Customs and traditions
According to Abbreviationfinder, Austria has a long tradition as a tourist destination and in many places is characterized by a pleasant atmosphere and hospitality to visitors. Many Austrians are proud of their country, not least the beautiful alpine landscape. Protecting the environment is important and many people spend their time on skiing and other outdoor activities.
In smaller towns and villages, local collaboration and close community are common. The club life is well developed and many people play some instrument or sing in chorus. In the mountain areas in the west there is a rich folk culture that has a strong connection to southern German Bavaria.
- Countryaah: Overview of the capital city of Austria, including information about its population, economy, geography, history and map.
Cafe life is an important ingredient in cities. The capital Vienna’s famous cafes (Kaffeehaus) have ancient origins, the first was founded as early as the 17th century, and serves good Austrian pastries as the well-known Sachert cake.
The Austrian food, with dishes such as Viennese schnitzel, goulash and dumplings, has taken inspiration from German cuisine as well as Hungarian, Czech and Northern Italian.
Visitors are often struck by the cleanliness and order that characterizes the urban environment, with functioning communications and without debris on the streets. The Austrians have a reputation for being orderly and keeping formalities. Getting in time for dinners and meetings is important. It is common for people to shake hands both when they meet and at a farewell and the Austrians greet each other with a “Grüss Gott”. The meal is often started with a “Guten Appetit”.
It is accepted to appeal to people with whom you have no close relationship with you or Mr or Frau and the surname. It is also considered nice to include a professional title, such as Frau Doktor. In the working world there is a hierarchical order, with a clear division between managerial positions and subordinates. Work meetings are expected to be effective and will result in concrete results.
Weekends are often devoted to family life, preferably in the form of outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking or ice skating.
Still, some Austrians in the countryside can wear traditional attire on festive occasions, women’s swimsuits and the leader’s trousers (leather shorts) for men, and tyrolical hats.
Holidays
In addition to traditional Christian feasts, such as Easter, there are several other feasts and festivities. According to Countryaah, the Carnival, Fasching, is celebrated on November 11, with parties and masquerade. On December 6, St. Nicholas Day falls when children are often given presents. Christmas celebrations take place on December 24, while December 25 and 26 are public holidays. The new year opens with a New Year’s salute, early January 1st. A popular celebration still celebrated in the Alps is Glöckerlauf on January 5. Then white-clad men and boys hang ringing bells around their waist and wear huge headgear to drive away the evil spirits of winter.
2012
July
The ESM is approved by Parliament
The Government Parties and the Greens are voting for the Eurozone Financial Pact and the Permanent Rescue Fund, the ESM Stability Mechanism, which will provide support to euro area countries in economic crisis. Resistance to is strong from FPÖ and BZÖ.
June
Party sponsorship is regulated
With the support of the Greens, the government parties succeed in pushing through a legislative package in Parliament that regulates, among other things, the political parties’ sponsorship and campaign funding.
March
Tightening packages are approved
Approves the Government’s austerity plans with a view to achieving a balanced budget by 2016. This includes close to EUR 28 billion in, among other things, tax increases and cuts in pensions and subsidies.
February
Credit rating is lowered
Austria is downgrading a step by the credit rating agency Moody’s, just weeks after Standard & Poor’s did the same. The economic outlook is considered to be negative.
2011
September
Corruption scandals should be investigated
A parliamentary committee is set up to examine the politicians’ connection to the scandals discovered. The Committee will be headed by the Greens, the only party not affected by the scandals.
Schüssel leaves politics
The former Chancellor withdraws after a series of corruption scandals (see Modern History) concerning his time as head of government. He himself is not suspected but announces that he is leaving to simplify ongoing legal proceedings.
July
Emperor death dies
Otto von Habsburg, eldest son of Austria’s last emperor Karl I, dies.
April
New OVP leader
April 13
Josef Pröll resigns as Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance and also as a leader of the OVP due to poor health. He is succeeded as Vice-Chancellor and Party Leader by Michael Spindelegger.
March
MEPs are leaving
March 20
Two members of the European Parliament and members of the ÖVP, Ernst Strasser and Hella Ranner, are forced to resign following allegations of corruption.