Austria: Conversation
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Welcome topics of conversation
General Guidelines
Austrian formality in business discussions also carries over into personal conversations.
Displaying knowledge of Austrian history and culture demonstrates an awareness of the uniqueness of Austria, which will be appreciated by Austrians, who will take against anyone who fails to recognise the clear distinction between them and the Germans. Do not refer to Austrians or their culture as German. The only thing that is truly German about Austria is the language and, even then, Austrian German is very different from standard or High German [Hochdeutsch] in vocabulary, idiom, and pronunciation. Indeed, even proficient German-speakers may struggle with the Austrian accent and regional dialects, especially if they are not already acquainted with Bavarian German.
Do not make idle promises during conversation. Politeness does not mean dissimulation or hypocrisy. Austrians expect you to mean what you say, and say what you mean, and they will know when you do not.
Nevertheless, Austrians wear their formality with a certain easy lightness and a major distinction between Austrian and German characters is that the former are much more tolerant of fooling around than their neighbours [there is a long tradition of pantomime and farce in Viennese theatre]. Austrians have a great sense of humour that is not always refined or subtle and they will accept your joking so long as you are self-deprecating at the same time. Teasing others, though, may be interpreted as putting them down, and that is certainly not appreciated. Unless you are confident of your command of German idiom and/or Austrian taste, it is perhaps best for a visitor to avoid making jokes that can be easily misconstrued in another culture. Humour has no place at a formal meeting or in the office at all when senior staff are present.
As always it is courteous to have some knowledge, however basic, of your host's language. Any attempt to speak German will be appreciated, even if you can only manage simple greetings and phrases, but a minimum of 'restaurant' German may be essential outside the major cities.
Welcome Topics of Conversation
Classical music [Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Johann Strauss, Bruckner, Schönberg and Berg were all Austrian]
Opera [especially Mozart and Richard Strauss, even though he was born in Munich]
Austrian art and architecture
Winter sports
Topics to Avoid
Money
Separation and divorce
Religion
Anti-Semitism
Austria's role during World War II
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