Comments on: What Americans Can Learn From Austrians http://op-expat.com/2009/06/what-americans-can-learn-from-austrians/ An Expat's Hilarious Observations About Life Abroad Fri, 18 May 2012 13:02:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Britta http://op-expat.com/2009/06/what-americans-can-learn-from-austrians/comment-page-1/#comment-796 Britta Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:19:43 +0000 http://op-expat.com/?p=215#comment-796 Hi They are rude to everyone. Don't take it personally and just laugh about it. Hi

They are rude to everyone. Don’t take it personally and just laugh about it.

]]> By: jordansinfonia http://op-expat.com/2009/06/what-americans-can-learn-from-austrians/comment-page-1/#comment-790 jordansinfonia Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:13:32 +0000 http://op-expat.com/?p=215#comment-790 I have a question, which maybe you can answer: I've been to Austria a few times, mostly Vienna and Salzburg. I've experienced several instances of rudeness from service people. This happens all over the world of course, but it seems to happen in Austria more than average. Example: waiters and waitresses in cafés and restaurants who don't smile, act irritated and annoyed, and want to take your plate away before you've barely finished eating. Also, I often got what appeared to me to be a very condescending attitude when I asked questions at tourist spots, for example when I asked how late the cathedral in Salzburg was open (and I asked in German)- I received an exasperated look and a long sigh of irritation from the older gentleman working there, an eye roll, and a very slow, pedantic reply as if he were talking to a child. Overall, this kind of attitude leaves a very bad taste in one's mouth, as a tourist. Are they like this with everyone? Are they like this with each other? Maybe this is the norm in Austria? I think many visitors are expecting Julie Andrews-as-Maria Von Trapp when they visit Austria! Just curious to get your opinion.... I have a question, which maybe you can answer: I’ve been to Austria a few times, mostly Vienna and Salzburg. I’ve experienced several instances of rudeness from service people. This happens all over the world of course, but it seems to happen in Austria more than average. Example: waiters and waitresses in cafés and restaurants who don’t smile, act irritated and annoyed, and want to take your plate away before you’ve barely finished eating. Also, I often got what appeared to me to be a very condescending attitude when I asked questions at tourist spots, for example when I asked how late the cathedral in Salzburg was open (and I asked in German)- I received an exasperated look and a long sigh of irritation from the older gentleman working there, an eye roll, and a very slow, pedantic reply as if he were talking to a child. Overall, this kind of attitude leaves a very bad taste in one’s mouth, as a tourist. Are they like this with everyone? Are they like this with each other? Maybe this is the norm in Austria? I think many visitors are expecting Julie Andrews-as-Maria Von Trapp when they visit Austria! Just curious to get your opinion….

]]> By: Johanna Wall http://op-expat.com/2009/06/what-americans-can-learn-from-austrians/comment-page-1/#comment-144 Johanna Wall Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:01:45 +0000 http://op-expat.com/?p=215#comment-144 I just love your blog! I was very curious about your observations on "what Americans can learn from Austrians" and I think you are right with many things. Concerning straightforwardness though, I would recommend to listen to Germans. THEY ARE STRAIGHTFORWARD!!!!! Austrians – in comparison – are pretty wishy-washy ... well, it all depends on the situation. Keep on righting, Britta! I just love your blog! I was very curious about your observations on “what Americans can learn from Austrians” and I think you are right with many things. Concerning straightforwardness though, I would recommend to listen to Germans. THEY ARE STRAIGHTFORWARD!!!!! Austrians – in comparison – are pretty wishy-washy … well, it all depends on the situation.
Keep on righting, Britta!

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