Greetings
When greeting someone in Austria, a firm handshake is usually the norm. It may be accompanied by direct eye contact as a sign of respect. Titles are used when addressing someone you don’t know well or someone with an official title, such as a professor, doctor, etc. Even when talking with friends, Austrians use polite forms of address such as “Sie” instead of “du.”
Handshakes
When greeting someone, a handshake is the standard, formal way of saying hello or goodbye. It is best to say “Gruss Gott” (God bless you) or “Guten Tag” (Good day) before extending your hand. Maintaining eye contact during the exchange should be kept until the handshake is complete.
In addition to using both hands to shake hands, men may touch their right arm with their left hand. This gesture has strong religious and cultural connections – it symbolizes God’s protection and shows respect for one another. Women are not expected to do this, but if she does use both hands, that signal indicates she is enormously respectful of the other person she is greeting.
Physical contact, like hugging and kissing on the cheeks, are also standard Austrian greetings. To show respect, wait for the other person to initiate these more personal gestures – if they do not, then there should be no expectation of them. Focusing on maintaining politeness and upholding cultural values when greeting individuals in Austria for the most positive social outcomes!
Use of Titles
In Austria, people place a great deal of emphasis on titles and formalities. However, addressing someone correctly is extremely important, so you must familiarize yourself with the various titles and terms of address to help you avoid misunderstandings or rudeness.
Austrians usually use the classical forms of address to be polite and formal in greetings:
- Traditionally if you are being introduced to someone for the first time, use Herr (Mr.) or Frau (Mrs.) + their last name.
- For anyone younger than 18, you can use Fräulein (Miss) + last name.
- If you already know someone well or have been introduced already, it is acceptable to use first names but always check first before doing so.
- When addressing someone older than yourself – an elderly person, for example – always add the suffix Hochwürden (literally “high worthy”) in front of the name of a clergyman or professor.
- When using a title to refer to someone (e.g., when speaking about them but not directly addressing them), use Herr/Frau/Fräulein + their title only. Thus, “Herr Professor” would be acceptable when referring to a professor but not if addressing him directly.
Language
In Austria, the official language is German. It is one of Austria’s leading languages and is the most commonly used in day-to-day life. However, other languages, such as English, French, and Italian, can also be heard in certain parts of the country, depending on the regional area.
It is also a good idea to learn a few keywords and phrases in German to use while in Austria, as locals will greatly appreciate it.
German
Austria has German as its official language, and the majority of Austria’s population speaks it. It is a Germanic language closely related to other German languages such as Swiss German, Dutch, and Luxembourgish. However, Austrian German differs slightly in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar from that of Standard German due to regional dialects strongly represented within Austria.
When speaking with Austrians, especially older generations, addressing them formally with Sie is more appropriate than using the informal du forms of address. However, politeness when interacting with locals should always be maintained, and cultural customs must be upheld accordingly.
It is also important to note that various other languages are spoken throughout Austria, such as Croatian, Hungarian and Slovene, especially in Carinthia and Burgenland, where these linguistic minorities reside. Although English is increasingly becoming more widely accepted, one should not assume everyone speaks it fluently; if speaking in a remote area, it’s best to come prepared or brush up on your basic German phrases if possible.
Other Languages
Austria has four official languages: German, Slovenian, Croatian, and Hungarian. German is the most commonly spoken language in Austria, with nearly all Austrians speaking it as a first or native language. It is also the official language of the European Union.
- Slovenian is spoken primarily in Carinthia, which borders Slovenia and Italy.
- Croat is spoken mainly in the Burgenland state, which borders Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia.
- The fourth official language is Hungarian, which is said mainly in areas bordering Hungary.
Most young Austrians grow up bilingual or trilingual in their local region’s language and standard German. Immigrants are primarily from other European countries, such as Turkey and former Yugoslavia, so most of them also speak at least two languages fluently (including English). English has become a widely-taught foreign language in Austrian schools, universities, and colleges.
Dining Etiquette
Dining etiquette in Austria is not particularly complicated, and as a guest, it is important to demonstrate good table manners. In Austria, meals are served regularly at 8 am, 12 pm, and 7 pm, although it can depend on the region.
