In many respects, Germans can be considered the masters of planning. This is a culture that prizes forward thinking and knowing what they will be doing at a specific time on a specific day. Careful planning, in one's business and personal life, provides a sense of security. Rules and regulations allow people to know what is expected and plan their life accordingly.

Once the proper way to perform a task is discovered, there is no need to think of doing it any other way. Germans believe that maintaining clear lines of demarcation between people, places, and things is the surest way to lead a structured and ordered life. Work and personal lives are rigidly divided. There is a proper time for every activity. When the business day ends, you are expected to leave the office. If you must remain after normal closing, it indicates that you did not plan your day properly.

Furthermore, German punctuality is more than just a stereotype - it's also common practice. Being on time is an important part of social etiquette.

When you are invited to a private home in Germany for dinner or for afternoon coffee and cake, make sure that you will arrive punctually. It's a good idea to bring a small gift for the host or hostess. Flowers are always welcome. Just be sure to bring an odd number of buds, as an even number is said to bring bad luck. Wine or candies are also appropriate to bring.

For business meetings and other important appointments, it is a good idea to arrive a few minutes earlier. Being late or rushing makes a bad impression - especially when everyone else is punctual.

从很多方面来讲， 德国人都被认为计划性很强。 德国文化重视未雨绸缪， 并且明确地知道在某天的某个具体时间该做什么。 在个人职业生涯和私人生活中， 周详的计划会给人安全感。 规章制度让人们明白什么是应该做的，进而有条不紊地来规划生活。

一旦发现执行任务的合适方法， 就没有必要再去考虑用其他方法完成任务。德国人相信，清楚地划分人、地点以及事情之间的界限必将会使生活井然有序。工作和个人生活被严格地区分开来。 每一项活动的进行都有相对应的时间。当一天的工作结束时，你就应该离开办公室。如果在正常的下班时间后你必须仍然留在办公室，那就说明你没有规划好一天的工作。

而且德国人的守时不只是老派作风，还是一个惯例——准时是社交礼仪的一个重要组成部分。

当你受邀去德国家庭赴宴或是喝下午茶时，切记一定要准时。为主人或是女主人准备一份小礼物是个不错的主意。 鲜花一直是受欢迎的礼物。需要注意的是，花的数目一定要是单数，因为据说偶数会带来厄运。酒或是糖果也是适合给主人的礼物。

对于商务会议和其他一些重要的约会来说， 提前几分钟到达准没错。迟到或是匆匆而至会给别人留下不好的印象，尤其是在其他人都很准时的情况下。

regulation n. 规划

perform vt. 执行

rigidly adv. 严格地

even adj. 偶数的

accordingly adv. 相应地

demarcation n. 划界

stereotype n. 老套

appointment n. 约会， 预约

Susan 和 Jenny 是好朋友。 一天， Susan 跟 Jenny 谈到了她的一个德国房客。

S = Susan 苏 = 苏珊 J = Jenny 珍 = 珍妮

S: I get to know a foreign boy recently. He rented a room in my house.

J: What kind of person is he?

S: He is a very sincere boy. He is punctual for dating and acts with a respectable degree in public places.

J：Really? Let me guess. Is he a German?

S: Yes. A typical German boy. He always complies strictly with specific plans, and keeps his room and things clean and tidy all the time. That's amazing to me. You know, I always leave things in a mess.

J: It is said that Germans stress a lot on social etiquette. Is that true?

S: Yeah. That's what I want to tell you. Last time, during the welcome meal for him, I really experienced the German style. He stood still until I came and moved the seat for me, then during the meal, he always sat with his back straightened and without any extra move.

苏：我最近认识了个外国男孩。他租了我的房子。

珍：这个人怎么样？

苏：他非常诚恳。 他赴约从不迟到，在公共场合，他总是举止得体。

珍：真的吗？让我猜猜，他是个德国人吧？

苏：是的，一个典型的德国男孩。他总是严格按计划行事。他的房间和他所有的东西总是干净整洁的。对我来说这太令人惊奇了。你知道，我的东西从来都是乱七八糟的。

珍：听说德国人很讲究社交礼节。是真的吗？

苏：是啊，我正想告诉你这些呢！上次，在给他的接风宴中，我深刻地感受到了这种德国式风格。他一直站着直到我过去，还为我移动座椅。然后在整个用餐期间，他一直挺直背坐着，没多动过一下。

sincere adj. 真诚的，诚挚的

respectable adj. 值得尊重的

comply vi. 遵守

mess n. 乱七八糟

假设你从德国出差回来，回到公司后和你的印度同事聊起了德国。试着完成下面的对话。

1. 印度同事：How do you like Germans?

你：_________________________________________

2. 印度同事：Are Germans as orderly as it is said in books?

你：_________________________________________

3. 印度同事：Can we sit casually when having meals with Germans?

你：_________________________________________

1. They are sincere people.

2. Yes. They always comply strictly with specific plans.

3. No, you can't. Germans have many regulations and rules while eating. You'd better sit with your back straightened during the meal.

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