If you are planning a trip to Budapest or other parts of Hungary, it’s just normal to try to find out a thing or two about these people. Knowing a little about the Hungarians and their customs will help you better understand their culture and therefore make your visit more meaningful and pleasurable.
Table of Contents
- Things You Should Know About Hungarians
- 1. Hungarians Have a Wicked Sense of Humor
- 2. Hungarian Don’t Open Up Too Easily
- 3. Hungarians Can’t Handle Criticism Very Well
- 4. Hungarian People Are Very Proud of Their Heritage
- 5. Hungarians Cherish Their Achievements
- 6. Last Name Comes First
- 7. Take My Name and Take it All!
- 8. Food Is a Serious Affair in Hungary
- 9. Table Manners Are Very Important for Hungarians
- 10. Hungarian People Love Paprika and Sour Cream
- 11. Hungarians Find it Hard to Believe that You Can’t Learn Their Language
- 12. Hungarian Etiquette
- 14. Hungarian People Can’t Get Over Transylvania
- What Pisses off a Hungarian
- Misconceptions About Hungarians
Things You Should Know About Hungarians
What are the Hungarians like? Well, it’s a complex question that shouldn’t be approached from one direction only. Although I am not Hungarian, I’ve been married to one for almost 50 years and lived among Hungarians for a good part of my life. Like with every nation, you can have both positive and negative experiences. So before you jump to any conclusions, let me throw in my twopence.
1. Hungarians Have a Wicked Sense of Humor
Hungarians are very funny people, but unless you are fluent in Hungarian it’s difficult to understand that. They have a dry and sharp humor that cuts to the bone, which doesn’t fit well with everyone. They also swear a lot, which to some people is offensive.
2. Hungarian Don’t Open Up Too Easily
Hungarians are perceived as introvert and quiet people. They are basically nice and polite, although not easily approachable. They are also very direct people which seldom hide their discontent. If they dislike something they’ll let you know right away.
Most Hungarians view foreigners with skepticism and tend to be suspicious of people they don’t know. Part of the reason is the language barrier, especially in the older generation. If you are approaching someone on the street, chances are you will not get a useful answer. Or you may be getting no answer at all. However, younger people who speak foreign languages will always appear friendlier towards tourists.
Unlike Romanians who seem very warm and welcoming to foreigners, Hungarians will keep you at a distance till they get to know you better. But once you gain their trust, they will be the most dependable, loyal and honest friends you’ll ever have.
3. Hungarians Can’t Handle Criticism Very Well
Hungarians consider themselves very intelligent people. And most of them are. But this sometimes leads to a superiority complex and even some forms of narcissism. Hungarians don’t think very highly of their neighbors or of most other peoples, for that matter. They also don’t do well with criticism. At all!
4. Hungarian People Are Very Proud of Their Heritage
There is a great deal of nationalism in Hungary. Most Hungarians are very proud of their country but consider that history wasn’t kind to them. They believe Hungary would still be one of the most powerful states in the world, but for the Treaty of Trianon under which Hungary lost two-thirds of its territory.
Hungarians have lived through great economic upheaval. Sadly most of them, even professional people like doctors, lawyers, or professors, can’t afford the same level of spending as people in other Western European countries. This somehow affects their sense of pride. Although they secretly admire the western culture and civilization, they are not ready to bow in front of anybody.
5. Hungarians Cherish Their Achievements
Throughout history, Hungarians struggled to maintain their own voice and identity. For centuries they have been under the control of powerful empires like the Hapsburgs and Ottomans, and later on under the control of the Soviets. But despite all that, they managed to survive as a people for more than 1,000 years.
Therefore today, when they have a distinctive identity, Hungarians display a lot of pride in their cuisine, language and other traditions and customs unique to their country. And not only that. Throughout its history, Hungary has produced a great number of mathematicians, Nobel Prize winners, great composers (Béla Bartók, Franz Liszt) and artists.
Hungarians pride themselves in sports achievements as well, having the highest number of Olympic medals per capita (482 between the winter and summer games). They have excellent sport teams, especially in water polo, fencing and kayaking.
