Punctuality and Fairness

Another important fact to be aware of is that Austrians value fairness and timeliness. In fact, you will be reminded to arrive five minutes early for any meeting or social event by everything you read about Austrian etiquette.

Another thing to be aware of is the complexity of the Austrian sense of humor. Schmäh is a colloquial term used in Austria to characterize the kind of lighthearted yet biting speech that serves as the foundation of the nation's humor. Schmäh, which can be categorized as sarcastic humor flavored with sarcasm and light mocking, varies depending on the region. These kinds of jokes have their origins in servants making fun of their aristocratic employers.

It's interesting to note that foreigners in Austria frequently misjudge this kind of teasing as rude, yet most of the time it's all in good humor. In order to participate in the distinctive jesting of the Austrian people, try to put on your toughest skin and employ your own razor-sharp tongue.