5 weird things about Hungarians: Discover the intriguing aspects of tradition

Every nation has its set of traditions, behaviours, and cultural quirks that others find odd. Here, we have compiled a list of weird things about Hungarians that other nations simply do not understand.

Blowing our noses loudly

In Hungary, it is common for people to blow their noses loudly, whether on the bus, on the street, or practically anywhere. This habit probably tops the list of weird things about Hungarians. The attitude seems to be “let it come out,” as they use their handkerchiefs with confidence to clear their airways. However, this custom can be quite startling to those from other cultures. Scandinavians, in particular, find the sound of Hungarians trumpeting their noses rather alarming, as they tend to retreat to a more private setting or opt for a discreet sniffle instead.

Name days

In Hungary, celebrating a name day is almost as significant as celebrating one’s birthday. Each day of the year is associated with specific names, and individuals named accordingly enjoy a day of well-wishes, gifts, and gatherings. This tradition, however, can seem rather peculiar to those from other nations, where birthdays hold the primary celebratory focus. For many outsiders, the concept of dedicating a day to one’s name appears unusual and unfamiliar, often leading to curiosity and bemusement. However, name days are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to weird things about Hungarians and odd traditions.

Long words

Hungarian is known for its exceptionally long words, a result of the language‘s agglutinative nature, where complex ideas are often expressed in a single, lengthy word. These words can seem quite daunting to speakers of other languages, as they often include multiple prefixes, suffixes, and root words all strung together. For instance, a word like “megszentségteleníthetetlenségeskedéseitekért” can feel overwhelming and almost unpronounceable to those unfamiliar with the language.

Puszi

In Hungary, it’s common to greet friends and family with a “puszi,” which involves a light kiss on the cheek. Many foreigners think that this is one of top weird things about Hungarians, as the nation tends to act cold and reserved most of the time. This gesture is a warm and familiar way of saying hello, often accompanied by the verbal expression “puszi” as well. For those from other countries, particularly where greetings are more reserved or formal, this custom can seem quite intimate and surprising. However, saying “puszi” to express a greeting can sound puzzling or funny to certain foreigners for obvious reasons.

A certain way of driving…

Hungarians are often perceived as aggressive or impatient drivers, characterised by frequent honking, abrupt manoeuvres, and a general sense of urgency on the roads. This driving style may stem from a combination of cultural assertiveness and the pressures of navigating busy urban areas. For people from other nations, where road manners may be more relaxed or strictly regulated, this behaviour can seem alarming or excessively intense. Sometimes Hungarian drivers could benefit from taking a chill pill, right?

Have we missed something? Let us know if any other weird things about Hungarians pop into your mind!

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Featured image: depositphotos.com