Hungarians have also influenced industries across the world. For example, the founders of both Paramount and Fox Studios have Hungarian roots. And let’s not forget Erno Rubik, a professor of architecture in Budapest (Hungary), who created the famous Rubik’s Cube that we all know about.
6. Last Name Comes First
There are quite a few facts about Hungarian culture that may surprise you. One that I found quite interesting was the name order. When Hungarian people introduce themselves, they will say their last name first. For instance, they will say: “Galffy Laszlo vagyok,” meaning “I am Galffy, Laszlo” (Galffy being the last name). This is very confusing, unless you are aware of the name order.
When Hungarian family names first appeared, they served to differentiate between people with the same given name. For example, since in the same village there were more Laszlos, ‘Galffy’ made it possible to tell one Laszlo apart from the other Laszlos in the community.
READ NEXT: Interesting Facts About Budapest That You May Not Know
7. Take My Name and Take it All!
And speaking of names. When a woman marries a Hungarian, she adopts not only her husband’s family name, but his full name. So when I married my husband – Laszlo Galffy– I publicly became Galffy Laszloné, meaning Galffy Laszlo’s wife.
On my passport and official documents I am of course only Anda Galffy. However, when I am introduced to new people in Hungary, I am called Galffy Laszloné (Laszlo Galffy’s wife). Kind of funny, right?
8. Food Is a Serious Affair in Hungary
Hungarians take food very seriously. They are driven by it! Food elevates the spirit and comforts a broken heart. It accompanies political discussions, concludes a business deal, or helps celebrate a happy event. Food may even cure an illness! In Hungary, food is culture and truth be told, Hungarian food is absolutely delicious!
Hungarian People think a lot about their next meal. “Mit kapunk ebédre?” (What’s for lunch?) Sunday lunch is sacred and is almost always a three-course event.
You’ll likely have a soup, then a main course (usually meat stewed in onions, garlic and paprika, accompanied by pickles or sauerkraut and served over egg dumplings). You will always finish with desert, which can vary from strudel, to pancakes with jam, to walnut cake, or chocolate cake).
Hungarian restaurants are so much a part of daily life in Hungary, that not even the perils of war or the collapse of the economy could keep their tables empty!
9. Table Manners Are Very Important for Hungarians
When Hungarians invite you to their house for a meal, they expect you to behave in a certain way. There is a dining etiquette that one needs to observe.
• Don’t start eating before your host/hostess because it’s considered greedy and ill mannered.
• Don’t discuss business or politics at the table.
• The host will serve you a certain number of dishes and it’s polite to try them all.
• If you can’t eat anymore, leave a small bite on the plate, or the host will continue to serve you.
10. Hungarian People Love Paprika and Sour Cream
Sticking with the topic of food, there are two ingredients that Hungarians add to almost any dish: paprika and sour cream. Paprika, Hungary’s piros arany or the ‘red gold,’ is an essential part of Hungarian cuisine and it is the dominant taste of their food. You’ll find paprika on any restaurant table as a condiment, next to the salt and pepper shakers.
When visiting Hungary, you will immediately spot the sour-cream-love of the Hungarians. They pour it on almost everything, even on bread. They eat it with onion, with cucumbers, with potatoes and yes, even with dessert.
11. Hungarians Find it Hard to Believe that You Can’t Learn Their Language
You don’t need to speak Hungarian to get around in Budapest. But although English is spoken in most tourist places, if you travel outside the tourist areas there is very little chance that you’ll get by with English or any other language by this matter.
They seem to have a fear of articulating any foreign words, even if they know a few. Addressing them in any language other than Hungarian will be met with frowns.
Hungarian is not an easy language to learn and will pose a challenge to anybody who tries. I know that from my own experience. Despite being married to a Hungarian for so long, I still don’t speak Hungarian. To the the dismay of my Hungarian relatives who truly believe there is really no excuse for me not to have learned the language after all these years.
12. Hungarian Etiquette
Hungarians etiquette is very similar with many other European countries. A handshake is a normal greeting, but gentlemen must always wait for a lady to offer her hand first. You will still see the older generation bowing as a greeting, or kissing the ladie’s hand.
