Tag in German restaurants

All the countries of the world have different customs and traditions that distinguish them from other places. Therefore, it is common that when we are in a foreign environment, we want to fit into their behaviors.

And when it is time to eat, it is when we most need to know the protocol that is followed so as not to bother other diners with some improper action. And if you are in a German restaurant it is even more important to comply with its standards. Well, the Germans are quite strict and highly value mealtime.

That is why we will talk to you about label in German restaurants, what should you do and what not. So that you are aware of the behaviors that you must adopt in these environments.

German restaurants

Germans have very particular customs when they go to a restaurant. We are talking about atypical actions compared to habitual behavior, how we operate in restaurants in Spain.

So we want to talk to you about those first customs in German restaurants, which we do not know, so that they do not take us by surprise when we are in a German restaurant.

First thing is the drinks

When you get to a German restaurant The first thing the waiter will ask you, unlike Spain, is about the drink you will order. Well, it is not customary to ask for everything together, as traditionally done in other countries.

Once the requested drinks are served to you, it is when the waiter will take the order of the dishes you will eat.

The structure of the German menu

To get started, the German menu is structured similarly to Spanish in several ways. In the letter, which they call speisekarte, We can see how they offer special menus or menus of the day, along with the rest of the dishes.

Now, we leave you a brief explanation of how dishes are divided and classified in the German menu:

• Getränke: They are drinks, the most chosen are wine and beer.
• Vorspeisen: These are the first courses served, the appetizers and starters.
• Hauptgerichte: These refer to the main dishes.
• Kalte gerichte: They are cold dishes.
• Beilagen: They are the garnishes.
• Nachspeisen: These are simple and generic desserts.
• Dessert: They are also desserts, only in a presentation and with a more elaborate preparation.

You can eat with strangers

In Germany it is common for bar, café and restaurant tables to be long in design and accompanied by long chairs. This so that several people feel, regardless of whether they are part of your group of friends or not.

Oddly enough, in Germany it is normal for a stranger to come to your table and after asking permission he sits down to eat next to you. Although the Germans do not know very well where this custom came from, it is known that it is a ancestral practice associated with biertgarten.

¿Does the account go together or separately?

In countries like Spain, a group of friends may occasionally go to a restaurant and share the bill equally when paying it. But in Germany, this action is so normal that waiters when it comes to charging ask if everyone is going to pay according to what they consumed.

Tag in German restaurants

A well-known saying advises us that “ wherever you go do what you see ”, which is essential so as not to clash anywhere. And much less at the table of a German restaurant, so to avoid a embarrassing situation, we explain the correct behavior at the German table.

Wait for a job assigned to you

Whether in a restaurant or on any other occasion, it is important show a little patience when entering and never rush to occupy seats at the first moment.

This is because in the case of meetings or celebrations, it is usually prepare a table plan to know where each one will go. So the right thing to do is wait for the host to tell you what position you are holding.

As for restaurants and bars, it is normal for regular customers to be set aside or reserved for certain places. Therefore, if you look at a sign with the word “ stammtisch ” you will already know that it is not correct to occupy that table, because it means that it is reserved.

The importance of the use of cutlery

If there is one thing that Germans value more when eating than the same food, it is the use of cutlery. In Germany it is totally unacceptable to use your hands to take food directly and eat. Cutlery is always used there, even when eating potato chips.

In addition, they use cutlery following the famous continental style, consisting of taking the fork with the left hand and the knife with the right. And once the food is cut, the knife is released, to pass the fork to the right hand and ingest the cut food with its help.

Know the meaning of the position of cutlery

Just as in many other European countries it is customary leave the cutlery in certain positions to transmit a message, in Germany they also use that practice.

For example, if you leave the knife and fork crisscrossed over the plate, this means you will take a short break from the meal. So when you go to the bathroom, you must leave the cutlery crossed, to prevent the waiter from removing your plate, because he will know that you are not finished yet.

When you have finished eating, you should leave the cutlery on the right side of the plate, located parallel to each other. In this way, you will be indicating to the waiter that he can now remove the dishes.

Hands and elbows

Although this rule is put into practice in several countries, it really is in Germany where it is most respected and considered. We are referring to the position of the hands, this is a very important step at the German tables.

You should never hide your hands in your lap, It is very rude, as well as resting your elbows on the table. These, more than just habits, are mandatory rules at the German table.

You can only place your elbows on the table, at the beginning or end of the meal, while talking to the other diners or when you are not eating yet. But you should never rest your elbows on the table once food intake has started.

Tip for waiters

In many European countries, tipting is optional, in others the amount per tip can be very little or a lot, as the customer considers. But in Germany, this topic is really important for waiters.

Although it is not mandatory to leave a lot of tips, as in other countries, it can be said that there is a general rule to calculate it. It consists of leaving at least 10 or 15% of the invoice amount.

In addition, the total account is also usually rounded, and then the percentage is calculated. For example, if the account gives 22.30 euros, it is rounded to 24 or 25, and then the amount of the percentage of the tip you will leave is stipulated.

Don’t expect anything from the restaurant

By this we mean that you should not wait, for the waiters to offer you ice, or to recharge the drink for free. If you need something else, after they serve you, you should ask for it and don’t expect it to be free.

Even the glass of water, the basket of bread or pretzels left on the table can represent an extra charge if it is finished.

The toasts

In case you are in a meeting or celebration, and you want to propose a toast, you have to wait for the hosts to do it first. It is considered very polite and correct to return a toast that it was given in your honor.

The traditional “ health ” that we say when toasting, is transformed into “ zum Wohl ”. Although when the toast is made with beer in a tavern, bar or pub, the word “ prost ” is more appropriate to toast.

When to start eating

If you have been invited to eat in a German restaurant, remember do not start eating before the host, as it is in bad taste. The right thing to do is wait for him to start so that the rest of the diners imitate him.

As for the napkin, it should not be placed on the lap, until the precise moment when you will start eating. So when the host places his napkin on his lap, you will know that he is about to start eating.

Recommended dishes of German gastronomy

Now that you know enough about manners and habits at the German table, all that remains is to go eat, and taste the quality and specialties of German gastronomy. So to finish, we will recommend some of its most delicious dishes, which you cannot miss.

• Pork knuckle: In Germany we can find it with various names, such as haxe or hämsche and its accompaniment varies greatly. Although in the capital, the most common thing is to accompany it with potatoes, whether fried or mashed or with sauerkraut
• Käsespätzle: It is the quintessential German pasta, and a symbol of the southern region of Germany. They are noodles that are served with a lot of crisp cheese and onion on top.
• Apfelkuchen: Finally, one of the most served and representative desserts in Germany is the Apfelkuchen. Which is, in a nutshell, an apple pie, which is never missing from the restaurants menu.

You already know how the label in German restaurants, and the correct behavior you should have. So, whether you are visiting Germany or frequenting a German restaurant, you can put this knowledge into practice. And so you will demonstrate a lot of education and respect for German culture.