standard alarm in a passat

[1mee]

Hi there
I'm new to this site and i know my querries probably been covered here already but i'm havin no luck finding it. I've got a passat b5 1998 i'm from the UK and am a bit puzzled with the alarm system when i open or lock the doors through my remote fob the indicators flash but i hear no chirp from the horn or the alarm and a number of times i have knocked the car accidently and the indicators have started flashing but no alarm is this how its mean't to be or is there something wrong any advice will be great
Many Thanks
IMEE