If invited to a Hungarian’s home for a meal, bring a box of good chocolates, flowers or a Western liquor. Do not bring wine, as the Hungarians are proud of the Hungarian wines and they consider themselves experts in picking them. Arriving late is considered rude. In most cases, you are expected to be 10-15 minutes early.
Also, take off your shoes if you enter someones home. If they ask you not to, you may leave your shoes on, otherwise just take it off.
14. Hungarian People Can’t Get Over Transylvania
One thing that Hungarians have a hard time getting over is loosing Transylvania to Romania. This was the result of the Treaty of Trianon in 1920, when Hungary lost about two-thirds of its territory to its neighboring countries. But it seems that loosing Transylvania hurts them the most.
It it not so much that Hungarians think that Transylvaniais theirs, but that it WAS theirs for centuries. And many Hungarians have a very hard time “letting it go.” Romania and Hungary have been entangled into this feud for ages!
What Pisses off a Hungarian
• Hungarians are very proud of their wines and spirits and truly believe they are the best in the world. Surprise, surprise! Is there anything concerning themselves they aren’t proud of? As a result, refusing to drink a shot of pálinka when offered one, or telling a Hungarian you don’t like Hungarian wines is more than an offense.
• The second thing that will piss them off is assuming that life is better in Hungary since the fall of Communism. When the Berlin Wall crumbled, some people in Hungary thrived, but many still feel the effects of loosing the steady work and pay that Communism provided.
• Hungarians are proud of their cuisine and expect everybody else to like it too. Telling them you don’t like Hungarian food will not only trigger disapproval, but also be considered very impolite.
Misconceptions About Hungarians
Every nation has its own stereotypes, and Hungary is no exception. Many tourists visit the country every year and form their own opinions. But you’ll be surprised how many people who have never visited Hungary before have opinions about it. Let us see the most common stereotypes about Hungarians.
• Hungarians are grumpy people and never smile. Well, Hungarians DO smile when they have something to smile about. And they even laugh hard, when something tickles their funny bone.
• Hungarians are not hospitable and welcoming people. Although they tend to be a little suspicious of people they don’t know, Hungarians are more hospitable than you can imagine. Once they get to know you better, they are quick to invite you in their home, where you’ll be treated like a king!
• Hungarian food is greasy and spicy. Hungarian cuisine has indeed many spicy and fat dishes and that’s especially true in restaurants targeting tourists. But modern Hungarian cuisine is has a much wider and more health-conscious range of foods.
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roy
“Hungarians are perceived as introvert and quiet people. They are basically friendly, polite, and usually open-minded”….
In which world do u live and im asking the writer,when did u visit Budapest the last time.Most of them are not nice,not welcoming toward tourists!and show theire angry sad face whenever they can.so please do me a favour they are far away of what that u described in your article.
Anda
That’s your opinion and you are entitled to it. But as someone who travels to Budapest every year, I am describing the Hungarians just as they are: not very friendly, but not angry or hostile at all.
Kiko
I totally agree with you. Sad to say,
I was shocked with their cold attitude towards tourists like me in
the beautiful city of Budapest this August of 2023. Although I enjoyed the food and the great fireworks on St. Stephen’s Day.
Zsanett
As a Hungarian born and moved to the US at the age of 14 let’s not talk about education lol, education in the US is a well, i don’t know how can i say it in a nice way sucks lol specially now Seeing my poor children struggle specially in math ! When i went to high school i cannot tell you how many times i corrected my teacher cause she said all the wrong dates in history class ! They learned stuff in HS that i learned in 5th 6th and 7th grade !
And we did have languages to learn and it was Russian or German it wasn’t until my little brother was in school who was able to pick English ! But then again we learned English here better or i like to think that ! But other than that it’s pretty accurate!
Hey I’m still learning after 20+ years !
Anda
Thank you for commenting on my post, Zsanett. I’m glad you agree with me at least on some of these issues.
Attila
Hi
As a born Hungarian I have to tell that there are not just a few overstatements here in this article.
1. Hungarians don’t open up too easily…+bad Hungarian education system?
The first statement is a vast generalisation and isn’t even true. Yeah, compared to the manners in the States Hungarians less trusty of aliens and also do you expect different manners in rural Spain, rural Germany, rural, Poland?
