Pentecost

📣 Traveler notes

Austria is a Central European, German-speaking, landlocked country, popular for year-round tourism including Alpine hiking and winter sports. It was a highly visited destination, recording over 30 million arrivals in 2023.

• Learning common Austrian greetings (e.g., 'Grüß Gott' or 'Servus') is recommended.
• Formal and appropriate manners are valued in social settings.
• Taking off outdoor shoes is required before entering many households.
• Using 'Sie' when addressing strangers or older people is customary.
• The distinction in customs from Germany should be kept in mind.
• An emphasis on titles and formal address is noted, particularly with older generations.
• Key customs include greeting people with a handshake and maintaining eye contact. Formal language usage (Sie/Du) is important. Always make eye contact and say 'prost' when toasting. Note that Nazi symbols are illegal, and smoking is generally prohibited in public indoor areas.