Doing Business With Germans
German Gestures
- Chewing gum is impolite.
- Don’t put your feet up on office furniture.
- The OK gesture is rude.
- Putting hands in your pocket is impolite.
- A firm handshake when you first meet is expected.
- Germans count with holding their thumb up as being number one.
- To wave goodbye, wave your fingers up and down.
- Waving the hand back and forth means no.
Click on the picture to view a short video showing some of these gestures.
Source: Personal experience and Business German, Passport Books by Peggy Kenna