Leslie Massey
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe, sharing borders with eight other countries. This has resulted in a rich cultural history, with influences from its neighbours, as well as its time as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The country has a strong Catholic tradition, though daily life and legislation are strictly secular. Austria is known for its art, music, food, and nature-loving traditions. The official language is German, though each region has its own dialect, and there are several recognised minority languages. Austrians are known for their love of rich food and drink, with a strong coffee culture and a long winemaking tradition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Classical music | Gemütlichkeit (warmth or happiness) |
| Folk music | Cooperation |
| Baroque architecture | Formality |
| Coffee culture | Punctuality |
| Winter sports | Orderliness |
| Alpine traditions | Thoroughness |
| History of interaction between Celtic, Roman, Slavic and Germanic peoples | Socialising |
| History of strong Catholicism | Warm-heartedness |
| German as the dominant language | Liveliness |
| Alpine plants like edelweiss | Direct communication |
| Diversity in dialects | Modesty |
| Rich food and drink | Pride in appearance |
| Variety of festivals, customs and traditional events |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian art, music, and literature
Art
Austria has produced several renowned artists over the centuries, with the country's imperial past providing a significant influence on its artistic heritage. The country boasts stunning castles, palaces, monasteries, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, museums, and galleries. The capital, Vienna, is particularly known for its art and architecture. The city is home to the world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings at the Belvedere, with 24 golden paintings by the artist on display. Vienna was also a centre for the Art Nouveau movement, known as the "Vienna Secession" in German-speaking regions, producing several illustrious modern Austrian painters, including Oskar Kokoschka, Alfred Kubin, and Egon Schiele. Other notable Austrian artists include Friedensreich Hundertwasser, whose abstract paintings recall the Vienna Secession, and Fritz Wotruba, a preeminent figure in Austrian sculpture after 1945.
Music
Music is highly valued in Austria, with the country known for its contributions to classical music, particularly during the Classical and Romantic periods. Vienna, in particular, has been an important centre of musical innovation, attracting composers such as Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, and Johann Strauss II during the 18th and 19th centuries. The city remains a hub for classical music, hosting renowned events such as the annual New Year's Concert at the Vienna Musikverein and the Vienna Opera Ball at the Vienna State Opera. Beyond classical music, Austria has a diverse musical landscape, including folk music traditions like yodelling and "Stubenmusik" from the Alpine regions, electronic music artists like Christian Fennesz and Parov Stelar, and metal bands like Belphegor and Hollenthon.
Literature
Austrian literature has been influenced by the country's diverse regional traditions and languages. During the Middle Ages, travellers and bards brought new influences to the homogeneous zone along the Danube River, while the isolated valleys of the Alps developed their own unique cultural traditions. The Enlightenment, which began around 1720, had a significant impact on Austrian literature, with a focus on philosophy and the educational role of literature. Austrian writers have gained international recognition, including Nobel Prize winner Elfriede Jelinek, as well as Ilse Aichinger, Ingeborg Bachmann, Thomas Bernhard, and Peter Handke. Distinctly Austrian literary styles emerged in the late 19th century, with writers like Hermann Bahr, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, and Arthur Schnitzler capturing the sensibilities of the time.
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Austrian food and drink
Austrian food culture is heavy on proteins and carbohydrates, with beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and goose being the most popular meats. Game is also widely consumed, as Austrians were traditionally avid hunters. Many Austrian dishes use the entire animal, including offal, snout, and trotters. In addition to meat, Austrian cuisine features a variety of root vegetables, dumplings, and cheeses.
Some of the most famous Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel, a thin slice of breaded and fried veal or pork; Tafelspitz, boiled beef in broth served with minced apples and horseradish; and Apple Strudel, thin layers of dough filled with spiced apples. Other notable mentions are Kaiserschmarrn, shredded pancakes with plum compote; Sauerbraten, a traditional German pot roast; and Bosna or Bosner, a spiced bratwurst in a hot dog roll.
When it comes to drinks, coffee is an essential part of Austrian culture. Viennese coffee house culture is so renowned that it is recognised by UNESCO. Austrians often invite friends or neighbours over for coffee and cake, similar to the British tradition of afternoon tea. Various coffee styles are served, including Italian ones like cappuccino, espresso, and latte, as well as Austrian variations like Mokka and Kleiner Schwarzer, similar to espresso but extracted more slowly.
In addition to coffee, Austrians also consume a variety of other beverages. Beer is widely popular, with craft beer locations and local breweries scattered across the country. The national drink of Austria is considered to be Almdudler, a soft drink made with mountain herbs. Austria is also the birthplace of Red Bull, the well-known energy drink. Lastly, Austria produces a range of wines, including vibrant and lively wines from the Kamptal region and fruity red wines from the Burgenland region.
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Austrian language and dialects
Austria's official language is High German, with about 8 million native speakers. However, each region also has its own dialect, and about 250 languages are spoken throughout the country. German is the lingua franca, used in the media, schools, and formal announcements. The variety of German used in Austria, Austrian German, is partially influenced by Austro-Bavarian, which is the main dialect outside Vorarlberg. In less formal situations, Austrians use Bavarian and Alemannic dialects, which are traditionally spoken but rarely written.
Alemannic, or Swiss German, is spoken by about 300,000 people, mostly in Vorarlberg. Vorarlberg uses a High Alemannic dialect, the same dialect group spoken in northern Switzerland and parts of southern Alsace, France. To most German speakers, it is very difficult to understand. The dialect in Vorarlberg is linguistically and culturally more similar to German-speaking Switzerland and Baden-Württemberg or Swabia in southwest Germany.
