In German relationships—personal, professional, commercial—trust builds incrementally through demonstrated reliability. Initial interactions involve limited information sharing. As you prove that you handle information appropriately, share accurately, and respect boundaries, trust deepens and information exchange expands.
This explains why Germans may seem initially reserved. They are not rejecting you; they are in the early stages of a trust-building process. Demonstrate reliability: follow through on information commitments, share accurately, maintain appropriate confidentiality. Over time, the relationship deepens.
Patience and consistent reliability build the foundation for substantial information exchange. Violating information trust—sharing what should have stayed private, proving inaccurate, failing to deliver promised information—damages relationships significantly.
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