Cultural Insights & Lessons Learned in the Land of Schnitzel & Strudel
As an expat, I’ve had the pleasure (and occasional confusion) of immersing myself in the delightful tapestry of Austrian culture over the past 18 months. From trying to master the intricacies of the German language to remembering to drive on the right-hand side of the road, my journey has been incredibly enriching and delightfully entertaining. I have indeed grown to appreciate this beautiful country’s rich history and traditions.
With this “mini-guide”, I share 30 ways to love living in Austria, insight into what life is like here and what you can expect when visiting for the first time.
So grab your coffee, and let’s start with the beautiful world of Austrian living!
1. Hallo!
Austrians may initially seem reserved, but they’re warm and welcoming once you break the ice. Don’t be afraid to offer a hearty greeting such as “Grüβ Gott” (literally translates to Greet God – how beautiful is that?) or “Servus” to a passerby—it’s the Austrian way! So much for the years of my mother telling me not to speak to strangers!
2. Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
Austrians have their unique dialects and slang. Austrian German can leave other speakers of German scratching their heads. I often feel like we’re learning two new languages here. In German, a kiss is ein Kuss, while in Austrian, it’s called ein Busserl. Or plums are Zwetschgen and not the German Pflaume, and I’ve always known a small bag to be eine Tasche, but in Austria, it’s ein Sackerl…
This is what makes learning the language just a bit more difficult!
3. Water, Coffee, and Beer
Austrians sincerely appreciate their liquid refreshments, each with its place in the cultural tapestry. Whether indulging in the crisp alpine water from a bubbling Brunnen, savouring a robust Kleiner Schwarzer at a cosy café, or raising a cool halbe of beer at a quaint Stübel, Austria offers a drink for every moment.
4. A Day of Rest
Sundays in Austria are sacred days of rest (as they are in many European countries). Coming from South Africa, this was probably the biggest (yet most welcomed) culture shock. It is a day when everyone, from the most significant cities to the smallest villages, seems to collectively breathe a sigh of relief. What a beautiful day for slow mornings and resounding church bells—a quintessential part of the experience.
5. Kartoffel or Erdäpfel
Po-tay-to or po-tah-to. Erdäpfel are potatoes, and they are the main side dish accompaniment to most dishes. Feel like a delicious Wienerschnitzel? With potatoes! How about a salad? Yup, with potatoes! Potato dumplings, Erdäpfelgulasch, and Pommes, are made from the wholesome spud.
6. The Sound of Cowbells
In rural Austria, where we live, the gentle tinkling of cowbells is a familiar soundtrack to daily life. Embrace the pastoral charm and stroll through the countryside, where you’ll undoubtedly encounter a few friendly and very pretty-looking bovines along the way.
7. Mountain Hut Hospitality
After a long day of hiking or skiing, there’s nothing quite like cosying up in a rustic mountain hut with a steaming bowl of Goulash and a mug of Glühwein. Just be prepared to share your table with fellow adventurers worldwide. My favourite has been a summer mountain hike, where I enjoyed an ice-cold beer and a Brettljause at one of the mountain huts—an incredible and memorable experience.
8. Nature – The Great Outdoors
With its breathtaking alpine vistas and crystal-clear lakes and streams, Austria is a nature lover’s paradise. There is absolutely nothing more refreshing than cooling off in the invigorating mountain waters on a hot summer’s day! Check out our visit to Faaker See on Instagram. The lakes are popular summertime holiday destinations.
9. Winter Sports
Coming from a country where we’re used to rugby when the snow starts to fall, Austrians hit the slopes. The closest I’ve ever come to skiing is bum-boarding down the slopes of the garden with my children – I wonder if I’m afraid of the cold, the fall, or both. Skiing is a significant part of Austrian life. Whether shredding powder on a snowboard or gracefully carving turns on skis, Austria attracts millions of tourists yearly.
10. Shoes off!
Unlike back home in SA, where kids run barefoot outside and you wear your shoes inside the house when visiting other people’s homes, it’s customary to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home in Austria. Thus, homes are kept clean, and floors free from dirt and debris. Just make sure your socks are hole-free before making yourself at home.
11. Rules and Respect
Austrians take rules seriously! This is one of the most significant differences between South Africa and Austria. You’ll know what I mean if you’ve ever been to SA. Whether it’s queueing politely, respecting quiet hours, or obeying traffic laws, mind your P’s and Q’s or risk the disapproving glares of your neighbours! (Like we did when we first arrived, mowing the lawn on a Sunday is not a good idea.)
12. Bare All
Austrians have a very relaxed attitude towards nudity, especially in spa and sauna areas and during summer swims. Be prepared for some unexpected encounters with birthday suits while enjoying the great outdoors! Swimming at the bach (stream) in the summer was an eye-opening experience for my children, who politely tried not to look while they looked. On a holiday to Austria in around 2004, I nearly went over the side of the mountain path while out cycling with my husband when I first encountered the bare bathers! Also, it is a case of looking while trying to avoid it.
13. Sauna Etiquette
Austrians take their saunas seriously, adhering to strict rules of etiquette. Prepare to disrobe and sweat it out in silence. See above.
14. The Art of Gemütlichkeit
There is no direct translation for this quintessentially Austrian concept. It intertwines warm hospitality, rustic charm, and festivity, inviting you to savour the simple joys of life nestled in the heart of the mountains.
15. The Intricacies of Austrian Bureaucracy
It’s probably the scariest thing about Austria, especially for expats with limited German vocabulary. Navigating the bureaucracy of Austrian government offices can be a daunting task. Arm yourself with patience, perseverance, and the correct (heaps of) paperwork, and you’ll emerge victorious!
