The Austrians: A Country And Its People

Austrians are the citizens and nationals of Austria. The term Austrian was first used in the 17th or 18th century to refer to the population of Habsburg Austria. Subsequently, it was used to refer to the citizens of the Empire of Austria (1804-1867) and, from 1867 until 1918, to the citizens of Cisleithania.

Historically, Austrians were regarded as Germans and viewed themselves as such. However, after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 and the rise of Nazism, Austrians developed their own separate and distinct national identity. Today, Austrians do not identify as German and are proud of their independent nation.

Austrian history and the Austrian Empire

The Austrian Empire was established in 1804 by Franz II, the last of the Holy Roman Emperors, who proclaimed himself Emperor of Austria as Franz I. This was done in response to the threat of Napoleon's imperialist tendencies, which could have seen the Holy Roman Empire dissolved.

The Austrian Empire was a formalisation of the unofficial Habsburg "empire", which had ruled over various lands for hundreds of years. The Holy Roman Empire was indeed dissolved in 1806, but the Austrian Empire survived, albeit with some losses. The Empire was defeated by Napoleon's forces at the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, and was forced to cede various possessions to the French Emperor and his allies.

Napoleon's establishment of the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806 saw a collection of German states leave the Holy Roman Empire, and Franz abdicated as Holy Roman Emperor. However, he remained Emperor of the Austrian Empire, which he had established two years prior.

The Austrian Empire continued to face territorial losses as a result of ongoing conflicts with France, and the marriage of Napoleon to Franz's eldest daughter, Marie Louise, in 1810, further cemented the French Emperor's influence. Napoleon's eventual defeat allowed the Austrian Empire to regain some of its territories at the famous Congress of Vienna in 1814/1815.

The Austrian Empire became the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1867, following the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, which established a dual monarchy. This was the last phase in the constitutional evolution of the Habsburg monarchy, which had ruled over the Empire. The Empire was dissolved in 1918 following its defeat in World War I, and the Kingdom of Hungary and the First Austrian Republic were established as its successors.

Austrian culture and customs

Language and Communication

Austrian German is the official language of Austria and differs in vocabulary, pronunciation, and some grammar specifics from German as spoken in Germany. It includes unique characters like "ä", "ö", "ü", and "ß", also known as "Umlaute". Austrians tend to communicate less directly than their German neighbours, employing a more polite and diplomatic approach.

Society and Family Values

The family is the basis of Austrian social structure. Families are generally small and closely-knit, with weekends devoted to shared meals and outdoor activities. Dinner is eaten together, and Sundays are often spent visiting grandparents. Austrians take pride in their neat and tidy homes, where they relax and let their hair down.

Etiquette and Manners

Austrians are generally conservative, prudent, and moderate in their behaviour. They are also very punctual. Greetings are formal, usually a quick, firm handshake with eye contact. When entering a room, shake hands with everyone individually, including children. If invited to an Austrian's house, it is customary to bring a small gift of consumables such as chocolates.

Business Culture

Austrians are serious and focused on accomplishing business objectives. There is little joking or small talk in the office. Communication is formal and follows strict rules of protocol. Business attire is conservative, and meetings are formal, adhering to strict agendas.

Food and Drink

Austrian cuisine is derived from the cuisine of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and is influenced by Hungarian, Czech, Jewish, Italian, and other cuisines. It is known for its pastries and sweets, such as Sachertorte, a dense chocolate cake with apricot jam. Wiener Schnitzel, a thin slice of veal coated in breadcrumbs and fried, is another famous dish. Austrians also enjoy coffee, with Vienna being the centre of coffee house culture.

Arts and Music

Austria is particularly known for its classical music, with Vienna becoming a cultural centre during the 18th and 19th centuries, drawing composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Johann Strauss Jr. Austrian folk music includes the popular Viennese Schrammelmusik, played with an accordion and a double-necked guitar. Yodeling, a type of throat singing developed in the Alps, is also part of Austrian musical tradition.

Literature and Philosophy

Austria has a rich literary history, with famous writers including Arthur Schnitzler, Stefan Zweig, and Elfriede Jelinek. Austrian intellectuals have also made significant contributions to philosophy and science, including Sigmund Freud, who revolutionized the understanding of human psychology with his development of psychoanalysis.

Sports and Leisure

Austria is a prime location for skiing, with its mountainous terrain. Other common sports include football, ice hockey, and cycling. Austrians value a healthy work-life balance, with generous vacation allowances, and a culture of spending time with family and enjoying nature.

Austrian language and dialects

The official language of Austria is German, which is also the lingua franca. However, German is used in a variety of dialects across the country, and several minority languages are also spoken.

German is the national official language and is used in the media, schools, and for official announcements. The variety of German used in Austria is Austrian German, which is influenced by Austro-Bavarian. Austrian German is used in formal situations and is the variation used in the media. In less formal situations, Austrians use Bavarian and Alemannic dialects, which are rarely written.

Alemannic is a group of dialects in the Upper German branch of the Germanic family of languages. It is the main dialect in Vorarlberg, Austria's westernmost state, and is also spoken in Northern Switzerland and parts of southern Alsace, France. To most German speakers, it is very difficult to understand.

