The use of "Du" in everyday German life. - About Deutschland

In this post, a quick overview of in what situation you may “duzen” someone (=the use of you) and when a “they” is more appropriate.

Duzen and Siezen are very delicate and sensitive matters in everyday German life.

Nevertheless, there are clear rules about when you and they are used in public. If you use “duzt” to children and “siezt” to strangers, you are on the safe side. If in doubt, it’s better to use “Du” more than too freely.

The interesting, but also very funny situations of “you” and “you” arise only in professional or business matters.

A long-standing controversy for executives: Do I or do I not duze my subordinates?

Doctoral theses may even have been written about how and when to use “Du” or “Sie” in the corporate hierarchy.

In most traditional German businesses, companies, stores, authorities, etc., people are still consistently “gesiezt” from the very top to the bottom. Even many employees with the same rank address each other as “Sie”, which is also common. And of course, people address each other as “Mr.” or “Mrs.” and their last name.

Even if the boss addresses you as “you”, this does not mean that you address him back. You always use “she”, so if he likes to be called by his first name, he will make a remark to that effect.

My experience:

A “they” relationship always harbors more tension than a “you” relationship, both professionally and in business. Certain things are not discussed or clarified in a “they” relationship and are therefore constantly up in the air.

The “you” relationship offers a more relaxed workday. However, this bears the danger that it is not too seldom exploited by employees. A return or the introduction of a “they” relationship is extremely difficult or even impossible!

If you are a foreign manager starting out in Germany, I recommend that you start by addressing your subordinates as “you”.

What if I meet friends of friends?

Here it is already more relaxed. Nevertheless, it is not the same if you duzt your friend, that you may also address his friend (whom you do not know yet) the same way.

In my experience, here among young people (up to 30 years) is mercilessly duzt.

Older people should be addressed as “Du” first, the “Du” usually develops quickly on its own.

The phrase “you” and “she” at work:

Switching from “they” to “you” is unproblematic and possible at any time.

Switching from “you” to “they” is almost impossible.

“you” and “they” in different everyday situations in Germany

At the doctor	sie
meet people while hiking	du
in supermarket, hardware store, drugstore	sie
small specialized stores	hier wird sich meist geduzt
Email business	sie
Parcel carrier	du/sie
Sports club	du
Driving school	du
Hospital	sie
Pharmacy	sie
Police, fire department	sie
Offices	sie
Restaurant	du/sie
Snack bar	du
Conductor	sie
Landlord(apartment)	sie
Armed Forces	gleichrangige Dienstgrade duzen sich, alles Andere nach oben und unten wird gesiezt
Phone hotline	sie
Night bar	du
Technical Support Email	du/sie

The use of “Du” in everyday German life.