Schwäbisch Gmünd

Welcome to Schwäbisch Gmünd

A Guide to Living and Working at ZF Lenksysteme Content

1 General Information 5 1. 1. Germany 5 1. 2. Baden-Württemberg 5 1. 2. 1. Geography and Climate 5 1. 2. 2. Holidays and Religion 6 1. 3. Schwäbisch Gmünd 7 1. 3. 1. A Brief History 7

2 ZF Lenksysteme GmbH in Schwäbisch Gmünd 8 2. 1. General Information 8 2. 1. 1. Identification Badge 8 2. 1. 2. Parking Badge 8 2. 1. 3. Working Hours 8 2. 1. 4. Food Supply 9 2. 1. 5. Cashless Payment 9 2. 1. 6. Company Doctor 9 2. 1. 7. Restrictions 10 2. 1. 8. Overview of LSGd Plants 10 2. 2. Information about Plant 2 11 2. 2. 1. Plant 2 Site Plan 11 2. 2. 2. General Information on Plant 2 11 2. 3. Information about Plant 4 12 2. 3. 1. Plant 4 Site Plan 12 2. 3. 2. General Information on Plant 4 12 2. 4. Information about Plant 7 13 2. 4. 1. Plant 7 Site Plan 13 2. 4. 2. General Information on Plant 7 13 2. 5. Information about the VGW Building 14 2. 5. 1. VGW Building Site Plan 14 2. 5. 2. General Information on the VGW Building 14

3 (Public) Transport in the Area 15 3. 1. Local Transport - Stadtbus Gmünd 15 3. 2. Taking the Long Distance Bus 16 3. 3. Travelling by Train 16 3. 3. 1. Online 16 3. 3. 2. At the counter 17 3. 3. 3. Ticketing machine 17 3. 3. 4. DB App 17 3. 4. Traveling by Car 18 3. 4. 1. Traffic Regulations 18 3. 4. 2. Emission Sticker 21

4 Accommodation in Schwäbisch Gmünd 22 4. 1. Current hotels 22 4. 1. ZFLS accommodation list (“Wohnungskatalog”) 22

2 5 Things to do and visit in and around Schwäbisch Gmünd 23 5. 1. Museums 23 5. 2. Schwäbisch Gmünd Library 24 5. 3. Shopping 25 5. 4. Movie Theaters 26 5. 5. Theaters 27 5. 6. Sports 28 5. 7. Other Activities and Events 28

6 Restaurants, Cafés and Bars 29 6. 1. Dining out in Germany 29 6. 2. Suggestions in and around Schwäbisch Gmünd 30

7 Communication and Technology 31 7. 1. Cell Phone Service 31 7. 2. Important Phone Numbers 31 7. 3. Electrical Facts 32

8 Health 33 8. 1. Choosing a Doctor 33 8. 2. Buying Medicine 34 8. 3. Tap water vs. bottled water 34

9 The German Culture – A Short Summary 35 9. 1. Greetings/ Addressing and Getting to Know People 35 9. 2. Discussions, Presentations and Decisions 36 9. 3. Business Language/ Building up Relationships 37 9. 4. Business Culture/ Behavior 38 9. 5. Understanding of Law and Contracts 39 9. 6. Business Clothing 40 9. 7. Leadership Style and Team Work 40 9. 8. Invitation to a Colleagues Home and Gifts to Hosts 41 9. 9. Table Manners and Eating Out 41 9. 10. Conversations 42 9. 11. Values and Social Relations 42 9. 12. Taboos 43

10 Attachments 44

3 Introduction

Dear Guests:

We, ZF Lenksysteme GmbH and the Human Resource department, are happy to welcome you in Schwäbisch Gmünd. We hope you will greatly enjoy your stay here and feel welcome at any time.

To make your transition to the German culture and to Schwäbisch Gmünd a little easier, we have designed this short guide. It aims at giving you useful information about life in Schwäbisch Gmünd and about some particularities concerning life here.

We have done our best to compile the most up-to-date information. However, we cannot guarantee that no changes occurred between finishing the handbook and handing it out to you. So please make sure that you also check for yourself again. Further, we neither have influence on the content of any of the externally linked web pages nor are we responsible for it.

We would like to thank our colleagues at Robert Bosch GmbH and ZF Friedrichshafen AG for allowing us to lean on material they previously compiled and for supporting us in the process of developing this handbook. Further, wherever we have used masculine pronouns only, this has been done solely for reasons of readabili- ty. Of course both females as well as males are being addressed.

If you feel that we have forgotten some important aspect or have any further comments, please do not hesitate to send an email to either the team of International Employee Transfers (C-HDT) or to the team of Coordination HR International (C-HDC)1.

Best wishes and have a good start Your HR Department

1 Find your contact partner here: http://web.zf-lenksysteme.com/ml/locations/lgd/personal/about_us/Zust__ndigkeiten_P___O/Personal-Organisent- wicklung/index.html

4 1 General Information

1. 1. Germany

Germany is a federal republic consisting of 16 states – the “Bundesländer.” It is located in the very center of Europe and shares a boarder with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxemburg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark. Germany spreads across an area of around 357,120 km² and has a population of approximately 80,550,000 (May 2013), making it the most populous state in the European Union.

Germany has the world's fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP. As a global leader in several industrial and technological sectors, it is the second-largest exporter and third-largest importer of goods. It is a developed country with a very high standard of living, featuring comprehensive social security that includes the world's oldest universal health care system.

1. 2. Baden-Württemberg

With an extension about 35,750 km² Baden-Württemberg is the third largest state in Germany. Its capital is Stuttgart - a city of 590,000 inhabitants. Baden-Württemberg is one of the most prosperous and economically competitive regions in Europe and is home to many internationally successful companies. The three branches of industry granting employment to the most people are the mechanical engineering industry, the auto- motive industry and metal product industry.

1. 2. 1. Geography and Climate

Baden-Württemberg has it all. There are delightful landscapes such as the Black Forest and Swabian Alb area, the Neckartal Valley and Lake Constance, Hohenlohe and Allgäu. There you will find forests, mountains, plains, moorland - an unspoiled nature to be enjoyed in over 2,000 nature and landscape conservation areas. Due to the hilly topography, the state is also characterized by many rivers like the Rhine and Danube. Since Baden-Württemberg is located in the very South of Germany, it enjoys warmer weather than most of the other German states. The Breisgau is Germany’s warmest region, while Klippeneck holds the record for annual hours of sunshine.2

2 http://www.climatedata.eu/climate.php?loc=gmxx0128&lang=en

5 1. 2. 2. Holidays and Religion In Baden-Württemberg there is a number of recurring holidays. Generally, all employees in Schwäbisch Gmünd are off during those days. If the holiday falls on a Thursday or Tuesday, many take one of their vacation days on the Friday or Monday respectively, in order to prolong their weekend.

Holidays, which are in the same date every year, are:

New Year Jan. 1st Epiphany Jan. 6th Labor Day May 1st Day of German Unity Oct. 3rd All Saints’ Day Nov. 1st Christmas Dec. 25th St. Stephens Day Dec. 26th

Moreover, there are a couple of holidays which do not fall on a fixed date, but take place in a certain time pattern.

Easter A Sunday between March 22nd and April 25th Good Friday Two days before Easter Sunday Easter Monday The Monday following Easter Sunday

Further, there are:

Ascension Day A Thursday between April 30th and June 3rd Whit Monday A Monday between May 11th and June 14th Corpus Christi A Thursday between May 21st and June 24th

The predominance of Christian holidays is due to the structure of religious beliefs in Baden-Württemberg. The majority of the population, or to be precise 37.2%, is Roman-Catholic, followed by 33.7% being Protes- tants.3 As much as 29.1% of the population does either not officially practice any religion or has other religious beliefs. It is estimated that 5.7% of the people living in Baden-Württemberg are Muslims.4

If you are planning on attending a religious service during your stay, you can check online for information on churches in and around Schwäbisch Gmünd. If you are looking for a mosque, you can use the mosque search online to find one.

3https://ergebnisse.zensus2011.de/#StaticContent:08,BEV_1_4_2_7,m,table 4http://www.landtagswahl-bw.de/muslimisch.html?&MP=1178-4773

6 1. 3. Schwäbisch Gmünd

The city, which prides itself with being the oldest city of the Swabian Staufer dynasty, is located approximately 50 km east of Stuttgart in an area called Ostalbkreis. Schwäbisch Gmünd is located in the upper valley of the river Rems and the city’s name derives from the German word Mündung, which refers to the creek Josefs- bach emptying into the river Rems. With a population of about 60,000 it is the second largest city in the East of Baden-Württemberg.

1. 3. 1. A Brief History

The first major settlement in this area was established around the second century AD, when Roman soldiers settled nearby the Roman Limes – a line of frontier fortifications separating the Roman Empire from the German tribes. Schwäbisch Gmünd was granted town privileges in the mid-12th century. From the late Middle Ages on, Gmünd started thriving due to intermediate trade with cloth and wine and through the production and sale of scythes. From the 17th century onwards, Gmünd has been characterized by the craft of silver and gold smithery. However, starting in 1929, mass-unemployment became an issue in the industry. Only through the establishment of other industries in the area it was possible to bring unemployment down by the 1940s.

During the Second World War, Schwäbisch Gmünd was lucky enough to remain undamaged and was taken by the Americans on April 20th, 1945. Although the city then was struggling with incorporating almost 8,300 people that had been driven off from their home towns, these people also brought along their own crafts like glass and jewelry making, which were new in Gmünd and helped it prosper in the future.

Since the late 20th century, many historic buildings in town have been restored and given new meaning.

7 2 ZF Lenksysteme GmbH in Schwäbisch Gmünd

The head office of ZF Lenksysteme GmbH is situated in Schwäbisch Gmünd at plant 2. Besides plant 2, there are three other locations of ZF Lenksysteme GmbH in Schwäbisch Gmünd: plant 4, plant 7 and the VGW building in which the Central Purchasing department is located. In total more than 5,000 employees work at the Schwäbisch Gmünd sites, making Gmünd the largest development and production location of ZF Lenksysteme GmbH.

