Eating out in Germany is not like eating out in America. There are many differences you should be aware of before you try any German restaurant.

1. Finding a Table

When you go to a restaurant in America, you might stop just inside the front door and start to wait for a host or hostess to show you available seats.  In Germany you might end up waiting for a long time because German restaurants don’t have host or hostess to seat guest.

You are the one who has to find a table you like to get seated. A server will then come to the table to place your order.

2. Table for Two?

If you have visited an American mall during the holiday season, especially during the Christmas season, you have seen the number of people around the food court wandering while holding their food. With their eyes scanning around the room and looking at people who might have finished eating their meal and left the table. This is because the table becomes yours. Once you are on the chair and you have set the food on the table, the little island of public space becomes your space. This is how things are done in America.

When you are in Germany and you get seated at a table that has four chairs  but you are only two people, do not be surprised when someone comes and makes themselves comfortable in your space.

Table sharing is a common thing in Germany because they don’t see the table the same way Americans do. When they need a place to sit and there are chairs and a table near your space, they are going to sit. Those chairs are available to anyone who needs them.

Some people get a little uncomfortable when things happen, but you should try seeing this as a chance of mingling with the locals. Small talk is normally not an issue for many people.

3. What to Eat

German food is very tasty, albeit and often heavy. It’s a large nation and the food differs depending on what part of the nation you are visiting. In parts close to Austria for instance, pasta like foods such as Swabian spaetzle is very common.  Swabian spaetzle a pasta like dish but don’t call it pasta as it’s different. If you want to know more read Foodal’s where it’s at!

Other common German foods include pretzels, pork knuckle, a myriad of kinds of dumplings and of course bratwurst sausages. You’ll find out when you go out to eat.

4. Service with a Smile

If you have worked in a service industry before, there is a good chance you were told that you should always serve people with a smile on your face no matter what type of service. This is not the case with Germany.

This doesn’t mean they will treat you rudely, but when compared to what you are used to in America, it can come out that way. This is why Germans traveling to the US are usually impressed by the level of customer service they get. In their country, this is not seen as important.

If you don’t make eye contact and smile with the waitress or waiter, they won’t be bothered by it.

5. Tipping

Just like smiling is associated with customer service in the US, tipping is also part and parcel of the process. In the US, servers are paid a low hourly wage when compared to other jobs, and the reason behind this is because they get tips. Waitresses and waiters have to rely on tips to increase their earnings. The happier the customer is, the more likely they will leave a good tip.

A 15%  tip is the amount many people give, but this figure can even go as high as 30% depending on the restaurant. Some servers feel offended when they get a tip that is a little lower than what they thought the services they provided would get them.

Tipping in Germany is a little different because overdoing it can be seen as an insult. The maximum amount to give out as tip is 10%. When you pay more than this, they will see it as an insinuation that they are not getting paid enough by the owner of the restaurant.  Or you see them as “poor” and in need of more money.

6. Check Please!

You are now done with your meal and stand up waiting for someone to escort you to your table. Then you realize there is no one acknowledging your presence. You might have sat on the same table with a local. What you are left with is a tip; it is time for you to pay. The instinct for many people is reaching for their credit cards just like you would do back in the US.

7. Don’t do it.

They prefer cash payments in Germany. There are some fees involved when process credit card payments. You should use a credit card when the bill is sizable because you might get a stern look of disapproval when your bill is small. You should not use a check because they are going to laugh at you, no matter the type of check.

Although some people might see the above tips as trivial, it is important to know more about German culture when it comes to dining because it will make everything less stressful.