My First Month at “Schmidt & Sohn”: Talking About Work & Wellbeing in Germany

Okay, deep breaths. It’s been a month since I moved to Munich, started my apprenticeship at Schmidt & Sohn – a small metalworking company – and honestly, it’s been… a lot. Not just the jet lag, but navigating everything from ordering coffee to understanding what my supervisor, Herr Schmidt, actually means. And let me tell you, talking about work, and more specifically, what makes a ‘gute Arbeitsatmosphäre’ (good working atmosphere), is proving to be trickier than I anticipated.

Initial Confusion: “Gesundheit” and the Workplace

The first few days, I was completely lost. Everyone kept talking about “Gesundheit!” – which, of course, means “health” – but in the context of work, it seemed to be used everywhere. I heard it when someone had a slight backache, when the coffee machine was broken (“Gesundheit!”), even when a project was running behind schedule (“Gesundheit!”). I kept nodding and saying “Ja, ja, Gesundheit!” hoping to blend in, which, I’m sure, just made me look clueless.

My colleague, Luke, a really friendly guy who’s been here for a year, noticed. He said, with a patient smile, “Du musst verstehen, ‘Gesundheit’ here isn’t just about getting sick. It’s often a way of expressing frustration or concern. It’s like saying, ‘This isn’t ideal!’” It clicked, suddenly.

Phrases You Need to Know – and When to Use Them

Learning the right phrases is key, and I’m making a conscious effort. Here are a few that have been most helpful:

• “Ich finde die Arbeitsbedingungen nicht so gut.” (I don’t think the working conditions are good.) – This was the first time I felt brave enough to express a concern. I was feeling a bit stressed with the long hours, and I cautiously said this to Herr Schmidt. He actually listened, and we talked about it.
• “Mir ist es wichtig, dass…” (It’s important to me that…) – I’ve started using this to explain my needs. For example, “Mir ist es wichtig, dass ich regelmäßige Pausen habe.” (It’s important to me that I have regular breaks).
• “Könnten wir das bitte besprechen?” (Could we please discuss this?) – This is my go-to phrase when I want to initiate a conversation about something that’s bothering me.
• “Es ist wichtig, dass wir einander respektieren.” (It’s important that we respect each other.) – I heard this a few times in team meetings – a nice reminder.

A Typical Conversation (and a Little Mishap)

Yesterday, I was struggling to finish a particular task – measuring metal parts with incredible precision – and I was getting really frustrated. I mumbled something under my breath in English, “This is so tedious!” Immediately, Herr Schmidt looked at me with a confused expression. Luke quickly explained, “No, no, that’s not a good phrase here. It sounds a little negative. You could say, ‘Das ist eine herausfordernde Aufgabe.’” (This is a challenging task). I felt my face turn red! Germans really value directness, and negativity is definitely frowned upon.

The Importance of “Feedback” – and How to Give it

I’ve noticed a lot of focus on “Feedback.” It’s not just a word; it’s a process. I offered some feedback to Luke after he made a small mistake on a project. I said, “Luke, das war ein kleiner Fehler, aber du hast es schnell erkannt und korrigiert. Das ist sehr gut.” (Luke, that was a small mistake, but you quickly recognized and corrected it. That’s very good.) He thanked me, and it felt really good – a positive exchange.

Small Things Make a Big Difference

I’m also learning that little things matter. The company provides fruit in the breakroom – which is fantastic! – and there’s a whiteboard where people can write down ideas and suggestions. It’s these small gestures that contribute to a more positive atmosphere.

My Next Steps: Continued Learning

I’m planning on researching more about German workplace culture. I found a helpful article about “Arbeitskultur” (work culture) – basically, the shared values and norms of a company. I’m also going to practice saying more phrases and building my confidence. It’s definitely a learning curve, but I’m feeling more comfortable and understanding each day.

And, honestly, saying “Gesundheit!” is now just a polite way of saying, “Let’s make this work!”

Do you have any tips for navigating the workplace in Germany? Let me know in the comments!