HUNGARY | Socializing | General information
Social Life
Hungarian social life has basically three components: family, work and entertainment, in this order of importance. Family life and contacts between relatives are completely separate from the other worlds of work and pleasure (i.e. sports, friendship). Private life is considered a “sacred home affair”, and only close relatives or maybe very good friends are involved in it. Families celebrate Christmas and birthdays among themselves, even if this happens not at home, but somewhere else (i.e., at a restaurant).
During winter, the people often keep to their houses from early afternoon, so after dark almost nobody is on the streets. By contrary, during the summer everybody is “on the run” from home to find a bathing or sunbathing place. The resorts are full of crowds, especially on weekends, but the riversides and lakes are also suitable for recreation. It is strongly recommended that you swim only in places where swimming is allowed! Spring and autumn are times when large changes occur in the natural environment. These periods are exceptionally suitable for excursions and touring.
Entertainment
Hungarian families usually leave their homes for shopping or having fun only on week-ends. Shopping centres and, in case of nice weather, favourite tourist places (despite their huge number) are full of crowds during weekends. Many Hungarian families own private houses with small gardens, or have week-end plots with small houses on them, where they go to garden from early spring to late autumn, or simply to relax. You are accepted as a family friend if they invite you to their home. Otherwise you are considered still as just a “pal” or “somebody I know”.
Hungarians are very proud of their language and history, as well as of their achievements in science, culture and sport. Adults often go to the theatre, to classical music concerts, or to exhibitions, while young people tend to go to pop or rock concerts, cinemas, discos and other cultural or sport events. Unfortunately, watching TV at home has become more and more typical in recent years.
Working also plays a very important role in Hungary. Social life is much more open at workplaces. In many cases people of the same status are not only colleagues, but friends, too, and they supplement their workday activities with several entertaining activities (sports, cultural or touristic activities, social parties). Restaurants, cafeterias and patisseries are common meeting places.