Working Life > Business Behaviour > Saying "Du" or "Sie"

Saying "Du" or "Sie"

Definition, Explanation

Tips, Checklist

Definition, Explanation

In German, there are two ways of saying "you", namely "Sie" (formal) and "Du" (informal). "Du" or "Sie"? This question causes uncertainty again and again. It is constantly subject to change. Whereas 50 years ago, "Sie" was the most common form, users used the "Du" form at the beginnings of the email era. In this case, it was an expression of belonging. In the meantime, this practice is being turned away from.

"Du" signalises rather a certain closeness and familiarity whereby it is not to be equated with friendship. Especially among people of the same age, business relationships can be established more informally. In contrast, the "Sie" form displays distance and reserve. Fundamentally, strange adults address each other with "Sie" in business life.

Whether one says "Du" or "Sie" is also a question of the company's style and the industry. In the media, in advertising and the computer industry, it is more usual than in banks, insurance companies and large chambers. It is advisable to be careful with saying "Du" between superiors and employees. Conflicts and unpleasant issues like income, overworking, transfer or even dismissal and then much more difficult to address.

Tips, Checklist

• Take a look at the practice of saying "Du" in your working environment before you yourself offer to say "Du" to someone. Who says "Du" to whom, is it the company's style, when is it offered
• In a company or institution, the more senior person is the person who offers to say "Du". The other way round, it is a faux pas
• A handshake suffices in offering to say "Du". In business life, an act of fraternisation is not appropriate
• Even "Du" requires courtesy and the expression of mutual respect
• Does someone offer to say "Du" to you at a party under the influence of alcohol, then you should be reserved the next day. Only after being reminded about it can you be sure that it was serious
• In Anglo-Saxon companies that have a branch in Germany, usually a mixture of both is used. They say "Sie" to the colleagues but address them by their Christian names
• You can refuse the "Du" form. But in doing so, be as friendly as possible and point out fundamental principles. However, this person will probably never offer to say "Du" to you again. You could refuse by saying, for example, "I feel flattered, thank you. I find that saying "Sie" rather than "Du" in an office, however, is much more advantageous"
• Saying "Du" without being expressly allowed to is regarded as an insult and the insulted person can even prosecute. Among these are officials. Exceptions: sports associations, rural areas in Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland
• Returning to saying "Sie" is used on purpose to signalise distance and to exclude someone from closer circles. By doing so, one shows that one does not want to have anything to do with that person anymore

Last update: 12/03/2009