Week 15: Our First 100 Days in Austria

Thursday was our 100th day in Austria and recognizing this milestone is a way to celebrate all we have overcome and achieved in the first 100 days. Throughout our time here, we have noticed some pretty distinct cultural differences (other than the obvious language difference), but before I share them I want to give a special shoutout to my mother-in-law who has a birthday today and just celebrated her 25-year work anniversary on Friday!

10 Cultural Differences between Austria and America

1. All dogs allowed

Austria is on the list of pet-friendliest countries. Dogs can almost go anywhere! The only caveat is dogs have to be leashed and (sometimes) muzzled. Charlie and Daisy have been inside the airport, banks, restaurants, a book store, a phone store and a cable car. During our first week in Austria, we were in Linz to get some paperwork figured out at the immigration office and we took a break for lunch. We went to a semi-fancy Italian restaurant. As we walked in we felt incredibly awkward bringing the dogs inside. But as soon as we arrived at the table the waitress came over and brought the dogs their own water dish. When we were at the bank, the advisor we were meeting with did not even know dogs were in the room until 30 minutes later when we stood up to leave.

If you live in Vienna and have a dog that is typically on a “banned breed list” you are legally required to take the Vienna Dog License exam in order to bring the dog with you to public places. The test is to make sure you know how to handle your dog and the license is proof that you take responsibility towards people and other dogs seriously. This, in turn, will add to the positive image of dogs and dog owners in general.

2. Bedtime burritos vs Bedtime lasagne

In America we are used to one big sheet and a comforter on our bed. However, when you arrive in a hotel room in Europe, one of the first things you will notice will be the bed outfitted with two seperate blankets and then a duvet on top. For example, two people sharing one bed means there will be two separate blankets. One for each person to wrap themselves in—like burritos.

3. Sunday is not Funday

Do you spend your Sunday at the mall or last minute shopping to prepare for the week ahead? Guess again. Sunday is taken as a rest day in this country, so your best bet is to get all your major shopping done by Saturday. In our town, everything is closed with the exception of a McDonalds drivethru. For us, we use Sunday as the day to go hiking or to finish up our blog posts.

4. Where are the Chocolate Chips?

Bags of chocolate chips. Vanilla extract. Baking soda. Some of the most important ingredients in our favorite desserts are nowhere to be found in Austria grocery stores. If you’re living here for an extended period of time you may need to go to an international or specialty grocery store or you can just plan on packing a big batch of baking ingredients in your suitcase when you fly over.

5. The Fee to Pee

Perhaps one of the most distinct differences between USA and European cities are the paid toilets. We are lucky we have not needed a bathroom yet, mainly because everything is closed so the opportunity has not presented itself. While the fee to pee may be an inconvenience, you will immediately notice how clean the bathrooms are. The 50 cents you deposit goes towards bathroom restocking and maintenance so you will not ever have to find yourself in a stall out of that precious TP.

6. The first floor is not where you think it is

When we signed our Austrian lease, the paperwork said our unit was on the first floor. My initial thought being “yay, no climbing stairs to bring home groceries”. Upon arrival, we discovered the first floor is actually the second floor. The American “first floor” is actually the Austrian “ground floor.” Another time, we were in a parking garage on our way to the doctor. We only went down three levels. So in my head we were on level three. Coming back from the doctor we went to level three and our car was no where to be seen. Turns out we were on the 2nd floor.

7. Tips on tipping

In America, waiters and waitresses are trained to be nice and do a good job in order to make a good tip. Here, tipping is not the same. Waiters here actually get paid well and not below minimum wage so most Austrians just round up to the nearest Euro instead of the 20% Americans are used to. When you are at a restaurant here expect to see your waiter only three times. The first time to take your order, the second to bring the food, and the third to bring the check. Do not plan on them coming by your table 3-4 times periodically to check in on how everything tastes. If you are someone who usually has 2-3 refills on your drink at dinner, this may make you feel like the wait staff are not doing their job, but that is just how it is here. Our neighbor told us a story about a time she was in America. The waiter came by multiple times and was extra friendly, but borderline annoying.

8. Wildlife

At our house in West Chicago, we were used to seeing rabbits, birds and squirrels outside our window. Here in Gmunden, Austria we look out the window and find swans and ducks. Seeing a “bevy” of Swans gliding across the lake is surreal and seeing them on a clear sky day when the sun is setting behind the mountains is what makes this little piece of the world so peaceful.

9. Sports

While basketball, baseball, and football are generally the favorite sports among Americans, Alpine skiing seems to be the biggest and most beloved sports in Austria. The geographical location and the Alps is what makes Austria a winter sports paradise. In America, we usually have to wait 4 years for the Winter Olympics to experience the wonders of competitive alpine skiing along with two of my other favorites to watch—figure skating and bobsledding. Even during covid, while EVERYTHING is closed, ski resorts remain open.

10. Traditional pastel facades and cobblestone alleyways

Hollywood often portrays alleys as dangerous where the scary scenes take place, lined with garbage and where the bad guys are lurking around the corner. Here in Austria, alleys are made of cobblestone and are the best places to walk while offering the most picturesque views. In addition to the cobblestone streets, you can expect to see rows of colorful houses in every village you visit. After researching why so many buildings are painted pastel, I learned this is not just a gimmick to attract tourists. In fact, the colorful pastel facades go back to the colors associated with the professional guilds in the middle ages (i.e. bakers blue, butcher’s red, hostel owners yellow or green). Our own house is yellow and it is one of the most charming parts about living in Austria.