The education system is far better still than the western one. I’ve seen hundreds of Americans not knowing what Europe is, unable to perform very basic math operations and adults who do not have a clue about science(excpet cooking meth… maybe).
This is just not a thing in Hungary. Here the children have to learn it all.
Language barriers? Well, the fall of communism happened 30 years ago so before it there was just no chance to learn English. However immediately after it it became mandatory so everyone under 40 has to speak English(or German) at some level.
The elder generations rarely have this luxury.
2. question of national pride.
Which nation(except today Western countries) are not proud of their heritage?
Is this indeed so special?
5. ‘When a woman marries a Hungarian, she adopts not only her husband’s family name, but his full name. ‘
This is simply not true. This is an option form the many.
You could also keep your name, pick only his surname, combine your and his surname in any form.
‘Hungarian people can’t live without paprika and sour cream’
This is again overstatement and generalisation.
We can live without these things and we do not put them into every food.
We have a very good variety of food but there is indeed one speciality of the Hungarian cuisine which is called ‘Pörköltalap’ which means stew-base. It is only about how you start making the food and if it contains combination of fat/oil, salt, onion, garlic and paprika, you are using the pörköltalap.
The sour cream is a potential ingrediant only and does not fit to all food. We do not use it more extensively than for example the French do with the Crème fraîche.
The notes about the Hungarian etiquette is the worst, by far.
No one will be offended if you do not accept liquor or food. You can always say you are good and no one will chase you out through the borders…
It is rather an expectation towards the host to be able to offer food and/or drinks to their guests, but is this again something custom Hungarian? I’d bet it isn’t.
Refusing a shot of Pálinka or local wine?
We do drink lots of foreign drinks: beers, whiskeys, spirits and yes, wine too. We know our wine but it doesn’t mean that every single house has his own Pálinka destilled locally or own winery.
I never accepted every pálinka as I can’t stand it. No one every kicked me out from their house.
You depict Hungarians in the article just like if it would be in medieval.
For everyone else’s sake: we do have internet, cars, electricity and women are not kept ni chains or covered by burka. We have decent schools and they produce quite appreciated workers for the world.
Hungary isn’t different at all from Slovakia, Poland,etc.
Anda
Dear Attila,
Thank you fo the detailed and sensible comments. You just made me realize another thing that I didn’t notice about Hungarians: not all of them have a sense of humor, hahaha!
Tibor
Don’t be rude and please don’t pretend like you know more about us than we know ourselves.
If you really knew us, you’d know that being disrespectful is considered extremely rude in Hungary. You can’t just say he doesn’t have a sense of humor, just because he corrected some of your statements.
You don’t even know him.
And as a fellow Hungarian I say Attila was right about everything he said. After all, he is a Hungarian.
There’s something you probably forgot or never learned about us. We – with or without a reason – are a proud nation. It takes a wrongly said word or a suspicious move to offend a Hungarian. And If somehow you do make that “mistake” be ready for a very honest reaction from us. It might even come off as rude as blunt but hey, we are Hungarians. If we have the slightest problem, we will let you know straight away.
Be nice, we are trying hard too…
Anda
Oh, come now, Tibor, don’t be so upset! I actually love Hungarians. So much so that married one and stayed married to him for over 45 years now. How much more proof can I give that I appreciate their qualities?
Neither one of the points I make in this article are negative or intended as a critique. They are just simple observations from someone who has lived among Hungarians for a long, long time.
The way you see yourself in not always the way others see you, so toughen up a bit!
Tibor
Hi Anda,
We love everyone who loves us.
I had no bad or hostile intentions when I wrote the first comment.
I was just trying to draw your attention to the fact that the person who’s correcting you may not be doing it offensively.
P. S.; Is that you, your husband and a friend of yours on the top picture?
Anda
No,that’s not us. If you want to find out more about who we are, read the About section of this blog.
Grzegorz
You are of course right but keep in mind the fact that the article is not entirely serious. Nevertheless I think that people in Western Europe and (especially) in North America do consider us (by “us” I mean people from Central and Eastern Europe) to be rather backward. Perhaps it’s a result of propaganda from the time of Cold War. Anyway, greetings from Poland!
