These are the most common stereotypes about Hungarians!
Find out what do foreigners most frequently think and say about Hungarians…
We tend to have certain stereotypes that automatically pop into our minds when we think of different nationalities. After we have introduced some general characteristics of Hungarian women and provided you with some useful tips before dating them, this time, with the help of Bien and Magyarországom, we will introduce the stereotypes Hungarians hear the most frequently from foreigners.
Lángos & Gulyás
If I ask my foreign friends about Hungary, and whether they have been there before, they will most likely start talking about their food experiences. And most of the time these experiences are about the phenomenal Hungarian lángos and goulash soup they ate there. They are also likely to pinpoint the fact that we put paprika in everything. Those who are trying to be more cautious about their diets will say we eat a lot of fatty, greasy food, and that everything is deep-fried.
If Hungarians do not like something, you will know
Hungarians do not hide it if they are not happy about something; neither do they force a smile on their faces just to have a more pleasing appearance. As we say it, ‘ami a szívemen, az a számon’, which literally would translate as ‘what is in my heart is also on my lips’, but the phrase would essentially equal to the English idiom ‘to wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve.’ This kind of attitude might result in some negative experiences for others, but some can also find it refreshingly honest. The decision is yours.
Hungarians like to complain
It is so very easy for Hungarians to fall into the trap of the ‘How are you’ question. Since in Hungary, you only really ask about one’s how bouts when you are genuinely interested in them, when asking a Hungarian, expect that you may hear a longer answer than ‘Fine, thanks.’ This could be a good opportunity for us to share, for example, the burden of having a bad day with someone who we think is curious to know.
Hungarians like to drink
Hungary’s national drink, the pálinka is a strong spirit made with distilled fruits, and it has a 50-60 % alcohol content. We are very proud of this Hungarikum, and we like it so much – especially if we have some homemade pálinka –, that we will want to share the experience with you, too.
Hungarians ride horses everywhere
Some people have a deeply rooted thought that Hungary is a horsemen nation so that everyone rides horses casually, even to the grocery store. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we do not. Not everyone can ride a horse, and we definitely do not go everywhere by horses.
Source: Bien, Magyarországom
2 Comments
You missed out the fact that they like to borrow money from friends and rarely pay it back.
I was actually thinking about the drinking part recently. Hungarians have to get past the rude behavior of trying to talk people into have an alcoholic drink at meals or get-togethers. It is unfair to people who do not drink because they are actually alcoholics trying to save their own lives & the lives of their children/other loved ones; people who don’t drink because of religious beliefs, people who are dieting, people who have diabetes or taking any kind of medications. People who care about others do not put them into situations where they have to divulge personal. maybe shameful. reasons that they don NOT WANT to drink. It is 2021, time to behave in a more responsible, kind and non bullying way. Offer a drink ( or food, especially meat) ONCE and let it go at that. If a person does not drink and you know it, do not put alcohol out out on your table. It is not only rude, it can caus the death of someone eventually.