Austria

Austrian Cultural Aspects Characteristics and Values, Behavior, Business, Eating and Drinking by Linda Bohatsch, Magdalena Leder and Nina Rauscher

The country and its people Key facts Topography & Economics Education & Politics Historical Information Characteristics and Values Behaviour Doing Business Eating & Drinking

Key Facts Capital: Vienna approx. 8.5 Mio. people – km² Name originates from Germanic and Celtic languages Ethnic groups: German, indigenous minorities and immigrant groups Religion: Roman Catholic 74%, Protestant,… Country divided into states, districts and municipalities

Puzzle

Topography and Economics Mountainous country (32% below 500 m) Divided into 5 areas (Austrian Alps, …) One of the 10 richtest countires in the world High living standard Since 1995 EU member – main trading partner

Education and Politics School attendance compulsory for 9 yrs Primary education (4yrs) – 2 school types – schools for further education – university Federal, parliamentarian, democratic republic (1920/1945) 2 chambers in Parliament: Nationalrat (elected every 5 yrs) and Bundesrat

A brief history Celts are the first settlers Austria is part of the Roman Empire Charles the Great (late 8th cent) > colonization and christianization House of Babenberg House of Habsburg Dual monarchy Austria - Hungary

1938 Anschluß: incorporation to the third Reich WW II( ) liberty of Austria in 1945 (State Treaty) > Second Republic of Austria independence in member of the EU

Characteristics and Values Austrians are conservative Relaxed and happy approach to life = Gemütlichkeit Friendly and hospitable to foreigners Austrians have a closely knit circle of friends and a wide network of acquaintances

Behavior Good manners and polite behavior are extremely important in Austria Address Austrians by their appropriate titles and surnames until you are invited to use their first names Firm handshake on arrival and departure Maintain eye contact during the greeting Distinguish between ‘Du’ and ‘Sie’

Doing Business First impressions are important Good preparation is necessary Austrians negotiate in a linear, direct fashion Who you know is important to business success in Austria Do not discuss your private life at work or bring your work home

Eating and Drinking Austrians love good food – gourmet tradition Main meal at lunchtime (noon) Great variety of desserts Dark bread Mineral water, Beer, Wine, Schnaps Coffeehouse, Gasthaus, Gastgarten, Buschenschank/Heuriger

Thank you for your attention! Rauscher Nina, Bohatsch Linda, Leder Magdalena