European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 23, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Her. If you Are still Uncertain it s better to ask than to make a Blunder. Responses to introductions include Freud Merx Frau Jones or Ang Nehm tones Good to meet you my name is mrs Jones when first meeting someone it is not appropriate to say we Geht is Ihnen How Are you r this is a greeting you should use Only with German you already know and you should expect it to be taken As a serious interest in their health not just a polite question. If you Are called upon to make introductions certain rules should be followed. When introducing a Man and a woman the Man s name is Given first. When introducing two men or two women say the name of the younger or lower ranking person first germans will generally fal Low these rules during formal introductions which Wil give you information about the status of the people being introduced. Appropriate introductions include Darf Ich blk it Mzhen Herr meter or Darf Herr Meier May i introduce or. Meier handshaking is practically a ritual in Germany As you May witness if you attend a party in a German s Home. At a party expect to see every one greeting everyone else with a handshake. The Host will generally introduce you to the other guests. During introductions you will Al most always be expected to shake hands. An exception is when a woman chooses not to shake hands with a Man. To Deal with exceptions wait for the other person to take the Lead. If he or she extends a hand it s Safe to shake. Whatever you do Don t shake hands with the left hand in your pocket. This is considered extremely rude a is talking to someone with your hands in your pockets. When meeting Ger Man friends on the Street they May expect to shake your hand especially if you Stop for a conversation. You will also be expected to shake hands As a Farewell to friends or acquaintances. Handshaking to a pleasant custom that helps demonstrate the warmth and friendliness of Ger mans who otherwise May sometimes seem re served in comparison to americans. After you have met and gotten to know some germans you May wonder when it is Okay to Call them by their first name and use the do the informal form of you. It May be a slow process to become close friends. It is Best to use last names and see the formal form of you until a German asks you to use his first name or this will save you the embarrassment of insulting the person and will indicate to you respect tils customs. If you visit in a German Home you will see that do is always used with family members and with children. In a school or University set Ting students use do with each other and sle with the professors the custom in the German military is for Tower ranking soldiers to use do with their comrades but Sie is always used Between officers and the soldiers. When working in Art office with germans last names and sle should be used unless the person indicates otherwise. In a German office or Busi Ness first names and do Are generally used among lower Echelon employees and manual labourers or very Young employees. Although customs Are becoming less formal in Germany As an outsider meeting germans it is always belter to let the germans take the Lead. You re less Likely to make mistakes. What to talk about As with making new friends in the u.s., it s sometimes difficult to know what to talk about until you get to know a person better. You should follow the same procedures with Ger mans you would like to know As you would with americans. Be aware of topics thai May be Sensi Tive and avoid them. Try to find out the person s interests hobbles or work. Germans May be sensitive about Wii if they bring up the topic it s Okay otherwise this is one to avoid. Germans Are also More sensitive about personal questions such As whether they Are married or have Chil Dren ,1et them bring up these subjects. Germans do not give and receive compliments As easily As we do. You May wait a Long time for a compliment from friends and May cause them embarrassment by giving compliments. On the other hand germans Are More outspoken about some things than we Are. What you May View As rude or tactless your Friend May View As being honest. For example your neighbors May express a concern Over now Well you keep your Lawn or Garden or May Tell you to Wash your windows More often. Topics of conversation that Are Safe include travelling in Germany and Europe sports Hob Bles places your Friend May have visited in the states and what you like about Germany. You May be asked about your opinions or politics or world events. Feel free to express them but Don t be surprised if your German Friend has very Strong opinions that May differ from yours. Visiting in a German Home one Way to judge your Success in making friends with germans to whether you Are invited to a German Home. Invitations for dinner a party or a weekend Are an indication that you have been accepted. To insure that the Friendship continues become familiar with customs and courtesies for your visit. When your German Host gives you a Lime for your arrival be prompt Don t arrive Early or More than 10-15 minutes late. Otherwise you May arrive to find everyone already eating Din Ner since germans do not usually have a Long cocktail time before the meal take a bouquet of Flowers with you As a gift for the hostess. Get an uneven number of flow ers and unwrap he bouquet before you hand it to the hostess. Any Type of bouquet is accept Able except for red roses which Are reserved for one very special Friend in deciding the appropriate time to leave you will be expected to make the first move. However your Host May give you a hint that it s Lime to leave if you overstay your Welcome by not refilling your Glass. Plan to leave no later than 11 00 p.m., unless your Host asks you to stay. Then it is polite to stay another half hour. Dinner parties in Germany will present you with an Opportunity to learn other customs and courtesies. If it is a Large party you can Send Flowers before or after the parly but Don t take them with you. After arriving you May be served drinks such As wine or Sherry in the living room before dinner at the table the seats to the right and left of the Host Are reserved for the guest or guests of Honor to the left for a Man and to the right for a woman. Before in sting your Glass for a taste of wine remember that everyone Waits for the Host to Toast the guests and have the first drink. Clinking glasses for a Toast generally is done Only for special occasions or for Luck and Only with wine Champagne or Beer. Following the party it it acceptable to Call the hostess and express your thanks and enjoyment. You May also want to return the invitation to give your German friends a Chance to experience some american customs. Politeness counts whether on the Street at a disco or in an office or store in most situations germans Are More formal and cautious than americans. Ger mans love their privacy Are polite to strangers and Don t like to make a fuss. In addition to the mandatory go Terr tag and auf we Lenehen you will hear and should use Danke Bank you and Bitte please or you re Welcome liberally. If you want to gel through a crowd or when you step on someone s foot say Verze Tiung or excuse me. In Germany it is not polite to attract someone s attention by snapping your fingers or making a noisy scene. Simply raise your hand with the Index Finger extended or if the person is close enough say Blue or Bine Shoen in a Normal voice. German politeness May seem a Little lacking to americans at limes but a few simple guidelines May help you Cope and keep your Cool. For example if someone wants to pass you on the autobahn get out of the Wayl expect to get jostled in a crowd and just go with the Low. Stand your ground when standing in line. And when on the ski slopes practice defensive ski take these things in stride relax and your blood pressure will stay Down. Welcome to ctr nor thursday april 23,1987 paid special insert to the stars and stripes Page do
