Just speak normally, don't yell and other Vienna, Austria Local Custom Tips

These seem completely obvious to me (and my acquaintances in Austria), but apparently not to everyone:

1) When talking in public (say, on a metro train), keep your volume in check. No need to whisper, but talking so loudly that absolutely everyone on the car can hear you over the train noise - whether it's on the phone or with each other - is considered very rude and will draw angry looks. Somehow this seems to apply mostly to tourists from Italy and the US, although the phone-yelling thing is done mostly by locals.

2) Many Austrians (and other nationalities, for that matter) understand English quite well, but they may not be accustomed to your specific accent or local phrases. No need to yell or talk as if you're addressing children - just try to speak clearly, in standard English, and give people a little time to respond.

I found the rudeness of some tourists who expected everyone to understand their variant of English and respond within a split-second just amazing. I suppose it's mostly those who have never bothered to learn a second language themselves.

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