Hi! I’m a Dutchie going on a student exchange to Hungary in a couple months. What are some do’s and don’ts in the Hungarian culture?

28 comments

  1. Don’t stare at people

    Don’t expect any biking capapilities (there are a few roads, but they lead to nowhere)

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    edit: and if someone looks really sketchy, avoid them

  4. Dont get on the wrong side of the law as a foreigner.

    If you can’t speak Hungarian people may try to scam you out of money. (Charging a bit more than actual price)

    Dont shit on how bad our country is, but if someone brings it up feel free to join. It is a large part of our culture to shit-talk ourselves, but we dont like to be shit-talked by others

    In other aspects, it shouldn’t be too much different from most other European countries. Just act as if you knew what you are doing and people will not fuck with you

    Edit: oh and get used to hearing “Kurva anyád”

  6. Swearings contain at least 3 words. Sometimes they are 20 words long.

    We have fryed fat.

    We make fun of the goverment, but ealderly and 50% of middle aged people see them as saviours.

    Unfortunatly you have to ignore homeless people or beggars for money. 95% will just smoke or drink it. Don’t even try to offer food or give. They trow it after you or make you pay a lot of money.

    We make fun of our own suffering. Mostly the younger generation.

    Pálinka is a basic drink, but be careful with the size of the glass. Pálinka starts at 30+% alcohol, and if your glass is empty we fill it. Automatically. Without asking. Glass size doesn’t matter.

  9. Just don’t be an asshole. We’re in Europe, the differences are not that huge. Prepare yourself, that older people don’t speak foreign languages, if you are in need of help try young people. You absofuckenlutely can refuse pálinka if you are not in the mood. Most of the time it’s crap anyway. Have fun!

  11. I assume you are going to study in Budapest. Accept pálinka when it is offered, avoid strange creatures on the streets, learn the sentence : “Nincs pénzem, nem kell semmi.” otherwise you might find yourself in the middle of some fishy business. Everything else is just the same as in every European country btw. Provided Budapest is somewhat a cultural melting pot, you will do just fine. Hungarians are thought to be hospitable, we are just wary of strangers be it foreign or hungarian.

  13. Just a warning, every Hungarian house party eventually reaches a point where people start doing one or more of the following:

    1. arguing about politics;
    2. arguing about history;
    3. standing around in a circle, singing sad songs they may or may not even like when they’re sober.

    If you know at least *some* Hungarian 1-2 can be very frustrating, if not, it’s probably very entertaining. As for 3, people will be very happy to teach you the songs.

  16. Are you 14 yo still or did that just stay on your profile? Cause if you are, please don’t take the palinka offered as a lot are suggesting on this thread :DD

  18. Hi!

    I assume you would be studying in Budapest, which is quite multicultural and metropolitan like many other European cities, so there shouldn’t be much of a culture shock for you. There are only a few things that you ought to be mindful of:

    Hungarians like their booze and parties, but we are also shy. Most of us are not very confident with our English, and we are usually more introverted and don’t make friends so easily. If you want to make friends with the locals, be prepared that it won’t happen fast. You may have to initiate contact because many of us won’t go to have a chat with strangers out of blue.

    It is rude to stare and to be loud and obnoxious in public places. Some people do that but they are usually frowned upon.

    If you are offered food or booze, you can absolutely refuse it, but it’s a thing. A lot of people, especially older folks will probably try to show you love and friendliness by trying to stuff you with food.

    The economy is quite shit and the inflation is sky-high. A lot of people are struggling to get by which means that there might be even more sadness and bitterness than usual. The government is a “tad bit” corrupt and incompetent too, and we complain often about them.

    We are proud of our heritage, culture and history. That doesn’t mean that we are all crazy nationalists, especially the younger generations, but for most locals Hungary is a nation first, and a European country second, especially outside of Budapest borders.

    Apart from that, if you are a decent, pleasant person, you will be welcomed. Have a great time here.

