Differing Customs

I would say just roll with it and accept the differences/don't panic about it. However, some friends of mine who went for a term abroad were given the following guide to transitions to other cultures: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0205/life_as_an_expatriate.shtml and they all told me it was very helpful.

Thanks for that David, that article is really interesting :)

I also wanted to add that I have purchased a phrasebook and have taken some German classes so that I can try to be more 'involved'.

I never show up to someone's home in Germany without bringing flowers or a bottle of wine for the hostess.

It would probably be a good idea at home too but not as customary.

The flower shops in Germany have vending machines out front so you can pick up that last minute boquet for short notice visits.

German rules:
*Be on time (at least do your best not to be late).
*Take off your shoes at the front door.
*Bring a bottle of wine or a bunch of flowers for the hostess.
*Use "du" when talking to children up to the age of 14.
*Use "Sie" addressing any other person over 14.
*You should apply "Herr" or "Frau" together with the person's surname instead of using his/her first name (using of first name is also accepted, provided you are friends with the addressed person).
*Do not hurry while eating.
*Do not speak bad about Bundesliga.
*Do not comment on overall German unfriendliness.
*While on a visit, take care not to break any family rules (or china).

Tips:
*You are allowed an "academic quarter" which means you can arrive up to a quarter of an hour late to be still within the limits.

*Unwrap the flowers before presenting the hostess with them, unless they're nicely bound in cellophane.
*Avoid using "Fraulein" even if you know the woman is not yet married.

How to behave in a German restaurant (or family dinner):

1.Wish others at your table Guten Appetit before you begin eating.

2.Wish others Prost! (Cheers!) before you begin drinking.

3.If you need to call a waiter, say "Herr Ober, bitte!", or "Kellner bitte", or catch his eyes while he is hurrying past and say "Koennen wir bitte bestellen?"

3.Have both hands (but not the elbows!) on the table during the meal.

4.Eat all the food you order, eat up.

5.After the dinner is over, ask for your check.
Say Zahlen, bitte and pay the waiter.

1. Don't hurry while eating

Gift ideas for your German hosts:

1.For presents take T-Shirts, sweat-shirts, baseball-caps, mementos from famous places in your neighborhood.

2.Cartoons, cook-books, travel guides, historical books, biographies, etc. are good presents too.

3.Another good idea for presents is bringing local magazines, posters, CD's, delicatessen.

A very interesting link:

What's a real German like?

http://www.germanculture.com.ua/library/weekly/aa071702a.htm

And yes, a lot of that sounds very true to me ...

Hello Leeana. In ITALY : for good communication, a traveler may want to know the Italian gestures (body language). Italian Gestures are explained in the book "Rick Steves' ITALIAN Phrase Book & Dictionary", in the chapter "Tips For Hurdling the Language Barrier" near the end of the book.

Thank you so much for all the tips!

Looks like flowers are a must in Germany! I never knew that!!

As for gifts, I have put together some gifts for my friends of various "Australian" things. this is a picture of what i have so far http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x76/whirlsie/stuff%20to%20link%20to/present0012.jpg

In the picture there is a very cute little Australia tote bag, a small toy kangaroo or koala, 2 pens, 2 keyrings, 1 shot glasses, 2 little 'clippy' koalas and a small Steve Parish book of Australian landscapes. I am also going to add in some Australian chocolates (caramello koalas, violet crumbles/crunchies, golden roughs, mint patties, tim tams), some sweets like fruit tingles and some vegemite (naturally!)

But I think I should buy something for their parents as I will be staying in their homes... do you think maybe something that can be put into their house would be good? like placemats or a plate or soemthign? I am just trying to find light items that are nice

Thanks Kim

I was thinking that I should learn to say "Thank you for letting me stay in your home. (insert country) here is very beautiful"

or something like that... and then tell them i dont speak very much german/italian hahaha

It might not hurt to ask your Pen Friend about local customs? It shows that you are interested and looking forward to visiting with them.

When I had friends coming here from abroad I made up a little Travelogue about my city. It was just a short internet video about everyday life here. She said she enjoyed it and it helped her to anticipate her upcoming trip. It gave her an idea of what she might expect upon arrival. i made it a couple weeks before she was due to arrive so she could get an idea of what the seasonal activities might involve.

Just an idea...

f/a