Frankfurt is such an exciting city, and in order to make the most of your expat life here, you should dedicate some energy to creating a social and professional network. The networking etiquette in Frankfurt is not that different from the etiquette in other major cities in Germany. Given the city's diversity and business and finance advancement, most residents are familiar with navigating cultural differences with curiosity and patience. Hence, the city is an excellent spot to meet people from all walks of life, address and challenge your prejudices, and expand your network. Nevertheless, to network effectively and maximize your networking opportunities, you should follow the networking etiquette and especially its most important points summarised in this article. As it is all over Germany, the German language is the primary language of use and it is spoken at work among colleagues regardless of how international the company is, meaning that business may be conducted in English; however, small talk at work and everyday communication in the office is in German. Of course, there are exceptions, but you should be aware that you are expected to at least make an effort to speak and understand German if you want to be approached by German people and create an additional network of non-expats in and outside work. Germans may seem slightly reserved at first, as they don't tend to open up easily about their personal and family matters, and they like to keep their professional and personal lives separately. You are expected to be discreet when interacting with people you don't know that well — whether they are colleagues, friends of friends, or acquaintances. Thus, don't ask questions that may be regarded as too personal (e.g., earnings, political and religious beliefs, questions about the family or family planning, etc.), and similarly, don't feel bad saying it if you feel that someone has crossed a line. Since Frankfurt is a business-oriented city, personal relationships among new arrivals can be secondary to work, as many expats come to Frankfurt for work. Punctuality, solutions-based analytical thinking, and hard work are well respected and can be a cornerstone of a good business relationship. The business world, especially in large corporations, tends to be hierarchical and academic backgrounds are important. Overall, Germans are straightforward, so you will be able to grasp immediately what point they wish to make, what they expect from you, and how much space you are allowed for creativity. Germans have a high social conscience, and while they are reserved and like to talk about work, they genuinely care about topics such as sustainability, climate change, and human rights. Organizing a good business meeting shows competence and professionalism. It is important to have a well-prepared agenda that has been explained ahead to all of the members. Punctuality is a must, as well as good preparation. Data and visual materials prepared in German are great elements to add to a PowerPoint presentation, even if English will be the primary language. Some business meetings can also occur over lunch or dinner, which often is a sign of trust and good intentions. Following the restaurant etiquette, it is essential to delay business conversations until everyone has been served and hosts have wished Guten Appetit to all. When trying to get a job in Frankfurt or make a business deal with Germans, it is important to understand that it is not easy to convince them without evidence, facts, and some knowledge of the German language. Germans are competitive professionals, ambitious and skeptical, which is why it is vital to have a consistent and serious approach when wanting to achieve a professional goal. When discussing a topic, a direct approach is usually respected. However, decision-making is quite a slow and complex process, and it should not be rushed. Informal behavior is rarely liked, and jokes, slang, or confrontational behavior almost never bring any good chance of getting a deal. A good and strong handshake before and after a meeting is always a good sign.