On the internet there are a lot of introductory level lessons and free tips for going to Germany and these tips go beyond that. These are solid tips for the business mindset when doing business with Germans. Los geht's!

1. Forget "how are you". Really.

Germans only ask this question if they a) really want to know how you're doing or b) are speaking English and they know this is a part of a typical greeting. So when you're speaking German in a business setting, skip it.

Concentrate instead on greeting everyone genuinely. Be sure to make eye contact with everyone, shake hands, and be your usual, awesome self.

2. Provide or accept beverages...with this one sneaky tip.

If you're hosting the meeting, have cold and hot beverages readily available. If you're going the caffeinated route, offer strong coffee and be sure to have half & half/milk, and sugar available.

If you're attending the meeting and are being hosted, graciously accept any beverage that your host offers--and make it the same as your host's beverage. This is so sneaky, however it is a typical business signal that you're happy to be on the same page with them.

3. Skip, skip, skip the small talk.

A German friend of mine said that when she came to the US, her US-culture training included a phrase that was true time and time again:  in the US, you make small talk until it hurts, and then you make more small talk. This sounds like an honest assessment of a large part of our culture.

This is something that Germans just don't get. Because Germans get right to the point. They're on-time, prepared, and want to get things done, and small talk simply doesn't fit into this framework.

4. KISS it. KISS it all! (Keep It Short & Sweet.)

This ties in with #3, that it's best to keep it short & sweet. Germans are on-time, prepared, and want to get things done (is there an echo in here?) so getting and keeping to the point is a wonderful way to respect this aspect of their culture and to do solid business with them.

To give you some perspective, just think of all the times you've seen Americans chew the fat in their offices, pretending to be working, when really they're just looking busy and making it look like they're working really hard for 9, 10 hours a day. (It's not always like this, however it does happen often.) Now imagine this:  everyone comes to work, concentrates, works hard, and leaves on time. Seems crazy, right? It's pretty much the opposite culture of what a lot of American companies have, so take this insight with you when you have a meeting with Germans.

5. Say good-bye to everyone.

Be sure to say good-bye to everyone at the end of the meeting. Go around, shake hands, wave from across the room if you have to. This is a wonderful way to be sure you got to make eye contact with everyone in the meeting and it shows that you were paying attention and that you are a gracious host or guest, whichever you may be.

BONUS TIP!

Since it may feel really awkward for you to skip the question "How are you" in its entirety, have a couple of questions at the ready. Here are three for you to try:

Sind Sie gut angekommen?

Wie war Ihr Flug / Ihre Fahrt / Ihre Reise?

Waren Sie schon einmal hier in [which ever city you are currently in]? ODER Wie lange leben Sie schon hier?

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