A Common American Conversation Habit That's Considered Very Rude In Germany

There's an old joke about how German speakers communicate: They don't like to be interrupted because the verb comes at the end of the sentence. How do you know what they mean to say unless they get to the last word? (Pause for laughter.) Okay, it's not ha-ha funny, and it might not even be a joke. Although verbs move around German sentences based on grammatical context, clarity is a genuine concern. Culturally, Germans prefer not to talk over each other, and they have a reputation for avoiding small talk. There are other formalities as well: Saying "Wie geht es Ihnen?" ("How are you?") to a passing stranger is considered weird and invasive behavior. When you meet someone for the first time, most people prefer to be addressed as "Sie," the formal version of "you," until you settle into the informal "du." These are just some of the essential words and phrases to consider learning before your trip to Germany.

But there's one transgression that doesn't involve words at all. When talking with any German speaker, regardless of country or situation, you should avoid putting your hands in your pockets. This is considered pretty normal in the U.S., along with many other nations; we stuff our hands into our trousers, or maybe just one hand while gesturing with the other. We consider this casual and easygoing, the opposite of imposing or threatening. But in general, Germans disagree, finding the body language rude. They feel so strongly about it that you shouldn't even shake hands with one hand in your pocket.

This distaste for hands-in-pockets doesn't just pertain to Germans; Austrians are also repelled, as are many Swiss. This conversational preference has found its way across the German-language-speaking diaspora, and U.S. travelers may not even realize their faux pas, as residents may be too polite to alert them. This is one of those minor differences that can have a big impact, like the way American tipping habits would be considered offensive in most German restaurants.

Okay, now that you know this particular sensitivity, you'll obviously avoid it in the future, right? But you may wonder: Why? How did something so normal in the U.S. become so off-putting in Germany? The usual explanation is that putting your hands in your pockets strikes Germans as casual, disinterested, or even arrogant. Just as Americans generally avoid picking their teeth or blowing bubblegum in formal situations, Germans feel that pocketing your fingers shows similar disregard for the people around you.

Many tourists may get away with the habit; a large percentage of Germans speak fluent English, and Germany received 6.5 million U.S. visitors in 2023. But if you're traveling on business, consider other positions, like folding your arms, keeping them akimbo, or letting them rest at your sides. You may find that Germans aren't quite as strict as their reputation suggests — although really, truly observe this traffic rule while crossing the street.