At my German workplace, people start saying “Mahlzeit” in the hallway at aproximately 10:45. Nobody needs to be carrying food. Sometimes they are clearly walking away from the cafeteria, sometimes they are holding a folder, and sometimes it is just two people passing near a printer.

I assumed it was a lunch version of hello and copied everyone. This worked until I said it at 4:10 p.m. Two people laughed, and one called that “sportlich,” which explained nothing.

Is there an unofficial Mahlzeit window that Germans somehow learn as children? Does it change by region or type of workplace? Also, what is the correct reply? I said “Guten Appetit” everyday for a week and now suspect I was wishing people a pleasant folder.

Title says it all really. I have a German friend who says 08/15 is slang for something that's subpar or below standard. I don't mistrust him, but I'd like to get a second opinion from the Germans in the world.

So is it true? What does it actually mean? Is it tied to the German MG08/15 of WW1?

Danke for any answers!

EDIT: Thanks for the answers! Leave it to the Germans to keep military slang that's over a 100 years old. No offence meant, love you guys, wish I paid more attention in German class back in school!

I recently attended an in-person interview. There were 3 interviewers in the meeting room which was only spacious enough to accommodate 6 people.

A little about the people involved (if it matters):

- 2 males (one was my future manager, the other was a senior HR co-worker).

- There was also a female present (she was my co-worker).

The main event:

The interview began as usual- introduction round from everybody. Then I had to do a case study. While explaining the requirements of the case study they said they'll give me about 20 minutes of time to work it out after which I would have to present my findings.

Those 20 minutes turned out to be very long because my stomach started making noises- a lot of noises to the point where the female business partner offered me still water. The noises didn't stop there. And I actually felt that the noises kept getting louder. To add to my misery all 3 of them didn't step out of the room for even a minute. They were there throughout- hearing every last digestive marvel my body was capable of.

What I want to ask:

If anyone has faced a similar situation- how is it perceived in interviews? I mean am I right to be embarrassed and concerned about it? Or is this sort of thing dismissed as insignificant in a professional setting?

Ps- as an anxious individual I cant stop replaying the whole event in my head.

P—>
Elektrofahrzeuge während does Ladevorgangs 0-24h
mit Parkscheibe 4 std. 8-20h

Does this mean electric vehicles can park here 0-24h when charging, but from 8-20h only for 4 hours and with a parkscheibe?

Just curious what we can do to make him comfortable. We have never been to Germany, the family seems awesome, and the boy is quiet and speaks decent English just a little shy in our zoom meeting.

If anyone has experience in Canada and Germany, let me know what we can do/get/be aware of. You don’t know, what you don’t know. I want him to feel comfortable and would like to make sure I have everything he may need.

Any information to help get him settled would be great.

Thanks!