Customs în European Countries

AUSTRIA

Marriage and Family

Couples often decide to live together before or instead of marriage. Many people

marry in church, but a civil ceremony must also be performed for a marriage to be legal.

In urban areas, families tend to be small, but rural families are often a bit larger.

Both parents generally work outside the home, so couples tend to share duties related to

the household and children. The government gives families financial allowances for each

child. Children who are not in school and whose parents both work are cared for

privately or in day-care centers. Most urban Austrians live in apartments, whereas in

rural areas people more often live in single-family houses. About one-fifth of all housing

is publicly owned.

Eating

Austrian cuisine is drawn from the various cultures that once composed the

Austro-Hungarian Empire. Specialties vary by region, but include traditional dishes

such as Wiener Schnitzel (breaded veal cutlet), Knödel (moist potato dumplings), and

goulash. Pastries and cakes, such as Sachertorte (a rich chocolate cake with apricot jam

and chocolate icing), are also extremely popular. Beer and wine are both produced in

Austria.

A typical day begins with a light breakfast of coffee or hot chocolate, rolls, bread,

and jam or marmalade. There are numerous sausage stands in cities, and shoppers may

buy sausages to eat as a snack between meals, often in the late morning. Traditionally

the main meal is in the middle of the day, but for families in which both parents work

outside the home, the evening meal is often the main one. Families try to eat at least one

meal together each day. Whether at midday or in the evening, the main meal may

include soup, meat with potatoes or pasta, vegetables, a salad, and often dessert (such

as a homemade pastry). Austrians eat a wide variety of meat, including Rindfleisch

(beef), Schweinefleisch (pork), Huhn (chicken), Wurst (sausage), Kalbfleisch (veal), and

Wild (venison).

Jause (afternoon tea), which is less common today, might include sandwiches,

pastries, and coffee. If the main meal is eaten at midday, families have Nachtmahl

(supper) in the evening. This generally includes cold cuts of meat, eggs, cheese, rye or

another type of bread, and a salad. Goulash or hot sausages may be eaten at the midday

or evening meal.

Austrians, like other Europeans, eat with the fork in their left hand and knife in

their right, both when cutting food and eating. Guests will almost always be offered

second helpings, but no offense will be caused by declining with a polite Danke, nein

(“Thank you, no”).

Socializing

A handshake is usual on greeting, coupled with any of a number of phrases such

as Guten Morgen (“Good morning”), Guten Tag (“Good day”), Guten Abend (“Good

evening”), or Grüß Gott! (“May God greet you!”). Popular casual greetings include Servus!

(“Hi!”) and Grüß Dich! (“Greetings to you!”). Austrians do not ask Wie geht es Ihnen?

(“How are you?”) unless they wish to hear a detailed account.

Professional titles are important among the adult population and are used

whenever known. Otherwise, titles such as Herr (“Mr.”) and Frau (“Mrs.” or “Ms.”) are

combined with family names when addressing acquaintances and strangers. Close

friends and young people use first names. As a general rule, one does not use someone’s

first name unless invited to do so.

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Austrians enjoy entertaining in the home, but unless one knows someone very

well it is considered impolite to drop by unannounced. It is important to be punctual,

and in some homes guests are expected to remove their shoes upon entering; guest

slippers are usually visible near the door. A Gasthaus, or bar, is a popular spot for

socializing outside the home. Friends may also get together at a Kaffeehaus (coffeehouse)

or park.

Recreation

Winter and summer are the most active sporting seasons in Austria, due to the

country's mountainous terrain. In the mountains, cross-country and downhill skiing,

snowboarding, and skating are popular winter sports. In summer, mountaineering,

hiking, and biking prevail in these areas. Water sports, such as swimming and boating,

are also popular summer sports. In cities, taking a walk (ein Spaziergang) is a wellestablished

tradition. Soccer is the most popular team sport.

Holidays and Celebrations

New Year’s Eve in Austria is also referred to as Sylvester’s Eve. By tradition,

Austrians melt a small piece of lead over a lit candle or other flame and quickly pour it

into cold water. The lead figure that is produced is seen as a symbol of the coming year.

People also exchange lucky charms, such as marzipan pigs, horseshoes, and chocolate

coins.

The Epiphany (6 January) shares the same date as a special day called the

Perchtenlauf. Fasching is the Austrian equivalent to Mardi Gras, Carnival, or Fastnacht.

Fasching, which immediately precedes Lent, offers opportunity for an indulgent

celebration before the fasting and solemnity associated with Lent.