42 CultureShock! Austria
a form of humour realised from the day-to-day world: it’s
much easier to see the negative and expect it than the other
way around.
The bureaucracy may have a hand in the personality of
the people. On the one hand, Austria has a well-structured
social security system which takes good care of everyone’s
health, job security and pension; on the other hand, the
government system can be extremely oppressive in that it
keeps everyone mired in bureaucratic procedure.
A very good reason for Austrians’ automatic compliance
with rules dates back to the Metternich era (1814–48), when
those who did not obey and conform were penalised. In fact,
it was in this period that spying on the general population to
keep it in line was rampant.
One shouldn’t forget, however, that Austria is divided into
nine federal provinces and that each province has its distinct
personality and pride. Salzburg, for example, feels itself to
be more German, whereas people from Vorarlberg think of
themselves as more Swiss. The Carinthian is very macho
and hot-blooded, and supposedly still dreaming of a greater
Germany. The Burgenländers are farmers, and life in their
part of the world tends to be simple.A jolly Austrian shows off his felt hat with Gamsbart (like a shaving brush).