Headquarters/ Plant 2 Plant 7 Richard-Bullinger-Straße 77 Güglingstr. 95 73527 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73529 Schwäbisch Gmünd Plant 4 VGW Building Lorcher Straße 121- 131 Konrad-Zuse-Straße 16 73529 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73529 Schwäbisch Gmünd

2. 1. General Information 2. 1. 1. Identification Badge

The identification badge serves as an electrical key to the factory premises and to record the working hours. Besides, it is used for cashless payment on plant grounds (see 2.1.5.).

It is the company’s policy that every employee of ZF Lenksysteme GmbH to be cognizable at first sight. Therefore, everybody has to visibly wear the plant identification badge at all times.

What should you do if you have lost or forgotten your identification badge? If you have lost the badge, please go to the entry gate immediately and tell the Werkschutz that it has been lost. You will get a temporary badge to enter the site. If you have forgotten your identification badge, there is no problem. You have to go to the main gate and ask for a temporary badge (also called Tagesausweis). You will have to fill out a little form and get a badge for one day. It has to be returned in the evening.

2. 1. 2. Parking Badge

If you want to use the employee parking area, please register your passenger car at the entry gate. You will get a parking badge which always has to be visible while parking on the employee parking areas. If it is not visible, you might get a wheel clamp and a warning.

The parking badges are also very useful in case of a collision: Go to the gatekeeper and he will tell you the name of the damaged passenger car’s owner.

2. 1. 3. Working Hours

For indirect areas the earliest start of the working day at ZF Lenksysteme GmbH is 06:15 AM and the latest end of the working day is 07:00 PM. Your working hours should not amount to more than ten hours per day. Breaks are defined for each department. Usually, there are breaks lasting up to one hour of unpaid time per day.

Depending on your contract, you have to register the start and the end of your daily working hours electro- nically. There are attendance recorders in every building. At the beginning of your working day you have to choose “Kommen” and then register your arrival using your identification badge. At the end of the working day use “Gehen”.

Employees in the production area (direct employees) often work in shifts. Usually, there are three shifts per day: night shift, early shift and late shift. Please ask your supervisor for more information if you are working in shifts.

8 2. 1. 4. Food Supply

There is a canteen at each of our plants. The opening hours of the different canteens are as follows:

The canteens offer a wide range of beverages, soups, meals (also a Plant 2: 11:30 AM – 01:30 PM vegetarian alternative), side dishes, salads, desserts, sweets, cakes and ice cream. Please find the menu (German: Speiseplan) in the ZFLS Plant 4: 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM intranet (Schwäbisch Gmünd --> Schwarzes Brett --> Speiseplan). The Plant 7: 11:45 AM – 01:00 PM menu is always provided as a PDF-document. The third page of the VGW- building: document is an English translation of the 11:45 AM – 01:00 PM menu. Furthermore, at plant 2 there is the possibility to order your meals as a take away or to eat an exclusive business menu.

The ZF Gastronomie Service GmbH provides additional automatic food service stations. They are located in nearly every building of the different plants. These stations provide snacks, sweets and beverages.

Furthermore, there are various possibilities to eat out for lunch, for example at Center-Court, a nice Italian restaurant which is only five minutes away from plant 2 at Richard-Bullinger-Straße 68, 73527 Schwäbisch Gmünd. You can call them in advance (Tel.: 07171-36453) to let them know when you are coming and what you would like to eat in order to not having to wait there.

2. 1. 5. Cashless Payment

In the canteen and also at the automatic food service stations money in cash is not accepted. You can pay your items by using the cashless payment system.

To use this system the identification badge has to be charged with money. To do so you have to use the charging machines. You can find them in the entrance area of the canteen as well as close to the automatic food service stations. Firstly, you have to hold your badge to the designated area of the machine until the amount of money still available on your badge is shown. Now, put in the banknote and wait until the money is charged. When the money was put onto your badge, the new amount available will appear on the machine’s screen.

This system also works for temporary badges (Tagesausweis). In the evening, the remaining money can be disbursed at the main gate.

2. 1. 6. Company Doctor

From Monday 06:00 AM until Saturday 06:00 AM a plant physician or a paramedic is available 24h/day in plant 2 (building 232). If required, the paramedic comes to other plants, as well. In such a case please agree upon a meeting place.

The internal number for help in case of illness and/or accidents is 2200. In case of an emergency please call 112.

9 2. 1. 7. Restrictions

Smoking is forbidden in most areas of the plant. Therefore, there are special smoking areas where smoking is allowed.

Furthermore, the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the offices and factory buildings of ZFLS. That is to say that alcohol in every form (either liquid or e.g. in candies) mustn’t be brought to the ZFLS site.

Taking pictures and videos is not allowed without the approval of the members of the executive board. The use of private electrical devices is generally forbidden. Exceptions are coffee machines, refrigerators, venti- lators, electric kettles and radio sets. However, they have to be checked and registered by the department for occupational safety and environmental protection (C-OSE).

2. 1. 8. Overview of LSGd Plants

There is a printable version of this plan in the attachments.

10 2. 2. Information about Plant 2 2. 2. 1. Plant 2 Site Plan

Building 218: Main Gate / Reception Building 232: Company Doctor Building 231: Canteen “Kasino” Building 234: HR department

There is a printable version of this plan in the attachments.

2. 2. 2. General Information on Plant 2

Plant 2 which is also called Schießtal because of its location is the oldest factory in Schwäbisch Gmünd. It was founded in 1937 by ZF Friedrichshafen AG. The headquarters of ZF Lenksysteme GmbH have been situated at plant 2 since the company was founded in 1999. Currently, 3,700 people are employed at plant 2. The Schießtal factory mainly produces hydraulic power steering gears (passenger cars/CVs) and electric power steering systems.

Plant 2 has three parking areas: one at the main gate (Richard-Bul- linger-Str.), one at Herlikofer Berg (close to building 235) and one close to the road to Lindach (behind the test area). You are only allowed to enter plant grounds with your car in exceptional cases. Mon. - Fri.: 07:30 - 09:30 AM In such a case you have to apply for a special access permit at the Mon. - Thu.: 04:00 - 07:00 PM gate of the plant. Fri.: 04:00 - 06:00 PM

Additionally, there is a shuttle service between the Schießtalplatz, which is located about 1,300 m from plant 2, and the site. The driving hours, during which the shuttle runs approximately every five minutes, are as follows.

Public Transport: The bus stop in front of plant 2 is called “ZF Werk 2.” The bus line 7a connects the city of Schwäbisch Gmünd with the plant. Information about the schedule can be found online and in the intranet. 11 2. 3. Information about Plant 4 2. 3. 1. Plant 4 Site Plan

There is a printable version of this plan in the attachments.

2. 3. 2. General Information on Plant 4

At plant 4, which was established in 1978, steering valves, racks and hydraulic power steering gears (passenger cars) are produced. Currently, plant 4 has 530 employees.

Next to plant 4 the “Technische Akademie” (TA) is located. The TA is a nonprofit organization offering education and training in the fields of business and technology to both individuals and to employees of companies. ZF Lenksysteme GmbH works in very close cooperation with it.

The parking area for employees of plant 4 is in the north of the Lorcher Straße. Please do not use the parking areas on the eastern side of the plant: They are reserved for the guests of the “Technische Akademie”.

Regarding public transport it is useful to know that next to plant 4 there is the bus stop “Lorcher Str. K.- Engel-Schule” which is connected to bus lines 5 and 5b. Also, you can take any bus stopping at the main station. It is only a short walk (approx. 15 min.) from the train station to plant 4. For schedules please check online.

12 2. 4. Information about Plant 7

2. 4. 1. Plant 7 Site Plan

There is a printable version of this plan in the attachments.

2. 4. 2. General Information on Plant 7

Plant 7 (also called Gügling) is the youngest plant of ZFLS in Schwäbisch Gmünd. It was established in 1993 and has 785 employees. At plant 7 racks and electric power steering systems are manufactured.

The parking area for employees of plant 7 is – in the picture above – located to the right of plant 7.

If you want to get to plant 7 via public transport, you have to take the bus line 1. The bus line 1 is a link between the city of Schwäbisch Gmünd and the city of Heubach. The bus stop in front of plant 7 is called “Gügling ZF”. The time tables are available online.

13 2. 5. Information about the VGW Building

2. 5. 1. VGW Building Site Plan

There ist a printable version of this plan in the attachments.

2. 5. 2. General Information on the VGW Building

The VGW Building, in which the Central Purchasing department is located, was built 2012 as a joint project of ZFLS and VGW (“Vereinigten Gmünder Wohnungsbaugesellschaft”). Currently, around 100 employees work at that site.

The parking area for employees is right in front of the VGW Building.

If you want to get to the VGW Building via public transport, you have to take the bus line 5b. The bus line 5b is a link between the city of Schwäbisch Gmünd and Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG) Schwäbisch Gmünd. The bus stop is called “HfG Campus”. The time tables are available online.

14 3 (Public) Transport in the Area

In general, in Germany there is an extensively developed system of public transport. This is true for both travels across larger distances via train or bus and for local transport. Below you will find some helpful information on how to best travel around in Germany.

3. 1. Local Transport - Stadtbus Gmünd

If you do not have a car, your transport of choice will probably be the bus. In and around Schwäbisch Gmünd the Stadtbus Gmünd provides that service to you.

There are various options to pay for the service. In general fares vary depending on how far you are going. a) Buy your ticket from the bus driver

In that case you simply enter the bus, tell the driver where you plan on going, and pay the amount he asks you to pay in cash.

Hint: After 7 PM on weekdays, and on weekends and holidays all single tickets cost only 1€. b) Buy a OstalbMobil-Karte

The OstalbMobil-Karte is a chip-card valid in the entire Ostalbkreis. The card is used for cashless payment in the buses. You can get it at the service center TicketCorner (see below) for a small fee and charge it there, as well.

When taking the bus, you proceed exactly as when paying in cash, except that you will pay using your cash card. If you ever run out of money on your card, you can simply ask the bus driver to recharge it (min. 10€).

