Damon Mcknight
When visiting a foreign country, it is always useful to know how to count in the local language. In Austria, it is common to use your forefinger to indicate the number one, rather than your thumb. This is similar to the custom in France. While it may not be essential to know the local gestures for numbers, it can be helpful when communicating with locals, especially when ordering food or drinks, or when trying to pay a bill.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method of counting | Holding up one finger for one, and so on |
| Holding up the thumb | Not used to indicate the number one |
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What You'll Learn
Holding up one finger indicates one of something
Holding up one finger to indicate the number one is a common gesture in Austria. This is similar to many other countries, where the thumb is not typically used to indicate one of something. In Austria, the thumb is not commonly used to signify the number one, and using one finger is easily understood.
This is particularly useful when travelling, as language barriers can be an issue. When ordering food or drinks, holding up one finger is a clear way to indicate "one of something". For example, if you are ordering one beer, you could hold up one finger to indicate your order. However, it is worth noting that in some countries, including Austria, holding up one finger when ordering a drink may be interpreted as a request to pay the bill. This is because the gesture can be associated with the number one, which could mean "the bill" or "the tab" in some contexts.
In tourist areas, such as popular destinations in Austria, locals are often accustomed to a variety of different gestures and signals from visitors, so there is less likelihood of misunderstanding. However, it is always helpful to learn some basic phrases and numbers in the local language to avoid any potential confusion. Knowing how to say "one", "two", and "three" in the language of the country you are visiting can make a big difference and may help you feel more confident when navigating unfamiliar surroundings.
In Austria, it is also important to be aware of the local customs and etiquette. Austrians are known for their adherence to rules and regulations, and it is considered polite to be quite formal with people until you know them well. This formality extends to addressing people by their first name only when you have an established level of familiarity.
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Holding up your forefinger when ordering a beer may be interpreted as wanting to pay the bill
When ordering a beer in Austria, it is important to be aware of the local customs and practices to avoid any misunderstandings. While holding up your forefinger to indicate the number one is common in some countries, this gesture may be interpreted differently in Austria, particularly in Vienna.
In Austria, holding up your forefinger when ordering a beer could potentially be misinterpreted as a request to pay the bill. This is because the gesture of holding up one finger can sometimes be associated with requesting the bill or indicating a desire to settle a payment. This interpretation may be more common in formal settings or traditional establishments. However, it is worth noting that in touristy areas, staff may be accustomed to various gestures from visitors, so the gesture may be less likely to be misunderstood.
To avoid any confusion, it is generally recommended to use the standard local practices for ordering and paying. In Vienna, for example, most places to eat and drink, including pubs and bars, provide table service and take orders at the table. If you wish to order a single beer, you can simply catch the serving staff's eye and use a verbal request or hold up one finger to indicate "one" without any risk of ambiguity.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the Viennese are known for their adherence to regulations. Therefore, it is advisable to follow local customs and practices when dining out or ordering drinks. For instance, it is considered impolite to cross a road when the pedestrian signal is red, even if there is no traffic, as doing so could result in a fine. Similarly, addressing someone by their first name is typically reserved for close acquaintances.
While holding up your forefinger for ordering a beer may sometimes be interpreted as wanting to pay the bill, this is not a cause for significant concern. Learning some basic phrases, such as how to ask for the bill in German ("zahlen bitte"), can also help ensure a smooth dining experience and reduce potential misunderstandings.
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Austrians are very regulation-compliant
This compliance also extends to other aspects of daily life, such as the use of hand gestures. For instance, holding up your forefinger when ordering a beer could be misinterpreted as a request to pay the bill. While this may not be a life-or-death situation, it highlights the importance of understanding non-verbal cues in Austrian culture. It is beneficial to learn the basic numbers in the local language to avoid confusion in various situations, such as when ordering food or drinks.
Austrians' regulation-compliance is further demonstrated in their history of voting to uphold certain laws. Notably, in 2013, Austrians voted in a referendum to maintain compulsory military service, showcasing their respect for the law and their willingness to participate in the democratic process to shape their country's policies.
Additionally, Austria has a history of imperial power and nobility, which has likely influenced the culture of compliance with rules and formalities. The country's strategic position in Central Europe has also contributed to its enduring strategic significance, which may have fostered a culture of adhering to regulations to maintain stability.
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Austrians are a little formal
Austrians are known to be a little formal. This is reflected in their greetings, which are formal and typically consist of a quick, firm handshake. Austrians are also very direct and blunt, which is not considered rude but rather a way to move the discussion forward. They are serious and focused on accomplishing business objectives and tend to have little time for joking or small talk in the office. Communication is formal and follows strict rules of protocol. For instance, you should always use the formal word for 'you' ('sie') unless invited to use the informal 'du'.
Austrians are also very compliant with regulations. For example, they would never cross the road when the pedestrian signal is red, even if there is no traffic. They are also very punctual and take this extremely seriously. If you are running late for a meeting, it is important to call ahead and offer an explanation. Additionally, queuing is a big part of daily life in Austria, and failing to join a queue when one is present may result in some stern words and dirty looks.
Austrians are well-groomed and dress elegantly and conservatively. Appearances and first impressions matter, and you will be judged on your clothing and demeanour. There is sometimes a strict protocol for dressing appropriately for different situations, such as formal wear for the theatre or a concert, and semi-formal wear for nicer restaurants. Some high-level events may even have a dress code and will turn away patrons who are not dressed appropriately.
Austrians are also very respectful of authority and show deference to people in positions of power. They are interested in any advanced university degrees you may have as well as the amount of time your company has been in business.
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Learn how to say the numbers in the local language
German is an official language in Austria, so if you're looking to learn how to count in Austrian German, this guide will help you get started.
Firstly, it's important to learn the basics, from 1 to 10. These numbers are essential as they are the building blocks for all larger numbers. The numbers are: eins, zwei, drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht, neun, zehn. You might notice that some of these are similar to English, such as 'null' for zero, 'eins' for one, and 'zwei' for two.
Next, you can move on to the teens (elf, zwölf, etc.) and the multiples of 10 (zwanzig, dreißig, etc.). The teens follow a pattern, with the single-digit number combined with 'zehn', meaning ten. So, thirteen is 'dreizehn', and fifteen is 'fünfzehn'. For multiples of ten, simply add "zig" to the end of the first four letters of the numbers from 4 to 9. For example, forty is 'vierzig', and fifty is 'fünfzig'.
Once you've mastered these, you can start combining them to count up to 100! For example, 25 follows the formula: ones + und (and) + tens, so it is fünfundzwanzig. When saying numbers out loud, such as phone numbers or addresses, each digit is said separately using its German name.
Finally, when counting to the hundreds and thousands, the pattern is as follows: firstly, say the digit in the hundreds or thousands place, then add 'hundert' (for hundred) or 'tausend' (for thousand), and then say the remaining number in the tens and ones places. So, 567 is fünfhundertsiebenundsechzig, and 2,350 is zweitausenddreihundertfünfzig.
With these tips, you'll be counting in Austrian German in no time!
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Frequently asked questions
To indicate the number one in Austria, you should hold up your forefinger. Do not use your thumb, as this could be misunderstood as indicating that you want to pay the bill.
The Austrian language is German, so to say "one" in Austrian, you would say "eins".
You can use your fingers to indicate numbers up to five. For larger numbers, you can use your hand to indicate "ten" and then add the number of fingers needed to get to the desired number.
To say the number "two" in Austrian, you would say "zwei". For "three", you would say "drei".
