In Austria, greetings can vary depending on the formality of the situation and the region, but here are some common ways to greet people like a local:
Guten Morgen - This means "Good morning" and is an appropriate greeting in the morning until around noon.
Guten Tag - This means "Good day" and is a polite and neutral way to greet people during the daytime.
Grüß Gott - In some parts of Austria, especially in the western and southern regions, it's common to use "Grüß Gott" as a general greeting. It literally means "God greet you" and is equivalent to "Hello."
Hallo - This is a casual and informal way to say "Hello," similar to how it's used in English.
Servus - In some regions, particularly in Bavaria and parts of Austria, "Servus" is a common informal greeting. It's similar to saying "Hi" or "Hey."
Wie geht's? - This is a casual way to ask "How are you?" You can use it with friends and acquaintances.
Wie geht es Ihnen? - This is a more formal way to ask "How are you?" and is used in more formal or professional settings.
Tschüss or Auf Wiedersehen - These are common ways to say goodbye. "Tschüss" is more casual, while "Auf Wiedersehen" is more formal and means "Goodbye until we see each other again."
Bussi - This is a cute way to blow a kiss when saying goodbye to someone you're close to.
Prost - When raising a glass for a toast, it's customary to say "Prost" which is the equivalent of "Cheers."
Remember that Austria has a mix of German dialects, and regional variations in greetings and expressions can occur. In formal or business settings, it's generally best to stick with more formal greetings like "Guten Tag" and "Auf Wiedersehen." In informal or social settings, you can use more relaxed greetings like "Hallo," "Servus," or "Wie geht's?" It's also polite to offer a smile and maintain good eye contact when greeting someone in Austria.
