Cultural differences in Budapest - The devil in the details

Don't expect the same little details that makes your life usual and comfortable.

To put it in another way, do not expect to have the same kind of features, tools, solutions or maybe the same degree of comfort you are used to in your home country. Tiny details of everyday life differ in Budapest, Hungary.

Air conditioning in Hungary

For instance, air conditioning: AC is not set as low as in other western countries, e.g. 60F in the US vs 70F in Hungary, i.e. 16 centigrade can be considered typical in the USA but it would be around 20-22 centigrade in HU.

Ice Cubes in Drinks in Hungary

Ice in drinks: If you come to Budapest, do not expect to have loads of ice in your drinks. The average number of ice cubes floating on the top of your drink - based on totally unofficial, personal experience - varies from 2 to 4.

From a Hungarian perspective, if you get more than 3-4 ice cubes, you may have the impression that you are in a place where the bar, pub, restaurant owner wants to make more unfair profit from saving on the drinks. Besides, similarly to having the air conditioning set around 70F (21 Celsius), refreshments are also served less icy (fewer ice cubes).

Free drink refill in Hungary

Especially in the US, it is quite common to have the drink refill for free - not in Hungary. Free and automatic re-fill of drinks in restaurants are absolutely not known. In addition, water may not arrive on your table automatically either, you need to ask for water, which will usually be bottled water you need to pay for.

Coffee makers in Hungarian hotels

In Hungarian hotels, unlike in the UK or US for example, tea and coffee makers are not provided as a default accessory.

Coffee to go in Budapest, Hungary

Coffee-on-the-go is a rare phenomenon in Budapest (and nationwide in Hungary), similarly to caps for cups. We usually have our coffee sitting at a table, or just served in a plastic cup with no cap (on average in a cup of 2dl or 6.7 oz). If you want to have your coffee on the go, we recommend bringing along your favorite coffee to go carrier with you. The few places that do offer coffee to go are usually American or Australian eateries and cafes.

People smiling in Hungary?

Smiling and showing a general jolly mood - it would be an understatement to say that people, including cashiers, shop assistants are not really smiling. Hungarians are said to be friendly and hospitable, but it is also true that they do not wear a pleasant sociable smile all day around, not even people who could be expected to smile because of their job or position (shop assistants, waiters, cashiers, bank clerks, sales agents included). So if you should be expecting shiny happy people, lower your expectations and do not get offended or feel neglected. Why we Hungarians are generally less smiling and more complaining folks? Good question.

We could theorize - go back to many centuries, the Turkish occupation, then the Austro-Hungarian oppression, then the Soviet oppression, now the recession, etc. There is always something to see the glass half empty... We can just hope that Hungarians will be more satisfied, more smiley in the future, and be able to see the glass half full instead. Until then, please bear with us as less smiling but friendly folks. :)

Definitely DO NOT DO: Further Budapest warnings

• Do not have valuables with you. Learn from general Budapest warnings.
• Do not travel unprepared. Save the Budapest crime emergency phone numbers just in case.
• Do not stay near the Parliament and the Heroes' Square on Hungarian national holidays
• Do not take marijuana, drugs in Budapest. What about alcohol?
• Do not go to dangerous night clubs in Budapest.
• Do not hail down a taxi in Budapest.
• Do not buy HUF / Forint from a street vendor in Budapest.
• Do not board Budapest public transport vehicles without a ticket.
• Do not cross the road without checking the traffic in Budapest.
• Do count on smoking in Budapest - even though non-smoking places are on the increase.
• Do not take valuables with you to Baths in Budapest - or preferably in the city.
• Do not go to Budapest Airport unprepared - there are 2 Budapest terminals - approx. 5 min car travel from each other.
• Do not go to touristy restaurants in Budapest - to eat pricey food of lower quality.

Check out Budapest FAQ for more useful tips!

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