>> You Really Want to Know What’s Up? Ask a German — Different Ways of Expression in the Workplace and Beyond 🌎

Hello everyone,

I hope you had a nice and relaxing, long Easter weekend! 🐰 Welcome back to this multicultural, international blog, where we get to the talking points that really matter. When you grow up in Germany, one thing is very clear: sugarcoating is not a thing over here. You get to the point stat — or you forget about it.

On the other hand, you have to consider that whatever you dish out, you should be able to take in return. So this isn’t about not thinking before expressing yourself, it is more about getting to the heart of the issue quickly, ideally to search for a solution together.

As you might imagine, working in other countries and navigating the corporate jungle hasn’t always been easy for me. If you work for British, Canadian or American companies, they might not always be too thrilled about the German way of life — specifically, the way we articulate things. So, you have to slightly adjust to cultural norms, if only so the people around you can understand what you are saying based on their frame of reference.

To be honest, small talk in a corporate setting is a real pain for me and it has always been. I like to branch out, whatever the topic. 😃

My dear colleagues knew that, so we kept our casual exchanges brief — because otherwise, you never know where that conversation will take you. And frankly, most people would probably rather not risk it. To find out more about these different ways of expression, please find some examples I looked up online, below. Einen schönen Tag noch!

✅ Why German Directness is a Good Thing

1. You Always Know Where You Stand

   • No guessing, no decoding hidden meanings. It builds trust because you know people are being real with you.

2. Faster, Clearer Communication

   • It avoids misunderstandings and speeds up decision-making, especially in business or teamwork.

3. Helpful Feedback

   • Criticism is usually constructive. It's seen as a way to help you improve, not tear you down.

4. Less Emotional Labor

   • You don’t have to perform emotional gymnastics to express a concern. That honesty can be very liberating.

5. Respect for Boundaries

• Directness also means clear boundaries. If someone doesn't want something, they will tell you—saving everyone confusion and discomfort.