Hint: When using this form of cashless payment, you will receive all single tickets for a reduced price. c) Get a monthly ticket

If you take the bus regularly, it can be a good idea to buy a monthly ticket at the service center. In case you are in Schwäbisch Gmünd Address Ledergasse 19 for at least twelve months, you can also decide to subscribe to the 73527 Schwäbisch Gmünd ticket and get a discount. Whether or not this is a good option for Phone: +49(0)7171 - 1049970 you depends on the distance you travel and on how often you take the bus. Please ask the service staff at the TicketCorner for advice. Opening Hours Mon. - Fri.: Visit www.stadtbus-gmuend.de for further information on tickets, 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM routes, and schedules. Since, unfortunately, this page is only available in German, we suggest you visit the TicketCorner where you will be attended personally.

15 3. 2. Taking the Long Distance Bus

After some restrictions were lifted in late 2012, long distance bus travel has greatly developed in Germany. There are various companies maintaining a wide network of bus travel routes. Taking the bus can be both quicker and cheaper than taking the train. However, currently there are no direct connections from Schwäbisch Gmünd. The closest cities with long distance bus stops are Stuttgart and Ulm.

At www.busliniensuche.de you can search for schedules and connections, and will be directly forwarded to the bus company’s webpage to buy a ticket.

3. 3. Travelling by Train

The easiest way to get from one city to another is taking the train. The German railway company Deutsche Bahn or in short DB maintains a wide network of routes across Germany that also connects to the neigh- boring countries. German trains are clean, comfortable, fast and reliable. The fast ICE trains travel at speeds of up to 280 km/h and with connections to all major cities. To change from one ICE to another, you usually only have to go to the opposite track and you will continue your travel within minutes after your arrival. These ICE trains connect to InterCity (IC) and InterRegio (IRE) fast trains, Regional Express (RE), regional trains (RB), and trams/suburban railways (S).

On German trains there are the more comfortable but also more expensive First Class and the regular Second Class. Please note that in Germany you are not obliged to reserve a seat. After buying your ticket, you can enter the train and randomly choose a seat. However, it is possible to make a reservation in advance, which can be particularly useful when travelling long distances. You will be able to find out whether or not a seat is reserved by looking above it. If there is a reservation, the names of the cities between which the seat is taken will appear.

There are several ways to book your ticket: Online, at the counter, at the ticketing machine and using the DB App. Below you will find more detailed information on each option.

3. 3. 1. Online

The easiest way to find out about available connections and prices is to go online.

At www.bahn.de (which is also available in English) you can find any information you might need.

After searching for a connection, you can directly book your ticket online. In many cases it is even possible to receive your ticket as a mobile version for your smart phone. Usually, you will have to print the ticket out and take it with you on the train.

Do not forget to also bring along the identification document you named when buying the ticket. It will be checked together with your ticket.

16 3. 3. 2. At the counter

All bigger train stations also have a service center. Here the DB service staff will provide you directly with information on available routes and schedules, tickets, special offers and so on.

However, there are two important things to note:

1. For special offers (Sparpreis) and some special tickets a service fee (approx. 2-4€) is charged. 2. Not all train stations have a service center and if they do, they usually have restricted opening hours. So make sure you check the availability beforehand.

At Schwäbisch Gmünd counters are open Mon. – Fri.: 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM Sat.: 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM

3. 3. 3. Ticketing machine

You can buy any ticket directly at the train station at one of the red ticket vending machines. Generally, at least one machine is available at each station.

The menu at the machines is available not only in German, but also in English, Spanish, Turkish, Italian, and French.

You can either pay in cash, using a debit card or, in many cases, using a credit card. You will then receive a printout of your ticket.

3. 3. 4. DB App

After downloading the DB Navigator to your phone, you can check schedules and available connections and, once registered, can directly book your ticket via the app.

Travelling by train can be expensive in Germany. Thus, below we provide you with some useful information on special offers. a) Book early

In most cases there are special offers - the so called Sparpreis or saver fare – if you book a few days in advance. The earlier you book, the bigger the savings and the more likely that a saver fare is still available. In some cases you can save as much as 75%. However, those offers are bound to the condition of having to take the exact train mentioned on your ticket. b) Use regional offers

If you plan on travelling randomly within a certain area, e.g. within Baden-Württemberg, it can be good to use special regional tickets. These will usually have the state’s name in it - e.g. Baden-Württemberg Ticket.

Such tickets can be used for up to five people and are usually valid for an entire day. The price depends of the number of people you travel with. There will be a basic fee for one person (about 22€) and each additional passenger will cost an additional amount of money (about 4€). Thus, the more people you are, the cheaper – on average – the ticket for the individual.

However, please be mindful of the fact that the ticket is only valid in local trains labeled RB, RE, S, IRE and restricted to certain time periods.

For the Stuttgart region there also is a ticket called MetropolTagesTicket. It functions on the same principle as the state tickets, is however, limited to the area around Stuttgart.

17 c) Use different search options online

The DB also has a webpage allowing you to directly look for special offers. There you randomly insert information on where and when you want to travel, how many people will be travelling with you and so on. You will then be provided with a suggested offer. d) Buy a BahnCard

If you will be staying in Germany for at least one year and are planning on travelling a lot by train, buying a BahnCard (BC) might be an option for you. There are three versions: BC 25, BC 50 and BC 100. This means you will be granted a 25% or 50% discount when buying a ticket. In case of the BC 100 (which costs about 4,000 Euro) you can take any train at any time. A BahnCard is always valid for one year. Please note: You will have to cancel your subscription at least six weeks before the BC’s expiry or you will be automatically issued (and charged for) a BahnCard for the following year.

Hint: For more information on all of the above check here: http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/prices/germany/bahncard.shtml

3. 4. Travelling by Car

When coming to Germany on a business trip, you are generally allowed to drive using your local driver’s license. This is true for trips lasting no longer than six months. If you will be staying longer than that, special rules apply after the six months passed. For detailed information on that please check Welcome Handbook Module Two. Traveling by car in Germany is very nice, and the roads are in good condition. However, there are many provisions and regulations. These are taken very seriously and great emphasis is put on complying with them.

3. 4. 1. Traffic Regulations

Below we provide you with a list of the most important traffic regulations in Germany. For more information please check online. An American auto-enthusiast has gone through the trouble of explaining German rules of the road in English here.

Firstly, in Germany traffic is directed on the right-hand-side of the road. Thus, vehicles can only be passed on the left. Passing a vehicle on the right will result in a major fine. This is also true when driving on the Autobahn – that is on a German highway – which may have more than two lanes. In any case the rule is “The slower you go, the further on the right you drive” and passing is only allowed on the left.

Germany also has complex regulations for who has the right-of-way. At most intersections you will find a sign indicating who has the right of way. If that is not the case, the driver entering from the right has the right of way. Just because you are on a road that looks like a main road does not necessarily mean that you have the right-of way. A diamond-shaped traffic sign (yellow in the middle with white edges) means that you are on a priority road (meaning you don‘t have to yield to other drivers). The yield sign is an upside down triangle which is white in the middle with red edges; this means that you DO have to yield to those entering from all sides. These signs are usually posted on roads where there might be confusion as to who has the right-of way. You do not have to stop if the road is empty. An octagonal stop sign means that you have to come to a complete stop before continuing.

With the exception of certain indicated sites, e.g. construction zones or high-traffic areas, there is no speed limit on the interstate; the recommended maximum speed is 130 km/h. If not indicated otherwise, there is a basic maximum speed of 50 km/h within city limits and 100 km/h outside the city.

18 Residential areas are often reduced traffic zones. These may be indicated by a sign featuring a pedestrian and a child playing with a ball. Children are allowed to use the entire street to play and vehicles must give pedestrians the right-of-way and can only drive at walking speed. In other cases residential areas may be declared a 30-zone. In those cases the general speed limit is 30 km/h in the entire area and most likely there will be no signs indicating who has the right of way, meaning that it is the one entering the intersection from your right. The beginning and the end of a 30-zone may also be indicated directly on the street!

Beware! At all times and at any place, there can be a speed control. The German police use both permanent- ly installed and movable speed cameras which are often well-hidden. Drivers exceeding the speed limit run the risk of having their license suspended and have to pay a significant fine. The penalties grow increasingly severe with each incident, particularly when alcohol or drugs are involved or if an accident happens.

The police also control whether you are keeping an appropriate distance to the car in front of you. For safety reasons it is forbidden to come too close and to ‘push’ the other drive to drive faster. As a rule of thumb, in meters, keep a distance of about half of the speed you are driving at. For example, if you are going 120 km/h on the highway, keep a distance of 60 m to the car in front of you. For orientation you can refer back to the reflector posts next to the road. These are placed about 50 m apart from each other.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can result in anything from large fines to suspension of the driver‘s license. The use of handheld cell phones is also prohibited. When driving, calls may only be made or taken on cell phones if a hands-free device is fitted and used or when using the cell phone on speaker.

All vehicles in Germany must have functional seat belts for all occupants including those in the back seats. The law also requires all occupants to buckle up. A fine must be paid for each passenger not wearing a seat belt when you are stopped.

The stoplights in Germany are the same as those in other countries. Red means “stop,” yellow “caution,” and green “go.” If a yellow light is blinking at an intersection, you are required to stop, and then continue driving carefully once the intersection is free. Running a red light is absolutely prohibited. Especially when turning, please be aware of the fact that it is possible to have green lights for pedestrians, bikes and cars at the same time! In such a case you will have to give way to the pedestrians and bikes.

Also, turning right while the traffic lights are red is illegal in Germany, unless there is a green arrow for a right turn. If there is no traffic light, your right turn is permitted if traffic allows it. Many intersections have cameras installed that are linked to the stop signal and used just like the radar-controlled cameras on the interstate.

All drivers are required by law to carry a triangular warning sign and a first aid box in the trunk of the car. If the car has to stop for some reason, the warning sign must be placed 200 m behind the car on an interstate and 100 m behind the car on all other roads. The vehicle’s warning lights should also be turned on.

19 Here are a few more regulations:

• You have to stop at crosswalk (a blue rectangular sign featuring a white triangle with a person walking across a set of stripes) when a pedestrian wants to cross the street. • Buses have the right-of-way when they are pulling out of the bus stop. • Round, blue signs with white arrows indicate the legal direction of traffic. For example, if the sign has one arrow pointing straight ahead and one pointing right, you can drive straight ahead or turn right, but you cannot turn left. If the sign has one arrow pointing to the left, then you can only turn left. • There is no set date to where you have to put on snow tires, but the law clearly states that under icy conditions (black ice, snow, slush, ice and frost) you must not drive without snow tires on your vehicle. Drivers caught without snow tires or who have an accident in winter conditions without snow tires will have to pay a fine. All tires with the markings M+S (Mud and snow) and all-year or all-weather M+S tires qualify as snow tires.