  20. Never ask or accept paying in euros, pay with bank card in HUF and let your bank do the exchange (or use revolut)
    Also do not wear any visible rainbows – LGBT is tolerated less and less do to some government propaganda, so better stay safe.

  21. I study in the Netherlands and the biggest difference i noticed:
    -it is kinda rude to not blow your nose and just snort and make ungodly noises. I know in Dutch culture it’s the opposite, but people here have no problem with blowing your nose politely in public.

  22. Hey! I don’t know if you smoke weed, but it’s common in your country, so I assume a warning is appropriate.

    Drug laws are very strict in Hungary, and the quality of drugs is generally very bad. If you can, avoid it while you are here. Never buy it from “a dude in a pub”.

  23. I’m Hungarian in the Netherlands. Here’s a piece of advice from me: use a tissue, we don’t do sniffing here. Sucking back your snot to your brain is considered rude here.

  25. Hi! I love Dutch people, I think you’ll be fine.

    Weed is illegal here. Keep it on the down low if you’re planning to indulge.

    People are not rude they are just not very trusting, so if you go up to random strangers they will not instantly treat you like you’re their dearest friend and it might take them some time to warm up to you. But once they do you can be friends for life.

    Take off your shoes or at least offer to take off your shoes if you’re invited to someone’s house.

    If you don’t like pálinka, just say it’s too strong for you, DO NOT try to mix it with coke or some other juicy beverage like you’d do with say vodka or rum. Trying to make a pálinka cocktail is a big no-no.

    Use the app Bolt to get a taxi or call Főtaxi directly.

    Try to avoid the most touristy restaurants, ask the locals what would they personally recommend for authentic and good quality Hungarian food.

    Otherwise observe the same safety precautions you would in Amsterdam or Rotterdam.

    Take trips outside of Budapest as frequently as you can. Nearby Visegrád and the Pilis mountains are very close via bus and train and offer amazing vistas for hikers.

    Lake Balaton and Mount Badacsony are doable for a weekend trip too. No idea when you’re coming and leaving but try to go there during the late spring.

    Szeged is also a quaint city with a vibrant international and local body of students that’s a direct trainride from Budapest and trains leave hourly. Unfortunately the ride is rather long compared to the distance (2,5 hours for traveling 180km) but you don’t need to worry about connections or getting lost and the city offers a different vibe from Budapest.

    Also check out Pécs and Mecsek if you have some time, amazing opportunities to hike, and Pécs is beautiful and has an 800 year old Roman-era Christian catacomb that’s cool to check out. (Budapest also has some interesting Roman stuff if you are into that).

    I’m guessing you’re probably a beer guy (age and nationality) so craft breweries to check out for sure are Monyó, Szentandrási, First, Reketye, Fehér Nyúl and Horzont. There are great craft pubs in Budapest (and most other cities) like Élesztő, Monyó, Legfelsőbb Beeróság, Beer Brothers and Ganz Söröző.

    If you enjoy wines at all, then wines from Balatonfelvidék / Badacsony and Villány are a must. For white wines you can’t go wrong with Irasi Olivér, Olaszrizling and most sauvignon blancs.

    For red wines I recommend wines from Villány. The types to look out for here are Portugieser, Cabernet Sauvignon, and rosé.

    If you like specifically sweet wines and dessert wines or stronger, more characteristic wines then the Tokaj region is your friend. Aszú for white wines and Bikavér for red wines are the most famous one. There are many excellent wine places in Budapest, one I personally recommend is called 0,75 bistro right next to Saint Stephen Basilica where you can try all sort of Hungarian wines.

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    Oh wait you’re 14, didn’t realize they did Erasmus that young. Then forget everything I said about alcohol, drinking age here is 18 and nowadays they do take it seriously and most local 14 year olds have absolutely shit taste in drinking, plus it’s like really bad for you.

  27. As a hungarian who lived in the Netherlands a semester: If you are riding a bike, just forget everything you know, and assume every car wanna murder you

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