Visiting a Home

It is polite to arrive on time when one is invited to a private home. Germans value punctuality for both business and social events. For most visits, one should dress nicely. This does not necessarily mean formal or fancy attire, but one may want to avoid casual clothing such as jeans, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. Flowers or wine are suitable and customary gifts for hosts. It is courteous to ask if shoes need to be removed and left at the door. Generally, the host will tell guests either to leave their shoes on or that the choice is theirs.