(Latin) “Agreements must be kept.” This legal principle is often cited in German business and legal contexts to emphasize the binding nature of agreements.
Transit Agreement (1972)
The first German-German agreement at government level, the Transit Agreement, came into force on June 3, 1972. It facilitated travel between West Germany and West Berlin through East Germany. The agreement was implemented as negotiated, and both sides adhered to its terms with minimal need for ongoing re-confirmation or renegotiation, reflecting the German tendency to treat agreements as binding and self-sustaining once concluded.
Ostpolitik and Inter-German Agreements (1970s)
During the era of Ostpolitik, several treaties and agreements were signed between West Germany and East Germany, as well as with other Eastern Bloc countries. These agreements, such as the Basic Treaty (1972), focused on normalization and were executed with the expectation that both parties would fulfill their commitments without constant follow-up, in line with the German value of reliability in agreements.
Wilhelm Meister
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship frequently touches on the importance of trust, personal responsibility, and the expectation that promises and agreements are to be fulfilled without external enforcement. Characters are judged by their reliability and ability to deliver on commitments.
“Gesagt, getan.”
“Said and done.” What has been promised is immediately acted upon; no further discussion is needed.
“Ein Mann, ein Wort.”
“One Man. One word.” A person’s word is their bond; if someone says they will do something, it will be done without the need for follow-up.
“Was gesagt ist, gilt.”
“What is said, counts.” Once something has been said and agreed upon, it stands and is valid.
“Vertrag ist Vertrag.
“A contract is a contract.” Agreements-whether formal or informal-are binding and must be honored as such.
serious ramifications
German dramas, especially those set in finance or corporate worlds, often emphasize the risks of acting on incomplete information. They reflect a cultural lesson: in German business culture, overlooking context is not just a minor error—it can have serious professional and personal ramifications.
Series like Bad Banks and select episodes of Tatort and Bad Cop: Kriminell gut illustrate that underestimating context in business can result in failed ventures, loss of reputation, or even legal trouble. These dramas reinforce the German business value of thorough preparation and contextual awareness before making commitments or decisions.
The Crime Scene Cleaner
Der Tatortreiniger (The Crime Scene Cleaner). Overview: This dark comedy follows Heiko “Schotty” Schotte, a crime scene cleaner who encounters a wide variety of people and situations. Each episode centers on Schotty’s interactions with clients and bystanders, exploring how personal backgrounds, social norms, and unspoken expectations affect communication and problem-solving in professional encounters. The show cleverly uses these encounters to highlight the importance of understanding context in any professional service role.