Cultural Diversity in German Speaking Countries

Verbal and Non Verbal

Communication

Non Verbal Communication• In Germany, the thumb is used to count 1, rather

than the index finger.• Germans value direct eye contact, particularly

during face-to-face conversations.• Smiles are used with discretion, typically being

reserved for close friends and family.• Slouching is considered rude in Germany, as well

as most European nations.• Placing your hands in your pockets is also

considered disrespectful, possibly implying that you are hiding something.

Eye Contact

Hand Shake

Smile

Formalities• Germans generally greet people with handshakes,

and possibly a hug or kiss for close friends and family.

• Verbal communication in Germany tends to be more formal than in the United States

• German employees tend to refer to all colleagues as either Herr or Frau.

• Two forms of you in German, Du (for children, animals, and close friends) and Sie (for colleagues and acquaintances).

• Germans tend to answer the telephone by giving their last names.

German Dialects• German dialects are found throughout Germany,

Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.• There are roughly 22 German Dialects throughout

Germany and Europe.• The German dialects are divided into Upper (East,

West, North Upper German), Low (Low Saxon and East Low German), and Central (East and West Central German).

• The Austrian language is said to be a dialect branch of German (Just as American English and British English).

• A region known as Bavaria has one of the oldest dialects due to its relative isolation in the earlier stages in development.

Were you Listening?

1. What form of nonverbal communication do Germans value?

a) Hand Shakesb) Eye Contactc) Smiling

2. How many dialects of German are there?a) 22b) 20c) 25

Were you right?

1. B, eye contact, German value eye contact since it establishes a connection between the speaker and listener.

2. A, 22, There are 22 dialects found throughout Germany and Europe.

Citation

• http://www.andrews.edu/~tidwell/lead689/NonVerbal.html

• http://webgerman.com/german/dialects/• http://www.ehow.com/info_7979609_german

-verbal-nonverbal-communication-styles.html