Lexi Webster
Greeting people in Austria is influenced by the country's culture of formality and etiquette. While Grüß Gott is a common formal greeting, it is also influenced by the setting, with Servus being more appropriate for casual settings and Guten Morgen, Guten Tag, and Guten Abend being used in business settings. Austrians also tend to greet sales staff when entering and leaving shops, and follow queuing etiquette.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Formal greeting | Grüß Gott, Guten Morgen, Guten Tag, Guten Abend, Auf Wiedersehen |
| Informal greeting | Servus, Griaß di, Griaß enk/Griaß eich, Hallo |
| Greeting among friends and family | Tschüss, Pfiat di, Bussi Baba, Wiederschaun |
| Greeting in mountains | Berg heil |
| Greeting on the phone | State your name and company and offer a greeting |
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What You'll Learn
Greeting staff when entering and leaving a shop
- The Importance of Greeting: Austrians consider it good manners to greet sales staff when entering and leaving a shop. This is seen as a sign of respect and politeness. By greeting the staff, you acknowledge their presence and value their service. It is considered impolite to ignore or neglect this social custom.
- Common Greetings: The most common greeting used when entering a shop in Austria is "Grüß dich" or "Grüß gott" (God bless you). "Grüß gott" is the more formal and traditional option, often used in Vienna and other parts of the country. It translates to "May God greet you." Another informal greeting that is commonly used is "Servus," which is derived from the Latin word for "slave" and translates to "your servant." This greeting is suitable for close friends and family as well.
- Other Formal Greetings: If you want to be more formal, you can use greetings such as "Guten Morgen" (good morning) before 10 am, or "Guten Tag" (good day) during the day. "Guten Abend" is appropriate for the evening. These greetings are more formal and can be used in a variety of contexts, including when entering a shop.
- Handshakes and Eye Contact: In Austria, handshakes are commonly used as a form of greeting, especially when meeting someone for the first time or in business settings. A handshake is a sign of respect and formality. Accompany your greeting with eye contact to show sincerity and confidence.
- Titles and Names: Austrians tend to use titles when addressing people, especially in formal settings. In business meetings, use professional titles such as "Doktor" or "Herr" (Mr) followed by the person's surname. First names are generally reserved for friends, family, and people you know well. When introducing yourself, provide your full name or at least your surname.
- Punctuality and Planning: Punctuality is highly valued in Austria. Being on time for appointments, meetings, or social gatherings is expected. If you expect to be late, inform the other party in advance. Similarly, when visiting someone's home, it is considered impolite to show up without prior notice. Call ahead and make plans before visiting someone's residence.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your greetings when entering and leaving a shop in Austria are culturally appropriate and respectful. Greeting shop staff is an integral part of Austrian etiquette, and your efforts to adhere to these customs will be appreciated and noticed by locals.
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Formal and casual greetings
Greeting people correctly is an important aspect of Austrian culture and varies depending on the level of formality and the location.
Formal Greetings
In formal situations, Austrians are likely to use the greeting "Grüß Gott", which literally translates to "God's greeting" and is used to mean "hello". This greeting is especially common in Vienna, where it is considered more formal than "Guten Tag" ("good day"). When answering the phone in a business context, it is also customary to greet the caller with "Guten Morgen" ("good morning"), "Guten Tag", or "Guten Abend" ("good evening"), depending on the time of day.
Casual Greetings
In casual situations, Austrians may use the greeting "Servus", which is appropriate for both "hello" and "goodbye". This greeting is commonly used among friends and family, as well as when hiking or outside the city. Another casual greeting is "Griaß di" (or "Griaß enk/Griaß eich" in the plural), which is often used in combination with other expressions, such as "Bussi Baba" ("kiss, bye") or "Pfiat di", which is the casual version of "Auf Wiedersehen" ("goodbye").
Other Considerations
When greeting someone in Austria, it is important to maintain eye contact and offer a handshake. Austrians also place importance on titles, so when referring to someone directly, it is common to use their title and last name, such as "Herr" ("Mr.") or "Frau" ("Mrs."). Additionally, it is considered good manners to greet sales staff when entering and leaving a shop.
