Chapter 4: Intercultural Communication

4. Insights into Intercultural Communication - Germany

Study in Germany

Please don't wonder if German students are talking in a cold or a demanding way to you while handling together for example a group presentation or another teamwork. They are just low in their communication style - their statements will be probably short and to the point, they will only mention what exactly they want from you in a very direct form and without any expressions or emotions about being excited to work with you together. But this expressionless direct communication doesn't mean they don't like to work with you . So please take it in a very professional «German» direct way of communicating.
During the lectures mostly they expect from you direct communication - this is how you are expressing your own views, your own ideas. So please don't sit quietly in the corner- build in your comments and your views, interfere. If you are sitting quietly they can even question your intelligence or they will think you are disinterested.
If you want to have something from your fellow students you got to say it directly, the Germans won’t understand allusions or hints. Normally they also don't relate different kind of issues. They want to have the information or action in a very compact form.
«Small talks» usually are not taken seriously - so please put important information you want to have from your team or German partner on paper, sms, email in a written form otherwise they can ignore or forget about it.
If you are arguing about something with your German fellow, don't wonder if he becomes quite aggressive and starts to fight with you about something- he/she doesn't mean it like this, they are only used to represent their own opinion and to make it to you as clear as possible. It doesn't mean they are in conflict with you.
Normally a German professor or as well your fellows they have no problem to criticize your work or you. It’s typically German to speak about failures/flaws - they use it for analyzing how to help you or how to make things better.
Don't take «conflicts» with any of your fellows or professor as too serious - Germans like confrontations - cause conflict can show you problems on which to work onto.
Don't expect any praises from the Germans about anything you have done well - they find praises irrelevant.
Don't make any promises to your German fellows just for being nice as it is usual in some cultures for showing your politeness - they won’t understand this and probably will be mad at you.
Don't wonder if the German students as well as professors are smiling too less or are less kind or talkative as they may be in your country. The Germans are serious and concentrated on their own work, issues and world that they forget about such things and find them unnecessary.

Communicating with Germans

As a matter of fact, Germans do have one of the most direct communication systems in the world. The Germans are known for “low-context communication” which implies meaning what you’re saying without the necessity for others to interpret gestures or reading between the lines.
For Germans, honesty is one of the most important values.
Being honest is always important, because it is authentic, credible and professional in a business context, avoiding misunderstandings and saving time. Trust is based on honesty, lying or distorting the truth is always leading to mistrust and scepticism.
You have to keep in mind, that in most of the situations, direct communication doesn’t aim to hurt the other one’s feelings, it is objectively oriented. For most Germans it is difficult to read between the lines, because it’s the saying that counts.
In case of confrontations, Germans are mostly fearless of conflicts. Conflicts are not only seen as a threat for relationships, but also as an opportunity to reveal problems and to accelerate the solution process. For Non-Germans, the tone of the voice of discussing people must sound very harsh and aggressive. Sometimes discussions escalate, but in most cases discussing people don’t fight. In a business context, they still focus on the objective. In friendship relations or other relationships, discussing is also seen as helpful in terms of solving problems or revealing misunderstandings. Due to the strong influence of personal feelings, it is of course more difficult to avoid hurting the other one than in a business context.

Finding an adequate residence in Germany

Every member of the flat has his own room. Sometimes the WG’s (German short form for Wohngemeinschaft = flat community) have an additional room to spend some time together.
In between the community you share the rent and the additional costs.
Normally everyone buys food on his own, which does not mean, that you do not cook or eat together. But everyone owns his food which you should not take without permission, except it is offered to you.
Furthermore the housekeeping is not narrowed down to your own room and the things you have used, you also have to keep the flat’s rest clean. Most WG’s do have a plan for that, which should be taken seriously. But in case of any inconvenience you can always talk to your roommates and solve the problem.
As it is not very convenient to locals to establish a new WG or replace an old member for such a short time with an incoming, you should look for subleased rooms. Germans who go abroad want to make sure that they can live in their old room in order to avoid long search after their stay in another country. The advantage for you is that the room is in general full equipped and that they tend to accept you easier because they do not have to find a new member when you leave.
Finding a good and in terms of price fair accommodation in Germany is quite difficult, even for locals. The university’s cities are often quite crowded, that’s why the room is limited.
Find a shared flat: For German students it is very common to live in a shared flat with other students or friends. It is the often cheaper than a small own flat and easier to find.

How to deal in business life and working environment

What you have heard about the German way of working is most likely to be the truth: people work hard, tend to do overtime, are very precise with their work and would not show up unprepared in a business meeting – especially when an external client is present. Punctuality is of high importance, not only in work life. If you cannot participate in a meeting or run late for it: be honest and let your meeting partners know in advance. Not showing up without any hint is considered unprofessional.
A high degree of work input is expected, even though you are just a trainee or do an internship. You will be given responsibility for certain tasks or projects, almost right from the beginning on. One’s own initiative is valued highly and also expected to a certain degree: it shows your boss and colleagues that they have picked the right candidate choosing you.
Once you are in the company and familiarized yourself with your work environment, one of the most important things is to try not to take any kind of advice, feedback or criticism personally. An international student working in a German business environment has probably at least once felt offended by his German colleague. But: people really just want to give you an objective feedback on your work, it is “constructive criticism” – and in this regard, Germans tend to be very direct which is often perceived as personal critic. It is in fact not: your colleagues or your boss want to help you improve your work and make yourself grow with your tasks. Vice versa, your feedback on your German colleague’s work is highly appreciated; and dare to present your opinion in a constructive way – this is perceived as professional behavior and shows your colleagues that their output of work matters to you.
A discussion among German colleagues often looks like a fight from an outsider’s point of view. Indeed, they are not fighting, even though people might speak in a louder voice. This rather serves to reveal one self’s position and have one’s opinion being heard. When you are in a situation where a discussion comes up, try to participate. Hear your colleagues view points and bring in your own – you will see, your German colleagues will appreciate that you try to help solving a problem or revise a certain issue for improvement.