Topics of Conversation

I am so fascinated by some of the conversations with Teresa and the perspectives and experiences she shares.

Mein Kampf:
I was speaking with Teresa about  Hitler, and she reminded me that he is from Austria.  She said most Austrians supported him much longer than historians would like to admit.  Now, she said, Hitler's manifesto Mein Kempf is "not allowed" in Austria.  My research on-line indicates that the book is not banned, so I am not sure what she means when she says "it is not allowed."

Interpersonal Relations:
Teresa said most Austrians think Americans are "over-reactive" in their overall demeanor in social situations.  By comparison, I do see that she is more subdued and reserved than many of her animated and communicative American counterparts.  She says teachers and store clerks talk much more here than they do in Austria.

Beggars:
It is not uncommon to see homeless people or beggars in Austria.  Teresa said they are often from Romania or Turkey.

Goverment and Religion:Teresa came to me one day and asked why politicians and other public figures are always talking about God and prayer.  We had just watched the announcement that Drew Peterson was going to jail, and the prosecutor said over and over again that he had been praying.  Teresa said government workers, politicians and other leaders never introduce religion into conversation in this way, and she was shocked that that was common practice here.  In addition, she said that the foreign exchange program instructed her to write in her paperwork that she attends church regularly or a family might not choose to host her in the United States.

School Bus:Teresa was very excited to ride the school bus because she had only seen them in movies.  In Austria, children use public transportation or their parents' drive them to school.  On the first day of school, Teresa came home saying that the children on the bus "act like a bunch of monkeys."

Cake:
Austrians often eat it for breakfast.  I may need to consider moving there!  Ha ha!  They do have a different kind of cake than we do.  She made one and it is more like a pound cake with fruit on top.  She had not experienced frosting until Dave's birthday, and then she enjoyed it immensely.

Age:
In Austria, young people cannot drive until they are 18. They can drink some alcohol when they are 16, and others when they are 18.

Abortion:It is legal in Austria, and that status is not in jeopardy.

Stereotypes of Americans:
Teresa has a book about culture shock in the USA, and the other night she read parts of it to us. It is quite interesting to hear another culture's perception of ours.  The list of stereotypes listed in the book included: 
-Americans are either health nuts, or overweight people who eat poorly
-Americans do not care about other cultures and do not feel the need to speak other languages
-Americans always use ice in their drinks
-Americans use a lot of plastic
-Americans are shallow (the listed example was that they try to see Europe in 7 days)
-Americans speak in extremes (everything is WONDERFUL or AWFUL)

Style and Weather:
Teresa says that style is very important to Austrians.  She explained to Dave that she buys lower quality clothing, because it is only in style for 6 months and then she does not like it anymore.  I told her that when it is 20 degrees below zero, style is going to be a mute point, and she is having a hard time imagining this.  Austria has a similar cycle of seasons, but far less snow and it does not get very cold.  I told her to imagine her eyes freezing shut and snot forming icicles on her nose.  We then reviewed the criteria for what constitutes warm clothes (a thin long-sleeved shirt is insufficient for winter unless it is layered with warmer clothes.)

Animals:
In Austria, some of the same wild animals roam the woods that we have here, like deer, rabbits, and squirrels.  However, in Austria, there are not wild turtles, chipmunks, skunks or raccoons.  They do have wild hedgehogs.