Given Berlin's diversity, most residents are familiar with navigating cultural differences with curiosity and patience. Hence, the city is an excellent spot to meet people from all walks of life, address and challenge your prejudices, and expand your social and professional network. Nevertheless, there is a networking etiquette, which, if respected and followed, will help you network effectively and make the most of networking opportunities. Here is a summary of some of the most important points you should take into account if you want to be successful while trying to expand your network in Berlin. Appearance does matter in human relationships, as the way one looks tends to have an impact on the way others perceive them and influences first impressions, which are almost instant. At the same time, appearance affects one's confidence and levels of self-esteem, which are projected on human interactions. In other words, when you are planning to network, remember to dress for success, meaning that you should wear something that makes you feel comfortable while meeting the occasion's standards. For example, even though sneakers might be your most comfortable shoes, they are definitely not the right choice for a professional event in Berlin. In general, Berliners like to keep work separate from play, and this is very much evident in their outfits, which are usually fresh and clean and have no wrinkles. The first thing you will have to do in order to kick off the networking process in Berlin is to introduce yourself. The window of a networking opportunity may remain open only for a couple of minutes before it is closed, and therefore, you should always be prepared to state the most important facts about yourself that you think represent the track of your life the best. So, before showing up to a networking event or a place where networking is expected to occur, think of a few important aspects of your personal and professional life that you would like to highlight and are a good starting point for a conversation. For example, how did you land your current job? What do you like the most about your work? What would you like to achieve in the coming years? How do you feel about living in Berlin?  When you introduce yourself, you want your profile to be memorable and stand out among other profiles that will be presented at the same event. Hence, state a couple of unique facts about you and offer a business card, if possible.  When you meet someone for the first time, you are expected to shake hands firmly (Germans don't appreciate weak handshakes) without instigating any further body contact (e.g., a pat on the shoulder is a big no-no). German people respect boundaries and personal space, without this meaning that they are not friendly or wouldn't like to get to know you better — on the contrary, it is an indication of respect. In Germany, you will get used to the principle of building solid friendships while being overly polite and physically distant. German body language is different from the body language in other parts of the world. Sometimes, especially during your first weeks and months in Germany, you should follow your instinct when it comes to human interactions rather than trying to read too much into German people's body language. For example, the fact that they don't smile too much doesn't necessarily mean that they are not interested in what you are saying or you as a person. One tip is to stand up straight and be conscious of your facial expression (seriousness is highly appreciated). If you are holding glasses and someone says “Prost!” (the German word for “cheers”), remember to make eye contact with each of the people you clink your glass with.