Customer Reviews

Passport Germany: Your Pocket Guide to German Business, Customs & Etiquette (Passport to the World)

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Passport Germany is a bright star among those few books explaining common values and beliefs in Germany. Though the book is intended to serve as a first introduction to foreign businessmen, it actually is a treasure for everybody coming to Germany and trying to understand the German way of living and thinking. Why are Germans that concerned about Ordnung (order)? You will understand why after reading this little book, as well as learning about the right way to shake hands in Germany. Brilliantly did the author describe the step-by-step approach of getting to know each other; this piece of information can avoid too high expectations when it comes to socializing with Germans. The chapter on behaviour at the workplace and in business meetings is covered in an adequate manner; though there are some details which are outdated or not correct, the overall value of this book can not be questioned. But nevertheless some chapters need a thorough looking through, e.g. the opening hours of stores have changed; we have got 176 women in German Parliament instead of 26; carnival in the Rhineland is not in october, but in february; and the most northern winyards of Germany are not in the Rhineland, but in the area of Unstrut/Saale (former GDR). The author recommends that business men should have their German language paper material crosschecked by a German. Perhaps he should stick to his own recommendation and have his Passport Germany crosschecked by a German, too. It certainly would change my rating to the higher end. (reviewed by:Markus Brinker)

That is one of the worst books I have ever read. The author, Roland Flamini, lived in Germany for four years but he has absolutely no idea what is behind the German business, etiquette and customs. There are many details wrong. If Passport Germany is your only guide to succeed in the German market or to make business with German companies, you can be sure that you will fail. There are many details about the German economy, companies and business missing. However, the main problem is that many topics a badly investigated. Here are some highlights: Answering the question `How German view themselves', he quoted Goethe and Moser; both lived in the 18th century - who cares. Furthermore, Mr. Flamini, nowadays, it is not forbidden to make any noise between 1:30 and 3:30p.m. throughout Germany. In addition, Germany also has non-smoking regulations and the period of time a German spend his or her entire working career with one company is also past - and not present. It was funny to read that the German lunch time is 12:20 to 1 p.m., how precise. However, Mr. Flamini, the carnival in Germany is in February/early March and not in October and the Oktoberfest is in September and not in October. As a result: This book is boring and useless! It will confuse you and you will just waste your time....