Round up and other Vienna, Austria Local Custom Tips

Something that I was not used to was they way Austrians tip. I'm used to tipping 20% and was a little shocked when my friend explained how tipping works in Vienna.

Basically you just round up the amount of the bill. For example, if your bill was 4.20 Euros you would round up to 5.00 Euros. Do not leave money sitting on the table as you leave, because it is considered rude to not give it directly to the server.

If you say danke that means the server is to keep the change, so be careful if you're handing over a lot of money for a small bill. You'll want to tell the waiter how much to give you back.

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Just some things that I picked up when I was there, things I read in travel books, and tips I found through VT:

- When you're on the escalator - stand on the right. There are signs to remind you to do it and if you don't, you'll have some annoyed people behind you trying to get by.

- When you're walking around town and want to cross the street, pay attention to the pedestrian light. If it's red, stay put. Even if you don't see a car anywhere in sight. It took a good day or two to get used to that. In the States, we're so used to crossing even if a car is coming!

- Don't stand on the grass. You'll see signs everywhere stating this. If I had grass that looked like Vienna's I'd be having signs in my lawn too!

- Starting to eat or drink before others are ready is impolite.

- Austrians eat in the continental style, with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right. I tried to practice that before I came out to Vienna and failed miserably!

- It is polite to say cheers (prost in German) and clink glasses before taking a drink when you are having wine or beer. It's considered rude to not make eye contact with the person that you are clinking glasses with as you are saying cheers.

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