Values & Proverbs

VALUES

The German culture stems from the beliefs and values of its people.  The role that these principles play are evident in a German's everyday life.  Here are a few of the key values that the Germans possess.

Education

Getting a good education is very important to German societies.  Not only do they have a deep respect for education, but credibility, social status, and the level of employment a person may reach depends on his educational achievement.  The Germans take great pride in their educational system, especially in the fields of craftsmanship and technology. Visit our Education page to learn more about the German education system.

Manners

Good manners are a must in the German culture.  Displaying politeness and courtesy are ways of showing respect.  Boundaries are drawn through social distance, eye contact, touch, and facial expressions.  Different types of relationships require different codes of behavior.  Failing to follow these protocols is considered rude and may alienate those who are unaware of them.

Punctuality

Especially in a business setting, Germans pride themselves on their punctuality.  To many of them, being on time is not just a simple concern, it is an obsession.  Being late to an appointment disturbs their sense of order and is seen as rude; if you are expecting to be late, call and explain your situation.  The German sense of "keeping to the schedule" can be seen in and out of the business world.  For those who are virtually always on time, there are rarely acceptable excuses for tardiness or delays that may disturb the "schedule."

Religion

German religion has gone through many changes throughout history.  Yet, it continues to be a major pare of German's lives.  The two most practiced religions are Lutheran Protestant (45%) and Roman Catholic (37%).  Click here for more on religion.

History

Germany lacked any clearly defined geographical boundaries until modern times.  From ancient times, several ethnic groups have mixed to shape the history of Germany, resulting in a stunning diversity of cultures and dialects.  Modern Germany is the product of centuries of social, political, and cultural evolution.  Click here for more on Germany's history.

PROVERBS

Proverbs can tell a lot about a people's culture; the proper or expected ways of doing things, certain values they hold dear, and insights the elders wish to impress into the minds of the young.  German proverbs are no different.  Many of their proverbs are known worldwide, but their true originator may not be known.  Whether they were created by a German mind or have simply been adopted from other cultures is irrelevant, but what is relevant however is that the ideas behind them hold true in their German culture.  Here are a few examples; for a more extensive list go to: http://www.serve.com/shea/germusa/prov1.htm.