Germany
- Late Arrivals: German culture places a high value on punctuality. Being late can be viewed as a sign of disrespect or disorganization.
- Informal Address: Always use last names and appropriate titles until explicitly told otherwise. Using first names without permission can be seen as overly familiar or disrespectful.
- Crossing Arms: This gesture is often seen as a sign of insecurity or defensiveness and can negatively affect business interactions.
- Jokes in Business Settings: Germans tend to separate business from pleasure, so making jokes during business meetings can be considered inappropriate.
- Unclear Communication: Germans value directness and clarity, so roundabout or vague communication is not appreciated.