The Culture

Budapest is split up into Buda and Pest by the Danube river. Although I’m not an expert by any means, the Hungarian people especially those in Budapest are incredibly nice people. Hospitality is great with most people being kind and accommodating to tourists and our ability to blunder through forgetting we’re guests in another country. In hotels and restaurants you’ll feel right at home and feel free to ask for accommodations as needed, they have most of the things we’re used to from a Western culture perspective. They have Coke Light, so I’m GOOD!! But they care about allergens and preferences before taking your order so speak up! People on the street are like a typical country, some nice, some don’t care but overall its pleasant in most parts of town.

What can and can’t you do? I didn’t notice anything outside of normal Western culture that I needed to be aware of. For me traveling is a joy and I want to be a part of it all. I take time to get to know a few words, get to know the history of a country, taste the local cuisine and try the local alcohol, but the local Hungarian drink is like rubbing alcohol. Its a peach or plum liquor and leaves much to be desired, but you try it :) . The other thing I do is chat with the locals who want to chat. Always talk to the hotel concierge and find out everything about the hotel and area you are in. There is also a good amount of local information that you can’t find online, like a local concert, movie shoot or a local parade that just might make your trip that much more special.

Lastly, I always have some local currency for tipping. It goes a long way and with the dollar being so strong, a little generosity on our end is pretty meaningful in that culture. Its not necessary by any means but an expression of gratitude.