In Germany, what do a friend, relative and dog have in common? And how are they different from a supermarket employee, your boss or an acquaintance? The answer is a simple one: the first group you can dutzen whereas the second group you'll have to siezen. Dutzen and siezen are two words representing an important aspect of the German culture, making all the difference between an informal and formal relationship, respectively.

Now, anybody who is only marginally involved with International Business surely knows about the pitfalls of the highly complicated Japanese system, often highlighted in all versions of Do's and Don'ts around the world. And with Latin America being in the US backyard even more people are familiar with episodes and dramas of using tu and usted incorrectly.

Now why, one might ask, does the German problem of informality vs. formality deserve special attention in this blog? Well besides the writer being German, there are actually two more reasons that justify an entry. According to the latest Economist, the rules of the game are changing and even German politics could be  influenced at least and affected at most by these cultural changes.

Cultural change initiated by the 69 revolution spurred a trend toward more informality. But as with many ongoing transformations, changes leave the playing field temporarily confused until its cultural norms are adjusted and resorted.  Meanwhile there is much room left for interpretation. Now that the German Foreign Minister and leader of the party FDP  Mr. Westerwelle and his opponent from the SPD Mr. Seehofer actually dutzen each other, speculation is on the rise. Do they actually like each other now and try to become friends? Or is it more like the old German saying goes: It is easier to say du #%! than sie #%! !

Open your ears and listen carefully for what else is to come in this spectacle of old vs. new.