Expat Advice: Culture Shock in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Nordrhein-Westfalen

Did you "commit" any embarrassing or humorous cultural blunders? If you did and you'd like to share them, please do tell!

In Nordrhein-Westfalen, it is generally considered polite to respect the personal space of others. Therefore, it is important to be consciously aware of one's body language and not to stand too close or to invade someone's personal space. It is also important to remember that activities or comments which might be acceptable in one's own culture may be considered offensive in Germany. For example, it is considered inappropriate to accept a compliment without acknowledging it. Furthermore, it is best to avoid criticizing or discussing religion or politics in public. Additionally, it is important to adhere to German dress codes and customs, even if one disagrees with them. Lastly, it is considered rude to use overly familiar terms with someone whom one has just met, as it is customary to wait until the other person has extended their permission to do so.