Melody
Hello,
Such an interesting article! I took a DNA test and found out I am Hungarian. I really want to visit but don’t even know where I would start! I live in California and have never been to Europe. Any tips or advice I would so greatly appreciate! 🙂
Anda
Hi Melody, thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll be able to visit Europe soon. If you want to do some further reading about this incredible continent, this blog can be a good resource for you and it is quite easy to navigate: just hover over Destinations (at the top of the menu bar) and click on Europe. You can then select what country you want to read about. I was born and raised in Europe, so I write extensively about it. If you are interested in building a European itinerary, you can start with these suggestions: https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/2-weeks-in-europe-itinerary/. I also have a lot of detailed information about Budapest. There are individual posts about what to visit, where to stay, practical tips, day trips, etc. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Susan Mundt
I visited Budapest in 1983 as a 22 year old Australian, enjoying an extended European guided tour. It was organised by GlobusGateway, and was the only tour company that would venture behind the “Iron Curtain” at that time. I enjoyed it then, and now believe I should return for another visit once this Covid 19 business Is under control. Thanks for a very informative article . It reminded me I still have an adventurous streak that needs to be fed. Best wishes .
Anda
Thank you for taking time to read my post. I’m really glad you found the information I provided useful.
Lisbeth Jensen
Very interesting post Anda and thank you for that. My husband and I are taking a trip in September flying( from Manchester UK) to Vienna and will end our trip in Budapest where we will stay for three days.My grandfather came from Budapest ( a long time ago) and I remember him always having soup when he came to visit us .I always wanted to see the city he came from and so looking forward to our trip.
Anda
Thank you for taking time to comment, Lisbeth. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful experience in Budapest, especially since you are of Hungarian descent.
Vera
Buy a plane ticket and go. You will love it and you will have no problem getting around or being understood. Lots of people speak English. Go have fun.Eat a lot of good food.
Marianna
Dear Anda,
I was born and raised in Hungary and living in the US. I found – and thoroughly enjoyed – your spot on article on my people while searching for getting in touch with Hungarians in Hawai’i, where I currently reside.
Anda Galffy
Thanks, Marianna. You probably won’t find many Hungarians in Hawaii, hahaha!
Catherine Q.
This was very helpful. I am going to Hungary next week to retrace my father’s steps. I am visiting family I have never met before and want to make sure I don’t offend them. I am bringing tea, chocolates, silk scarves (one for each of the women) and linen tea towels with Canadian prints on them. Do you think I need to bring anything else? Smoked Salmon? I am taking a carry on so I can’t bring Maple Syrup.
Thanks in advance.
Anda Galffy
I’m not even sure they will appreciate Maple Syrup that much. Smoked Salmon yes, everybody like that. You don’t need to carry a lot of stuff. Just a small something, to show them that you care. Thanks for reading why post, Catherine. Have a safe trip.
Vera
No, Catherine, you don’t need to bring anything. Since Hungary is a democratic country, people from other countries have businesses here, so you can buy almost anything in Hungary.
Suruchi
Thanks for sharing these points. You surely understand Hungarians quite well. Interesting they are referred by husband names only. They actually sound likes masters in picking best wines. Completely enjoyed your post.
Nicole LaBarge
I got the sense that hungarians were proud when I was there. I had no idea that the guy who invented the rubik’s cube was hungarian. Very cool
Cat Lin
I find it shocking that married women take the husband’s full name, not just the last name. I have not tried the Hungarian food before. But I know I will like it because of the paprika!
Hungirl
No they don’t. They surely used to in the past, until approx the late 80’s, but not anymore. I am 45 years old but know basically no one in my generation and especially in the younger generations who have taken their husbands full name. Women either take their husbands last name and keep their first name or take their husband’s name and also keep their own, using both, usually with a hyphen (e.g. Kiss Anna marries Tóth Peter, she may be called Tóth Anna, Tóthné Kiss Anna or Tóth-Kiss Anna) but quite a few women nowadays chose to not to take their husbands name at all
Rosemary
Thanks for sharing these cultural insights about Hungary. I’ll be visiting this Summer and perfect timing for this article. Learning about their pride especially over food and wine is quite interesting. I love paprika, so I’m looking forward to having this condiment with my dishes. Great article.
