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Dos and don'ts: Celebrating a birthday in Germany

Kate Müser
March 14, 2018

In Germany, wishing someone happy birthday on the wrong day could get you in big trouble — and getting old can also get expensive. Join Kate Müser on Meet the Germans for more birthday dos and don'ts.

Meet the Germans with Kate - Birthdays (DW)

Dos and Don'ts when celebrating a birthday in Germany

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Every other week, DW's Kate Müser explores the quirks of everyday life and language in Germany. Originally from the United States, Müser has lived in Germany for over 13 years. Follow Meet the Germans on YouTube or at dw.com/meetthegermans.

While birthdays are a time to celebrate — whether you or your friend or relative is the person of honor — they also provide plenty of opportunity to commit a faux pas.

However, birthdays aren't the only occasion where it's easy to slip up. For more tips on how to avoid social errors in Germany, click through the gallery below. 

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