70 CultureShock! Austria
AN INVITATION TO LUNCH OR DINNER
If you are invited to an Austrian home, be punctual, not
10 or 15 minutes late! Always bring a small gift of flowers
for the hostess and a bottle of wine for the host. While
these are standard, chocolates and special gifts would also
be appreciated.
After you enter the home, offer to take off your shoes
unless told otherwise. Most homes have a myriad of slippers
to be doled out if necessary. Julie often brings her own as she
can be sure they will fit, and perhaps even match her outfit.
Men should stand the first time a woman enters or exits a
room, but not each time thereafter.
If you are at someone’s house for dinner, aperitifs are
usually served beforehand. Campari soda seems to be the
classic drink, but sparkling wine on its own or mixed withIt is not uncommon to see Austrians dressed from head to toe in
modern Trachten outfi ts every day of the year