Diplomacy

If you ever come to Berlin, and you go to the bank, the restaurant, the bar, wherever, It surprises everyone but don't expect someone to keep the door open for you. The thing is, the German is looking straight ahead and does not care what comes behind or on the sides. Meaning that, when you're not used to it, the door will slam at your face and It can hurt a lot. I know it by now but I can't help myself doing the experience everytime, that is, almost everyday. I can recognize a foreigner from a German just by the way he pulls the door. It is the same when the German drives its bycicle, his car or walk on the street. Be careful. All the time you have to show you are stronger and not afraid. At work, there is another side of their behaviour which is sometimes difficult to hang on with. They are very strong at making you feel guilty. They must learn this at school, can't be another way. The German will always try his tasks made by you so you will take the full responsability if anything goes wrong. And to do this, the plan is to critisize you openly and of course in the middle of an important meeting. In this case, don't shut up your mouth but open it wide and fire back. Once he understands you won't let go, you win. That's why you always get the feeling they are so straight in their shoes and show you, you're not valuable at their eyes. Don't be misunderstood. It's because they are afraid and can't face themselves most of the situation, afraid of the remarks that might come from above. Because when they "care" of someone else, nobody watches their own mistakes, too busy looking at yours. You have to learn as well that the German will not attack you frontly alone. Once you critizise his way of working, demonstrating there is a mistake done and It needs to be fixed, he will go to his boss, seeking for protection and put you in trouble. Play the same game, include big chief. They're used to it and most of the time, they're not interesting but that's the way It goes. This is true stories shared by foreign colleagues and experienced everyday. It can happen, some German are not happy with their own way. But they will always be convinced that their way is the best and every other has to accept it. You come second. We know it, we play with it, deal with it. My advice : look and learn, then be nice and diplomatic. They're disarmed. Some will answer you they're shy.