Every year on German Diversity Day, companies and organizations in Germany set an example for diversity and inclusion in the business world. In 2024, we also participated with our own campaign with a hybrid event under the motto “Celebrate Our Differences”: at the “Diversity Day Stand-Up,” four international colleagues talked about what it’s like to move to a new country and find your feet there. At the “Taste of Different Cultures” that followed, we enjoyed homemade delicacies from all over the world.
For 12 years, companies in Germany have been celebrating German Diversity Day in May. The „Charta der Vielfalt” (“Diversity Charter”) launched the day of action – an employer initiative committed to promoting diversity in companies and institutions. As an international company with a diverse workforce at all levels, this issue is particularly important to us at Kaufland e-commerce. That is why we have also been a signatory to the charter since 2020.
However, after more intensive discussions on the topic of diversity in the business world over the last few months, it has become clear to us that this is far from enough. We have, therefore, decided to organize a special Diversity Day for all KECse to deepen the mutual understanding among our colleagues.
Cultural exchange from colleagues for colleagues at the Diversity Day Stand-Up
On the morning of May 28, around 40 KECse gathered in our Cologne office, and 180 more joined us online to participate in our “Diversity Day Stand-Up: Exploring a new country & culture” event. Four international colleagues from our own ranks took to the stage as speakers. What’s special about this: the four of them didn’t discuss figures, projects, and their professional expertise like it is usually the case. Instead, we invited them to share their experiences and perspectives as people who had come to Germany from other parts of the world and faced new professional and personal challenges.
Cold weather and exciting new experiences for Diego from Colombia
After an introduction by Franziska, our Head of HR, Diego, one of our Senior Platform Engineers, started the Stand-Up. Among other things, he talked about how he was surprised by the cold weather in Germany in spring compared to his home country Colombia and that it often took time to get used to some things – such as how seriously people in Germany take the issue of punctuality. All in all, despite the cold weather and initial uncertainties, he painted a very positive picture of what it was like for him to find his way around in a new country and leave behind the comfort of what he knew at home. His conclusion: learning more about a new culture and different working methods is enriching. At the same time, he loves sharing his own culture with the colleagues and friends he has made here and enjoys many local traditions.
Funny anecdotes about cultural blunders with Ali from Iran
Just like Diego, our second speaker, Engineering Manager Ali, also told us that the initial period after his move was associated with some changes and confusion. Above all, he had to learn that his previous image of Germany did not always correspond to reality. He for example recounted with an amused smile on his face how he came into an office full of colleagues dressed in T-shirts and jeans on his first day at work as he himself was wearing a suit because he had seen German office culture like that in films. He also earned laughs with stories of cultural misunderstandings, like when he talked about how his girlfriend had to point out to him that his new decorative candle on the dining table is only used in cemeteries in Germany.
In addition to these funny anecdotes, he also described the feeling of enjoying the new culture and the associated experiences, but at the same time missing home and the things he was used to there:
Getting used to a new world for Manar from Egypt
Our Senior Product Analyst Manar also came to Germany from her home country Egypt for new career opportunities. She told us that she had never lived anywhere other than Cairo before and about the initial uncertainty of leaving her familiar everyday life, her beloved hometown, and her friends and family for the time being. Berlin, a culturally diverse and vibrant city, now offers her a beautiful and exciting new home. However, it was a culture shock for her how quiet it is at night and how early the otherwise lively city goes to bed, at least during the week, compared to Cairo.
Iana’s journey from Russia via Georgia to Germany
Our last speaker was Iana, who works for Kaufland e-commerce as a Senior Frontend Engineer. She described her journey from her home country of Russia, first to Georgia and then to Germany. The main thing she learned from this was that moving to another country always involves a few adjustments and that things work a little differently everywhere. In Germany, she experienced, above all, an atmosphere of trust, which is expressed, for example, by the fact that there are no general train ticket controls and subway entrances and exits or that it is usual business to simply ring the doorbell, and someone will open it.
Concluding together at the “Taste of Different Cultures”
After the speakers shared their stories, all colleagues present in the office could enjoy delicious dishes and food from different countries prepared and brought along by our colleagues at the “Taste of Different Cultures.” These included Polish pierogi, Slovakian wafers, Australian Tim Tams, New Zealand crackers, Indian fried onions, brownies from the USA, and a few German dishes such as pretzels, potato salad, and a selection of cakes.
During this time, we discussed what had been said at the Stand-Up and shared our stories about different cultures. We are delighted about this successful event with lots of funny moments and things to think about what people who are new to Germany have to deal with. We would like to thank all the hard-working chefs, interested participants, and, above all, our courageous speakers, who by the way all agreed that it is easy to forget to do your shopping in Germany before Sunday. We are looking forward to future joint activities in the area of diversity. To finish up, here is one of the many positive reviews we received from our colleagues who were participating in the event:
