"German Punctuality" - myth or reality?
In general, when an appointment is set up at a specific time, it is expected of all parties to be present at the specified time. But there are defined exceptions to the rule...
The Academic Quarter
Prior to arriving in Germany, I was informed via e-mail on several occasions that there would be events organised for students on specific dates and times, accompanied by the phrase "No Academic Quarter".
First thing that came to mind...No Quarter
"A victor gives no quarter when the victor shows no clemency or mercy and refuses to spare the life in return for the surrender at discretion (unconditional surrender) of a vanquished opponent."
My fear was fortunately proven to be unfounded! Academic Quarter is an entirely different story:
"An academic quarter or Akademisches Viertel is the quarter-hour (15 minute) discrepancy between the defined start time for a lecture or lesson and the actual starting time..."
What does this mean for students? Classes which have the Academic Quarter or "c.t." will begin 15 minutes after and finish 15 minutes before the scheduled time, which are effectively 30 minutes shorter. This system provides students with sufficient time to grab a snack and coffee in between classes effectively without being late. In addition to that, certain Universities have very huge campuses so students would need some time to travel from one faculty to another.
On the other hand, "No Academic Quarter" or "s.t." implies that students are expected to be present at the scheduled time for the full duration of the lecture/lesson.
You attend your first lecture of the semester.
You meet new German classmates and listen to an interesting introductory lecture.
Time flies, and the lecture comes to a close.
You put your hands together, preparing for an applause.
Everyone else starts knocking their tables!
Knocking is indeed a common practice in German Universities to show appreciation and respect for the presenter. From my own observation, students knock on the tables at the end of every lecture and tutorial/seminar session.
To summarize, there are 2 key points to remember when participating in academia in Germany:
1) Look out for Academic Quarter (s.t. or c.t.)
2) Knock the table at the end of the session instead of clapping
On the other hand, "No Academic Quarter" or "s.t." implies that students are expected to be present at the scheduled time for the full duration of the lecture/lesson.
"To knock or to clap" - that is the question
Put yourself in the shoes of a new foreign student in a German University:You attend your first lecture of the semester.
You meet new German classmates and listen to an interesting introductory lecture.
Time flies, and the lecture comes to a close.
You put your hands together, preparing for an applause.
Everyone else starts knocking their tables!
Knocking is indeed a common practice in German Universities to show appreciation and respect for the presenter. From my own observation, students knock on the tables at the end of every lecture and tutorial/seminar session.
To summarize, there are 2 key points to remember when participating in academia in Germany:
1) Look out for Academic Quarter (s.t. or c.t.)
2) Knock the table at the end of the session instead of clapping
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