This document provides an overview of life in Germany, highlighting that: - Germany has 16 federal states with over 82 million inhabitants, ranging greatly in population size from the most populated Nordrhein-Westfalen to the least populated Bremen. - There are still cultural differences between eastern and western Germany since their reunification in 1990. - Important aspects of German culture include their passion for cars and football. Strict rules of etiquette and politeness also influence communication with Germans.

1. Welcome to Germany!Welcome to Germany!
by Andrea Gerriets & Sarah Kraft

2. Did you know?Did you know?

3. Germany is notGermany is not BBavariaavaria!!
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

4. • Over 82.000.000 Germans live inOver 82.000.000 Germans live in
16 different federal states16 different federal states..
• The federal state with the mostThe federal state with the most
inhabitants is Nordrhein-Westfalen.inhabitants is Nordrhein-Westfalen.
• The one with the fewest inhabitantsThe one with the fewest inhabitants
is Bremen.is Bremen.
• Bavaria is just the biggest one.Bavaria is just the biggest one.
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft
Germany is notGermany is not BBavariaavaria!!

5. We have 16 federal states – plus Mallorca!We have 16 federal states – plus Mallorca!
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft
• Mallorca is the favorite holidayMallorca is the favorite holiday
destination of thedestination of the GGermansermans..
• About 4 Million Germans goAbout 4 Million Germans go
there every yearthere every year..
• About 20.000 Germans liveAbout 20.000 Germans live
there constantlythere constantly..
• There are legends about aThere are legends about a
Mallorca war for the deskMallorca war for the desk
chairschairs 

6. by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft
BerlinBerlinHamburgHamburg
DüsseldorfDüsseldorf MunichMunich
Although Germany was reunited in 1990,Although Germany was reunited in 1990,
ever part of Germany has ist own capital!ever part of Germany has ist own capital!

7. There are still big differences betweenThere are still big differences between EEastast
andand WWestest-Germany-Germany
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft
• People fromPeople from WWestest GermanyGermany
marry earlier, get children &marry earlier, get children &
women staywomen stay oftenoften at homeat home..
• InIn EEast 75% of the children getast 75% of the children get
born beforborn beforee thethe marrimarriaagege andand
the parentsthe parents rase the childrenrase the children
together.together.
• Every fiEvery fiffth person fromth person from WWestest
GGermany has never been toermany has never been to
thethe EEastast..
• 75% of the eastern population75% of the eastern population
have been inhave been in WWestest GGermanyermany..

8. Der Weißwurst-ÄquatorDer Weißwurst-Äquator
(engl. Bavarian veal sausage equator)(engl. Bavarian veal sausage equator)
But there are even bigger differencesBut there are even bigger differences
betweenbetween NNorthorth andand SSouth.outh.
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

9. Alltogether, Germany can offer youAlltogether, Germany can offer you
everythingeverything..
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

10. Germans love theGermans love theiir carr car
• There are 55,5 Mio. Cars inThere are 55,5 Mio. Cars in
GermanyGermany..
• 20% of Germans wash their20% of Germans wash their
car every month.car every month.
• It is said that any car inIt is said that any car in
GGermany is better protected byermany is better protected by
an insan insuranceurance than its ownerthan its owner
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

11. But in Germany you respect pedestriansBut in Germany you respect pedestrians
and you never cross a red light.and you never cross a red light.
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

12. But as important as their car, is football forBut as important as their car, is football for
Germans.Germans.
• You can find 25 805 footballYou can find 25 805 football
clubs.clubs.
• About 6 351 000 Germans areAbout 6 351 000 Germans are
activ football playersactiv football players
• The male team has beenThe male team has been
worldchampion 1954, 1974worldchampion 1954, 1974
and 1990 and europeanand 1990 and european
champion 1972, 1980 andchampion 1972, 1980 and
1996.1996.
• The women won the worldcupThe women won the worldcup
in 2003 and 2007 and thein 2003 and 2007 and the
european championship 1989,european championship 1989,
1991, 1995, 1997, 2001 and1991, 1995, 1997, 2001 and
2005.2005. by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

13. Showing the flag was a tabu …Showing the flag was a tabu …
until the Worldcup 2006.until the Worldcup 2006.
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

14. Do‘sDo‘s
in communication with Germans.in communication with Germans.

15. 1# We always shake hands, even when we1# We always shake hands, even when we
meet our relatives.meet our relatives.
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

16. 2# We open the doors for other people and2# We open the doors for other people and
at least try to be polite.at least try to be polite.
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

17. 3# We say what we think and we mean what3# We say what we think and we mean what
we say.we say.
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

18. 4# We always say `Please`,`Thank you` and4# We always say `Please`,`Thank you` and
`You are welcome`.`You are welcome`.
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

19. 5# People we don‘t know we always address5# People we don‘t know we always address
formally and titels are very important.formally and titels are very important.
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

20. Don‘tsDon‘ts
in communication with Germans.

21. - No jokes or no hidden allusions about Nazi time!No jokes or no hidden allusions about Nazi time!
- No jokes about Jews!No jokes about Jews!
- No jokes about KZs or gas chambers!No jokes about KZs or gas chambers!
The essential DON‘TThe essential DON‘T

22. - Don‘t ask a German ifDon‘t ask a German if
he is proud of his country !he is proud of his country !
- Don‘t be too late in officiallyDon‘t be too late in officially
scheduled dates or meetings.scheduled dates or meetings.
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft
Better not to do that!Better not to do that!

23. Reasons to come to Germany.Reasons to come to Germany.

25. • Regional in Mid West GermanyRegional in Mid West Germany
• Cologne & MainzCologne & Mainz
• World is upside down!World is upside down!
• Rough political statements and criticism!Rough political statements and criticism!
Karneval – The 5th season of the yearKarneval – The 5th season of the year

26. Berlinale -Berlinale -
InternationalInternational
Film FestivalFilm Festival
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

27. • Berlin has 115 000Berlin has 115 000
Turkish inhabitantsTurkish inhabitants
• Hamburg has > 60 000Hamburg has > 60 000
Turkish inhabitantsTurkish inhabitants
• A lot in the 3rd generation alreadyA lot in the 3rd generation already
Large Turkish SocietyLarge Turkish Society
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft

28. • HockeyHockey
• GolfGolf
• AthleticsAthletics
• Horse RidingHorse Riding
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft
Sports … except FootballSports … except Football

29. Porta Nigra in Trier, 180 n. Chr.
Wartburg in EisenachStarted in the year 1168
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft
Old PlacesOld Places

30. • On highways very often!On highways very often!
• But not everywhere!But not everywhere!
by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft
No Speed LimitNo Speed Limit

31. by Andrea Gerriets and Sarah Kraft
Sausages, Beers, Wine, BreadsSausages, Beers, Wine, Breads

32. Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!