By Yvette Mederos CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITH GERMANY

THE PEOPLE Germans value order, privacy and punctuality. They are Thrifty,hard working, industrious. They respect perfectionism in everything like business, and private life. There is a sense of community and social conscience and strong desire for belonging.

MEET AND GREET When greeting someone that is German you shake their hand when arriving and leaving. When introducing yourself you present yourself with your last name. Never shake a persons hand with one hand in your pocket.

BODY LANGUAGE Germans may seem rude and unfriendly until you get to know them. Never put your hands in your pocket when talking to someone Don't point your index finger to your own head. This is an insult. Never use the okay sign it is a rude gesture. Making hands into fist thumbs inside means good luck. This is bad!! This is good!

DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT Lunch with business colleagues generally involves social conversation. Do not discuss business during lunch or dinner unless your German host initiates the conversation. Germans don't tend to stay long after dinner. The honored guests are expected to make the first move to leave.

CORPORATE CULTURE Germans take punctuality very serious when it comes to business and special occations. The purpose of a first meeting is to get to know one another and to evaluate the person, to gain trust, and the check chemistry. Germans are very competitive, ambitious, and hard bargainers. Germans value privacy, they tend to keep their office doors closed. Reports, briefings and presentations should be backed up by facts, figures, tables and charts. Remain silent if the floor has not been given to you or if you are not prepared to make an informed contribution.

DRESS Being well dress and correctly is very important. For business men should wear suits (dark colors) Women should wear dresses, suits, pantsuits, skirts and blouses.

GIFTS Gifts are normally not exchanged at business meetings, but small gifts may be appropriate at the successful conclusion of negotiations. Give books, bourbon, whiskey or classical music. American-made gifts are very appropriate. When invited to someone's house always bring a small gift for the hostess.

HELPFUL HINTS Don’t shout or be loud, put your feet on furniture or chew gum in public. Don’t be offended if someone corrects your behavior. (i.e., taking jacket off in restaurant, parking in wrong spot, etc.). Policing each other is seen as a social duty.) A man or younger person should always walk to the left side of a lady. Compliment carefully and sparingly -- it may embarrass rather than please. A woman should not feel inhibited to invite a German man to dinner for business and will not have any problems paying. Women, especially foreign women, must establish their position and ability immediately in order to conduct business successfully in Germany.

RESOURCES Edipolomat.com YouTube.com

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