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WORLD CULTURES & FOLK CUSTOMS - HUNGARY

      SIMO JELAČA, PhD

FOREWORD 

This book summarizes information about culture and customs of different nations. Noticeable differences in customs are among Christian, Islamic and Buddhist’s nations, although in all prevails intention for nice and greatest.  

It will be too much to include every country, as there are similarities among many nations of the same or close nationalities. Characteristic are Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, or as well as Germany and Austria. The similar conclusion values for Latin nations, among themselves too.

Readers will find basic information about each country, such as its location and size, population and Ethnic Make-up, Religion, Climate, Language, Etiquettes and others. 

This book can equally be used for travelers, either as tourists or business people, therefore everyone will find necessary information about Etiquette of people at their homes as well as at the business.

My intention was to find as much good information as possible. How much I have succeeded readers will judge it. 

                                                                                                            Author

HUNGARY CULTURE AND FOLK CUSTOMS

Facts and Statistics

Location: Central Europe, bordering Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km.

Size: 93.024 square km.

Capital: Budapest, population 1,775.000 

Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Population: a bit over 10 million.

Ethnic Make-up: Hungarian 89.9%, Roma 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7% 

Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5% 

Government: parliamentary democracy 

Location and Geography 

Hungary is a landlocked country in central Europe. Covering an area of 93,030 square kilometers, the country is in the Carpathian Basin, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, the Alps, and the Dinaric Alps. The Danube River divides Hungary and bisects the capital, Budapest. Hungary lies within the temperate zone and has four distinct seasons. 

Demography 

Hungary has lost population since the early 1980s. The population was 10,065,000 in 1999, 48,000 less than it had been a year earlier. As in several European countries, the population of the elderly is on the rise and that of children on the decrease. 

The officially recognized minorities are Armenians, Bulgarians, Croats, Germans, Greeks, Poles, Romanians, Roma (Gypsy), Serbs, Slovaks, Slovenes, and Ukrainians. The largest minority is the Roma, who make up about 5 percent of the population, numbering approximately 500,000. The second largest minority are the Germans, who number an estimated 170,000. There are 80,000 to 110,000 Slovaks as well as about 35,000 Croatians, 15,000 to 25,000 Romanians, 80,000 to 100,000 Jews, and 5,000 Serbs. 

Linguistic Affiliation 

Hungarian belongs to the Ugor branch of the Finno-Ugric language family. Before World War II, German was the most important and frequently used second language. During the socialist period, Russian was mandatory in schools and universities. English has become the most valued second language, particularly for younger people with entrepreneurial ambitions and in academia, the sciences, and various businesses and services. 

The Hungarian Language

The official language of Hungarian is spoken by 98% of the 10.3m population. Minority languages have become more prominent in recent years, and they include German, Croatian, Romani, Slovak, Romanian, Serbian and Slovene. Attempts are being made to protect these languages, as many members of the ethnic groups actually do not speak them. 

Hungarian Society & Culture

. The Ancient Hungarians lived in the Euro-Asian nomadic pastoral region, where the keeping and use of horses played an important role in their lives. 

Family in Hungary

. The family is the center of the social structure. 

. Generations of extended family often live together.

. The grandparents play an important role in helping raise the grandchildren. 

. The family provides both emotional and financial support to its members. 

Get Personal

. Hungarians expect friends to share private and intimate details of their personal lives.

 . If you ever feel you are being asked personal questions, this is simply meant as part of the getting-to-know-you process.

. Hungarians will even enjoy sharing details of their romantic life with you!

Meeting Etiquette

. Both men and women greet each other by shaking hands, although a man should usually wait for the woman to extend her hand.

. The older generation may still bow to women.

. Close friends kiss one another lightly on both cheeks, starting with the left cheek. 

. In the business context it is safest to address people by their titles and surnames. 

Gift Giving Etiquette

. When visiting a company it is not necessary to bring gifts.

. If invited to a Hungarian's home for a meal, bring a box of good chocolates, flowers or Western liquor.

. Do not bring wine as the Hungarians are proud of the wines they produce. 

. Flowers should be given in odd numbers, but not 13, which is considered an unlucky number. 

. Do not give lilies, chrysanthemums or red roses. 

. Gifts are usually opened when received. 

Dining Etiquette

If in the rare case you invited to a Hungarian's house:

. Arrive on time if invited for dinner, although a 5-minute grace period is granted. 

. If invited to a party or other large gathering, arrive no more than 30 minutes later than invited.

 . You may be asked to remove your outdoor shoes before entering the house.

 . Do not ask for a tour of the house. 

. Table manners are Continental - the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

 . The hostess will wish the guests a hearty appetite at the start of each course. 

. Do not begin eating until the hostess starts. 

. Do not rest your elbows on the table, although your hands should be visible at all times.

 . Hospitality is measured by the amount and variety of food served. Try everything. 

. If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork across your plate. 

. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate. 

. The guest of honor usually proposes the first toast which generally salutes the health of the individuals present.

 . At the end of the meal, someone toasts the hosts in appreciation of their hospitality. 

. An empty glass is immediately refilled so if you do not want more to drink, leave your glass ½ full. 

