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If you ask "how are you in German," you might notice that the response is often more direct than what English speakers are used to. In English, "How are you?" is frequently used as a polite greeting, where most people automatically respond with "I'm fine, thanks" regardless of how they actually feel.

However, in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, when someone asks "Wie geht es Ihnen?" or "Wie geht’s?", they genuinely want to know how you're doing. Germans tend to be more direct and honest in conversation, so it's common for them to give real answers rather than just saying "fine."

For example, if someone is having a bad day, they might respond with "Nicht so gut" (not so good) or "Es könnte besser sein" (it could be better). This cultural difference can surprise English speakers who expect a quick and automatic reply, but it reflects the German preference for meaningful communication.