Focus on our Members

KEWA Relocations Germany

In this edition of The EuRApean , KEWA Relocation Germany would like to continue with the theme of the last two articles contributed to the “Focus on EuRA Members” section. We will provide you with a brief insight into Germany and its culture and some challenges expatriates might face when moving here. Gregor, a German native,  has been on several foreign assignments in Europe during his career. Louise is an expat herself, originating from the UK and has lived happily in Germany for the past 13 years.
 
As we are all aware, Europe consists of many countries, each with their own individual culture. Therefore, not only can Non-Europeans have a culture shock, but also Europeans when arriving in Germany for the first time!
 
In general the German culture is very formal and "correct" and Germans set great value on punctuality, keeping appointments, and making plans, all of which are an integral and very important part of their daily life.
 
Germany is one of the most densely settled areas in Europe and families live mainly in apartment buildings or houses. Detached houses with large grounds are a luxury that the majority cannot afford. Due to the fact that the price of land is high, private housing tends to be a terraced (row) house (Reihenhaus) or semi-detached (Dopplehaushaelfte). Another important point is that it is not normal to have built-in wardrobes (closets) or a fitted kitchen! It is quite usual that the Germans take their kitchen to their new property and you have to buy a new one. The Germans love their gardens and plants and often rent a garden allotment called "Schrebergarten". Here they spend much of their free time and have anything from a nice garden house and lawns to a shed and vegetable garden.
 
The home is very private and visitors are welcome by invite only. "Open House" policy is rarely practised. Should you be invited please be very punctual. Also take a small gift with you in the way of flowers, chocolates or a bottle of something alcoholic. After the evening it is custom to thank your host per telephone, e-mail or a note. It is not usual to mix business and private life together. Friends are friends and business partners/colleagues are just that. Socializing with colleagues is normally at organized office functions such as the annual Christmas party. Birthdays can also be expensive! It is usual in Germany that the “Birthday Person” pays for the festivities. So if you are going out on the town with your guests, do not forget to take your wallet!
 
Your home may be your castle but not without rules. There are certain points that must be observed such as:
"Mittagsruhe" Between 1pm and 3pm and evenings after 10.00pm, it should be quiet without the hammering of nails, piano playing, loud music etc. Can be a problem if you have a party but make friends with the neighbors, tell them that you are having a party (or better still, invite them) and normally as long as it is not too often, you will find that they are tolerant of your carousing.
Sunday is also a day for relaxing and not work. Do not mow the lawn, or wash the car. Clothes washing should also not been seen outside on a Sunday although this is not so strongly enforced as the other two points. Do not think you can wash your car on the street or in your private drive. This is totally taboo and can result in a large fine if your neighbor reports you. Car washing must take place in a car wash.
 
Separating the rubbish (garbage) is also done with total thoroughness. There are bins (cans) for nearly everything depending on which area you live in. There are bins for paper, food waste, products for recycling, for the rest of the rubbish (garbage) and finally communal bins for glass bottles. You also may think that if you do not have an open fireplace, you do not need a chimney sweep ("Schornsteinfeger"). This is not true. By law, the heating system must be checked annually and you will receive a visit from the chimney sweep complete with traditional coat and hat.
 
Germans are very family orientated and often go out as a family unit. It is not unusual to see the whole family in the evenings eating out. On Sundays the family can be seen walking or cycling in the parks, pulling the youngest behind them in a little "trailer" or sitting in a baby seat. The Germans are also animal lovers and a high percentage have a dog or cat. If you are bringing your dog over, it is important to check whether it is classed under "The Dangerous Dogs Act". If so, the dog license is higher and varies according to area and also the dog has to be muzzled and kept on a lead (leash) in public places. There are a wide variety of club activities and American football together with rugby football are also becoming more popular.
 
As for shopping, the first shock is the opening hours. The hours are strictly regulated and not open late evening. The majority of shops close around 6.30pm, although the majority of the large supermarkets together with the large stores in the city are open till 8pm. On Saturdays most shops close at 6pm, but in the rural areas they may already close at 2pm. On Sundays they are not open at all. However all can be saved if you have forgotten something by going to the petrol (gas) stations which have a mini-market with the majority of goods available. Outdoor markets are popular to buy fresh vegetables, fruit etc, farm shops for dairy products and if you enjoy flea markets (Trodelmaerkte), you will find that they are also a very popular outing.
 
The second shock is that you cannot pay by credit cards in a lot of the shops and especially in supermarkets. Nowadays it is possible to pay with a debit card (EC Karte) in the majority of shops, but payment by cash is still more common. Whilst on the subject of money, the shopping trolleys are chained together and you have to put a Euro or token in to release them. This you get back when you return your trolley. In non-food shops, the large department stores etc, the use of credit cards is increasing but still not a regular occurrence and it is always useful to have your debit card (EC-Karte) card with you just in case! Clothes sizing can also be a bit of a mystery together with metric weights and measures. European refrigerators, freezers and washing machines are much smaller than their American cousins! Unlike other countries, medication such as aspirin and cough mixture, is not readily available in supermarkets etc. Normally you have to go to the pharmacy (Apotheke) to purchase such goods.
 
Germany is very centrally located in Europe which provides great opportunities for visiting other countries, which are practically on your doorstep, either by plane, train or car. For example, depending where you actually want to go:
Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg between 1-3 hours drive.
Austria, Switzerland, France within 8 hours drive.
Italy, Spain within 10 hours drive.
Scandinavian Countries between 7-20 hours drive. (For Norway you have to take a ferry).
Central European Countries such as Hungary between 8-10 hours drive.
In Germany itself there are also beautiful cities and countryside such as Munich, Berlin, Black Forest and the different wine regions etc. to visit.
 
When you come to Germany, please visit us at our offices. Should you send any client’s expatriates – even better! We would welcome the opportunity to support them with any of our services including immigration assistance, home search/settling-in or property and tenancy management. Each of these services are coordinated in our respective departments with highly qualified and experienced specialists. However the expatriate will have one of our consultants as his or her single point of contact.
KEWA Relocation has local consultants in all regions of Germany and is proud to be a part of the EuRA family with its great international networking opportunities. Please visit us at www.kewa.de