Before dining, washing your hands is polite; when you are ready to eat, the host will usually offer a prayer or blessing. It is also customary to wait until everyone is served before you begin to eat.
Table Manners
All aspects of dining etiquette considered polite in Austria should be followed when eating at a restaurant or a home. For example, before sitting, wash your hands thoroughly, even if you haven’t been outside. Also, always wait for an invitation to sit before taking a seat, and always bring a small gift when dining with an Austrian family.
Food is expected to be eaten slowly and savored during the meal. Place your napkin across your lap after being seated and keep it there until you leave the dinner. Do not place it on the table or start wiping your hands all over it; set the napkin in one lap and use it for wiping your lips and fingers as needed throughout the meal. Refrain from licking your fingers, as this is considered rude in Austria; instead, try using pieces of bread to dab away food residue from your fingers. Utensils should be handled delicately while keeping them off the table as much as possible; with utensils facing down, move them away from yourself when finishing a course, and make sure never to scrape plates loudly with them. Also, refrain from blowing on or playing with food or humming during meals; all bad manners should be avoided no matter who you are dining with.
When eating out in Austria, follow all instructions given by servers, such as “bitte bleiben Sie sitzen” (please remain seated), which means don’t get up until they tell you what to do next. When receiving soup, put some onto one side of the soup spoon and sip delicately, never trying to drink directly from the spoon itself back into the bowl at any time during a meal. Lastly, knives must never leave their right hand when cutting food – another point of great importance that Austrians take care to observe dutifully during meals.
Toasting
In Austria, the custom of toasting plays a vital role in social and professional entertainment. Toasting is a way of reinforcing bonds between colleagues, friends, or family members. It is customary to stand as you make your toast, particularly when interacting with someone of importance or authority.
When making a toast in Austria, pay attention to the spoken content and be aware that the choice of words is taken very seriously. Start by raising your glass, look at whoever you’re toasting, and say ‘Prost’ (pronounced ‘pro-st’). You may also hear people say ‘Prosit’ (pronounced ‘proh-zit’), which means “to prosperity,” while others may use the German phrase ‘gut gehen,’ which means roughly “may things go well.” After making everyone aware that you are about to make a toast avoid simply thanking someone for inviting you or expressing how delicious the food is – these sentiments are considered too casual for an Austrian context.
Instead, draw upon culturally specific phrases. For instance, one might say, ‘Gott schütze uns!’, translated as “God protect us!” adding that protection will ensure continued moments of pleasure together with friends. You may choose to decline from drinking alcohol – this should not be taken personally by those present and need not affect any potential relationships or business dealings. All that being said, Austrians expect enthusiastic participation in making a toast!
Gift Giving
Gift-giving is very important in the culture of Austria and is viewed as a sign of appreciation and respect. Gifts are usually presented with two hands and should be thoughtfully wrapped. Expensive gifts are not necessary but can be appreciated.
Handkerchiefs, a nice bottle of wine, a book, or an item from your home country can be considered thoughtful gifts. It is also customary to present:
- Flowers
- Chocolates
- Small souvenirs
Types of Gifts
When giving gifts in Austria, consider giving something practical that the recipient can use and enjoy. Right gift ideas for different occasions include a bottle of wine for dinner parties and thank-you gifts, such as chocolates or flowers for shows of appreciation. Small, thoughtful items are best when celebrating a birthday or special occasion.
Gifts should be wrapped with care and include a card with best wishes. Unwrapped gifts are not considered appropriate for most occasions, so wrapping paper is recommended. Contributions should be presented gracefully upon arrival and opened when the recipient permits.
It is polite to bring a small host or hostess gift on arrival to dinner parties; flowers, pastries, chocolates, or candy are all suitable options. However, if this is not possible, some hosts may be pleased with a nominal donation to an organization they believe in. Likewise, business partners may appreciate symbolic gifts representing the company’s values or mission as a thought-stoking token of esteem and respect.