In Germany, you are considered „parked“ if you leave your vehicle or if you stop/stand for longer than three minutes, unless you are actively boarding or discharging passen- gers or loading or unloading cargo. With regard to parking it can be useful to know that in many cases parking is only allowed in designated areas. There may even be some regulations on how you are allowed to park. It is safe to park when you see the sign pictured on the left. Even then there might be markings on the ground indicating where exactly to park your car. Particularly in the center of cities you may be required to buy a parking ticket and to put it at display by your windshield for the time your car is parked. In such cases you will find a sign explaining during what time you will be obliged to pay.

Gasoline (Super) and diesel (Diesel) are readily available throughout Germany and many gas stations are open around the clock. Lately, E10 was added to the gas stations’ portfolio. This is gasoline complemented with five to ten percent bio-ethanol.

The major gas station brands are Aral, BP, Esso, Jet, Total, and Shell.

Hint: If you drive a Diesel, be careful when getting gas. The fuel dispenser of Super or E10 will also fit into your car. Always check whether you grabbed the correct dispenser (and thus fuel) in order to prevent damage to your engine.

20 3. 4. 2. Emission Sticker

In the past years more and more cities, including Schwäbisch Gmünd, have implemented low emission zones, so called Umweltzonen – areas where only certain cars, which have low emissions, are allowed to enter. Mo- reover, any car entering the zone has to visibly carry a certain sticker on the car’s windshield – the Feinstaub- plakette or Umweltplakette. If you do enter such an environmental zone without having the (correct) emissi-on sticker and get caught by the police, you will be fined about 80€.

In Schwäbisch Gmünd you have to have the green sticker if you want to enter the low emission zone. Thus, please make sure your car qualifies for one.

These are the signs indicating a) that you are entering a low emission zone, b) that the zone ends, and c) which badge you have to have to be allowed to enter the zone.

It is fairly easy to get your Feinstaubplakette. You can either go to a service center near you or order one online. In both cases you will have to provide the TÜV with part I of your vehicle registration certificate. They will then check which sticker can be assigned to your car.

You can find more information on the TÜV-website.

21 4 Accommodation in Schwäbisch Gmünd

4. 1. Current hotels

Hotel Fortuna Hotel Einhorn Hotel Pelikan Hauberweg 4 Rinderbachergasse 10 Türlensteg 9 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd www.hotel-schwaebisch-gmuend.de www.einhorn.gd www.hotel-pelikan.de Hotel-Restaurant Gelbes Hotel-Restaurant Gelbes Haus Villa Hirzel Hotel Kaiserberge Hauptstraße 83 Lorcher Str. 1 Robert-Bosch-Str. 4/1 73527 GD-Hussenhofen 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73550 Waldstetten www.hotel-gelbes-haus.de www.villa-hirzel.de Tel.: +49(0)7171- 947030

Hotel Gasthof Krone Hotel Gasthof Kreuz Einhornstr. 12 Hauptstraße 75 73529 GD-Straßdorf 73527 Schwäbisch Gmünd www.hotel-krone-strassdorf.de www.kreuz-hotel.de

4. 1. ZFLS accommodation list (“Wohnungskatalog”)

If you need help finding a place to stay while you are in Germany, there is also a list of different accommo- dations available for ZFLS employees (the so-called “Wohnungskatalog”) which was compiled by the C-HDT department and can be found on the ZFLS servers. For more information please contact C-HDT directly.

22 5 Things to do and visit in and around Schwäbisch Gmünd

In and around Schwäbisch Gmünd there is a variety of opportunities to spend your time off. On the following pages you will find some suggestions on what to do. For any additional information on activities and events in and around Schwäbisch Gmünd you can also visit the tourist center iPunkt. The staff there will be happy to help you out and can provide more information, flyers on events, and maps. The info point is also the starting place for guided city tours through Schwäbisch Gmünd and the ticket office for many events in the area.

Info Point Marktplatz 37/1 Schwäbisch Gmünd Phone: +49(0)7171 - 603-4250 [email protected] Opening hours: Mon. – Fri.: 09:00 AM – 05:30 PM Sat.: 09:00 AM – 01:00 PM

5. 1. Museums

MUSEUM AND GALLERY IN THE PREDIGER

This museum was established in 1876 and is one of the oldest Address museums in Baden-Württemberg. Beside general arts and Johannisplatz 3 72525 Schwäbisch Gmünd crafts, it contains ecclesiastical goods, mostly from convents Phone: +49(0)7171 – 603-4130 and churches in and around Gmünd. Particular highlights are the treasuries of the Heilig-Kreuz-Münsters, the Franziskus- www.museum-galerie-fabrik.de kirche und the Spitalkirche. Opening Hours Mon.: closed Tue., Wed., Fri.: 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM Thu.: 02:00 PM – 07:00 PM Sat., Sun.: 11:00 AM – 05:00 PM Holidays: 11:00 AM – 05:00 PM (except on Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, New Years Day, Good Friday)

SILVER GOODS MUSEUM OTT-PAUSERSCHE FABRIK Address The silver goods museum is the oldest remaining factory building in Milchgäßle 10 Schwäbisch Gmünd. It was built in 1845 and is a great place to learn 72525 Schwäbisch Gmünd about Gmünd’s industrial, economical and cultural history. You will Phone: +49(0)7171 – 38910 find machinery and materials that were already used at the turn of www.museum-galerie-fabrik.de the 19th century, old books of commissions and pay slips of former employees. 5 Opening Hours Mon.: closed Tue., Wed., Fri.: 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM Thu.: 02:00 PM – 07:00 PM Sat., Sun.: 11:00 AM – 05:00 PM Holidays: 11:00 AM – 05:00 PM

5The museum is closed on Good Friday

23 LIMES MUSEUM AALEN

Here the history of the Raetic and Upper German provinces, as Address well as military and civilian life in and around the fort is described. St.-Johann-Str. 5 73430 Aalen Among the numerous exhibits are items found during excavations in Phone: +49(0)7361 - 5282870 Aalen and at the fort at Rainau-Buch. During the year there are also www.limesmuseum.de several special events. Opening Hours Tue. – Sun.: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM Also open on public holidays. Closed on Christmas Eve/Day, New Years Eve/Day

MUSEUMS IN STUTTGART

Being the capital of Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart also offers a great variety of museums. Online you will find more information on the museums located in Stuttgart. Among the biggest and most popular are:

• Mercedes-Benz Museum • Porsche-Museum • Art Museum Stuttgart • Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History: Schloss Rosenstein • Württemberg State Museum • Linden Museum Stuttgart • State Gallery Stuttgart

5. 2. Schwäbisch Gmünd Library Address This is the central library of Schwäbisch Gmünd. In return for a small Spitalhof 1 fee (For 6 months membership adults 8.75€, teenagers 5€ or without 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd membership 1.25€ per item), anyone who registers with the library Phone: +49(0)7171 603 4466 can borrow a variety of books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs [email protected] etc. There are also books available in languages other than German (e.g. in English or French). In order to register, you need to go the Opening Hours library and bring your pas-sport and your city registration document. Sun., Mon.: closed You can find more infor-mation online. Tue. – Fri.: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM Sat.: 09:30 AM – 02:00 PM

24 5. 3. Shopping

As a rule of thumb one can assume that opening hours in Schwäbisch Gmünd and its surrounding areas are from about 09:00 AM to 06:30 PM. Depending on location and kind of store opening hours might be more or less extensive. On Sundays and on holidays stores are closed. Gas stations and shops in large train stations and airports can sidestep the store closing times. They are not required to adhere to certain hours of ope- ration and are often open on Saturday evenings and Sundays. However, prices in these shops are normally higher. Many gas stations are open around the clock.

Hint: If you are used to paying with your credit card beware, not all stores take credit cards and if they do, they might require you to make a purchase exceeding a certain amount before accepting it. The most commonly accepted credit cards are VISA and Master Card. In general, German debit cards are accepted just about anywhere.

CLOTHING

You will find various stores spanning several price ranges both in the central areas of Schwäbisch Gmünd and Aalen. If you are looking for more opportunities to shop, again Stuttgart would be the place to go. The Königsstraße, which is located right by Stuttgart Main Station, is full of all kinds of stores.

ELECTRONICS

Good stores specialized in electronics are:

• Media Markt (e.g. Mühlweg 5, Schwäbisch Gmünd; Carl-Zeiss-Str. 96, Aalen) • Expert (Hintere Schmiedgasse 2 / Goethestraße 69, Schwäbisch Gmünd)

FURNITURE

• Leicht (kitchens): Kalter Markt 25; Schwäbisch Gmünd • Wörner Wohnen: Gmünder Straße 14; 73557 Mutlangen • Möbel Rieger: Daimlerstraße 9, 73431 Aalen • Mömax: Mühlweg 5, Schwäbisch Gmünd • IKEA: Blaubeurer Straße 10, 89077 Ulm Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Straße 2, 71063 Sindelfingen Heinkelstraße 10, 71634 Ludwigsburg

SUPERMARKETS

Generally, supermarkets are open Mondays through Saturdays from 8 AM to 8 PM.

Supermarkets that have an extensive selection, If you are okay with less choice, the following but that are also a bit more expensive are: discount grocery stores may be for you: • Edeka • Aldi • Kaufland • Lidl • Rewe • Netto • Penny

Hint: If you visit the stores’ websites and enter your postal code (e.g. Schwäbisch Gmünd = 73525), you will find the closest store near you. Also, both Rewe and Kaufland in Schwäbisch Gmünd are usually open till 10 PM Mondays through Saturdays.

