The pronoun changes the relationship
German address is not just a choice between calling someone by a first or last name. It also changes the pronoun and the verb: du is the informal “you,” while Sie is the formal “you.” In many workplaces and introductions, the usual pairing is du with a first name and Sie with a surname. Using the first name before agreeing on du can therefore feel like claiming a level of closeness the other person has not offered.
That distinction can matter even after a warm greeting. A handshake, friendly conversation, or shared meal may show politeness or hospitality without changing how people address one another. The form of address remains a separate social signal.
An invitation makes the shift clear
A person may explicitly suggest switching to du, often by offering their first name. That small exchange settles an otherwise ambiguous question: are both people comfortable dropping the formal distance? At work, who makes the offer can reflect seniority or the relationship between colleagues, though habits vary by organization and generation.
There are exceptions. Some teams use du from the outset, and Sie can sometimes be paired with a first name in particular workplaces or service settings. The safest cue is not the handshake or the setting alone, but the other person’s own form of address—or a clear invitation.
For visitors, waiting a moment is usually easy: begin with Sie when the situation is formal, then follow the other person’s lead. The useful detail is that a first name in Germany may not simply be a friendly shortcut; it can mark a change in the relationship that both people are expected to recognize.