16. Cash is King
Despite living in a world of contactless payments, Austrians still believe in the adage: nur Bargeld. Want to buy a semmel at the local bakery? Cash. A beer at the corner stübel? Cash. Even some coffee shops will give you a quizzical look if you try to pay with anything other than good old-fashioned bills and coins. This happened today and left me red-faced as I searched for an ATM. Lesson: Make sure you keep a stash of cash on hand in Österreich – cash reigns supreme!
17. Afternoon Coffee and Cake
Austria is famous for its coffee and delicious cakes. So, afternoons are reserved for Kaffee und Kuchen, a leisurely ritual of sipping coffee and indulging in decadent cakes. Coffee served at coffee shops is always accompanied by a glass of water, which is only sometimes experienced in SA. Calories don’t count when you walk to and from the coffee shop, so go ahead and indulge.
18. Speedy Checkout
This should be a national sport! I’ve never seen anyone scan through groceries as quickly as the ladies working at the grocery store checkout! Be prepared to pack your bags or cart with the same lightning speed, or risk holding up the line and standing out as a foreigner.
19. Recycle
Austrians are champions of sustainability, with strict recycling protocols in place. Everything from plastic to paper to glass gets recycled in its bin and has to be taken to the recycling centres for disposal. No leaving out the recycling all in one bag on the pavement. Even compostable food waste has its own bin and collection day.
20. Coffeehouse Culture
Yes, it’s a thing. In bigger cities like Vienna or Linz, coffeehouses are more than places to grab a caffeine fix; they’re hubs of social activity and intellectual discourse. Spend an afternoon lingering over a slice of Sachertorte and engaging in lively conversation with the locals. In the countryside, it’s common to see gatherings of friends and elders outside the coffee shops savouring the sunshine in the summer and enjoying an ice-cold beer instead. A coffee shop will always have a beer, too.
21. Explicit Language on Radio
Don’t be shocked if you hear a colourful word or two while tuning in to your favourite radio station. Austrian radio plays full versions of songs, no matter what words rhyme with fit, duck, or specs! The kids think it’s hilarious. Of course.
22. Take a Hike
Quite literally! Or a swim. Or a cycle. Austrians have a good work-life balance, and keeping fit is a priority. With its breathtaking alpine vistas and crystal-clear lakes, Austria is a nature-loving fitness fanatic’s paradise. We’ve enjoyed many walks, cycles, and hikes in our mountainous backyard, and the many hiking trails and lakes make for a selection of choice for any visitor!
23. Cultural Festivals
From the world-famous Vienna Opera Ball to quaint village celebrations like the scary Krampuslauf, Austria knows how to throw a party! Beerfests, Christmas markets, or carnival celebrations—there is always a reason to celebrate.
24. Fasching Celebrations
Austrians take Carnival season seriously, with colourful parades, elaborate costumes, and raucous celebrations filling the streets. I have never seen anything quite like it. Even our little village comes alive.
25. Churches
I wait daily for the 7 o’clock church bells to echo through the mountains and admire the beautiful buildings and architecture. Almost every village has an ornate church dotting the landscape. Austria is deeply rooted in Catholic traditions, and most public holidays and traditions are built around those traditions.
26. Walk to School
There are so many new things to take in as an expat, but watching children freely and safely walk to and from school was probably the biggest shock in terms of safety. Fresh air before and after school, making friends along the way, and knowing that the community watches out for one another! It’s just trying to get the kids out of bed in time, especially during winter.
27. Distinct Seasons
Coming from a country with approximately 200 sunny days a year, we had a rough time during our first Austrian winter. It’s truly phenomenal, though, watching the flowers bloom in spring, seeing the golden colours of the leaves shimmer in autumn, and seeing a thick blanket of snow cover the ground in winter. As quickly as I was excited to see snow for the first time, I was also eager for the spring flowers to bloom again.
28. The Magic of Advent
The weeks leading up to Christmas in Austria are magical, with festive markets, twinkling lights, and the aroma of Glühwein and cinnamon filling the air. Embrace the cosy atmosphere as you wander through the stalls, sipping mulled wine and admiring handcrafted ornaments and nativity scenes. Markets like these are where you realise how many people live in the village!
29. Make Friends
It has been challenging to make friends. Austrians are pretty reserved and conservative and have a circle of friends that they’ve formed since childhood. According to a quick Google search, Austrians are considered the unfriendliest locals worldwide. This can be sort of true. We’ve experienced some amiable and welcoming people and made a small group of local friends. However, we’ve also met some people who are next-level grumpy. I’m putting it down to seasonal depression because, honestly, Austria is a fantastic country to live in.
30. Tracht
Traditional clothing like dirndls and lederhosen is generally worn for special occasions. Often, though, I spot an Opa on his porch in his lederhosen and tirolerhut, and it makes me really feel like I’m in Austria. Dressing in traditional attire is great fun for any special celebration, especially a local beer fest!
– Franz Grillparzer –
In Austria, everything has a history, and everyone has a story.
As my time in Austria continues, I look forward to discovering even more delightful quirks and traditions that make it so unique! From the majestic mountains to the charming villages—a far cry from anything like South Africa (you can read more about here)—Austria is slowly capturing a piece of my heart.
Pfiat di!
AUSTRIA | 30 CULTURAL INSIGHTS | LESSONS LEARNED | EXPAT LIVING | EXPAT
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