A Guide To Austrian Etiquette And Manners

Austria is a Federal Republic with a diverse political landscape, and its people are generally conservative, prudent, and moderate in their behaviour. Austrians are sticklers for punctuality, and it is considered rude to be late for social events or appointments. In Austria, it is also important to address people with the correct titles and last names, unless invited to do otherwise. Austrians are proud of their homes, and only close friends and family are invited inside. When visiting someone's home, it is customary to bring a small gift, such as flowers or chocolates. Tipping is very important in Austria, and it is customary to leave around 10% of the bill. When dining, it is polite to wait for everyone to be served before starting to eat, and to keep your hands on the table, but not your elbows. Austrians are also very well-dressed, so it is important to keep your appearance neat and tidy.

Greeting people: Say hello when entering shops, buses, etc. Greet sales staff and waiters

Greeting people is an important aspect of Austrian culture and social norms. When entering shops, buses, or any smaller space with people, it is customary to greet people with a simple "Guten Tag" or "Grüß Gott" (God bless you). Greeting sales staff and waiters is also common practice. Austrians tend to greet sales people when entering and leaving stores, and it is considered rude not to do so.

While German is the official language of Austria, with 98% of Austrians speaking it natively, English is widely spoken in Vienna, and you may come across people who speak Croatian, Slovenian, and Hungarian in certain regions. Learning a few simple German phrases, such as "Grüß Gott", "Danke" (thank you), and "Bitte" (please) can be helpful and show respect for the local culture.

In addition to verbal greetings, Austrians also follow certain non-verbal customs when greeting people. When meeting someone, it is customary to shake hands and make eye contact. It is also common to stand up when an elder or higher-ranked person enters the room.

Austrians are generally conservative, prudent, and moderate in their behaviour. They value punctuality and expect people to be on time for meetings, appointments, and social events. When inviting someone to your home, it is customary to offer them the best seat and provide them with something to occupy themselves with if you need to step out of the room.

Punctuality: Being on time is important. Arrive 5-10 minutes early for social events

Punctuality is paramount in Austria, and Austrians value it as a sign of professionalism and efficiency. Being on time for social events is important, and it is advisable to arrive 5-10 minutes early. This shows respect for the host and other guests and indicates that you are a respectful and trustworthy person. Being punctual is also crucial in the Austrian work culture, where being on time for meetings, appointments, and deadlines is essential for building trust and respect with colleagues.

In Austria, meetings are typically scheduled in advance, and cancellations or rescheduling can be inconvenient. Austrians often start their workdays early, with many at their desks by 8 am, and the standard workday is eight hours with an hour-long lunch break. It is worth noting that being late is considered a "no-go" in Austrian work culture. Therefore, if you are running late, it is respectful to notify your colleagues or the host in advance.

Austrians value efficiency and a healthy work-life balance. They do not view working into the night as a marker of ambition but rather as an indication of poor time management or performance. Instead, they purposefully build a divide between work and play, with leisure activities and socializing occurring outside of work hours. This balance is reflected in their daily routines, with coffee breaks providing opportunities to socialize and build relationships outside of work tasks.

When attending social events or entering shops, buses, or other small spaces, it is customary to greet people with a simple "Guten Tag" when entering and a cheerful "Auf Wiedersehen" when leaving. It is also important to dress neatly and conservatively, reflecting the formality of the occasion. Austrians tend to dress up when leaving the house, even for casual gatherings, so it is advisable to opt for dressier attire.

Manners: Keep your hands on the table during dinner, but not your elbows

Austrians are generally conservative, prudent, and moderate in their behaviour. They are also very detail-oriented and want to understand every nuance before coming to an agreement. In a formal culture such as theirs, the home is the place where people relax and let their guard down. Only close friends and relatives are invited inside the house.

When it comes to dining etiquette, it is considered polite to wait for your Austrian host to say "Mahlzeit" or "Guten Appetit" (bon appetit) before starting your meal. It is also important to keep your hands on the table during dinner, but not your elbows. The fork is held in the left hand, and the knife in the right, and it is customary to cut as much of your food with your fork as possible, as this is a compliment to the chef.

If you are invited to an Austrian's home for dinner, it is customary to bring a small gift, such as chocolates or flowers (an odd number, except for 12, as even numbers mean bad luck). Punctuality is highly valued in Austria, so be sure to arrive on time as a sign of respect. It is also common to be shown to a particular seat and to remain standing until invited to sit down.

In terms of dress code, Austrians tend to dress up when leaving the house, even for casual gatherings. Business dress is conservative and follows most European conventions. Men typically wear dark, conservative business suits with white shirts, while women wear business suits or conservative dresses with elegant accessories.

Dress code: Austrians dress up when leaving the house. Smart-casual is the norm

Austrians tend to dress up when leaving the house, even if it's just to hang out with friends. The norm is smart-casual, with an emphasis on dressing neatly and conservatively. While Austrians value presentation and dressing well, they also dislike attracting attention to themselves with ostentatious clothing.

For women, casual dress usually involves dresses, skirts, or pants and sweaters in the winter. Jeans are generally avoided, especially during the day. In the summer, women tend to opt for dresses and skirts, and it is uncommon for women to wear shorts in the city. For business, women typically wear conservative dresses or skirt suits, and elegant accessories. For evening appointments, a suit or dress is recommended.

For men, casual dress typically includes pants and collared shirts. Younger men may wear jeans on occasion, but most other ages do not. For business, men usually dress formally in dark suits with a dress shirt and tie. A sports jacket with trousers and a tie is also considered smart.

In general, Austrians favour dark, solid colours or simple patterns, and it is important to dress appropriately for different situations. Formal wear is expected at the theatre or a concert, while semi-formal wear is typical for nicer restaurants. Some high-level events may have a strict dress code. It is also important to consider the season when dressing for Austria, as the summer months can be hot, while the winters are extremely cold.

Tipping: Tip around 10% in restaurants. Round the bill up to the nearest whole number

Tipping culture in Austria is similar to that of other European countries. While service charges are usually included in bills for taxis, restaurants, and other areas, tips are still appreciated by servers. In fact, it is considered a part of the culture. However, servers will rarely ask for a tip.

When tipping, it is customary to leave around 10% of the bill. If you are paying a small bill (under €100), it is common to round up to the nearest whole number. For instance, if your bill is €12.60, you would pay €13. If you are paying a larger bill, it is customary to tip more than 10%. It is important to note that you should tip more if you receive exceptional service.

When paying by card, you can ask the server to add a tip to the total. Alternatively, you can simply pay the bill and leave some cash as a tip. Tipping is not expected for takeaway food or at self-service restaurants.

Frequently asked questions