Germans expect explicit understanding of what falls within negotiation scope. Some matters—established procedures, legal requirements, technical specifications, prior agreements—are typically not negotiable. Other matters—current terms, future commitments, open questions—may be negotiable. Confusion about scope wastes time and creates frustration.
Early in negotiations, seek clarity about what is on the table and what is not. If you need to change something Germans consider non-negotiable, address that directly rather than trying to slip it in.
When you have your own non-negotiables, state them clearly upfront. This boundary-setting is not adversarial—it helps both parties focus energy where agreement is actually possible rather than talking past each other about matters that cannot be changed.
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