Through our travels, Michael and I have noticed some significant differences between our dinner habits and culture, versus Vienna’s. For instance, we all went out for supper to an Italian Restaurant last night, and we noticed that people tend to stay for quite awhile after their meal. The waiter is almost never in a hurry to bring the bill as it is normal in Vienna to just relax and to take your time before leaving. In Canada, there seems to be far more fast food places then formal restaurants. The overall pace of life is slower here in Vienna.
Another difference is that you almost never see a local eating without a glass of wine or a beer. In Canada, we seem to prefer carbonated pops or water to alcohol for lunch as a daily outing. I had never seen a dog or smoking allowed in a restaurant until this trip. A big part of how the Viennese people embark in social encounters are over coffee, drinks, or food. We tend to spend time with people through activities and food, and we seem to always be in a hurry.
The overall culture is welcoming and willing to teach you their values. In some restaurants here in Vienna, it may be seen as unacceptable to rest your elbows on the table while eating. Back home, some people will take a nap at the table without worrying about offending the waitstaff, although they will probably be the joke of the day.
We also learned that the position of your utensils after a meal can leave unintentional messages to the chief. For example, if you cross your fork and knife after a meal, this means the food was terrible. It seems a high level of decorum is expected whether you are at a simple coffee shop or a fancy restaurant. We are looking forward to continuing to explore further cultural differences during our outings. What cultural norms have you observed in Vienna that are different from Canada? Are there behaviours displayed here that Canadians should consider practicing at home?
-Stephanie & Michael
Great post team! We observed the differences that you did culturally relating to etiquette here in Vienna. Specifically, in terms of pace, we have found ourselves probing the waiters for the bills to leave long before they are ready to provide it to us. In response to your question, what other examples of differences we have identified, one is the unspoken dress code here in Vienna. There is a higher level of commitment for dressing to impress in comparison to Canadians. We have noticed that in Canada it is customary to dress in casual attire when running errands, going for meals, and meeting friends. All the previously listed activities being engaged in Vienna would have different customs that refine the dress code to a higher standard, more along the lines of business casual. This example on dress code has been a positive learning experience for us in that we have had the opportunity to dress in more formal wear that has promoted professionalism and a different etiquette. It is our understanding that we will take this practice home with us and work to integrate some of the slower pace, enjoyment of time spent with friends and family and attention to better presentation in dress along with manners that we have learned from our visit here in Vienna.
ReplyDelete- Shafina & Kendra
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ReplyDeleteStephanie & Michael,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the enlightening blog post! We have noticed many similar aspects of the dining experience in Vienna. For example, individuals in Vienna seem to be very quiet in public, especially in restaurants. Children and youth are very well behaved, and a level of courtesy is demonstrated by all ages that is unique in comparison to Edmonton.
The Viennese seem to enjoy the finer things in life: why have a coffee when you can have a melange? Alternatively, why have a soft drink when you can have a beer or a glass of wine to calm your nerves? The intrinsic values of dining seem to be different, wherein Canadian restaurants are meant to serve food, and perhaps have a time to relax with friends. The food in a restaurant or a cafe in Vienna appears to be more complimentary to the ambience rather than the primary point of eating out.
Specific to restaurants, Canadians should practice a higher level of decorum in public areas. Relating back to both of our jobs in the service industry, it is often that we serve an intoxicated or entitled table who does not show basic regard for other guests around them. Noise levels in general, including background music, food preparation in the kitchen, and employees, should be practiced in a cultural style more similar to Viennese culture. It is more polite and respectful to all individuals overall.
We look forward to hearing more about your European adventures, and reading your future posts!
Peace & love,
Ashlee & David
Interesting observations! We have definitely noticed these differences at restaurants and are constantly picking up on other cultural cues the more we dine out. Some other differences we have observed are; how restaurants are hesitant or unable to split the bill between everyone at the table, how restaurants prefer cash payments as opposed to paying by credit card, and how people here in Vienna use a fork and knife even for what Canadians would consider finger-food, fries for example.
ReplyDeleteMany of us students have stuck together while travelling, often times in a group of ten to twelve people. It has been very complicated for us to find cafés and restaurants that are willing or able to split the table’s bill into individual bills. Many of the restaurants require that we pay the bill on a single person’s card or do the math ourselves and pay in cash. While this would be seen as unusual to a Canadian, it does not seem too out of the ordinary to people here in Vienna. People who go out for dinners seem to be in smaller, more intimate groups of two to four people, leaving us to wonder whether going out is reserved for special events or social gatherings where it is expected that one member of the group pay the bill.
On a similar note, there is definitely more of a draw towards restaurants wanting customers to pay in cash. While we haven’t been exposed to this situation in other settings like shopping or at tourist destinations, it leaves us wondering if people in Vienna prefer to pay using cash as a way of being more private. Many of our lectures have mentioned that people in the EU put great value in their privacy, which is reduced when paying by credit card (increased risk of stolen cards, fraudulent purchases, etc.).
Another difference we’ve noticed and that you mentioned in your blog post, is that Canadians have a much more relaxed approach to dining out in comparison to people here in Vienna. What we have seen is how Canadians tend to eat side dishes like French fries and other “finger-foods” with their fingers. Here in Vienna, we have noticed that forks and knives are used to eat what we Canadians consider finger-foods.
-Lindsay and Matt