Austro-Bavarian has no official orthography, but there are literary efforts, especially in poems, to depict the sound of the pronunciation in the spelling. Some phrases in Austro-Bavarian include "Griaß God" ("greet God" or "may God greet you"), "Servus/Servas" ("at your service"), and "Pfiat di / Pfiat eich (euch)" ("watch over you [God]" or "may God watch over you"), which means "goodbye".
Austrian German has its origins in the mid-18th century, when Empress Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II introduced compulsory schooling in 1774 and implemented several reforms in their multilingual Habsburg Empire. The written standard at the time was Oberdeutsche Schreibsprache (Upper German written language). Since 1951, the standardized form of Austrian German for official governmental use and in schools has been defined by the Österreichisches Wörterbuch ("Austrian Dictionary").
There are many official terms that differ in Austrian German from their usage in most parts of Germany. For example, "Jänner" is used for "January" instead of "Januar", and "Stiege" for "stairs" instead of "Treppen". There are also many administrative, legal, and political terms that differ, as well as food terms.
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Austrian history and its influence
Austrian culture has been influenced by its rich and varied history. The area now known as Austria has been inhabited since the Paleolithic period, with the first traces of human settlement dating from the Lower Paleolithic period (Old Stone Age). In ancient times, the area was occupied by the Hallstatt Celtic culture, who organised as the Celtic kingdom of Noricum. This was followed by annexation by the Romans in the late 1st century BC, Christianisation in the 4th and 5th centuries, and occupation by the Bavarii, a Germanic people, in the 6th century.
The name 'Austria' has been in use since 996 AD, when it was a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria. Austria was an independent duchy (later archduchy) of the Holy Roman Empire from 1156 until 1806. During this period, it was dominated by the House of Habsburg and House of Habsburg-Lorraine from 1273 to 1918. The Habsburgs played a significant role in shaping Austrian culture, particularly in the field of music. Under their patronage, Vienna became a centre of musical innovation and the European capital of classical music in the 18th and 19th centuries. Composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johann Strauss Jr. were associated with the city.
Austria's history as a multinational state has also influenced its culture. As part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria adopted dishes from Italy and Eastern Europe, such as wiener schnitzel and goulash. The country's official language is High German, but each region has its own dialect, and other languages such as Turkish, Serbian, Slovene, Croatian, and Hungarian are also spoken.
Austria's history has also been marked by periods of conflict and political change. The country was involved in several wars with Prussia in the 18th and 19th centuries, and was annexed to Germany by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler in 1938. After World War II, Austria became an independent republic again in 1955 and joined the European Union in 1995.
Overall, Austria's history has shaped its culture in numerous ways, from its cuisine and language to its art and music. The country's diverse historical influences have contributed to its rich and unique cultural heritage.
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Austrian work culture and etiquette
Austria is a country with a rich culture shaped by various influences. Austrian culture is characterised by strong traditions, a love of nature, a rich musical history, and a unique cuisine. Austrian work culture follows certain rules and behaviours, and there are some key differences that are important to know as an expat.
Austrians place a high value on punctuality. Being on time for meetings, appointments, and deadlines is crucial to building trust and respect with colleagues. Punctuality is seen as a sign of professionalism and is essential for portraying a high level of professionalism. If you are running late, it is respectful to notify your colleagues in advance. Austrians are also known for their strong work ethic and efficiency. Meetings are typically scheduled in advance, and cancellations or rescheduling may be seen as an inconvenience. The standard workday is eight hours, with a one-hour break for lunch.
Austrians value a healthy work-life balance and do not view working late as a marker of ambition or enthusiasm. Instead, they may perceive it as poor time management or low performance. There is a noticeable divide between work and play, with business socialising being more formal than in some other European countries. Social events outside of work are often considered networking opportunities rather than casual drinks.
When it comes to business etiquette, Austrians follow strict rules of protocol, and communication is generally formal. First impressions are important, and you will be judged on your clothing and demeanour. Austrians take pride in dressing well and conservatively, even when dressed informally. Business dress is typically understated and follows European conventions, with dark-coloured, conservative business suits, solid-coloured ties, and white shirts.
Austrians show deference to people in authority, and it is important to understand the hierarchical structure within the organisation. Business structures tend to remain traditional, with senior management making decisions with little input from lower-tier employees.
English is widely spoken in many workplaces, but German is the dominant language in Austria. Learning German will not only help with communication but also demonstrate a commitment to integrating into the local culture. It is also important to be mindful of neighbourly etiquette, as Austrians value neatness and tidiness in common areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrian German is the official language of Austria, though each region has its own dialect.
Austrian food has been influenced by Italy and Eastern Europe. Popular dishes include wiener schnitzel, sausages, and goulash. For dessert, apple strudel and sachertorte are local favourites.
Vienna, the capital city of Austria, has long been an important centre of musical innovation. The country has a rich history of composers and musicians, including Mozart, Beethoven, and Johann Strauss. Austrian literature and art often explore deep existential questions and reflect the country's history.
Austrians value politeness, punctuality, and modesty in social interactions. They tend to be direct communicators and maintain eye contact during conversations.
Austrians value preparation, punctuality, and thoroughness in work settings. They appreciate a well-prepared meeting agenda and pay attention to body language and personal space.
