CULTURE SHoCK!!!!!!?

Question

I am 14 years old and am going to be staying with a family in Salzburg, Austria for three days as part of a global understanding program. Are there any kind of "culture shock" things I should know about? For example, maybe it's considered rude to... I don't know, make your bed when, uh, the "lady of the house" is present, or anything like that. Please respond! I want to be the best guest I can be!

Answer 1

Here's a few culture tips I found on a website.

simply "wave" goodbye to all.

Austrians may be offended by gentle teasing or sarcasm.

Good topics of conversation include international politics (be sure you know what you're talking about!), sports, especially skiing and music. Avoid topics like age, religion, divorce, and money.

If you make invitations, be prepared to carry them out. If you are invited, be prepared to accept and go.

If you are invited to dinner, be punctual!

Do not feel obliged to drink alcohol. You will not be pressured to drink alcohol, especially if you are driving, because drunk driving laws are strict.

If you do drink alcohol with an Austrian look them in the eye when toasting.

Never drop by a home uninvited. The customary visiting hour is 3:00 p.m. Always phone first to ask if it is convenient. Expect to be served coffee and cake.

Austrians do not necessarily queue up for buses, etc. In public, there can be much pushing and jostling. They do not yield when you say, "excuse me" -they are determined to be served and to be taken seriously once they have made decisions.

In restaurants, you can be seated with strangers at tables, if individual tables are not available. Water is usually mineral water.

Do not take it personally if in larger towns waiters in restaurants are sometimes quite short.

Pay attention to when shops are open and closed. The hours can vary and the definition of "customer service" may begin and end with an efficient fulfillment of your request.

Formal vs. informal pronoun ('du' and 'Sie'). Use formal pronoun when talking to people older than you. At universities however, 'du' is fairly frequent even with teaching staff. Watch German students.

Title and last name: Title is important, though in business communication rather than in private meetings
Shaking hands is the established form of greeting. Take your other hand out of your pocket and look into the person's eyes
Say 'hello', 'Guten Tag' ('Good Day') or 'Grüß Gott' (typical Austrian greeting) when you enter a (small) shop

Punctuality: This cliché is true, try to be punctual or apologise if not - though some people believe in being a tad late (max. 5-10 minutes depending on the meeting point) for dinner invitations and they are considered to be social outlaws
Dinner-invitations: be punctual and bring a small gift (flowers or a bottle of wine) when dining at someone's home

Table manners: Say 'Mahlzeit' or 'Guten Appetit' before eating. Keep your hands but not your elbows on top of the table.
In restaurants and bars a tip is not included in the bill. Staff will expect about 10%

Answer 2

I'm assuming you are from the United States? I think you'll find that the culture differences between the culture you're used to and Austrian culture are pretty small. In general, just keep your eyes open and notice how people treat each other. Be respectful and I think you'll be fine. Austrians are pretty aware of what's going on culturally in America and if they are willing to host an American student I think they'll be sympathetic to any differences that exist. I hope you have a great time!

Answer 3

Don't know specifically. In general, follow your own understanding of etiquette - be polite & nice to everyone, don't make fun of anyone, listen respectfully to elders, address elders respectfully (Mrs. or whatever they tell you to call them), elbows off table, don't chew w/ mouth open - you know how to act. If you let kindness be your guide, you can't really go wrong. Even if you made a faux pas, it would be understood & forgiven because it was made with kindness.

Answer 4

Be yourself, be polite, if they speak another language try to pick up a few words - like: please, thank you, excuse me, thank you for having me, etc. Show an interest in them and their culture. Have a great time and just relax and enjoy the holiday :)

Answer 5

You should behave the way your mother has always told you to behave.