Going to Germany for a couple weeks

[ChurchOfSubgenius]

I am 37 and I have never been anywhere out of the country, I just started a new job and they want me to go to Germany for 2 weeks for some training on a software they want to implement.
Anyone have some tip about local customs or "do's and don'ts"?

Thanks

 

[Wapp]

DO drink as much beer as possible.
DO NOT partake in illicit substances
DO have crazy sex with kinky German girls
DO post pics of said German girls

 

[leftyman]

Ach du Lieber :thumbsup:

 

[ChurchOfSubgenius]

Originally posted by: Wapp
DO drink as much beer as possible.
DO NOT partake in illicit substances
DO have crazy sex with kinky German girls
DO post pics of said German girls

Hmmmm:
Beer=good
All done with the substances
me=very married with 3 kids
Will do.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Where in Germany?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Hmmm.

One would be hard-pressed to find a more America-loving country than Germany, GW Bush aside.

I would maybe buy an introductory "Learning German CD" just so you can learn a few basics:

Good morning: Guten Morgen
Good day: Guten Tag
Good evening: Guten Abend
Good night: Guten Nacht
Please: Bitte
Thank you: Danke
You're welcome: Bitteschoen
Hello: Hallo
Pleased to meet you: Freut mich
Goodbye: Auf wiedersehen
My name is: Ich heisse...
What is your name? Wie heissen Sie?
Where is the bathroom? Wo ist die Toilette?
Where is the pub? Wo ist die Kneipe?
Beer from the tap: Bier vom Fass!
How are you? Wie geht es Ihnen?
I am doing well, thanks. Mir geht es gut danke.

Those should get you started.

But perhaps the most important is Sprechen Sie Englisch? (Do you speak English?)

Just remember to be respectful of other cultures at all times. Don't assume they speak your language or share your customs. You'll be there to do a job but also to learn about them. Don't act like America is God's gift to the world either.

In a business sense, Germans are very punctual; don't be late out of respect. Address each other using last names. Also be aware of personal space. Don't get too close or crowd someone you don't know.

If you let me know specifically where you'll be in Germany, I can give you more advice on what to see and do.

Good luck!

 

[MedicBob]

Dark slacks, nice shirt, loafers or other nice shoes, etc. Dress how you see them dress, casual but not bluejeans/t-shirts. The 2 weeks I spent in Bavaria most of the time I was addressed in German even on tours and in the tourist areas, while others were addressed in English right away. The only thing I did was dress as above.

Have a fun time, I had an excellent time and want to go back.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Take a knife.

 

[miniMUNCH]

Germany is great... have a good time.

 

[Wapp]

Originally posted by: ChurchOfSubgenius

Originally posted by: Wapp
DO drink as much beer as possible.
DO NOT partake in illicit substances
DO have crazy sex with kinky German girls
DO post pics of said German girls

Hmmmm:
Beer=good
All done with the substances
me=very married with 3 kids
Will do.

Don't you know the different zip code rule?

 

[ChurchOfSubgenius]

Excellent, thanks AGT, I am going to do a fair amount of web-research first but that only gets you so far.
I guess that place I am going to is halfway between Koln and Hamburg...some small college town. Not great for sight seeing but what do you want in the middle of winter.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: ChurchOfSubgenius
Excellent, thanks AGT, I am going to do a fair amount of web-research first but that only gets you so far.
I guess that place I am going to is halfway between Koln and Hamburg...some small college town. Not great for sight seeing but what do you want in the middle of winter.

Well, Köln is nice, so is Hamburg. The latter is home to Germany's best-known red light district known as the Reeperbahn. Düsseldorf is also great.

When in Köln, drink a Kölsch. When in Düsseldorf, drink an Alt Bier.

Also keep in mind that Amsterdam is only 2:37 away from the Köln station by train

 

[Nerva]

i went to berlin and munich for spring break, fvcking awesome!!!!

 

[iamwiz82]

SAP?

 

[So]

DO NOT try to buy any games

 

[DanDrop]

If you will be doing any driving, bring a GPS with euro maps. Don't drink and drive, have a designated driver and try out different beers and local food. Do bring a pair of nice but comfy pair of shoes. Take lots of pics.

 

[Stojakapimp]

You should probably buy a leiderhosen. That's practically all they wear over there