Whenever you buy some kind of bottled or canned drink, beware of the Pfand. Depending on what you buy 8, 15 or 25 cent per bottle or can will be added to your bill at the checkout. In any case you will find a specific label (see right) on the bottle/can if it is subject to Pfand. E.g. when you pay for a bottle of water, it usually costs 25 cent more than labeled! You can always get these 25 cent back when you return the bottle. Where to return? There are bottle return machine in every supermarket. However, bottles without Pfand or from another country cannot be returned. 25 5. 4. Movie Theaters

There are two movie theaters in Schwäbisch Gmünd. The Turm Theater which shows the latest movies produced in Hollywood, and the BrazilKino, which is smaller and dedicated to showing independent movies. In Aalen there is a big commercial movie theater, the Kinopark Aalen, and the Programmkino Aalen eG (67 seats) dedicated to showing movies that promote intercultural understanding.

Unfortunately, none of the four theaters show blockbusters in English. However, about once a month the Gmünder VHS, in cooperation with the Turm Theather, shows a movie in its original version and with German subtitles. For dates and further information visit the website and search for “Kino” where it says Suchbegriff.

Schwäbisch Gmünd Aalen

Turm Theater Kinopark Aalen Pfeifergäßle 34 Eduard-Pfeiffer-Straße 7-13 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73430 Aalen Phone: +49(0)7171 2233 Phone: +49(0)7361 9555-12

BrazilKino Programmkino Aalen eG Hirschgäßle 7 Schleifbrückenstraße 15-17 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73430 Aalen Phone: +49(0)7171 9782297 Phone: +49(0)7361 5559994

Current listings: Current listings: www.turm-theater.de www.kino-aa.de

If you want to go and see a movie in its original version on a regular basis, your go-to-theater would be one of the following theaters, which are all located in Stuttgart:

• Atelier am Bollwerk • Corso 1+2 • Delphi 1+2 • Kinothek Obertürkheim • Metropol 1-3 (Innenstadtkinos)

26 5. 5. Theaters

The theater in Schwäbisch Gmünd is called Theaterwerkstatt and is organized by a registered association. The theater has room for an audience of about 100 and its changing program listings can be found online. Another option is the events taking place in the Congress Center Stadtgarten.

Congress Center Stadtgarten Theaterwerkstatt Schwäbisch CCS Rektor -KLaus-Str. 9 Gmünd e.V. 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd Ledergasse 3 Phone: +49(0)7171 10030 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd Phone: +49(0)7171 38104 www.ccs-gd.de

Each season the theater in Aalen, which has two fixed venues, takes about 540 performances to the stage. Ticket prices vary from about 5€ (children up to 14 years old) to about 14€ (premieres, adults).

Theater der Stadt Aalen Theater der Stadt Aalen Box office and Studiobühne Wi.Z Altes Rathaus Ulmer Straße 130 Marktplatz 4 73431 Aalen 73430 Aalen Phone: +49(0)7361 3793-10 Phone: +49(0)7361 522 600 www.theateraalen.de [email protected]

Opening hours box office: Tue.: 02:00 PM – 07:00 PM Fri.: 03:00 PM – 07:00 PM Wed.: 09:30 AM – 12:30 PM Sat.: 09:30 AM – 12:30 PM 02:00 PM – 07:00 PM Sun., Mon.: closed Thu.: 03:00 PM – 07:00 PM

27 5. 6. Sports

For people who like to take walks, to hike and to make bicycle tours there are a lot of opportunities to do so in Schwäbisch Gmünd and its surrounding areas. The iPunkt has brochures available containing information on the best walking and cycling routes in the area. Popular destinations include the Three Emperors-Moun- tain’s, Hohenstaufen, Stuifen and the Rechberg. Many of these trails also offer possibilities for inline skating.

Schwäbisch Gmünd has a tennis club and two outdoor swimming pools for summer activities. Moreover, both Schwäbisch Gmünd and Mutlangen have indoor pools that make it possible to go swimming in winter. For those who prefer squash, badminton and climbing the Squash & Fit in Waldstetten would be a place to go.

Tennisverein Schwäbisch Gmünd e.V. Bud Spencer Bad Freibad Bettringen Richard-Bullinger Str. 66-70 Richard-Bullinger Straße Wolf-Hirth-Straße 55 73527 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73529 Schwäbisch Gmünd www.tennisgmuend.de www.stwgd.de/4997 www.stwgd.de/4998 Gmünder Hallenbad Mutlantis Freizeitbad Mitlangen Squash & Fit Goethestraße 47 Feldstraße 36 Robert-Bosch-Straße 9 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73557 Mutlangen 73550 Waldstetten www.stwgd.de/7995-Gmuen- www.mutlantis.de www.squashundfit.de der-Hallenbad

5. 7. Other Activities and Events

Recreational Park Schwabenpark Castle Hellenstein, Heidenheim Hot Spring: Limes Therme Hofwiesen 11 89522 Heidenheim an der Brenz Osterbucher Platz 3 73667 Kaisersbach www.heidenheim.de 73431 Aalen www.schwabenpark.com www.limes-thermen.de

Mine Tiefer Stollen Monastery Lorch Castle Park Ludwigsburg 73401 Aalen 73547 Lorch Moempelgardstraße 28 www.tiefer-stollen.de www.kloster-lorch-ev- 71640 Ludwigsburg heimstiftung.de www.blueba.de

SI-Experience-Center Stuttgart Zoo Wilhelma Plieninger Straße 100 Neckartalstraße 70567 Stuttgart 70342 Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt www.si-centrum.de www.wilhelma.de

Some recurring events are • International Guggenmusik Festival (February) • Schwäbisch Gmünd’s city festival (June) • International Festival in Aalen (July) • Festival of Church Music (July/August) • Schwäbisch Gmünd’s fall festival (September) • International Shadow Theater Festival (October) • Christmas Market (December)

28 6 Restaurants, Cafés and Bars 6. 1. Dining out in Germany

If you want to order a hot meal in Germany, you should plan on coming to the restaurant between 11:30 AM and 02:00 PM or 06:00 PM and 09:00 PM; these are the regular meal times. Once in the restaurant, simply choose a table and take a seat. It is not really common for guests to be guided to a particular table. If all the tables are taken, it is culturally acceptable to ask other guests whether you may sit at their table. This is usually accepted.

The waiter will only bring a glass of tap water if you specifically ask for it, because it is not common practice to drink tap water at a restaurant in Germany. If you do not state this specifically, the waiter will assume that you want sparkling water and you will be charged for it. There are no free refills of coffee or any other soft drinks. You will be charged extra for each drink. When the waiter comes to the table, you usually order beverages first and then look at the menu while the waiter is getting them. A full-course meal consisting of soup, salad, entrée, and dessert for one price is not very common in Germany. You usually pay for everything separately.

It is important for foreigners to be familiar with the tipping protocols. The prices listed in the menu already include an extra 10 to 15 % for service, so it is not necessary to leave a tip. However, it is common practice to round up the amount. Always tell the waiter how much you would like to pay including the tip. For example, if the bill is 12.60 €, you may say: “14 Euro, bitte.”

Hint: It is not customary to leave the tip – or for that matter any money – on the table. Always hand the money directly to the waiter/waitress. If you are in a café or a bar and you feel it is taking too long for someone to show up, it is also possible to go to the counter/bar and tell someone there that you would like to pay.

29 6. 2. Suggestions in and around Schwäbisch Gmünd

There are many nice restaurants, pubs and cafés in Schwäbisch Gmünd. Most of them are located close to the main square Marktplatz, Johannisplatz and Münsterplatz.

Paulaner Wirtshaus am Markt Traditional Restaurant / Cocktail Bar Rose Bavarian meals and beers Marktplatz 11, Traditional Swaebian food and new creations, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd cocktails Phone: +49(0)7171/8742163 Lindesweg 3, www.paulaner-wirtshaus.com 73529 Gmünd – Radelstetten Phone: +49(0)7171/1040 www.rose-radelstetten.de Restaurant Krone Rothmers kleine Schweiz Schwaebian meals from predominantly local pro- Traditional Swaebian food ducts Becherlehenstr. 64, Böbinger Str.3, 73527 Gmünd – Zimmern 73527 Schwäbisch Gmünd Phone: +49(0)7171/82515 Phone: +49(0)7171/2173 http://www.gasthaus-krone-zimmern.de/ www.rothmers-kleine-schweiz.de

Columbia Restaurante / Pizzaria Pasteria 6x6 Homemade Italian pizza and pasta Homemade Italian pizza and pasta Rosenstraße 5, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd Hofstatt 2, Phone: +49(0)7171/30920 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd Kalter Markt 10, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd Phone: +49(0)7171/877477 Phone: +49(0)7171/66082

El Mexicano Chiang Mai Mexican food and cocktail bar Thai restaurant Pfeifergäßle 34, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd Joseph-Haydn-Straße 21, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd Phone: +49(0)7171/1858107 Phone: +49(0)7171/182080 www.e-l-mexicano.de www.chiangmai-thai.npage.de

Song Lam Asia-Schnellküche Mauritius Vietnamese and Chinese food Salads, cocktails and coffee Pfeifergässle 10 Marktplatz 15, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd Phone: +49(0)7171/495 03 37 Phone: +49(0)7171/18379 www.my-mauritius.com

M7 Café Margrit Cocktails and drinks Traditional café and pastry shop Marktplatz 7, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd Johannisplatz 10, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd Phone: +49(0)7171/5374 Phone: +49(0)7171/30536 www.m7bar.de www.cafemargrit.de

30 7 Communication and Technology

7. 1. Cell Phone Service

In Europe the GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) digital mobile phone system is used on a frequency ranging from 900 to 1800 MHz for German mobiles and digital cell phones across most of the continent. Thus, if you are from Europe you should not have any problems when wanting to use your old cell phone. You will merely need a new SIM card. However, if you are from North America or Asia, where in many cases a different cell phone system is used, your phone might not work in Germany.

Germany has four main competing digital phone providers: T-Mobile, Vodafone, O2, and e-plus (all are GSM) most of which are service providers to several smaller entities like BASE or Fonic. All of the providers offer pre-paid arrangements and contracts with a fixed amount of basic service and with a bill for each month.

As need regarding phone service vary widely, it will probably be best, if you get some advice in person at one of the cell phone stores in Schwäbisch Gmünd:

E-Plus Partnershop O2 Partner Shop The Phone House Kappelgasse 5 Kappelgasse 6 Kappelgasse 7 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd

Yildiz Tufan Mobilshop Debitel PlusC Shop TRC Telekommunikation Radgäßle 5 Romangäßle 4 Bocksgasse 36 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd

7. 2. Important Phone Numbers

There is a printable version of this table in the attachment. Please document specific contact data which is valid for you directly in the table.

