* Austrian culture“Etiquettes and

Customs”

• Shaking hands with men, women and

children in a business or a social

meeting, while maintaining a direct eye

contact.

• Saying “Gruss Gott” (formal

circumstances) or “Gruss Dich” (casual

situations) is like saying hello when you

pass by someone.

* Greetings

* Names and Titles • Titles are important in the Austrian culture.

• Herr (Mr.) or Frau (Mrs. or Ms.) are used followed by the person’s title

and surname.

• Austrian people are proud of themselves as a nation that has

contributed to other civilizations.

• They are liberal and modern.

• Austrians are different from Germans, each of them have their own

customs.

* Individualistic• Austrians have desires of personal freedom,

challenge and time.

• They are more interested in their personal

success than the success of the group or

team.

• They like to work independently and

complete their projects with their own ideas.

• They prefer to go to work and get rewards

rather than going to a gathering.

* Monochronic view of time• Time is highly valued in the Austrian culture.

• Austrians are expected to be on time for

meetings or appointments, and being late is

disrespectful.

• They tend to stick to schedules, agendas

and meet the deadlines strictly.

* Low power distance

• Austria is one of countries that have the

lowest power distance.

• Every individual in this society thinks

that people are equal regardless of their

social status or position of authority.

• They expect other people to treat them

equally as anybody else.

* Low context

• They use concise and clear language.

• They understands the words literally and don’t try to know the

meaning behind these words.

• Austrians are honest and say things directly but in a polite way.

* If I had business in Austria:• I will arrange the meetings or appointments 3 to 4 weeks in advance

and the best time is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. or between 3 p.m.

and 5 p.m.

• When I have a meeting I will be there on time and I will dress formally.

• After a meeting, I will send a follow-up letter as a record of the

important information and issues discussed during the meeting.

* If I had business in Austria:

• I will use direct communication because the indirect way may be

understood as lack of clarity or as dishonesty.

• I will say what I mean by using a literal form of communication.

• I will use words in German like ‘Danke schön’ (‘Thank you’) or ‘Auf

Wiedersehen’ (‘Goodbye’).

• I will speak English slowly and simply.

• I will treat everybody equally ( a manager or an employee).

I hope that my presentation will help you to be

successful in your business in Austria