Outside of Vorarlberg, the primary native language of Austria is Austro-Bavarian, which has approximately 8.3 million speakers in the country. The northeastern parts of Austria, including Vienna, speak Central Austro-Bavarian dialects, while the southern parts speak Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects. Austro-Bavarian differs greatly from Standard German, and Austrian natives speaking it can be very difficult for German speakers from other regions to understand.

Austrians also use some distinct phrases and greetings in Austro-Bavarian, such as "Griaß God" ("may God greet you"), and "Servus/Servas" ("at your service").

In addition to German and its dialects, several minority languages are spoken in Austria, some of which have official status. These include Hungarian, Slovenian, Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Slovak, Romany, and sign language. In districts of Carinthia, Slovene is considered an official language, and in some districts of Burgenland, Hungarian and Croatian have equal status to German as an official language.

Overall, about 250 languages are spoken throughout Austria, and only about 20 languages (apart from official languages) have more than 10,000 speakers.

Austrian food and drink

Austria is known for its rich, flavourful, and hearty dishes, often dominated by meat and carbs. Here are some of the country's most popular foods and drinks:

• Wiener Schnitzel: A thin, breaded, and pan-fried veal cutlet, served with fried potatoes, sour cream, and onions.
• Vienna Sausage: A parboiled sausage made of pork and beef, smoked at low temperatures, and served in a bun or as part of a main dish.
• Knödel: Dumplings that can be sweet or savoury. Sweet knödels are often made with plums, while savoury ones are served as a side dish or in soups.
• Tafelspitz: A traditional dish of boiled beef or veal, served with minced apples, horseradish, or sour cream with chives.
• Tiroler Gröstl: A pan-fried dish of potatoes, chopped beef or pork, butter, onions, and mushrooms, often topped with a fried egg.
• Käsespätzle: Soft egg noodles layered with generous amounts of cheese, usually served with a side salad.
• Potato Gulasch: A spicy stew made with vegetables like potatoes, onions, bell peppers, and sausages, seasoned with hot paprika.
• Kaiserschmarrn: Shredded pancakes topped with jams, sweet sauces, or fruit compotes.
• Sachertorte: A chocolate sponge cake with apricot jam and chocolate glaze.
• Marillenknödel: Dumplings made with potato, cottage cheese, or flour, stuffed with apricot halves.
• Apfelstrudel: A flaky pastry filled with apple, cinnamon, sugar, and raisins.
• Vanillekipferl: Small, crescent-shaped Christmas biscuits made with ground walnuts, flour, butter, and sugar, dusted with vanilla-flavoured icing sugar.
• Einspänner Coffee: A shot of espresso or black coffee topped with whipped cream.
• Austrian Cheese: From soft to hard and mild to tangy, Austrian cheesemakers produce a variety of cheeses, often of organic quality.
• Austrian Wine: The most important wine-producing areas are in Lower Austria, Burgenland, Styria, and Vienna. The Grüner Veltliner grape is particularly notable.
• Schnapps: Spirits made from a variety of fruits, with an alcohol content of up to 60%.

Austrian sports and leisure activities

Austria is a land of mountains and forests, and its landscape is characterised by the majestic peaks of the Austrian Alps. The country's Alpine landscape offers a complex geologic and topographical pattern, with the highest elevation being the Grossglockner, which rises to a height of 12,460 feet (3,798 metres). The Austrian Alps are further divided into northern and southern limestone ranges, composed of rugged mountains, and a softer central range composed of crystalline rocks.

The country's natural landscape lends itself to a variety of sports and leisure activities, which are widely practised by both professionals and amateurs. The most popular sports in Austria are football, alpine skiing, and ice hockey. Due to its mountainous terrain, alpine skiing is a prominent sport in Austria, with around 40% of the population taking part. Austrian athletes such as Annemarie Moser-Pröll, Hermann Maier, and Toni Sailer are regarded as some of the greatest alpine skiers of all time. Similar sports such as snowboarding and ski jumping are also widely enjoyed by Austrians. Bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton are also popular, with a permanent track located in Igls, which has hosted bobsleigh and luge competitions in the Winter Olympics.

In addition to winter sports, Austrians also engage in a variety of summer activities. The country's beautiful landscapes and well-maintained trails offer perfect opportunities for hiking and cycling. Austria's network of hiking trails caters to all levels, from leisurely walks to challenging Alpine climbs. The country's extensive cycle paths, excellent signposting, and bike-friendly infrastructure make cycling a true pleasure.

For water-based activities, Austria's numerous lakes provide ideal conditions for swimming, sailing, and watersports. The lakes in the south of the country are particularly popular holiday destinations, offering a range of leisure activities. The Old Danube and the Neusiedl Lake, near Vienna, are also favoured spots for sailing and surfing.

Horseback riding is another popular pastime in Austria, with the famed Spanish Riding School of Vienna located in the capital city. Motorsport is the third most popular spectator sport, after skiing and football, with the Austrian Grand Prix being a notable event.

Overall, sports and leisure activities in Austria are diverse and cater to a wide range of interests and abilities. The country's natural landscape and well-developed infrastructure support a variety of outdoor pursuits, contributing to a healthy and active lifestyle for Austrians and visitors alike.

Frequently asked questions