular and is typically eaten with most meals, along with bread and potatoes. Dining out is popular, as cities and towns are all home to a range of fast food places such as German and international gourmet restaurants, deli outlets, bakeries, fast food, and street food. Alcohol consumption is fairly high and is enjoyed in both bars and at home. By far the most popular drink is beer, followed by wine, schnapps, and brandy.