Knigge-course for the apprentices

Right at the beginning of the new year, the well-rounded training programme for us apprentices started. With a course on the Knigge-based etiquette (for more information on the German word “Knigge“, please read on). The course took place at our company. It was meant to provide us with a few tips on social interactions with colleagues and customers. The seminar was held by an external speaker.

At WEICON, it is not only important to participate in seminars and advanced or product training courses. We also put great emphasis on things like social skills.

Most Germans have already heard of the name “Knigge“. It is associated with rules of etiquette and good manners. The word Knigge goes back to the German writer “Adolph Franz Friedrich Ludwig Freiherr Knigge“. In 1788, he published the book “Practical Philosophy of Social Life”, which is a treatise on social skills in general. It is more than just a book on etiquette: Instead of focusing only on formal etiquette and good manners, it mainly covers general aspects of social interactions, like kindness, courtesy and respect.

These values were also the main topic of our seminar. The focus was not just on good manners during a business meal, but on fundamental attitudes of one’s own self.
At the beginning of the seminar, we did a little role play with two different teams. We had to mime a certain type of person. The goal was to analyze the behaviour of the different types and to draw conclusions in regard to the person. At the end of the role play, we could attribute the persons to the different types quite well – a good empathy exercise.
Right before lunch, we talked about basic table manners, e.g. where to place the napkin and how to use it. We also discussed how to hold a knife and fork correctly. This is very different in other cultures. My fellow apprentice Mohamed is from Guinea. There, the right hand is considered impure, which is why you always eat with your left hand.      

Inspired by Mohamed’s example from Guinea, we also covered the “topic“ of different countries and different customs.
In South Africa, for example, it is quite common to hug each other after closing a business deal, as it is perceived as connectedness.
In India, business cards should always be handed over with the right hand, as the left hand is used for personal hygiene and is therefore considered impure.
In Australia, the “thumbs-up“ gesture is not considered as positive as it is over here. There, it is more like “flipping someone the bird“.

Unlike we had expected, the Knigge-course was no formal and stiff course on etiquette. We had a lot of fun, the atmosphere was relaxed and we learned a lot about social interactions.

This post was published by guest author Moritz Volle (apprentice industrial clerk).