Dining and Entertainment
Lunch with business colleagues generally involves social conversation. Do not discuss business during lunch or dinner unless your German partner initiates the conversation.
Nobody drinks at a dinner party in Germany before the host has drunk. The host will raise his glass to the woman on his right and then toast to the health of the group. Thereafter, people may drink as they see fit.
When toasting as a guest, hold the glass only at the stem, clink your glass with everyone near you at the table
and say Prosit, then take a drink. Then look into the eyes of someone at your table and lift your glass just slightly, then bring your glass down to the table.
A guest of honor is seated to the left of the hostess if it is a man and to the right of the host if it is a woman.
Keep your hands on the table at all times during a meal -- not in your lap. However, take care to keep your elbows off the table.
Use a knife and fork to eat sandwiches, fruit, and most food. Do not use a knife to cut potatoes or dumplings (suggests food is not tender). The general rule is whatever does not need a knife, should not be touched with your knife. Never cut fish with anything but a fish knife. If a fish knife is not offered, two forks are acceptable.
Do not smoke until after dinner is finished and coffee is served. Then ask permission.
If you are taking a break during the meal, but would like to continue eating or would like more food, cross the knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife.
Germans don't tend to stay long after dinner. The honored guests are expected to make the first move to leave.
Do not ask for a tour of your host's home, it would be considered impolite.
Dress
Incorrectly picked up clothes often are perceived by Germans as provocation: "This person doesn't consider it necessary to show me the respect". Thus has no value, for what reason you violated etiquette rules – deliberately or on ignorance. Your partner sees only your impudence.
Being well and correctly dressed is very important.
Strict clothes style is still preferable in business sphere. More easy clothes style is allowed only in traditionally "youth" professions: in journalism, in the sphere of advertising and computer technologies.
Women still aren't allowed to wear shorts, undershirts, air blouses and tight trousers, to men – white or color socks and too bright ties.
The skirt as part of business clothes has to close knees. If woman's hips are open while sitting, it is considered as provocation. Besides, the need will constantly correct a skirt to distract you from business negotiations.
In business clothes are permissible muffled colors. Black, gray and blue colors testify about high professionalism and competence. Pastel tones often look childly, bright tones seem loud. Also it is necessary to avoid bright drawings, for example wild flowers.
According to the color of clothes it is possible to judge about taken position. There is very old rule: the higher is rank , the darker is a color of a suit. This rule didn't lose its importance in banks, financial institutions and insurance companies.
It is necessary to pick up to a suit suitable for color, best of all light, a shirt or a blouse. Classical contrast is the combination of black and white, involuntarily causing respect of surrounding people.
The coat from expensive and qualitative material is irreplaceable in clothes of the businessman. It is better for women to choose a long coat as it is inadmissible when the skirt is looked out under the coat. It is accepted to wear free coats from a soft material (for example, cashmere). Color of a coat – beige, brown, gray or black. It is better to refuse a material with drawing.
Artificial fabrics are inadmissible in the business sphere: such clothes, first, don't allow skin to breathe, and secondly, don't look elegantly. It is necessary to choose clothes from the mixed fibers, easy woolen materials or cotton.
Even in hot weather stockings are necessary for women . Black, gray and blue colors are suitable. It is possible to wear stockings of corporal shades in the summer.
The footwear choice in many respects defines what impression you will make. The cheap footwear on a plastic sole in one second will destroy your perfect image. Prefer leather footwear on a low heel. Color of footwear – neutral. At office it isn't accepted to wear the ornated shoes, metallic color footwear, and also sandals. Besides, the white footwear and shoes with an open nose doesn't approach to an official style of clothes.
Gifts
Gifts are normally not exchanged at business meetings, but small gifts may be appropriate at the successful conclusion of negotiations.
Present books, bourbon, whiskey. American-made gifts are very appropriate.
Do not give pointed objects like knives, scissors, umbrellas (considered unlucky), personal items, extravagant gifts or wine (Germans are very proud of their wine cellars).
When you are invited to someone's home, always bring a small gift for the hostess.It can be bunch of flowers, box of expensive candies or cookies
For a large party, it is nice to send flowers before the party or the next day.
Do not give red roses (love symbol) or carnations (mourning). Yellow and white chrysanthemums and calla lilies are given for funerals only.