English Project V2

7/31/2019 English Project V2

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1. Man greeting Man

Shake hands while maintaining direct eye contact. A firm but fairly brief handshake is

the normal. With friends, a simple hello will suffice.

2. Woman greeting Woman

At first, women generally shake hands while maintaining direct eye contact. Between

good friends and family kissing on one or both cheeks is common.

3. Man greeting Woman

At a first meeting a regular handshake will do. Good friends and family may engage in

a light hug or a kiss on one or both cheeks.

Note: When dealing with groups of people, its best to take the time to shake hands

with everyone individually when arriving and departing.

Greetings


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It is polite to look others in the eye during conversation, however one

should not stare.

Direct eye contact is considered a sign of respect and interest duringconversation

Eye Contact

Punctuality is highly valued. Being on time for meetings, appointments, and

services is expected. Buses and trains are almost always on time, being even two minutes late is

rare.

If invited to a big informal party, being fashionably late is fine. However,

when invited to a more intimate party or dinner, it is best to not be more than

15 minutes late.

View of Times


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When gesturing or beckoning for someone to come, you should face your palm

downwards and make a scratching motion with the fingers.

Waving the hand back and forth with the palm up usually signifies no.

The OK sign and thumbs up are understood, but do not tend to be used that often.

At the end of a presentation or performance, Germans often signal their approval or

thanks by gently rapping their knuckles on the tabletop instead of applauding.

Gestures

Gifts to Avoid

Flowers may be an appropriate gift as well but avoid lilies as they are reserved for funerals or red roses

as they indicate romantic intentions.

Clothing, perfumes, and other toiletries are considered far too personal to be appropriate gifts. Scarves,

however, are acceptable gifts according to German business protocol. Avoid bringing beer as a gift, since many of the finest brands in the world are already produced and

widely available here.

Its a good idea to have gifts nicely wrapped and they are usually opened right away.

Gift Giving


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Making a circular motion using the index finger while pointing to the side

of ones head is a rude gesture indicating that someone is crazy or

deranged.

Taboo

One can buy low alcohol content beverages, such as beer and wine, at the

age of 16. Stronger alcohol can be bought legally when 18 years old.

Underage persons in possession of alcohol are not punished, however,

people who make alcohol available to them are. The legal drinking age

does not apply when drinking in private.

People who are 14 and older may be given non-distilled beverages in

public when with a parent or guardian.

Law & Order


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Most schools starts from the beginning of August and finish at the end of

June. There is a fall break, winter/ Christmas break and a spring break, each about

two weeks long. Summer vacation is 6 weeks long.

At the university level, clothing style often depends on the type of school or

subject studied.

Grades at most universities are based on a scale from 1-6, with 1 being the highest

and 6 being failing.

At the university level, most classes are lecture hall style, especially in the first

few years. Once a specialization is chosen, classes become smaller and more

interactive.

Most students are expected to be very self sufficient with studies and exams,

especially since at big universities you have to schedule a meeting with the

professor months in advance.

Class Rules


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Daily from 8PM to 6AM and all day on Sunday and holidays.

QuietTime is daily and weekend hours where Germans turn down

the volume in respect of their neighbors. This is not merely a polite

custom. German law governs QuietTime.

What is it?

When is it?

Trouble with your neighbours, landlord, or even with the local police.

Failure ?


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Loud noises (screaming, loud

music, mowing lawns, revving

engines, running washing machine,

etc)

Advance announcement to neighbors

(at least 4 houses deep in everydirections)

Minimize outdoor barbeques to once per

month,

No more than four big parties per year

with a specific number of guests,(always notify neighbors in advance.)

Rules


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At 14: Allowed to drink undistilled alcoholic beverages (beers and wine), as long

as they are in the company of their parents.

At 16: Allowed to drink undistilled alcoholic beverages without a parent.

At 18: having become adults, people are allowed access to distilled liquor.

Let them experiment early and get it out of their system

The legislation is not designed to keep young people away from alcohol

completely, but rather to teach them an appropriate way of alcohol consumption.

Minor themselves can never be prosecuted for illegal alcohol consumption, But

people who are involved in making the alcohol available to them are (even the

bystander who do not intervene).

Drinking Ages

Strategy

Enforcement


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Washout Toilet / German Toilet

A washout toilet, informally called German toilet, is a kind of flush toilet

predominantly used in Germany and Austria. The German terms for this type of

toilet are Flachspler or Hochspler. The German toilet has a shelf in the toilet bowl

above water surface, to hold the feces before flushing

It facilitates stool examination

Waste a lot of water

Increases the associated odor

May require the use of a brush to remove bits of feces that may have "skid-

marked" on the shelf

Cant pee standing up

What is it?

Advantages

Disadvantages


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"Normal" toilet German toilet

Design

Video

Documents

English Project V2