Germany is Europe’s most industrialised and populous country, with territory stretching from the North Sea and the Baltic in the north to the Alps in the south. The country is traversed by some of Europe’s major rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe.
Germans take punctuality seriously. If you are running late, call in advance to let your German counterpart know. People enter a meeting in order of importance, the highest-ranking person arriving first and so on. The same goes for introductions. A small amount of social conversation may begin the meeting but expect a German to get straight to business very quickly. Meetings have strict agendas both in regard to time frame and the goal of the meeting.
Germany has a federal system of government which grants its 16 member states a high degree of autonomy in education policy. The Federal Ministry of Education in Berlin has a role in funding, financial aid, and the regulation of vocational education and entry requirements in the professions. Compulsory education in Germany starts at age six and lasts for nine years in most states.
In many ways the German restaurant scene is similar to most parts of the world. However, many restaurants don’t take credit cards, so it is recommended to bring cash when dining out. German restaurants have become the world’s second-most decorated after France, and there are plenty of restaurants around the country offering cuisines from all around the world.
