Ascension Day

📣 Traveler notes

Austria is a popular, landlocked German-speaking destination in Central Europe, known for both summer activities (historic cities, Alpine hiking) and winter sports. It is a highly visited country.

• In professional settings, address individuals by their proper title (e.g., Prof., Dr.).
• Use formal address ('Sie') with strangers and older individuals; reserve informal address ('Du') for friends and family.
• Maintain a moderate public tone; shouting or raising one's voice is discouraged.
• When dining, it is considered polite to rest one's wrists or hands on the table, but not elbows.
• Adhere to local dress customs (e.g., wearing appropriate attire in public facilities).
• Avoid referring to Austrians generally as 'Germans,' due to distinct local customs.
• Nazi symbols and rhetoric are illegal and carry severe penalties. Respect for formality and good manners (Gutes Benehmen) is highly valued. Standard greetings include 'Grüß Gott' (formal) or 'Hallo' (semi-formal). When meeting people, always shake hands and maintain eye contact. It is customary to remove shoes when entering or leaving private residences. When toasting, maintain eye contact and say 'Prost.'