Trisha
You have a very keen observation of the Hungarians! I think this is the most detailed list I’ve read about them. I kinda laughed at refusing to drink palinka. Definitely not me! Also a bit surprised that they are into paprika too, as most of my European friends don’t like spicy food. Would really love to visit this country in the future.
Anda Galffy
You shouldn’t be surprised that Hungarians love paprika. They ARE paprika!
Tősér Csaba Dominik
Hahaha we aren’t paprika but it is a good joke
Anda
I’m glad you didn’t take it personal, Csaba! Most Hungarians who read my post got really offended by some of my observations, hahaha!
Linda (LD Holland)
I would have to agree with you about Hungarians being proud of their heritage. When we visited, everyone wanted to share their stories with us. We certainly saw that food was king when we visited. We were always surprised to see big groups eating out in public. And they were very loud. When we ate in Hungary, I was good with sour creme. But quickly tired of paprika. There were a few other things in here that were new to me. But good to remember if we ever visit again.
Carol Colborn
Lots of good stuff about Hungary here. Like I didn’t know the inventor of the Rubik cube comes from there. And that you get your husband’s full name when you marry him. And that Transylvania used to be theirs.
Anda Galffy
I’m glad you enjoyed reading it, Carol.
Jody Robbins
Some solid tips in here. I used to travel to Hungary for work and I wish I knew these. So interesting about ceding Transylvania.
noel
Interesting insight into the Hungarian culture and the people of this country. I knew very little when I first visited Budapest, but learned a lot more from visiting the museums and cultural attractions. I definitely need to visit the other surrounding cities and countryside.
Anda Galffy
You’d enjoy the rest of Hungary as well, I’m sure.
Milijana
I am so glad you have written a post about Hungarians, Anda! As a Croatian, I am familiar with Hungarians and Hungarian culture, but didn’t know all these details. And I must say I have absolutely enjoyed reading this well written and straight-to-the-point article. Great job, Anda!
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Milijana.
Ian Alfred Nasong'o
Hello, Anda,
I am a 20 year old Kenyan and reading your article was very eye opening. I am hoping to get a chance to study in Hungary and I have to say this was very helpful.
Anda Galffy
I hope you’ll get to see your dream come true. Hungary is a very beautiful country and I’m sure you’ll have a great time there.
Leila
Hi Anda!
I’m a Hungarian girl and it was so funny to read about my country and my culture from your view.
And these things are totally true. Haha!
Thank you very much for write them down. I really enjoyed it.
Anda Galffy
Thank you Leila. This is a true compliment coming from a native Hungarian.
Linda Bibb
Haha – I loved how you compared your husband’s culture to yours. (So I should assume Laszlo is hard to get to know?!)
We were in Budapest a couple of years ago and bemoaned how we couldn’t see more of the country. Based on your article, I wonder how easy it would be to navigate around. What do you think?
Anda Galffy
Not really sure, Linda. I always travel there with my husband who obviously speaks the language. Depending on how touristy an area is, you would probably be OK getting around.
Anisa
I think being married to a Hungarian definitely qualifies you as an insider! I can understand why they are so passionate about the food there! I remember the goulash it was so good there. I also found a Hugarian restaurant in London that I really like.
Anda Galffy
There are many Hungarians in England, Anisa. I’m not surprised you found a good Hungarian restaurant there.
Lara Dunning
As someone who got their degree in anthropology, I found this fascinating. I don’t know much about Hungary or Hungarians and this gives a great start to learning about the culture and knowing etiquette when you visit and meet other Hungarians. I would happily sample Hungarian wines and food!
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute
I will never turn down an offer of a free drink, especially palinka! Thanks for linking in this week, Anda!
Melinda Crow
What a fabulous story, Anda. Thank you for sharing your years of insight. Maybe I am part Hungarian—I can’t live without either paprika or sour cream!
Anda Galffy
Hahaha, who knows, Melina? Maybe you are.
Lolo
So many interesting facts! Thanks for introducing me to them! Makes the country that much more interesting! How strange though about the names!
Anda Galffy
It is, isn’t it?
