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The Xenophobe's Guide to the Austrians

by Louis James

A guide to understanding the Austrians that delves into the cultural curiosities and peculiar characteristics of this land-locked nation.

The Xenophobe's Guide to the Austrians
is now available on Kindle
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Extracts from the book

We cannot be moved
The Austrian needs lots of persuading to have his traditions tampered with in the name of modernisation and efficiency. He is attached to his sausage, his insipid beer, and the young white wine that tastes so remarkably like iron filings. He prefers the familiar, tried and tested to the novelty, the latter almost certainly being an attempt by persons unknown to make money at his expense.

Kitschy, kitschy, koo
Home life for the Austrians is a never-ending quest for Gemütlichkeit or cosiness, which is achieved by accumulating objects that run the gamut from the pleasingly aesthetic to the mind-blowingly kitsch.

Austrian autonomy
In Austria detonating pretension is a national pastime. It has to do with attitudes to power that date back to an absolutist form of government and with the self-irony developed by people who were (or thought they were) more talented than the authority to which they had to defer.

A grave issue
The paradoxical character of the Austrian mingles profoundly conservative attitudes with a flair for innovation and invention. This creative tension usually takes the form of official obstructionism to good ideas, but sometimes the other way round. For example, the population were outraged by Josef II's attempt to make them adopt reusable coffins with flaps on the underside for dropping out the corpses. (The Emperor was forced to retreat, grumbling as he did so about the people's wasteful attitude.)

Comments from readers

A good little book, providing a quick traveler's introduction to the Austrians. It is written with a pervasive sense of humor, and offers insights into local custom and character. It is not a substitute for either a true guide book or for a good history (both of which we would strongly urge one to have). Read this first, then consult the travel guide books and read The Austrians.
Newport, OR, USA

Reviews from the Press

An enlightened new series, good natured, witty and useful. The Xenophobe's Guides to different nations deserves a real cheer.
The European

Light-hearted guides well worth reading before you visit any of the countries or, if you have relatives that hail from those parts of the world, they can explain a lot.
Burton Mail

Table of Contents
Nationalism and Identity
Character
Attitudes and Values
Happy Families
Manners and Behaviour
Leisure and Pleasure
Drinking and Eating
Custom and Tradition
Sense of Humour
Culture
Systems
Culture
Systems
Business and Commerce
Government
Language

 

Author: Louis James
Format: 96 pages, pb
Published: 01/02/10
Updated: New edition
Price: £4.99
ISBN: 978-1-906042-21-9
Online eBook. Click on button below to sample.
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