The Americans can’t hold a candle next to the Austrians when it comes to partying. The Austrians know how to put together an event, make it fun, and have it last the entire night.
Events and parties are usually pretty well scheduled. Not that they are ridged, but the Austrians plan how they are going to entertain their guests. If things are going slow, or winding down, the host will usually have something to do to keep the guests going. It can be an organized poker game, a dance party, a drinking game, a contest… the list is endless.
The host also has a tendency to fill your glass or provide an insane amount of liquor so you lose count of how much you have had to drink. People falling over in a drunken stupor aren’t an odd sight at a big party. The host just kept filling the glass and the person lost count.
It helps too that most establishments in Austria stay open the entire night. It’s not like in L.A. where last call is at 2a.m. and the location has to throw out its guests. Crawling out of a dance club while the sun is going up isn’t strange for an Austrian.
Austrians are also very warm, welcoming hosts. The other guests are usually very friendly. If you are a guest at a party, it’s generally easy to slide up to a group and start a conversation.
One thing I do find amusing is that Austrians never seem to go home. If you are hosting a party and an Austrian is invited, expect that person to be the last to leave. What can I say, they love to party!
Oh yes, they love it. Any excuse will do! Even a so-called quiet drink after a meeting or rehearsal seems to turn into a party with round after round of schnapps, much hilarity and very often singing. It’s great. The only problem is their dialect and accent seem to become much more pronounced and i find it all a bit incomprehensible towards the end of the evening.
Some of the best parties are hosted by EuroCircle VIENNA. It’s an organization for expats to meet locals. The next event is on oct. 22nd. AUSTRIAN WINE NIGHT @ VINISSIMO. You can register for EuroCircle and events at the facebook group “EuroCircle VIENNA”. You can find details for the october event on the group’s page.
Thomas.