Berlin's networking etiquette

networking in Berlin
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Updated 2022-11-03 04:28

Networking in Berlin is not that different from networking in other major cities and capitals around the world. Given Berlin's diversity, most residents are familiar with navigating cultural differences with curiosity and patience. Hence, the city is an excellent spot to meet people from all walks of life, address and challenge your prejudices, and expand your social and professional network.

Nevertheless, there is a networking etiquette, which, if respected and followed, will help you network effectively and make the most of networking opportunities. Here is a summary of some of the most important points you should take into account if you want to be successful while trying to expand your network in Berlin. 

The dress code in Berlin

Appearance does matter in human relationships, as the way one looks tends to have an impact on the way others perceive them and influences first impressions, which are almost instant. At the same time, appearance affects one's confidence and levels of self-esteem, which are projected on human interactions. In other words, when you are planning to network, remember to dress for success, meaning that you should wear something that makes you feel comfortable while meeting the occasion's standards. For example, even though sneakers might be your most comfortable shoes, they are definitely not the right choice for a professional event in Berlin. In general, Berliners like to keep work separate from play, and this is very much evident in their outfits, which are usually fresh and clean and have no wrinkles. 

Good to know: 

Berlin is tolerant when it comes to fashion choices; however, if you wish to experiment, be mindful of basic fashion rules. 

Introducing yourself in Berlin

The first thing you will have to do in order to kick off the networking process in Berlin is to introduce yourself. The window of a networking opportunity may remain open only for a couple of minutes before it is closed, and therefore, you should always be prepared to state the most important facts about yourself that you think represent the track of your life the best. So, before showing up to a networking event or a place where networking is expected to occur, think of a few important aspects of your personal and professional life that you would like to highlight and are a good starting point for a conversation. For example, how did you land your current job? What do you like the most about your work? What would you like to achieve in the coming years? How do you feel about living in Berlin? 

Good to know: 

When you introduce yourself, you want your profile to be memorable and stand out among other profiles that will be presented at the same event. Hence, state a couple of unique facts about you and offer a business card, if possible.  

Personal space and politeness in Berlin

When you meet someone for the first time, you are expected to shake hands firmly (Germans don't appreciate weak handshakes) without instigating any further body contact (e.g., a pat on the shoulder is a big no-no). German people respect boundaries and personal space, without this meaning that they are not friendly or wouldn't like to get to know you better — on the contrary, it is an indication of respect. In Germany, you will get used to the principle of building solid friendships while being overly polite and physically distant. 

Good to know: 

Germans appreciate genuine relationships built on mutual respect, politeness, and time. On the other hand, they are discouraged by compliments and flattering expressions, which they may consider pretentious.      

Body language in Berlin

German body language is different from the body language in other parts of the world. Sometimes, especially during your first weeks and months in Germany, you should follow your instinct when it comes to human interactions rather than trying to read too much into German people's body language. For example, the fact that they don't smile too much doesn't necessarily mean that they are not interested in what you are saying or you as a person. One tip is to stand up straight and be conscious of your facial expression (seriousness is highly appreciated). If you are holding glasses and someone says “Prost!” (the German word for “cheers”), remember to make eye contact with each of the people you clink your glass with. 

Good to know: 

Once the conversation has finished, don't linger but move on. 

Punctuality in Berlin

German people generally respect each other's time, as efficiency and speed are highly valued. Thus, when networking, you should always keep in mind that the other person is offering their time, which is irreplaceable, and therefore, you should enter the conversation straightforwardly, with a specific goal in time to avoid making the other person feel their time is being wasted. Besides, if you have a meeting or an appointment, be on time, as punctuality (or the lack of it) defines the future terms of the relationship. Usually, Germans arrive up to ten minutes earlier and expect others to do so as well — ten minutes are more than enough for small talk before the actual meeting begins. Arriving late to a meeting is considered inappropriate, and one should have a very good excuse if they want to be taken seriously. A rule of thumb is to let the other participants of the meeting know in advance that you are running a bit late.   

Good to know: 

Regular delays are seen as a sign of disrespect to the other participants. However, if you are invited to someone's home, for example, it is considered polite to be five to 15 minutes late to not embarrass the host in case they are still making preparations.

Asking for advice in Berlin

A great benefit of networking is to meet with people who can give you advice on a particular matter or refer you to other relevant contacts who can help you find a solution or progress your idea. Even though asking for advice is acceptable while networking, you shouldn't expect or demand tons of free help, as everyone's time and skills are precious. Yes, people are, for the most part, good-natured, but you should keep a balance between getting to know someone and wanting to get something out of them. 

Good to know: 

If you ask for free advice, remember to be specific in your question because inconcrete questions will inevitably lead to general and unclear answers. 

Showing interest in Berlin

When meeting new people, it is very easy to fall into the trap of talking too much about yourself, maybe in an effort to impress or because you want to avoid awkward silences. However, you should be able to control the amount of time you spend talking about yourself, as you are in danger of coming across as arrogant or a bad communicator. Hence, be conscious about how often you use the pronoun “I” and “me” and try to control your tendency to shift the focus of the conversation to yourself. On the contrary, connect with the other person by asking follow-up questions regarding information they have shared and remember that networking is not a competition about who will get to talk more. A good networking situation is one where fruitful interactions have occurred with useful outcomes, such as learning something new about the field of your work, the city you live in, and even about yourself. 

Good to know: 

Don't hesitate to compliment the person you are having a conversation with, but don't overdo it, as you don't want to cross any boundaries and come across as a mere flatterer.

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