Toasting with water - Never, ever say "cheers," or "Prost," with water in Germany. Not even for a joke. Especially not for a joke. You are literally wishing death on all your drinking buddies. It means you really want your friends to die. Is that what you want? Because that's what it means.
Knocking on the Stammtisch - When greeting your German drinking buddies, instead of waving, you should knock on the table. According to legend, this is because the Stammtisch, the regulars' table in the tavern, was traditionally made of oak. Since the devil is unable to touch oak, considered a holy tree, knocking on it proved you weren't the devil. It always makes for a nicer evening if your friends don't consider you a disguised demon.
Gift knives - Giving knives as a gift means that you are wishing someone and everyone in their household injury and death. If they've already got plenty of forks and spoons, and you really can't think of any present that's not cutlery, you're supposed to give them a knife token. This superstition comes from an ancient deal that gone wrong a knife smith once made with the devil, which ended with the devil cursing all his work.
Lucky coin - If the cutlery shop has sold out, and you've seriously run out of gift ideas, why not give someone a nice, shiny new leather wallet? But don't forget to put a penny in! This ensures that the recipient will never be poor.
Bread and salt for a new home - The traditional gift at a housewarming party is bread and salt. It will make sure that your new hosts will never be hungry in their new home. Especially if they like salty bread.
But are all this pure German superstition? How many do you recognize for your country?
