Hungarian customs, history, culture, lifestyle, and life

This book is the Hungary (revised edition) edition of the World Cultural Journey series, and covers the overall aspects of Hungarian customs, history, culture, lifestyle, and life.
Whether you're visiting Hungary for business or simply for pleasure, we'll help you make your time in Hungary richer and more memorable.
This book contains information on Hungarian local customs and traditions, history, religion, politics, Hungarian families, work, leisure, food, clothing, shelter, and communication.

Hungarians call the fall of communism and the transformation of their country from a Soviet satellite state to an independent parliamentary democracy with a booming market economy "regime change" (Lendsservaltaš).
Hungary has passed a major economic and political test.
Economically, Hungary pursued a gradual approach rather than the "shock therapy" (transferring most state assets to ordinary citizens) favored by some former communist countries.
---From "Chapter 1 Territory and People"

The fact is that the image of Hungary in Central and Eastern Europe is different from the image in other regions.
Just as Hungarians often resent their neighbors, neighboring countries often dislike Hungary.
In the eyes of the peoples of neighboring countries, Hungary has not left a very honorable history in relation to the neighboring peoples it once ruled.
Currently, the Hungarian minority communities in neighboring countries sometimes become the focus of controversy.
Of course, the mutual hostility between the country's mainstream and Hungarian minority communities manifests itself in varying degrees.
Mutual hostility is relatively strong in Slovakia, Romania, and Serbia, and very weak in Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia.
---From "Chapter 2: Values ​​and Way of Thinking"

Hungarian babies must be registered with the state within eight days of birth.
Most parents give their babies just one name, but about 5% of babies have two names.
The surname comes before the given name, but when introducing themselves in a foreign language, Hungarians prefer to put the surname after the given name.
Therefore, when introducing himself in English, Yano Kovac becomes Yano Kovac.
Some people use two surnames together.
Two surnames may or may not be hyphenated.
There is a custom of naming a boy after his father or grandfather.
---From "Chapter 3 Customs and Traditions"

Good manners begin with a greeting.
Please stand up! In Hungary, only older people greet each other while seated.
Generally, men greet women first, younger people greet older people, subordinates greet superiors, salespeople greet customers, and those who arrive later greet those who were there before.
Not greeting is bad behavior, but not returning a greeting is worse.
---From "Chapter 4: Becoming Friends with Hungarians"

Hungarian families raise their children with a level of pampering that might seem strange to Western Europeans or North Americans.
Hungarian parents pay close attention to their children's studies, often providing them with private tutoring or helping them with homework.
Teenagers from middle-class families participate in sports and music activities or take supplementary classes on weekday afternoons.
As a result, teenagers have relatively little time to form youth subcultures like those in Western Europe and North America.
On weekends, they usually help with housework, go out, or participate in certain activities.
---From "Chapter 5 Family Life"

Budapest is a paradise for opera, ballet and classical music lovers.
Considering the quality of the performance, the admission fee is very reasonable.
There are no additional fees, except for a few hundred forints tip when you leave the cloakroom after finishing your tour and picking up your belongings.
The Hungarian State Opera House is renowned as one of the world's finest late 19th-century theater buildings.
The list of works performed here in their original language includes works by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Wagner and others, all sung beautifully by Hungarian and foreign special guests; works by famous Hungarian composers such as Erkel, Bartók and Ranki; works by 20th-century composers such as Janáček, Prokofiev, Shostakovich and Britten; classical and modern ballets and contemporary musicals.
---From "Chapter 6 Leisure Life"

Licensed taxis are yellow.
There is heating and cooling, and you can pay with a bank card.
The fares are fixed rates, but they are not as cheap as they used to be.
The basic fare is $2, plus $1 per kilometer.
It's better not to hail a taxi on the street.
Because foreigners can use the baggage fee.
Tipping is generally 10% of the bill, but since bills have recently increased, there is no need to tip more.
Taxis can be chartered for half a day or a full day.
---From "Chapter 7 Travel, Health, and Safety"

Hungary has a number of leading domestic companies.
First, we can mention Mol, an oil company that recorded sales of $15 billion in 2015.
Mol plans to explore from the North Sea to Pakistan, has petrol stations across Europe and operates complex refineries in Croatia and Slovakia.
Meanwhile, OTP Bank is busy with acquisitions, and pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter is exporting to North America, Russia, and other countries.
---From "Chapter 8 Business Status"

Hungarians are cheerful, fun, creative and friendly.
This characteristic has the effect of quickly breaking down the walls between people of all ages and genders.
Hungarians have a deep attachment to their homeland and its shining assets.
The Hungarian mindset that moves even foreigners is something worth cultivating.
Books written by Hungarians are worth reading, paintings drawn by Hungarians are worth looking at, and music composed by Hungarians is worth listening to.
The climate is pleasant nine months out of the year.
There are many opportunities to enjoy various cultural events and sports, and to engage in outdoor activities.
In Hungary, you can enjoy some of the most precious pleasures, such as drinking wine and eating, at affordable prices.

---From Chapter 9: Communication