5 things you should know about Hungarian people before you travel to Hungary

It is very much recommended to visit Hungary and explore its beautiful capital, the stunning countryside and its colourful culture and traditions. However, before you travel to Hungary, there might be some things you should know about the Hungarian people.

Hungarians are rather introverted and pessimistic

Although there are some exceptions, most Hungarians are usually described as introverted and pessimistic. It also does not help that Hungarians are very straightforward and will seldom hide their discontent, writes travelnotesandbeyond.com. In addition, people in Hungary do not open up easily, it takes time for them to accept foreigners. So do not worry if you feel like you are not welcome in Hungary at first! If you get to know Hungarians better, you will realise that they just need their time to warm up to you.

Hungarian people are smart

According to CNN, Hungary has one of the highest rankings, per capita, for Nobel laureates. The first Hungarian Nobel prize dates back to 1905 (for physics). Fülöp Lénárd’s results led to the discovery of electrons and X-rays. Furthermore, Hungarians are famous for their numerous inventions. For example, they invented the light bulb or safety matches. Read more about Hungarian inventions here!

You should avoid talking about politics!

If there is one thing that divides even families, it is politics. Although things can get pretty intense when the topic comes up, Hungarians often engage in serious debates. It is probably safer to avoid politics altogether.

Read also: Expat mums share their experiences living in Hungary

“Strange” name order

You will probably notice that Hungarian people say their last names first. For example, they will introduce themselves as “Kiss Péter”, with “Kiss” being their last name. It is useful to know this so that you do not confuse their first and last names.

Read also: What do foreigners really think of Hungary?

Tragic Hungarian history

The history of Hungary might explain why Hungarians tend to be pessimistic. Hungarians had to fight for their freedom several times and had to face many hardships. Among others, Mongols and Tatars invaded the country, and the 47-year-long Soviet occupation also took a toll on the nation. If you are interested in the history of Hungary, you can read more about it here.