Germany

In Germany, business cards are a practical tool to initiate a business relationship. The etiquette for exchanging cards is not as strict as in Korea or Japan; you simply hand over and receive them clearly. It's acceptable to put the received card away immediately. There's a tendency to respect the information (title, academic degrees) written on the card.

The most common business greeting is a handshake. This applies to both men and women, and a firm, solid handshake is preferred. When shaking hands, making eye contact with the other person is important. In business relationships, it's common to address people by their title and last name rather than just their first name, and they are very cautious about using informal addressing until familiarity is established.

German business attire is typically conservative and formal. Men usually wear dark suits and ties, while women prefer suits or neat skirts/trouser suits. It's important to convey a clean and tidy impression, and it's best to avoid overly flashy or casual clothing.

German meetings are structured and efficient. They strictly follow the agenda and emphasize logical and fact-based discussions. Opinions are presented clearly, and questions are often direct. In negotiations, they prefer a rational approach based on accurate information and data, and they place high importance on strictly fulfilling agreed-upon terms.

Business meals are usually formal dinners and follow established etiquette. It's common to use a knife and fork for eating, and it's not good to leave food on your plate. Tipping about 5-10% of the service fee is customary. Serious business conversations often take place during meals as well.

Appropriate topics: Work, cultural heritage, sports (football), travel, current affairs (non-controversial), beer, cars, etc.
Topics to avoid: Politics (especially historical issues), religion, personal private life, humor (cultural differences are significant).

Excessive gifts are not common in German business. Small, practical gifts or high-quality local specialties (e.g., wine, premium writing instruments) are good. If giving a gift, it's typically presented personally at the end of a meeting or dinner.

In German business, it's common to use 'Sie' (formal 'you') and the last name. It's very important to maintain formal address until the other person explicitly suggests using 'Du' (informal 'you') and first names. This demonstrates respect and trust.