No. Incident Action Plan 1 Acute disease, immediate need for medical Emergency Call: 112 treatment 2 Need for medical treatment during work Company doctor: +49(0)7171 31-2202 3 Non-work-related injury Emergency Call: 112 (traffic accident or other) Police: 110 Company doctor: +49(0)7171 31-2202 4 Fire Emergency Call: 112 5 Passport missing Embassy: 6 Plant badge missing/broken Plant security: +49(0)7171 31-2611 7 Security incidents Plant security: +49(0)7171 31-2611 8 Belongings missing Plant security: +49(0)7171 31-2611 (lost or stolen) Landlord: Police: 110 9 Employee missing Police: 110 10 Under arrest due to breaking laws Counterpart: Local HR: 11 Need to go home country due to family HR department: emergency Supervisor: 12 Department counterpart 13 Hotel 14 Taxi (07171) - 2900, - 6 65 00, - 1 94 10

31 7. 3. Electrical Facts

First, the standard household electrical outlet Germany (and most of Europe) runs at 220 - 240 volts, twice the standard household voltage in North America. A 110/120-volt electrical appliance designed for use in the US, for example, will most likely end up breaking, if plugged into a European outlet without a voltage converter.

A German plug (ein Stecker) has two round prongs, and a German electrical outlet (eine Steckdose) has, quite logically, two round holes for a receptacle.

Consequently, you might need to get two things: a) a plug adapter as an interface between your plug and the German electrical outlet. and b) a power converter (or transformer) to convert the German 220V into whatever current your devices are build for. Be particularly mindful of this if you are from the Americas.

Hint: The website www.whatplug.info provides information on the compatibility of plugs from a lot of different countries.

32 8 Health

Generally speaking, the German health system is very good. There are well trained doctors both in general medicine as well as in specialties. In the case of you being sick and having to stay at home, please notify your department counterpart.

8. 1. Choosing a Doctor

Doctors are listed in the yellow pages according to their specific fields. It is usually best to ask a colleague or a friend for a recommendation. Personal references can be very helpful. Upon request, you can get a list of doctors who speak English from the International Association for Medical Assistance (IAMAT). IAMAT members receive an address directory that lists doctors, arranged according to the city that can speak English or another foreign language in addition to their native language.

Doctors in Germany usually have private offices. Even if you have an appointment, most doctors see patients in the order in which they arrive and depending on urgency, and it might take a while before you are seen. Primary care physicians (general practitioners) normally do not require an appointment, but having one is still recommended.

The procedure for making an appointment is as follows: When you make an appointment by phone or in person, you will initially speak to the office receptionist. He or she might only speak German, but will probably not ask many questions as to why you want an appointment. Usually, you only need to agree on a date and time for the appointment. If you have a special reason for seeing the doctor, you can state it at that time. You can also give the doctor your medical records. If you would like to have a telephone consultation with the doctor before or after your visit, you will have to pay a fee for it.

For emergencies outside of normal business hours: There is always a doctor available for emergencies in the evening, on the weekend, or on holidays. These doctors are there to ensure that medical care is available outside the official opening hours. You can reach an emergency doctor on call in the following ways:

• Call your primary care physician. If he/she is not on call, the telephone number of the doctor who is on call will be announced on the recording. Many primary care physicians will also make house calls at certain times of the day. • You can also call the fire department and emergency services (dial 112 anywhere in Germany) or the police (dial 110 anywhere in Germany).

You can also go directly to the hospital or an emergency service facility, call the local police or the local hospital, or look in the local paper under the heading “Hilfe im Notfall” or “Apotheke”. This section contains the telephone numbers of pharmacies.

To be clear: a) If the current situation is life threatening, call 110 or 112. b) It the current situation is urgent but not life threatening, call your primary care physician or the doctor, who is currently on call.

If you have to go to the hospital, be aware of the following: Medical care in Germany is excellent, but there are a few things that might come as a surprise to you. For example, patients are not treated by their own doctor. The doctor requests the hospital service for you and transfers you to a doctor at the hospital. Both doctors will then consult with each other regarding your case. Your medical records will be transferred to the hospital. We recommend that you take an English- German dictionary to the hospital with you. However, most doctors speak some English.

33 8. 2. Buying Medicine

Supermarkets and drug stores In regular supermarkets and drug stores you will find a variety of non-prescription, homeopathic medicine. Those might be herbal teas, minerals and generally natural medicine. There usually is a separate section for these products. Here you will also find cough drops. Be mindful, normally there will be no trained pharmacist to help you make an informed decision and all labels are in German. So if you need assistance, it would be best if you went to a pharmacy.

Pharmacies In German pharmacies you can get mostly any medicine you might need. The pharmacists are well trained and will be able to help you in finding the kind of medicine you need. Moreover, they can inform you about possible side effects, how to take the medicine and so on. If the particular medicine you wish to buy is currently out of stock, most pharmacists will offer to order it for you.

However, please note that for some kinds of medicine, in particular antibiotics, you will need a prescription from your doctor. The medicine you need a prescription for might vary from what you are used to in your home country. German pharmacists are very strict regarding that matter and will not sell you a prescription drug if you cannot provide the according note from your doctor.

Hint: In case of emergencies there is always at least one pharmacy, which is open after regular opening hours, on Sundays and on holidays. The following channels are available to help you find that pharmacy near to you:

• Online: http://lak-bw.notdienst-portal.de/ • Using your home phone: 0800 0022 8 33 • Using your home phone: 22 8 33 (max. 69 ct / min.)

8. 3. Tap water vs. bottled water

Germans are known to love their bottled water. This leads some foreigners to believe that the quality of tap water in Germany might not be very good. But that’s not true at all. While many countries have to worry about tap water contamination, the water quality in whole Germany is exceptionally good and can be drunk without any reason to worry. In some old buildings, however, the water can have minor iron and manganese residues caused by old, rusty pipes. This can cause a slight change in taste and color of the water.

Nevertheless, drinking tap water in Germany is often healthier than drinking bottled water and can be a great way to save a lot of money in the long run.

But why do most Germans prefer to drink bottled water instead of tap water then? The main reason for this might simply lie in the name “Leitungswasser” which translates into English as “plumbing water” and obviously doesn’t sound too appealing. So instead of offering their guests just ordinary “plumbing water” most people prefer to always keep a few bottles of still and sparkling water at home.

34 9 The German Culture – A Short Summary 9. 1. Greetings/ Addressing and Getting to Know People

Greetings The normal form of greeting (and also of leave-taking) is a short, firm handshake. Both women and men shake hands. Women are greeted first, unless a man present is considerably older or of higher rank, thus deserving particular respect. If you are seated when another person comes up to greet you, it is usual to rise to one‘s feet. Introductions Introductions are generally performed by a third person. The situation involved decides who is introduced first. At business meetings it is usually the higher-ranking person in the hierarchy who is introduced first. In other situations women are introduced first. Addressing The normal form of address is „Herr“ for a man or „Frau“ for a woman, followed by people the surname. If an individual has a title, this is placed before the surname (e.g. Herr Dr. Meier). Generally speaking, titles are relatively important for Germans, though reac- tions to the omission of a title when addressing someone may differ considerably from person to person. As a general guide, mentioning such titles is particularly important when addressing a person in writing. Business card Business cards are exchanged after a person was greeted, before a meeting begins or when a person takes his or her leave. The business card should include the person‘s title or academic qualifications, preferably the original designation or an English equivalent. Translation into German is not a great help as foreign qualifications cannot be directly compared to their German equivalents. It is not usual to mention the university that bestowed your qualification on your business card. Du und Sie as In Germany, the distinction between the informal „Du“ and the polite „Sie” is extre- forms of address mely important. It is difficult to formulate absolute guidelines as the rules for addressing people as „Du“ or „Sie“ are applied with varying strictness according to age and type of business, whether one is in a work or private environment, and whether one is in a large town or in a country district. It may generally be stated that use of the „Du“ form is becoming more widespread. As a rough guide, adults aged twenty or above address each other as „Sie“ until both of them agree to use the less formal „Du“ form. Offering to use the „Du“ form is an official act (taken much more seriously than the English equivalent of „Please call me John, not Mr. Smith“). This offer changes the relationship between both participants. „Du“ may be offered to the younger person by the older, to the lower-standing person in the hierarchy by the higher-standing, but not the other way round.

9. 2. Discussions, Presentations and Decisions

Preparation Negotiation partners should be aware that Germans are generally well prepared for negotiating. They usually have already worked out counter-arguments, negotiate in a relative tough way against this background and do not give up easily. Weaknesses in the arguments put forward by the other side are relentlessly sought out, and these are pointed out mercilessly. For business partners from other cultural backgrounds it is thus a very good idea to also invest time in the preparation of negotiations. It is a good idea to ask for information material on the German company one is going to negotiate with in advance, in order to be able to get an idea of the central questions and problems the company is facing. Determining In Germany, all those involved in a project generally participate in discussions. At least participants one decision-making member of the board of management or of the project management team participates in the meeting. Other participants are connected with the problem involved or the aim of the negotiations; a technical specialist is present wherever technical matters are involved. Small talk Discussions in Germany are generally functional and objective. Small talk mainly takes place at the beginning of a meeting, for instance while coffee is still being dispensed. Time available By comparison with other countries, the time available for discussions is on the short side. Punctuality in beginning and ending discussions is important. Meetings with a large number of participants are often timetabled weeks in advance. Seating arrange- In Germany there are no specific seating arrangements for discussions. The person ments chairing the meeting generally takes a seat where his presence is registered by all participants. Sequence of Meetings are usually chaired by a higher-ranking individual who presents first him-/her- meeting self and then the other participants. Meetings generally begin with the most important topic whether or not this is positive or negative. All those participating in discussions are allowed and indeed expected to express their opinions. Participants are, however, expected to be well prepared and to know what they are talking about. Those without precise knowledge of a matter or not directly affected by the questions under discussion tend to engage less in the discussion. In business discussion, arguments are based on facts even if emotional decisions are involved. Non-verbal com- Non-verbal communication also has, generally speaking, less importance in Germany munication than in many other countries. Gestures and body language are used comparatively sparingly. Visualization In order to give a clear structure to the discussion, a presentation is often given, particularly at the beginning of the meeting. Standardized diagrams and statistics which underscore a statement are also popular means of visualization. Presentations Germans expect factual, true and well-founded presentations. In German eyes, the credibility of the presenter is based on the extent of his or her expert knowledge. The presentation should be built up logically and this logic should be explained at the beginning. It has to be possible for the listeners to follow the development of an idea, so all steps have to be presented chronologically from the beginning. Charts and drawi- ngs clarify the verbal explanations. Throwing in Asking questions about details, expressing criticisms or making suggestions for improve- questions and ments on the subject during a presentation is quite normal and not a sign of discoun- making com- ting what has been said. German listeners are usually level-headed and display little ments emotion. The statement „Your offer is interesting“ can generally be evaluated as a positive sign. Jokes in presentations are rather out of place because Germans expect a presentation to be the communication of expert knowledge in a concise way by an expert.

