I have been living and working in Germany for a few months now, but I grew up in France. Thanks to the Erasmus+ program, I have had the chance to experience workplace in both countries and I can assure you that there are real cultural shocks. Before I moved in, I had preconceived ideas about Germans, and every day I spend here brings me down to earth and reassesses my prejudices.
So obviously we can be very productive in France, I have no doubt about that. But I think there’s something very special about Germans that can help foreigners increase their productivity, and I am the living proof of that. We often hear that the Germans are efficient, well look no further, I’ll tell you why this myth is in fact true.
Let’s compare the way of doing things in France with Germany, I will show you 8 situations illustrating how I gained in productivity during the last months working for a German startup, and my observations. And to spice things up, I’ll tell you my story with GIFs (just make sure you don’t take them too seriously).
1. Managing a project in France vs Germany
France
Boss: Ok, we need to do this. Come up with a plan. If it’s good, send it to your manager for approval. Then send it to me for approval. Then have legal check for approval and send back to me for final check. Then execute.
Me:
Germany
Boss: Ok, we need to do this. You’re in charge Jennifer. If you need help or have questions, I am here to help but I trust you, you’re the expert.
Me:
My observation: I noticed that my German employer was more likely to trust and empower me. I really appreciated being heard, unlike France where, hierarchy usually comes first. Although it really depends on the company’s culture and communication, I have rarely experienced empowerment while working in France.
2. Punctuality in France vs Germany
France
Me arriving 15 minutes late : Hi guys, how are y-
My coworkers : Oh hi, did you take the morning off?
Also coworkers:
Germany
Me arriving 15 minutes late: Hey guys, sorry I’m late
My boss:
My observation: The French are known to be flexible, yet, punctuality is still very important for us. Even if you don’t hear a comment about being late, you can expect stares and feel the judgment. Before coming to Germany, I thought my boss would be very firm with punctuality. But it turns out the very few times I arrived late was barely noticed and Germans can be late too!
3. Expressing criticism in France vs Germany
France
Me: Makes a minor random mistake
My coworkers:
Germany
Me: Makes a minor random mistake at work
My coworkers: It’s ok, next time make sure you do it properly.
Also my coworkers:
My observation: The French love to criticize, without often searching for solutions to their problems. At work, we are more likely to criticize and gossip (in secret) but respecting individuals is still a requirement. Germany has a different approach to criticism, the Germans are used to expressing criticism openly and directly. Unlike the French, criticism is often not provocative but rather constructive.
4. Taking coffee or lunch break in France vs Germany
France
Me: Finally, it’s 12:00! Let’s go guys! Who wants to go get a kebab? Actually, let’s hit the boulangerie (bakery) it’s been so long since yesterday…
Also me and my coworkers:
Germany
Me at 12:00. I’m going to eat lunch, anybody joining?
My coworkers: Nope, enjoy
Me: … Goes to lunch and comes back
Me to my coworkers at 16:00:
My observation: Could it be possible that Germans don’t eat??? Of course not. But this was a cultural shock for me! In France, taking a proper lunch break is very important. It is the appropriate time to socialize, and I was very surprised to see my coworkers didn’t feel the same way. Sometimes they would rather not eat at all and end work earlier. I started missing my 1-hour lunch breaks in France and confessed to my coworkers who, thankfully, adapted to me and came to get lunch from time to time.
5. Leaving work on time in France vs Germany
France
Me: Tries to leave work at 5PM (end of my shift)
Coworkers: Oh, you’re taking the afternoon off?
Me:
Germany
Me: Tries leaving work at 4PM (earlier than my shift). Guys I’m-
My coworkers: See you tomorrow, have a nice evening!
My heart:
My observation: This is sadly, a very typical french move. A lot of people prioritize time spent at work. I cannot count how many times I stayed in the office although I had already completed my tasks. In Germany, work/life balance seemed to be more important. We were encouraged to manage our own time; while letting everybody know when we would be present at work.
6. Working remotely in France vs Germany
France
Me: Hey boss, can I work from home on next Wednesday, I have an important delivery incoming…
My boss: I can’t approve it without my supervisor’s approval. And he’s on vacation right now, so, No.
Me:
Germany
Me: Hey boss, can I work from home on next wednesday, I have an important delivery incoming…
My boss: That’s no problem, but let’s continue business as usual, make sure you prioritize your daily tasks accordingly…
Me: *ultra motivated*
My observation: Anyone can have an emergency and need to work from home. In my experience, this idea is not well perceived in France. It was clearly due to a lack of trust coming from employers. When working in Germany, on the other hand, (maybe because I worked for a start-up), working from home has never been a problem, even before the Coronavirus pandemic. Yet statistics show that 6.6% of French people work remotely, compared to 5% of Germans.
7. Time management in France vs Germany
France
Me: Being overloaded at work on Fridays night
Also me: How long have I been here?
My boss the week after: So, are you done with the project I sent you on Friday?
Me:
Germany
My boss: Here is a tool for time management. Let me know which tasks take the longest time. We’ll see if it’s worth the effort or not.
Me:
My observation: You’ve probably heard of the German work efficiency. Well, disorganized me witnessed it first hand and it actually changed me. Who knew that managing your time efficiently could have such a big impact!
8. Speaking English in France vs Germany
France
Me: speaking in English to this foreign coworker
My coworkers: Yes, euuh, welcome to ze office hein!
Me:
Germany
Me: speaking English to this foreign coworker
My coworkers:
My observation: When it comes to speaking English, it certainly depends on each person’s abilities. However, the Germans seem to speak better English than us Frenches. Nonetheless, both countries still feel uncomfortable speaking a different language and have a lot to improve when it comes to their accents! What I wouldn’t give to see a French and a German speak English to each other!
Conclusion
As a French, I know by experience that we are attached to certain values like our sacred lunch break, or just breaking the rules, we simply can’t help it. We can definitely learn from our German peers when it comes to work productivity and criticism. The Germans on the other hand can learn from the French more relaxed attitude towards authority for instance.
In just 4 months working for a German startup, I gained a lot of knowledge and mostly learned a lot about myself. This experience has resulted in me learning to speak up for myself and stop keeping my frustration within. And that alone, is liberating.
So, does any of this make you want to work in Germany?
Lisez cet article en français.
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