TIPPING and other Vienna, Austria Local Custom Tips

In England we leave money on the table after a good meal in a restaurant although we don't usually tip. In Vienna (and most places in Austria) it is standard to tip around 10% of the total. When you want to pay ask for "die Rechnung," usually from the Kellner who served you. When he comes to settle the bill he will work it out on a piece of paper or bring a printed receipt (to avoid being ripped off - this is a usual occurence in tourist places (still happens even if you live here for years) - check that no extra drinks or food has been cunningly added to your bill and make sure he/she does their maths correctly) If for example it comes to 3.60 Euros you would then say 4 (Vier) when you hand the money over. A word of warning: never say thank you when you hand over the money!!! - this means keep the change! Usual practice is to tip taxi drivers, waiters and hairdressers, don't tip when you get counter service.

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As New Year's Eve approaches you may be puzzled to find stalls around the city selling pigs, frogs and metal figures. This is because the Viennese find pigs lucky and it is a traditional present to give at this time. The metal figures are melted and poured into water (blei giessen), the shape formed is supposed to predict the future (if you believe in such things). In the afternoon of 31st December, if you are in the first district Graben and Kärntnerstrasse area you will find lots of stalls selling hot punch which you need to drink cause its so cold this time of the year. Pick up a flyer as there are loads of events all over the city. You will find discos and bands as the evening wears on. After dark people begin lighting fireworks and gathering around the Stephansplatz and Rathausplatz. Midnight is rung in by the pummerl bell and then everyone goes crazy drinking champagne, throwing fireworks in every direction and then apparently it is good luck to smash your champagne bottle. If you don''t like big crowds try to find a restaurant, hotel or bar with a special ticket only programme or head to Spittelberg which has a no firework policy!
Then as the Austrians say - Gute Rutsch (literally a good slide into the new year).

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In the early months of the year is when the Viennese ball season takes place, culminating in the very famous Opernball held in the State Opera on the last Thursday before Lent begins. Ball tickets begin at around 40€, check with the Tourist Office for more details.

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On the Tuesday before Lent (Shrove Tuesday) its Carnival in Austria. To make the most of the celebrations, dress up and head to the bars at the Bermuda Triangle!

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Not quite as wildly celebrated as in Ireland and New York, you will however find that many Austrians and internationals enter into the spirit of things on St. Paddy's Day. Head to any Irish pub and enjoy the atmosphere if you can make it through the door. Recommendations: Flannagans, Charlie P's, Molly Darcys and Johnnys. Don't forget to wear green and don't be surprised if you get served green beer by a man with green hair!!

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Easter is celebrated nearly as much as Christmas in Austria. You will find that markets and shops sell everything you need to make your Osterstrauss (Easter Tree) which is a Pussy Willow Tree Twig decorated with painted eggs and maybe wooden ornaments. The easter market at the Freyung sells thousands of beautiful eggs. As Austria is a catholic country you will see many church celebrations regarding Easter - Palm Sunday, stations of the cross and Easter processions. Typical food is an Osterpinzer (a currant cake like the English hotcross bun), brightly coloured hard boiled eggs (they play a game called Eier pecken in which you have to hit the other person's egg with yours, the winner is the one that cracks the other person's egg) and ham cooked inside a loaf of bread. It is also a tradition, which is my favourite, involving hiding the colourful boiled eggs in the garden and the children have to search for them.

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This Dutch celebration takes place at the end of April and is a lot of fun! I like to head down to Shebeen's on Lerchenfelderstr. to enjoy the Dutch beer and lots of orange balloons!

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Literally thousands and thousands of people head to the Prater Park (U1) on this day for live music events (everything from chart groups to country and western to salsa to heavy metal), there are special stalls and food and a good atmosphere. Some years there has also been a great firework display.

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Cultural theatre and music events take place around mid May to end of June.
See www.festwochen.at

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Every year around the end of June, Europe's biggest free open-air music event takes place. Its located on the Donauinsel (Danube Island) and last 3 days. Millions of people turn up, so if you don't like being pushed around by crowds don't go in the evening! There are different music events all over the island, my favourite is the O3 stage where I have seen many acts such as Shaggy and Lou Bega. I have also seen the Beach Boys and Italian singer Zucchero. Take the U1 to Donauinsel or U6 to Neue Donau, these lines run later than usual to cope with the huge numbers of people.

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