Decision-making Discussions generally proceed in a problem-oriented and deficit-oriented way. Appre- ciation is shown for theoretical thinking and theories which make it possible to see all aspects of the problem. Generally, Germans concentrate on one goal. The path to the goal is described in the agenda, which is laid down at the start of the discussion and then worked through chronologically. When making decisions, Germans generally proceed systematically. The usual procedure here is firstly to precisely clarify the problem area so as to obtain an all-embracing view of the problem. Then a conceptual basis is worked out and principal paths and super ordinate systems are decided on. To reach logical conclusions all eventualities, interrelationships and cross-connections are taken into account, and emergency strategies are built in. A group finally makes a joint decision on which steps toward a solution and which constituent tasks are to be performed. Generally, the individuals responsible for the constituent tasks and target deadlines are named and recorded. Decisions and As understood by Germans, decisions are ideally based on a consensus founded on ade- consensus quate consideration of all points. The aim is to reach a decision which can be supported by all. In cases of conflict, it is the boss who decides. Once a decision has been made, the plan is usually carried out as decided. Changes are only made unwillingly because it is assumed that all aspects have been adequately thought through. Background in- It is usual to keep minutes of discussions. These written notes are used to prepare the formation/Minu- next meeting. In order to allow German business partners to prepare for a meeting, it is tes of meetings recommended that they be given all information material in advance.

9. 3. Business Language/ Building up Relationships

Business The more formal the occasion, the more formal and serious the behavior of German language colleagues and this is also shown in the way they express themselves. Many of them have a good knowledge of foreign languages, especially English and often French or Spanish, too. However, knowledge of German is an advantage particularly if a relatively long stay in Germany is planned. Building up In Germany, building up personal relationships in business is not as important as relationships in many other countries. Germans do, of course, wish to be able to trust their business partners, but their trust is won over rather by reliability and long-term business relationships than by a personal relationship between the partners. Efforts at attempt- ing to do business via personal connections may be considered tantamount to bribery in Germany. And even though there are cases of bribery and corruption in Germany, the vast majority of Germans is extremely critical of these practices. Thus, relationships are often only established at the evening meal which follows the conclusion of a contract. Often a sharp distinction is made between business and private spheres. Contact partners It is a good idea to look for a direct contact partner at the work or project level. If in doubt as to the fields of responsibility, the best thing is to contact the head of the department who passes the matters in question to the corresponding members of his department. Employees normally turn to their departmental head in matters which come under his field of responsibility or decision. Written Written communication is of great importance in the German business world. Thus oral communication agreements are often confirmed in writing as well at a later date. In telephone conversations dealing with business matters, German colleagues and business partners usually behave in a more formal and restrained way than in the course of a personal conversation.

9. 4. Business Culture/ Behavior

Precision and German colleagues often set great store by quality. In order to achieve this and to avoid perfectionism problems, mistakes or misunderstandings, they work with great precision, take even small details into account and tend to be perfectionists. Their aim is generally not just to find a solution but to find the best solution. In doing this, Germans frequently aim for an either/or decision because they find it hard to handle ambivalences. In order to achieve set goals, they often exhibit great endurance and perseverance. Seriousness and In Germany, hard work is appreciated. Work is taken seriously and work leaves little objectivity room for personal and emotional matters. Germans do their best to keep feelings and objective facts in separate categories. A sign of professionalism is an ability to display neutrality and objectivity. An individual‘s German colleagues are accustomed to having free space and time which they can use personal space individually. Many need seclusion and quiet in order to be able to concentrate. This is why doors are often kept closed. At one‘s place of work, an individual‘s desk or own room is often personally arranged in order to designate it a private area. Eye contact Eye contact between discussion partners is important and is seen as a sign of attentive- ness, self-assuredness and honesty. A lack of eye contact, however, is sometimes interpreted as a sign of insecurity, dishonesty and lack of trustworthiness. Physical contact In German cultural circles there is little physical contact between people who are not close to one another. It is important to stay outside a person‘s private physical space (about an arm‘s length away). Humor Humor should be used sparingly and carefully during discussions. Humor may be used to open or close a conversation, for instance when all problems have been clarified. „Yes“ and „No“ For German business partners, a „Yes“ is a clear expression of assent. A „No“ is expected and also expressed if someone has a different opinion or if it is clear that something is impossible. In such cases, „Perhaps“ is interpreted as an act of dishonesty. In general, honesty is not perceived as impoliteness. For most Germans, honesty, directness and authenticity are, on the contrary, esteemed above politeness. Separation of the In communication, it is primarily the content and only then the form of a statement relationship level that is important. In addition, Germans generally separate the aspects of relationship and the material and content very strictly from another, the aspect of content frequently being given level priority over the aspect of relationship. This material form of communication sometimes gives the impression of tactlessness and impersonality to people from other cultures. Competitive In the German world of business, competitive thinking is widespread. The relationship thinking between a company and an employee is based less on loyalty or personal obligation than on a material contract. Yet even without the personal component, most Germans work in an ambitious and target-oriented way because they have a strong sense of obligation to obey rules and laws, and because hard work is respected. Organization and The sequence of the work process is often bureaucratic, following prescribed patterns, planning is hierarchical and in many matters formal. In order to avoid problems which may unex- pectedly arise, adherence to „the regulations“ is important. In organizing and planning, Germans attempt to allow for all potential problems in advance. For this reason, some German companies, particularly those with traditional management styles, are some- what lethargic and slow. This also depends, however, on the branch in which a company is active and on the company‘s history. The recommendation for newcomers is to stick to the rules until you can evaluate the extent to which some things can be handled slightly more flexibly for pragmatic reasons.

38 Dealing with rom the point of view of Germans, conflicts are not seen as bad things. They reveal, conflicts on the contrary, problems which have to be solved and offer new opportunities. To do this, conflicts must be mentioned and acted out. From the German point of view, open discussion clears the air. The reasons for problems are sought, facts and the needs of those concerned are listened to and attempts are made to balance such requirements by finding a solution acceptable to both sides. Solving conflicts is usually done directly, i.e. not via intermediaries, for bringing in an intermediary tends to be seen as inability to solve problems independently. The aim is to treat a capacity for handling conflicts as the ability to clarify a variety of interests and to balance one against the other in order to find a compromise. Reaction to Constructive criticism – i.e. criticism which is linked to a suggestion for improvement criticism – is seen as an important motor for progress. It is understood that one can and should learn from one‘s mistakes. People are, rather, expected to take responsibility for their own mistakes or poor performance. A frank word among co-workers and colleagues is generally more appreciated than rhetorical finesse or generous disregard of problems and weaknesses. Work ethic and Work and free time are usually kept strictly separate. Germans work during working leisure time hours and „live“ in their free time, i.e. after work, during the weekend or on vacation. Leisure time has a high value and is an indispensable element of the Germans‘ quality of life. Phone calls at home concerning business matters are usually only accepted in emergencies. Vacations are vacations and are thus kept free of business affairs. Work is, however, valued highly, providing not only the money needed to live but also social contacts, a place in society, an opportunity for self-realization and something that gives life meaning. Tasks and obligations associated with one‘s own work are generally taken seriously. Dealing with One important concept in Germans‘ understanding of information transfer is that of information the obligation to give as well as get information. „Giving“ is seen as the obligation of a co-worker, a colleague and a superior to provide information about new and important things even if not expressively asked for this information. „Getting“, on the other hand, describes the obligation of the individual to discover for themselves any information which is important for their work. In Germany great importance is placed or the obligation to give. Germans show interest and expect to be informed without having to ask, but only about what is really relevant. The concept of „the obligation to give information“ leads to the fact that the excuse „I was not informed about it“ is a frequent - and usually accepted - excuse.

9. 5. Understanding of Law and Contracts

Understanding In Germany, great value is placed on precise contracts and on fixing agreements in of contracts writing, which regulates future cooperation by leaving no gaps. It is expected that all parties will stick precisely to the agreements reached once a contract was signed. After negotiations are concluded, it may take some time before all decision makers have given their agreement and the contract is signed. Contracts as well as oral agreements are usually binding and are understood as the final point of the negotiating process. As Germans understand things, a contract does not give rise to any further obligations or long-term relations beyond the end of the contractual period. From the German viewpoint, contracts are independent of changes in circumstances. Subsequent re-negotiation points to poor work during the original negotiation process. In Germany, the fulfillment of contracts can be enforced by law.

9. 6. Business Clothing

Dress code Business clothing is generally formal and correct, but this also depends to a great extent on the type of business. Men usually wear dark suits and a tie. Women sometimes wear trouser suits or twin-sets, otherwise trousers or a skirt with a blouse. In many ZFLS departments the dress code is less strict. In some departments and areas it is obligatory to wear certain work safety clothes.

