Overview of Austria: Culture

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Map of Austria

Austria is a federation. Each of its nine federal states has a unique and distinct culture.

Austrians aren't easy to categorize. In fact, the main reason Austrians stand out from their European neighbors is that they don't stand out from the rest for anything in particular. Austrians are moderate in their outlook and behaviour. Being at Europe's crossroads, their culture is influenced from several sides. The stereotype of the yodeling, thigh slapping, beer-swilling xenophobe may apply to a few individuals but it certainly doesn't apply to the majority of Austrians.

The average Austrian on the street is likely to be friendly yet somewhat reserved and formal, softly spoken and well mannered, law abiding, socially conservative, rooted, family oriented, conformist and somewhat nepotistic, a Catholic at heart, not particularly religious but a follower of tradition, well educated if not as cosmopolitan as his/her European cousins, cynical, and equipped with a dry, sarcastic sense of humor.

Austrians as a largely like to define themselves merely by what they are not. Tourists often make the mistake of classifying Austrians as Germans, which despite a common language (well at least on paper), they are not. Arguably, Southern Germany and Bavaria in particular is a close cultural relative of Austria in many ways. Indeed the regions of Austria are all similar to their neighbors, often you will not notice you have crossed a border, weather it be into South Tyrol in Italy, Bavaria or Hungary. Austria and Germany are sister nations and enjoy warm relations but case in point, Mozart was Austrian, or a Salzburger for the record, not German! Austrians have a hard time defining their own nation, they face prehaps currently the most influence from Germany but have a very different culture, especailly from North Germany, the historic minorities and individual cultures are valued yet have to struggle to survive. Indeed the cultural conflicts and identity are as complicated and hard to understand for many Austrians as they are to visitors. The leval of personal awareness and views on this vary greatly from person to person but is generally subject to a particullarly Austrian avoidance of the subject all together. It is best to try and see the diversity and enjoy the variety, rather than jump to conclusions.

Hence many Austrians derive their identity from their region or Bundesland (state). For instance, the typical inhabitant of Carinthia would say he/she is Carinthian first and Austrian second. Asking where someone is from is normally the first question Austrian's ask when meeting for the first time.

The fact, that Austrians dislike demonstrations of national identity, can however also be explained partly by the historical experiences Austria had during the Third Reich, and especailly due to the violent use national symbols in the growing Austro-faschist movement as well as by the far-right Freedom Party. But also because the the current state of Austria is a relatively young and loose federal republic of just 8 million people. However, University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center rates Austria as the 5th most patriotic country in the world. Austrian's love their country but aren't like to be flag-wavers.

Most Austrians like to enjoy the good life. They spend a lot of time eating, drinking and having a good time with friends in a cozy environment, and are therefore very hospitable. Members of the older generation can be conservative in the sense that they frown upon extremes of any shape and form and, in general, are adverse to change. They enjoy one of the highest living standards in the world and want to keep it that way.

Austria doesn't have a well defined class system. The rural and regional difference tend to be greater than in neighboring countries. Generally the further to the West and the more rural you go, the more socially conservative people become.