15+ Facts About Life in Austria That Confuse Newcomers

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Austria is a tourist-friendly country located in the heart of Europe. It attracts tourists from all over the world who wish to visit famous ski resorts and learn about the country’s rich historical and cultural history. The local landscapes are wonderful and inspiring, and those who have been at least once will undoubtedly wish to return.

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Dogs are permitted in all public areas. They have access to cafes, restaurants, subways, and a variety of other public spaces and modes of transportation. Dogs are normally prohibited in places that have a sign stating so.

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Taxis are not used by them. Although you’d just have to walk for 10 or 15 minutes, it’s common in many regions to just phone a cab or an Uber. In Austria, however, this is not the case. Taking a cab in Austria denotes that you are either very old and unable to walk, or extremely wealthy and unconcerned. / Quora / Jakob-Manuel Krobath

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One of the capital’s calling cards is the Spittelau litter-burning facility. Tourists are taken aback by the building’s appearance: its walls are covered in brilliant mosaics, and its golden tops gleam brightly in the sunlight. Friedensreich Hundertwasser, a well-known Austrian artist, designed it. He was a dedicated environmentalist who only began working on the project after ensuring that the new plant in the heart of Vienna would not affect the environment.

Even if you speak German, you may not be able to comprehend Austrians. You’ll probably get a shocked look if you ask for a “tüte” (German for “bag”) at the checkout. It is more accurate to say sackerl. Though Austrian children are taught German literature in schools, the country’s area contains a diverse range of dialects, which can assist residents determine which city or even district the person they are conversing with is from.They are unable to communicate with one another. Pikabu / Afloat

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Bedspreads are not used by Austrians. When you check into a hotel, you’ll probably notice that your room has a beautifully folded blanket on the bed. There will be no cover on the bed itself. Bedspreads are also uncommon in Austrian houses, but guests or immigrants from other countries, for example, frequently incorporate them into their decor.

Austrians are uncomplicated people. They don’t mince words when it comes to letting you know if something isn’t right with them. When conversing with locals, don’t be surprised if you hear “rude” comments regarding your behaviour or appearance. This is how the Austrian fixation with honesty (which is often misinterpreted as harshness) manifests itself.

“If you ask, ‘Does this outfit make me seem fat?,’ you’ll hear a resounding ‘Yes!’ To many other cultures, Austrians appear to be extremely harsh, yet if what they are saying is accurate, then the Austrian is not being harsh (in their opinion). They are simply stating the facts.” Mariana Bernasconi / Quora / Mariana Bernasconi / Mariana Bernasconi / Mariana Bern

During toasts, it is impolite to look away. When raising glasses, Austrians look deeply into the eyes of those with whom they are toasting. It is thought that breaking this guideline will bring them bad luck. Furthermore, residents regard any deviation from this drinking custom as a sign of disrespect.

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You will be hard pressed to find an Austrian who does not know how to ski. They are trained to ski from an early age by their parents, who take them to ski resorts. Furthermore, they are required to take ski lessons when they are in school. It’s no coincidence that Austrian skiers consistently win the most medals at World and European Championships. “Skiing is an expensive sport, which is why many people only do it once or twice a year.” We still watch the Alpine Ski World Cup together, and it’s just as essential, if not more important, than soccer because we’re good at it. / Quora / Jakob-Manuel Krobath

They exchange greetings in a unique way. When we greet someone, we are accustomed to hugging them. In this regard, Austrians are more liberated: they kiss each other on both cheeks. In this case, the degree of proximity doesn’t matter; both close friends and recent acquaintances do it.

If Austrians must share a bed, they will ensure that each individual has their own blanket. It creates the illusion of personal space while also ensuring that no one will become cold at night.

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The buttons in Austrian elevators may frighten visitors. Finding letters on the panel may appear strange to individuals who are used to only seeing numbers in elevators. Passengers can use these buttons to get to the rooftop, ground floor, and basement.

The famed Vienna Opera House is out of reach for most people, but there is a way around it. People can purchase standing room tickets on the day of the performance, a few hours before it begins. They cost roughly the same as a cup of coffee. Visitors can amuse themselves outside of the concert by taking a free tour of the theatre. “As expected, there was a long line for standing room tickets. However, we were fortunate in that the counter closed shortly after we received our tickets. As soon as we walked into the State Opera House, we were taken aback. It was stunning. I mean, it’s very lovely.” Quora user Rohan Jain

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In Austrian toilet bowls, there is a shelf. The former contents of the guts stay on the surface of a shelf inside the bowl before travelling to the sewage. That’s how folks can do a self-examination of their health or collect a sample of their faeces to bring in for testing later.

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This country’s citizens are quick to act and do not hesitate to check out in supermarkets. They strive to cram whatever they bought into bags as quickly as possible. The unstated rule aids in the speeding up of the service process and avoids wasting the time of the next person in line.

In Austria, there is a dog tax. The tax is the same for all owners of four-legged pets, regardless of breed. Each city sets its own tax amount, but on average, dog owners pay €72 for the first dog and €105 for each additional dog. Those who do not follow the rules risk being penalised a significant sum of money.

In Vienna, community gardens are well-developed. It’s common to come across wooden tubs filled with soil when walking down the street. Locals produce flowers, veggies, and greenery for their own personal consumption in this area. This region is shared, as is the responsibility for the plants. Gardeners have common meetings to decide who will be in charge of keeping the place clean, what other meetings they will need to hold, and what plants they will grow next.

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Austrians can go to university for the rest of their lives. Because university education is free, everyone can go, and they can attend at any age. Your classmate could well be a granddad who has opted to brush up on his skills or learn something new.

In some countries, staring at strangers is considered a sign of a terrible upbringing, but in Austria, it’s the other way around. Unknown people on public transportation or in the streets are observed with undisguised interest by locals. This is not to say that the subject of attention is weird; rather, it is how Austrians express their approbation. “

What other interesting facts about Austria do you know?

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