9. 7. Leadership Style and Team Work

Leadership style Managers expect their subordinates to show independence. Checks are generally made via regular reports, success figures and one-to-one discussions with individual staff members. A superior will usually give criticisms close to the actual occurrence. Heaping on criticisms at a later date is often not understood („Why didn‘t he tell me that right away?“). Another thing which a manager expects from a subordinate is that the latter keeps himself informed about the progress of his work and any new developments. The doors of German managers‘ offices are, in the meantime, often open, but staff generally continue to maintain a respectful distance and do not enter without knocking. Team leadership From the German way of thinking, a good team leader is not just a leader but also a member of his team. He exchanges information with his subordinates, discusses essen- tial matters with them, analyzes any existing project problems with them and makes important decisions jointly with them or at least after consulting them. Decisions made at team meetings are considered to be obligatory guidelines for action. Collaboration Many Germans appreciate cooperation and the bond between colleagues. They like to within the team exchange opinions during discussions and to find out who is working on what and how he is doing it. German teams are used to being given a rough target by management and then being left to work out a path to the solution themselves. When this path was found, individual members of the team take over parts of the task in accordance with their knowledge and interests. The execution of these partial tasks is done individually and on the individual‘s own responsibility. As everything was clarified during the planning stage, the actual execution frequently involves little exchange of information apart from regular „state-of-the-project“ meetings where the initial basis and the progress made are frequently discussed. Knowledge In Germany, information frequently spreads slowly and in an orderly and planned way. management In keeping with the proverb „Knowledge is power,“ the flow of information is sometimes deliberately hindered, by departmental barriers, for instance. In the meantime, however, many companies have realized the benefits which the knowledge possessed by their employees can bring to the company as a whole. Increasing importance is thus being placed on knowledge management. There is, however, still a certain unwilling- ness to pass on business statistics outside the company.

40 9. 8. Invitation to a Colleagues Home and Gifts to Hosts

Invitations An invitation to visit a German colleague’s home is usually meant seriously. It can and should be accepted. In such a case you should not arrive too early, while arriving over a quarter of an hour late should be avoided or – if unavoidable – should at least be noti- fied by phone and an apology should be offered. The best course of action is to arrive at the exact time you agreed on with your host. Foreigners are recommended to put aside their own cultural restraints in Germany if offered something to eat or drink. It is normal to accept the first invitation. Necessity of gifts German culture is not a typical gift culture. While a small gift is usual when accepting to hosts invitations to private homes, this is less usual in the business sphere. Only at Christmas are gifts frequently handed out or sent to business partners and customers. Type of gift In the case of invitations to private homes, a gift of flowers for the lady of the house is the right choice. Red roses, however, are reserved for romantic associations and lilies are for funerals. Otherwise, frequent presents include items such as calendars with the company logo, a bottle of wine or sparkling wine, or a box of chocolates. Foreign visitors may also like to bring items typical of their country. Gifts of money or excessively lavish gifts are unsuitable as they might give the impression of an attempted bribe or of putting the recipient under an obligation to the giver. Accepting a gift Phrases like „You really needn‘t have bothered“ do not by any means signify that the gift is a source of embarrassment. In Germany this is usually part of the expression of gratitude for a present. Gifts are generally unpacked right away.

9. 9. Table Manners and Eating Out

Table manners Before beginning a hot meal, people wish each other „Guten Appetit.“ In restaurants, the dishes ordered by each individual often do not all arrive at the same time. In such cases it is polite to wait for a short time after one‘s own food has arrived. Very probably someone will then encourage you to start eating „before your food gets cold.“ Germ- ans eat with a knife and fork, keeping both in their hands throughout the meal. Hands are always on the table. If several courses are served, the cutlery arranged around the plate should be used from the outside inwards. At the end of the meal, knife and fork are placed on the plate like the hands of a clock pointing to 04:20. Many Germans show considerable tolerance in this respect, particularly if they are aware that other countries have different table manners. Eating habits Germany has a large and international selection of restaurants. German „home cook- ing“ is typically available in so-called „guest houses.“ For many people lunch is the main meal of the day. The evening meal often consists of bread with sausage and cheese. Eating out When Germans eat together at a restaurant it is not unusual for them to ask for separate bills and for each person to pay for what he has eaten and drunk. This is also true when women are present. To be invited by others is considered embarrassing by some people. Customers are generally invited to a meal which is paid for by the company. Alcohol It is not usual in Germany to consume large amounts of alcohol during business hours or when meeting business partners. But alcoholic beverages such as wine or beer are normally enjoyed with meals – especially in the evening - even in restaurants. This applies to both women and men. When everybody has been served with his drink, someone proposes an informal toast (“Prost.”/”Zum Wohl.”) as a sign that all may now drink. Formal toasts are proposed but are rarer and less „ritualized“ than in many other cultures. When clinking glasses, many Germans expect to be looked in the eye. Water/Beverages In German cafés and restaurants, water is usually served in small bottles and contains carbonic acid. If you want still table water or tap water, you have to ask for it specifically. Tap water is, however, not served in all restaurants, although it is perfectly hygienic. In Germany, coffee is generally drunk after meals.

Smoking n German restaurants – and also in many company buildings – smoking is only permitted if special smoking areas are provided. In several states of the Federal Republic, small pubs are exempted from the smoking ban. Even where smoking is permitted, it is polite to ask the others in the room or at the table for their permission before lighting up. It is very impolite to smoke at table while others are still eating. If a smoker accepts an invitation to a private home, it is usual, particularly in non-smoking households, to go outside to smoke or to abstain from smoking.

9. 10. Conversations

Topics of conver- Light conversation concerning business topics is usual during meals, but binding agree- sation ments or their actual negotiation takes place before or after eating. Many Germans are not particularly good „small-talkers“ as conversation in Germany often tends to center on serious, profound topics. By comparison with people from group-oriented cultures, Germans set relatively great store by personal successes. It is polite to appreciate this and to respond with one‘s own successes – however, without bragging excessively. Poli- tics is also a frequent topic. A popular topic of conversation with visitors from abroad is the home country of the guest together with its culture and mentality. Taboo It is better to steer clear of personal subjects. Germans generally only discuss personal problems with good friends. The question „How much do you earn?“ that is common in some countries is taboo. It is unlikely that a German will give a direct answer to such a question – the situation is an unpleasant one for him. So it is better not to ask the question in any form. Moreover, the Second World War is a very sensitive topic and under no circumstances should you make jokes about it.

9. 11. Values and Social Relations

Roles of men and The German Civil Code enshrines the equality of men and women, but in some professi- women onal groups, and particularly in management, women are under-represented. Frequent- ly, a traditional understanding of a woman‘s role still exists. In the meantime, however, there are also husbands who look after the household and single-parent fathers. Perception of The prevalent perception of time in Germany is monochromic. That is one matter is time dealt with after another. Many activities, however, demand that several things are done simultaneously, a situation to which German business partners can normally adapt quickly. Time plays an important role. It is considered as a limited asset as expressed in the proverb „Time is money.“ Everyday life is usually arranged around fixed timetables and sequences. Great importance is attached to planning and punctuality. Dates are frequently planned far in advance, while agreeing on the time for a telephone call is not unusual. This planning occasionally hampers spontaneity. Social status Status in Germany is not the result of age, sex or origin but of „performance“ mainly seen in terms of a person‘s education and professional position. Thorough training in a specialized sector and its demonstration in the form of diplomas and certificates is important. Traditionally, one is supposed to be officially qualified to do something, in order to be allowed to actually do it; but this attitude is changing more and more. Group Group membership is generally voluntary in German society. It is possible to belong to membership a variety of quite separate groups at the same time. Quite independent of the various different group situations, the behavior of an individual is supposed to be based on one’s beliefs, attitudes and principles. People are influenced by those who stand in a partner-like relationship to them, i.e. (married) partners and friends etc. Patriotism Many Germans identify themselves more with their home region than with Germany as a nation. This is partly due to the ambivalent relationship that they have to patriotism and national pride due to the negative experiences from the time under Hitler (1933- 1945). Few Germans will say that they are proud to be German. Rather, they respect the economic and technical achievements which Germans have attained.

42 Ideal of equality In German society, the ideal of equality which has its origins in the French revolution is widespread. The basic assumption is that all people are, by birth, equal and should thus be treated equally. The inequality which is inevitable within a society is seen as the consequence of the necessary division of roles and activities. Differences between the various groups of society as regards income, appearance etc. are comparatively small. Big differences in power are relatively rare and less accepted.

9. 12. Taboos

Lack of eye Lack of eye contact is sometimes interpreted as insecurity, dishonesty and a reason not contact to trust a person. Non-acceptance The basis of German bureaucracy is following rules and the principle of equal treat- of bureaucracy ment. Germans concentrate on things not people. Regulations are sometimes applied to the letter. There are hardly any exceptions or special arrangements. Never under any circumstances attempt to bribe officials. This may result in prosecution leading to a spell in prison. Asking about a Questions about a person‘s income, which are common in some countries, are taboo. It person‘s income is unlikely that a German would reply directly anyway – the situation is simply embarrassing. So it is better not to ask the question in the first place. Interrupting In Germany it is impolite to interrupt a person while he is speaking. Should you happen to do so accidentally, an apology is called for. In emotional situations, however, it is possible to interrupt the speaker. Blowing one‘s If necessary, it is normal practice to blow one‘s nose even in the presence of others. The nose or not habit of drawing mucus back up the nasal passage, which is preferred in many countries, is considered impolite and an embarrassment to the others present. Smoking at the While others at the table are still eating, it is very impolite to smoke. table

43 10 Attachments

You can print this list out and carry it with you at all times. Please document specific contact data which is valid for you directly in the table.

No. Incident Action Plan 1 Acute disease, immediate need for medical Emergency Call: 112 treatment 2 Need for medical treatment during work Company doctor: +49(0)7171 31-2202 3 Non-work-related injury Emergency Call: 112 (traffic accident or other) Police: 110 Company doctor: +49(0)7171 4 Fire Emergency31-2202 Call: 112 5 Passport missing Embassy: 6 Plant badge missing/broken Plant security: +49(0)7171 31-2611 7 Security incidents Plant security: +49(0)7171 31-2611 8 Belongings missing Plant security: +49(0)7171 31-2611 (lost or stolen) Landlord: Police: 110 9 Employee missing Police: 110 10 Under arrest due to breaking laws Counterpart: Local HR: 11 Need to go home country due to family HR department: emergency Supervisor: 12 Department counterpart 13 Hotel 14 Taxi (07171) - 2900, - 6 65 00, - 1 94 10

44 Overview of LSGd Plants 45 Plant 2 Site Plan 46 Plant 4 Site Plan 47 Plant 7 Site Plan 48 VGW Building Site Plan 49