Budapest Cafe Culture
By 1880, Budapest alone had over 600 cafes, more cafes than any other European country with the exception of Paris. Budapest café culture has been alive and thriving to this day. Restaurants are places where you must wear a suit and tie, live up to class expectations or God-forbid, run in for a Big Mac (shudder). Read more »
A Treatise on the Hungarian Cheek Kiss
Foremost, let us establish the fact that this is not written from a Hungarian point of view. No doubt, as small children, Hungarians are taught this overly familiar type of greeting and see nothing wrong with placing their lips on the cheeks of the most far-flung acquaintances. Read more »
Incomes in Hungary
The minimum payable wage in Hungary is 65,500 Ft (€ 258) per month. In fact you have to do a lot of math to make it last until the end of the month. Read more »
Hungarians Unaware of Retirement Risks
Nearly two-thirds of Hungarian workers stop working before the official retirement age, 80% of them voluntarily, a GFK survey commissioned by French insurance group AXA found. Hungary came second in both these categories among the 26 countries surveyed. Read more »
Restaurant Etiquette
Budapest etiquette when out at a restaurant with your Hungarian companion or companions.
Hungary, in the heart of Central Europe, retains numerous traditions and cultural expectations based on gender that may be different from our own. For the newcomer, as well as for many long-time expatriates in Budapest, these subtle expectations can be hard to spot, Read more »
Public Behavior, Courtesy
The Hungarians are a very courteous and polite people. This is very pleasant and also reminds me of my own Latin heritage, where courtesy, and how one treats others in public is very important.
Hungarians use two words which do not directly translate into English for how one treats other people; Read more »
Personal Appearance in Hungary
I noticed how personal appearance is important to people in Hungarian cities. Hungarians tend to be very good dressers. Especially among the older generation one is expected to dress appropriately for going out in public. Even among the young, fashionable dress is very important. Read more »
Holidays in Hungary
Hungarian Public Holidays and Special Events are listed and explained here.
Public holidays (when shops and schools are closed) are marked red. Read more »
Hungarian Food
Ingredients in Hungarian Food
Hungarian food is not particularly spicy; however, paprika seems to find itself into the majority of Hungarian foods. Paprika grows naturally in Hungary, especially in the east of the country which accounts for its liberal use in Hungarian food. Sour cream Read more »
Formality, Status & Hierarchy
Hungarians are more formal than Danes, Australians or North Americans - more like the French and Germans, for instance. Read more »
Meeting People
Informal greetings between men and women friends and relatives are often a kiss on the cheeks, first left, then right. Kisses on the cheeks are not appropriate between men, except for close relatives and certain groups. Read more »
Meals & Table Manners
At the table, Hungarians wish everyone “good appetite” (Jó étvágyat!) before the meal begins. Like all Europeans, Hungarians keep the fork in their left hand rather than switching from left hand to right as Americans do. Read more »
Being a Guest
If you are a guest in someone’s home, it is a good idea to bring something for the wife (she is the hostess and the queen of the house). Read more »