Esther
I must say, I have a thing for the Hungarians. They’re such a true and stern people, I like that a lot. And they’re still a lot warmer than for example most Czech people who are really shy and ‘to themselves’. And I love Hungarian wines and think that Hungarian cuisine is one of the most underappreciated kitchens in Europa, which is a shame!!
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
Very enlightening! My husband will be in Hungary in a few weeks for business, so I need to pass this post along to him. He tells me that the food is always so delicious when he visits. We had dinner with some Hungarians who were visiting Texas last month. Indeed, they brought me chocolates as well as a DVD of a children’s traditional dance school program. I swear that one day I’ll get to go along with my husband on one of this trips there.
Anda Galffy
You really should go with your husband, Michelle. And you should take your kids too. They are going to love Budapest.
Michelle
Very interesting read (as usual), Anda! I met a Hungarian girl while travelling in Colombia, but she had been living in Germany for a number of years. Maybe it’s her expat experience, or maybe it’s a generational thing, but I found her very warm and friendly. I was blown away by how many languages she speaks – Hungarian, German, English and Spanish, and I’m sure she’s able to get by in a few more languages! The way she explained it to me was: when your native language is as difficult as Hungarian, you find it easy to pick up other languages. Which makes sense! So I absolutely don’t think any less of you for not learning more Hungarian after all these years of marriage.
Anda Galffy
Hungarians are very warm and welcoming, Michelle, especially after they get to know you. But in the beginning they are very reserved.
jill
My best friend’s dad is Hungarian – and moved to the US when he was in his 20’s. And your first point is dead on for him- he definitely is reserved but doesn’t hesitate to tell you exactly what he thinks. He gets into lots of arguments with his Austrian wife and her family. Too funny.
Anda Galffy
Yea, they can argue pretty loudly, Jill. I know that first hand, hahaha!
Ruth
Anda, there is so much I want to say about this post. I enjoyed it a lot. I know you say Hungarians are a bit reserved but I found them friendlier than people from their surrounding countries (do not want to mention the countries). I totally felt Hungarians nationalism. My tour guide almost cried when she talked about how the country lost their ancestral land. A guy told me Dracula was really Hungarian. If you do not mind me me asking, how is the current situation between Hungary and Romania?
Anda Galffy
Hungary and Romania, as states, are in good terms. Hungarians and Romanians on the other side, are not. The situation is pretty complicated because the animosity between these two groups started many generations ago and got from bad to worse during Communism. Ceausescu tried to spread out the Hungarians population in Transylvania sending them all over the country. At the same time he moved large groups of Romanians to that territory hoping to break the Hungarian groups. The result was disastrous, as both nationalities hated this situation.Currently, there are no open fights and peace is maintained pretty well in Transylvania, but the Hungarian population continues to complain that they are unfairly treated by the Romanians. Very sad.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
This was such an interesting read! I learned so much from this, Anda. We’d still love to visit Budapest one of these days so I’m sure this will be useful then. I have a Hungarian friend but she was mostly raised here and I’ll share this with her 🙂
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Mary. I’m curious what your Hungarian friend will have to say about my article.
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
Hi Anda, I have been to Hungary once and thought it was a beautiful country. It is definitely on our list to go back to. The ‘taking your husband’s name’ thing used to happen in Australia but it has died out with my generation. For my mother’s generation it was not at all uncommon to receive letters addressed to Mrs David Lindfield, for example. As far as the food goes, I believe you should always try the local food. What is the point of travel if you just stick to the things you do back home.
Anda Galffy
Yea, I agree with that, Lyn. I love to try new foods (except for the ones I am allergic to).Hope you’ll go to see Hungary again.
Rhonda Albom
That’s a lot of interesting perceptions about Hungarians. I was not aware of the Treaty of Trianon. It sounds like it was devastating to the Hungarian people.
Anda Galffy
It was indeed and they still can’t accept that they lost Transylvania.
Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats
I didn’t know you were married to a Hungarian man. I went to school with a woman from Hungarian and some of these definitely fit her except she was very friendly and open, making friends very easily. But she was college educated and teaches at a local college so this probably made her feel more comfortable as her English was already very good.
Anda Galffy
There are always exceptions to the rule, Jessica. Many people from the young generation in Hungary became more open to the Westerners and like to make new friends. Not the older generation though.