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Travel Tips
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Traveling to Austria
Editor’s note: Global business, and subsequently, global business travel, continues to expand rapidly. In response, CWT Traveler will provide to readers each month in 2008 insights and tips on traveling from North America to other countries around the world. This month’s installment focuses on Austria.
In business:
- Austrian executives plan their schedules weeks in advance. Travelers should schedule appointment as far out as possible and give plenty of notice should they need to reschedule.
- Small talk is typically how business meetings begin in Austria. Visitors may be asked about their travel and what Austrian sights they have visited, or what their opinion is on the current events. This may all seem like trivial conversation, but to the Austrians this may be their way of critiquing a visitor.
- During a presentation or negotiations, Austrians traditionally have a structured approach to absorbing and processing information. They expect the meeting to follow the agenda point by point. Austrians believe jokes and humor have no place in business.
- There are relatively few female executives in Austria’s upper management. Businesswomen need not be offended if Austrian men are more formal and courteous around them.
- In business settings, Austrians address each other by titles and surnames. Visitors should not address an Austrian by his or her first name unless requested to do so.
Good to know:
- Austria is one hour behind Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T.-1), or six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T. +6).
- The typical greeting between men is a brief but firm handshake. It is not traditional for men to shake hands with women unless the woman offers her hand first. Austrian women do not traditionally shake hands with each other, except in a business setting. Also, visitors should not keep their hands in their pockets while speaking to an Austrian. This may be seen as offensive.
- When visiting Austria, travelers should be sure to protect themselves from exposure to the cold and sun. Because of the high altitude (1,700 feet above sea level), there is less protection from these elements.
- When conducting business, the preferred dress is conservative and formal. Flashy, bright clothing may be inappropriate in a business setting—dark and somber colors are better choices
Source: “Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Bestselling Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries,” by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway. Published by Adams Media of Avon, Massachusetts.
Holiday travel tips to ease busy airport stress
Proper planning and preparation can make all the difference in the holiday travel experience. Travelers should keep in mind the following tips to improve their experiences in crowded airports during this year’s holiday travel season:
Packing
- Pack valuables, including jewelry, money, laptops, any fragile items, and necessary medications in carry-on baggage.
- Keep medications, including prescription drugs, in their original containers.
- Do not overstuff luggage, as it will make it more difficult to close if screeners need to open it for physical inspection.
- Include luggage ID on the inside of luggage as well as the outside.
- Make sure baggage is within the allowed size and weight guidelines as established by the airlines, and be prepared to pay any applicable baggage fees.
Screening procedures
- Remember to follow the TSA restrictions for carrying on liquids and gels: all liquids, gels and aerosols must be in 3 oz. or smaller containers, and all such containers must fit into and be placed in a quart-size clear plastic bag, removed from the carry-on bag. Visit http://www.tsa.gov/ for more detailed information.
- When approaching security checkpoints, place all metallic items, including keys, coins, and phones in a carry-on bag or a plastic bag before arriving at the X-ray machine. This allows for easy retrieval of items before exiting.
- Remove coats, jackets, or sport coats and place them in a plastic bin. Sweaters and sweatshirts may be worn through the security checkpoint unless they contain a significant amount of metal or their size and bulk could potentially be used to conceal restricted items.
- Remove laptops and video cameras from their carrying cases and place them in a plastic bin.
Gifts- Travel with all gifts unwrapped, as any wrapped gifts will be unwrapped and screened at the security checkpoint.
- Remember, gifts count as carry-on items.
Food
- Remember that some food items may be classified as liquids or gels, and may not be allowed through the security checkpoint.
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Check the TSA Website for additional information about bringing food items on board.
Sports equipment
- Transport skis and ski poles in checked baggage. Ski boots can be included as carry-on luggage.
- Any sporting equipment that could be used as a weapon must be placed in checked baggage.
Check flight status
- Stay informed of schedule changes or travel delays by calling the airline or checking the airline’s Website for updates on departure/arrival times and gate information.
Allow extra time- Allow more time than usual for traveling to and from the airport with holiday traffic. Airport parking ramps and security checkpoints will also be busier.
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines
