All in Communication

Talk Small

Of all the topics I’m asked about, the relationship between Germans and small talk is the most frequent. Is Germany really a desert of friendly chit-chat and what happens when you can no longer fall back on polite conversations about the weather?

The Rules of Politeness

English speakers often assume their politeness rules are as global as their language, but this is not the case. Politeness is not uniform from country to country, Germany has different ideas of what is or isn’t polite. What happens when these rules clash?

Only When I Laugh

While the stereotype of the humourless German is overblown, there are differences in how Germans and the British use humour in their everyday lives. What do Germans find funny, and why might the British instinct for jokes cause problems?

Honestly Dishonest

The simple question ‘How are you?’ can cause consternation in Germany. Germans will often see it as another example of dishonest and superficial English communication. With honesty seemingly prized by Germans in communication, is this the case in all areas of German life?