. Never clink glasses if drinking beer.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Hungary

Relationships & Communication

. Although Hungarians are transactional and do not require long-standing personal relationships in order to conduct business, being introduced by someone they know and trust can often help

. Hungarians pride themselves on using proper etiquette in all situations and expect others to do the same. 

. Socializing is an important part of the relationship building process. 

. Expect many invitations to dinner or cultural events. If you have the time, reciprocate invitations.

. Hungarians prefer face-to-face meetings rather than more impersonal vehicles of communication such as letters.

 . Hungarians are emotive speakers who say what they think and expect you to do the same.

. They do not like euphemisms or vague statements. 

. Hungarians often use stories, anecdotes, and jokes to prove their points. 

. Hungarians are suspicious of people who are reticent and not willing to share their innermost thoughts. 

. Hungarians view eye contact as indicative of sincerity and believe that people who cannot look them in the eye while speaking have something to hide. 

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Appointments are necessary and should be made 2 in advance in writing.

. It is often difficult to schedule meetings on Friday afternoon or from mid July to mid August. Also avoid scheduling meetings from mid December to mid January.

. Punctuality for all social situations is taken extremely seriously. If you expect to be delayed, telephone immediately and offer an explanation. It is considered extremely rude to cancel a meeting at the last minute and could ruin your business relationship. 

. Initial meetings are scheduled to get to know each other and for your Hungarian colleagues to determine if you are trustworthy.

 . Expect some small talk and getting-to-know-you conversation before business is discussed. Do not move the conversation to business yourself.

. Do not remove your suit jacket without asking permission. 

. If you have an agenda, it may be used as a springboard to further discussion and not followed item by item. 

Business Negotiation Etiquette

. Business is conducted slowly.

 . Deals in Hungary cannot be finalized without a lot of eating, drinking and entertaining.

. Hungarians are very detail-oriented and want to understand everything before reaching an agreement. 

. Contracts should be clear and concise. 

. Contracts function as statements of intent. It is expected that if circumstances change, the contract will accommodate the revised conditions. 

. Hungarians are skilled negotiators. 

. Avoid confrontational behavior or high-pressure sales tactics. 

Dress Etiquette

. Business dress is formal and conservative. 

. Men should wear dark business suits with a white shirt and tie.

 . Women should wear either business suits or elegant dresses, complimented with good quality accessories.

. Jeans are standard casual wear. Shorts are uncommon in the city.

. Business wear is appropriate for all formal occasions. 

Business Cards

. Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual. 

. Have one side of your card translated into Hungarian. 

. The Hungarian side should list your surname before your first name, Hungarian style. 

. Include any advanced university degrees on your business card.

. Include the founding date of your company on the card. 

 Symbolism 

Related to history is the national coat of arms, which depicts the House of Árpád's Árpád led the Hungarian conquest in 896 C.E. and his offspring founded the state and ruled until the male line died out in the early fourteenth century. On this family crest is the crown that national tradition connects with the person of King István (997–1038) (Saint Stephen), the country's first Christian king. The red, white, and green flag also is a powerful national symbol. The national anthem, written in 1823, is a symbol of the eastern origins and history of the Hungarians in the form of a prayer that begs God to help the nation.

The Austrian tyranny that followed the revolution of 1848 ended with the 1867 Austrian-Hungarian Compromise. With this accord, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy was established. The Austro-Hungarian monarchy ended after World War I.

Urbanism and Architecture

On the Great Hungarian Plain instead of villages, there was a loose network of huge agro towns that were located far from one another, each with a population from 20,000 to 100,000. Until recently, most Hungarians engaged in agriculture.

As a result of industrialization after the establishment of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1867, a number of industrial-commercial-merchant cities sprang up. Between 1867 and the beginning of World War I, Budapest grew into a huge metropolis with a population of over a million.

Until recently, it was customary to have a tiszta szoba (clean room) in peasant houses that was used mainly for special visits and particular rituals and occasions such as births, christenings, weddings, and funerals.

Food in Daily Life 

Magyar kenyér (Hungarian bread) remains very important in rural and urban cuisine. For the last one hundred fifty years, wheat has been one of the most important crops both for domestic use and exportation. Pig breeding became the most important type of animal breeding in the 1870s, and since then the meat and byproducts of pigs have predominated in the national diet. 

The cuisine at most village weddings includes chicken soup with special csiga noodles that were traditionally believed to have fertility-inducing properties, gulyás , stuffed cabbage, sweetened millet, sweetened rice and other rice dishes, and butter-cream tortes and other baked goods

Basic Economy 

Before World War II, Hungary was an agricultural country. During the socialist regime, forced industrialization took place. However, more than half the population does some agricultural work for household use and supplemental income. 

Major Industries 

Tourism continues to be a great Hungarian success. The production of barley, corn, potatoes, wheat, sugar beets, and sunflower seeds, along with grapes and wine making, is important. 

Trade 

Imports include metal ores and crude petroleum, while exports include agricultural products, consumer goods, leather shoes, machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, textiles, wines, iron, and steel. 

                                                                                                            To be continued

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