Austria: Prosperous Entertaining - Part 1
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Entertaining for business success
Austrians take their food seriously and eat heartily.
Gemütlichkeit is a central tenet of the Austrian way of life. Impossible to translate in one word, it implies an easy-going enjoyment of life and the finer things in life. Good food and drink in comfortable surroundings and a leisurely atmosphere with entertaining company are essential features of this almost hedonistic outlook.
Breakfast [Frühstück] is 'continental' but Germanic in scope and scale; it is typically accompanied by coffee with hot milk [known as Melange]. Lunch [Mittagessen] and dinner [Abendessen] both tend to be substantial meals: the schnitzel and noodles you had at lunch might also make an appearance at dinner; quick sandwiches are not common at luncheon, which is usually the main meal of the day. Additionally there are often breaks for a sandwich in mid-morning [Brotzeit] and in mid-afternoon for coffee and cake [known in Austria as Jause].
Austrians maintain a strict balance between work and play and local business associates may wait until negotiations are nearing completion before extending a meal invitation to you. This is not to say that business entertaining is not important in this culture; it is and it is crucial to make a good impression in these situations.
If you are invited to a business lunch, you will find it to be the largest meal of the day. Wait for your host to bring up the topic of business first. Until then, be prepared to engage in pleasant 'small talk' that is distinct from business.
Austrians rarely entertain business associates at home. If you do receive an invitation to an Austrian home, you should consider it quite an honour and behave accordingly, i.e. you should arrive promptly, smartly dressed and bearing gifts for the host, the hostess, and their children.
If you receive an invitation to dinner and your host's spouse is included, you can expect the invitation to be extended to your own spouse. The host and hostess of an event may arrange the guests in any way they see fit but, traditionally, the guest of honour will sit to the right of the host.
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