As a Communication major, I am constantly noticing the differences between my home culture and the culture I am currently spending my time in. Here are some of the most prominent differences I have observed between Austrian and American culture.
1. Cafe visits are intended to relax and re-energize.
In America, there are very few local or non-franchise cafes left. Additionally, most people in the states spend their time in cafes either glued to their phones or computer screens. In America, people are concerned with maximizing their time for working purposes. In Austria, cafes are the hype of social hour. People spend hours in cafes and are not at all concerned with taking their time to indulge in a pastry and coffee.
2. Smaller shopping is key.
In America, super stores like Costco, Sam's Club, and Walmart are intended to persuade consumers to buy their groceries in bulk. In Austria, grocery stores are about one-tenth the size of American stores, and the shelves of these stores feature less selection. So instead of buying a boatload of groceries for the week, it is common to buy food for the day and restock once that food is gone.
3. Conversations are cut-and-dry.
Americans often "sugar coat" their conversations using praises and compliments to avoid confrontation and to make the other person feel less critiqued (even if they need constructive criticism). In Austria, there is no sugar-coating whatsoever. If an Austrian doesn't like something, they will tell you. If they disagree, they make it known. There is no beating around the bush. There is no small talk. All conversations are business as usual.
4. Work comes after play.
Americans are constantly juggling their work-life balance. In America, people work eight in the morning until four in the afternoon and then come home to check their emails or other electronic communication from work. In Austria, people usually get to work around ten in the morning and leave work around three in the afternoon. Austrians do not let their work schedules dictate their lives. They get in, get the job done, and come home.
5. Pets are more well-behaved than their owners.
In America, most people have at least one pet. But when Americans walk their dogs, they are often caught trying to discipline them to not bark or pull them into going somewhere they shouldn't. In Austria, almost everyone has a dog, and it is not uncommon for people to have multiple dogs under one roof. These dogs are extremely behaved because of an Austria law stating that if a dog does as much as give an unwelcome lick to another human, the dog could be put down on the spot. So instead, dogs are so in love with their owners, they obey them to all ends.
Both Austrian and American cultures value hard work and disclipline in different ways. Both Americans and Austrians like to relax and indudlge in their favorite pass times. While both countries are similar, they each possess their own set of norms and values that are important to keep in mind before visiting.