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Greeting friends and family
If you're greeting friends and family in Austria, you have several options for verbal greetings. "Servus" is a Latin-derived informal greeting that translates to "your servant", and it's quite popular among Austrians. "Hallo" and "Griaß di" (or "Griaß enk/Griaß eich" in the plural) are also informal ways to say hello to friends and family. "Grüß Gott", which means "God's greeting" or "May God greet you", is a more formal, religious greeting that is common among the older generation. "Guten Morgen" (good morning) is used before 10 am, and can be shortened to "Morgen" or "Moagn". For the rest of the day, "Grüß Gott" is used, and you can also say "Hallo", "Servus", or "Grüß dich".
When it comes to body language, Austrians tend to be more reserved and formal in social situations. Handshakes are common, especially when meeting someone for the first time or in business settings. However, between family and good friends, women might opt for a light hug or offer two light air kisses on the cheek, also known as a "Bussi".
It's worth noting that Austrians value punctuality and expect people to arrive approximately five to ten minutes before the designated time for social events. Being on time is important, and if you expect to be late, it's polite to inform your Austrian friends or family. Additionally, it's customary to bring flowers, chocolates, alcohol, or a small gift when invited to someone's home.
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Greeting significant others' parents
Greeting your significant other's parents for the first time in Austria can be a daunting experience, but understanding the local customs and etiquette can help you make a good impression. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Formal Greetings are the Norm: Austrian culture typically dictates a certain level of formality in social situations, especially when meeting someone for the first time. Formal verbal greetings such as "Guten Morgen" (good morning), "Guten Tag" (good day), or "Guten Abend" (good evening) are commonly used. Addressing people with titles such as "Herr" (Mr) or "Frau" (Mrs/Ms) along with their last name is also customary.
Handshakes are Common: Austrians often greet each other with handshakes, especially when meeting for the first time. A firm handshake and eye contact are considered good etiquette. However, in more casual settings or between family and close friends, women might greet each other with light hugs or air kisses on the cheek.
Religiously Inspired Greetings: If you want to embrace the local culture, you can use religiously-inspired greetings such as "Grüß Gott," which translates to "Greet God" or "May God greet you." This greeting is commonly used in Austria and is considered more formal than simply saying "Guten Tag."
Informal Greetings: If the setting is more relaxed and casual, you might hear Austrians use informal greetings like "Servus," which is the Latin word for "slave" and translates to "your servant." Another informal greeting is "Hallo" (hello) or "Griaß di" (hello or hello there). These are typically used among family and close friends.
Meeting the Parents: In Austrian culture, it is common for individuals to meet their significant other's parents early on in the relationship, often in a casual manner, such as a family brunch. However, it is considered impolite to show up at someone's home without warning. It is always best to call ahead and make plans before visiting someone's home.
When greeting your significant other's parents in Austria, it is essential to remember that Austrians value formality and politeness. Combining formal greetings with respectful body language and adhering to local customs will help you navigate this important introduction with confidence and ease.
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Greeting people over the phone
Greeting people in Austria is generally quite formal. This is especially true in business meetings, where you should use professional titles such as "Doktor" or "Herr" (Mr). First names are usually reserved for friends and family. When answering the phone in a business context, it is customary to state your name and company, and offer a greeting such as "Guten Morgen" (good morning). This greeting can also be used more generally when greeting people before 10 am, or you could use the shorter "Morgen" or the slang term "Moagn".
Other formal greetings include "Grüß Gott" (a religiously-inspired, traditional greeting) and "Servus" (an informal greeting that can also be used to say goodbye). If you are greeting a group, you can say "Griaß enk/Griaß eich", which is the plural form of the informal greeting "Griaß di".
In Austria, it is considered good manners to greet everyone who enters the room, and it is common practice to stand up when an elder or higher-ranked person enters. When greeting retailers and public service staff, a degree of formality is expected, and you should always greet sales staff when entering and leaving a shop. Austrians tend to be very direct and honest, but this is often balanced with a subtle, cynical sense of humour.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common greeting in Austria is \"Grüß Gott\", which literally means \"God's greeting". \"Guten Tag" is also commonly used.
Yes, "Servus" is a charming greeting used by younger Austrians, and "Griaß di" is used when hiking or outside the city. "Hallo" is also becoming more common.
"Servus" can also be used as a goodbye, as can \"Tschüss\" and \"Pfiat di". "Auf Wiedersehen" is the formal phrase for saying goodbye.
