The most beautiful cities in Austria
Welcome to one of Europeā€™s most beautiful countries. Austriaā€™s landscapes, regions and townscapes provide almost the full range of European variety in the centre of the continent. Austria is often associated, rightly, with winter sports, but there is so much more on offer. Its alpine areas are rugged and picturesque, but thatā€™s far from being the whole story.
Social life
Even in the contemporary Western context, visitors might notice an element of formal politeness and reserve in interaction among Austrians. A lot of commentators tie this to a strong Catholic tradition.
Another characteristic of social interaction is respect for personal space and privacy, at least until the people you meet reach a level of familiarity.
Coffee houses have a significant collection with social life, especially in Vienna. There, social interaction is on display. Baked into the traditions of these venues is the exchange of ideas, notably in politics and the arts. It's still possible to see these debates and, perhaps, a little more eloquence.
However, since the 1960s international travel and tourist patronage have changed the picture and classic coffee houses are in higher demand. In Vienna, be aware of the frequent long queues or try visiting Cafe Sacher in Salzburg or Graz, where pressure of patronage is likely a little less.
In warmer months, the outdoor sections of restaurants are busy places and often lively. Note that smoking is more common in Austria than most other Western countries and smokers can be found in and around large outdoor areas of restaurants.
Promoting a culture of inclusion is a strong element of government policy and tolerance is broad, including regard for the LGBTQ+ community.
