The atmosphere within German companies can be very dry and formal. Even after decades, colleagues that have worked side by side may still speak to each other using formal forms of address. It’s not uncommon in smaller offices or divisions for co-workers to greet everyone with a handshake as they arrive in the morning and then follow the same procedure at the end of the day. Emails can mimic formal letters and it’s a good idea to address everyone by their surname in the beginning. Casual day is unheard of in Germany and if ties and suits are the norm in your industry, don’t ever make the mistake of showing up in jeans and a polo shirt.

This formal air decreases in direct proportion to how much business a company does abroad. German companies that get most of their sales outside Germany have already chosen English as their official language and have become fluent in Anglo-Saxon corporate culture. Still, always err on the side of formality, because a colleague who will mock you for addressing them by their last name is likely to be more forgiving than someone in purchasing offended by your use of the informal form of language.