Another, but smaller difference, is waving. Germans generally do not wave at
each other. Americans have a tendency to wave furiously when they see each
other, but Germans generally do not do that. They prefer a handshake and a
verbal recognition—Good day, or good evening. And they also never ask “how
are you?” unless they really mean it and they want to know. Which isn't very
often. Americans, on the other hand, ask, “how's it going?” as an greeting, and
they never actually mean, “I am interested in your well-being.”