When attending special occasions like weddings and baptisms, it is customary to bring money or certificates in place of any gift; however, guests should not exceed their budget limits with such purchases if money is tight. Additionally, two separate envelopes should be prepared – one labeled “Gift” and the other “Donation” – to differentiate between them upon distribution from the bride and groom during the reception ceremony following that event ceremony itself. It is also customary for guests at these ceremonies (as well as any other celebratory events) to wear festive apparel such as suits and dresses whenever possible – formal clothing etiquette should always be observed throughout any event-going experience within Austria culture not to appear disrespectful.
Gift Wrapping
It is common practice in Austria to give gifts that are appropriately presented, usually on paper or cellophane with a ribbon. A gift box may be given if the item is exceptionally high value. To make a personalized statement, you may wrap the gift with fabric or paper of different colors. Depending on your relationship and situation, you may include a card with a brief message and a gift.
When giving flowers, it is polite to wrap them as well and make sure that there’s an even number of flowers for a symmetrical presentation. It is considered bad luck to give an odd number, so avoid 13 at all costs! White lilies are commonly presented as funerary flowers; white roses represent loyalty, faithfulness, and honor; daisies signify innocence, while violet tulips symbolize immortality and eternity. It’s best to avoid chrysanthemums since they are used at funerals.
Social Customs
Austrian culture is full of customs and traditions that are very important for those living there. Understanding these customs is key to developing relationships and having successful interactions with Austrians.
Social customs in Austria include behaviors such as greeting people, being on time for appointments and exchanging gifts. It is important to take the time to learn and understand these customs before interacting with Austrians. Let’s get into more detail:
Respect for Elders
Respect for elders is an essential social custom in Austria based on status, gender, and age. Lower-status people are expected to respect those of higher quality, such as company officers, doctors, professors, ambassadors, and members of the nobility. Younger people should also show respect to older people in Austria; taking off one’s hat upon greeting or passing an elder is a sign of politeness and good manners.
It is expected in Austria that anyone who enters first will make sure everyone else has been seated before sitting down themselves. When leaving or entering a room or elevator, men should always allow women to enter or leave before they do so. People in social settings like parties should wait to be introduced before speaking directly with others, even if it appears everyone knows each other.
Austrians try hard not to dominate conversations with loud voices and monopolize the topic of discussion. However, it would be considered rude for one person who has already contributed several times in the same conversation to insist on speaking whenever someone else takes their turn. There needs to be a balanced for all participants to have the opportunity to express themselves fully without interruption from others.
Personal Space
Austria generally has a relatively warm and relaxed climate, with people standing close during conversation and maintaining frequent contact. Although personal space is respected to a certain degree, it can be pretty challenging to get used to if you come from a culture where the distance between the speaker and listener is greater.
In social circles, it is customary to shake hands when greeting each other and maintain eye contact. It shows respect for the other person; men usually wait for women to offer their hand first as a sign of respect.
When invited into somebody’s house or workplace, one must not forget to introduce oneself before entering someone’s personal space. It is also polite practice to remove one’s shoes before entering someone’s home; this courtesy should be observed unless requested otherwise by the host.
Politeness and civility are valued highly in Austria. Therefore, they should always be practiced even when conversing with strangers on public transport or elsewhere in public, where many Austrians generally speak discretionally only unless addressed first.
Conversation Topics
When conversing with Austrians, it’s essential to be aware of the off-limits topics. For example, topics like politics, religion, and Austrian historical figures (especially those from the Nazi era) should be avoided to avoid offense or discomfort. Additionally, when discussing other countries or areas of Austria, Austrians may take offense if their culture is compared negatively to others.
Conversation topics like one’s family background or interests can create a more positive dialogue. Current events in Austria and popular hobbies such as skiing, hiking, and nature-oriented activities are also good topics of discussion; however, they must be addressed with sensitivity and respect toward the Austrian people. It is best to avoid trying to initiate heated debates over sensitive issues related to Austria’s past though some light banter is acceptable if initiated by a well-established relationship.
Beyond this etiquette 101 note, be aware that initiating conversations in stores or public areas is rude without cause. Any conversations should remain professional and courteous at all times.