Germany: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette

I have lived in Germany for quite awhile now, and decided to read this book with the thought that maybe I could learn something new. This is exactly what happened. I was very impressed with Richard Lord's facts and insights into Germans and Germany. Somethings I had already experienced on my own while living here, and other things I had no clue about. Also, there were a few instances when I have viewed things with a questioning look here in Germany, and Lord cleared up these questions for me. I often ask German friends about certain customs, but this book has given me an indepth knowledge that would have taken me several years to come up with all the questions for my friends. Thank you Mr. Lord for your education on German culture. I can definitely recommend this to anyone planning to live in Germany in the near future.

I disagree with one reviewer's "bitter undertones" caveat. It simply isn't true. I've lived in Germany for a number of years and everything he writes has also been my experience and I love this country and the people. I got the same 'feeling' from Mr Lord's prose. To hit him over the head about his book dedication is rather much isn't it? It's the "main" reason he stays in Germany, not the only one. German culture, if it isn't one's native culture, presents unique and sometimes frustrating challenges everyday. That's simply the nature of any culture outside our own. I bought this book in spite of reading the "bitter undertones" review and am happy I did because I wanted a book that I could recommend to other newly arrived English speakers in Germany. I thought Richard Lord did a superb job and would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone considering coming to Germany to live or visit. Richard Lord covers all the basics and addresses all the parts that might "shock" if approached unaware (as I did when I moved here in the 90's) so of course his book is going to contain some things that might sound unpleasant - hence "Culture Shock". It wouldn't be called that if people didn't get nasty surprises when they leave their home cultures. All cultures have equal value but going from one to another almost always contains things we initially (or maybe forever) see as negatives. He also addresses all the practical aspects of living in Germany and that, in itself, is more than worth the price of the book in what it will save in lost time, lost money and buckets of frustration. He's done the German people a great service by explaining many of the 'whys' of the ways they live and the things they hold dear. It's especially satisfying to see much of the explanation placed in historical context - where much of cultural habit resides. It's never enough of a picture to know that a culture is "this way" without knowing why because every aspect of a culture is rooted in its very special and unique experience. Once understood in context, it all makes more sense and then it's loads easier to adapt. I expect he managed this so well because he respectfully integrated himself into the culture insofar as possible for someone born and raised elsewhere. If you buy this book, you'll be very, very glad you did.

For anyone planning on living, studying, or working in Germany for any duration of time my advice to you is: "Don't leave home without this book."Important to keep in mind that Lord writes the book from the perspective of an American citizen who is married to a German, has lived in Germany for over 15 years, and has exchanged opinions with other foreign residents in Germany. In the introduction he discusses the parable of the blind men and the elephant and how this elephant is Germany with its "wildly contradictory ways."All in all, this is a very well written, organized, and balanced guide to Germany and modern German Life. (This review is of the revised 1999 edition)

In dealing with my German colleagues, Lord's insights have proven very accurate and useful. I didn't find his treatment to be mean or bitter. On the contrary, Lord is entertained by, but respectful, of the German culture. He portrays the culture not only as it is, but as it is transforming.

I read this book before I left for a 12-month stay in Germany as an exchange student, and I found the information accurate and indispensable!