It is also possible to have them delivered by a flower shop. In this case arrangements should be made one day in advance. In Germany, punctuality is expected - with a quarter hour's grace. It is considered impolite to be less punctual than that for an invitation. With respect to everyday manners, the average German is still rather formal in comparison to an American for example.
Young people are much quicker to use the informal address, even in professional life.
The same is true of the easy-going 'Hallo' greeting or 'Tschuess', a short form of saying goodbye. To play it safe, one should at first use Guten Morgen, Guten Tag or Guten Abend, depending on the time of day. Shaking hands It is still customary to shake hands when meeting and saying goodbye. If one wishes to be particularly polite, one should bow very slightly while shaking hands. Greeting a lady with a kiss on the hands is rather out of style, only an older gentlemen can pull this off with credibility.