6 CultureShock! Austria
Due to the fact that there are so many tourists throughout
the country, your presence will cause no stir or controversy.
Tourists are pretty much treated the same as Austrians, and
in turn are expected to behave like the locals.
On weekends, you will see families out and about, enjoying
their time together and taking full advantage of the outdoors,
summer or winter. Many first-time visitors also comment on the
Austrians’ love of dogs. Not only do dogs of all sizes accompany
their owners practically everywhere, but you will notice how
they are doted on and treated with much affection.Meeting the Austrians
A friend who had much experience travelling around southern Europe
was amazed at the hushed tones of Austria. People go on their way
quietly, without drawing attention to themselves, and save you from
having to make idle chit-chat with complete strangers. Yet when he
needed help, he found that the Austrians were incredibly polite and
more than happy to provide information, which they always did with
a smile. This contrasted with his preconceived ideas of a cold and
grumpy people. He remarked that in Vienna, a city bursting with
tourists, he was surprised to find so many locals willing to aid yet
another foreigner with poor German-language skills.Regional Impressions
Austria is a federal republic consisting of nine Bundesländer
or autonomous provinces. Beginning in the west and moving
in an eastwardly direction, the states are Vorarlberg, Tyrol,
Salzburg, Carinthia, Upper Austria, Styria, Lower Austria,
Vienna and Burgenland. These provinces have marked
differences in topography, customs, dialects, traditional dress
and personality. Geographical and cultural differences have
given rise to a strong sense of regionalism. People often
consider themselves Tyrolean or Viennese more so than
Austrian. Thus, as you travel throughout the country, you may
find yourself with many different ‘first impressions’.
Vorarlberg, Austria’s most westerly province, lies between
the Bodensee (Lake Constance) and Arlberg Pass. For those
who enter Austria here, you could feel like you’ve landed in
Switzerland instead of Austria, as it closely resembles a Swiss
canton. Before the 14-km Arlberg tunnel was opened in 1978,