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Gyor - Culture |
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Gyor is set midway between Vienna and Budapest on one of Central Europe's most heavily driven highways. Prolific public housing blocks on Gyor's outskirts leave a dominant impression on passers by, while shrouding an historic pedestrian-friendly city centre. Home to 130,000 people, Gyor lies on the Little Hungarian Plain, at the confluence of the Danube, the Rába and Rábca Rivers. Its hard-fought history has seen occupations by Romans, Celts, Tatars, Teutons and Huns. Built by Italian military engineers, Gyor's fortress was once among Europe's strongest, but it couldn't hold off the Turks, who sacked the city in 1594. Having also failed Napoleon, the fortress has since been torn down. Pre-industrial Gyor thrived as an agricultural market and Danube port. Then came the railroads, and the city became a manufacturing and ground transport hub. Twentieth century Gyor is long on higher arts and sciences education. Bold renovation since the 1970's has revitalized the Gyor cityscape, duly honored as one of Europe's best post-World War II reconstruction jobs. FOOD & DRINK: There is a good range of restaurants. Table service is common, although there are many inexpensive self-service restaurants. A typical menu offers two or three courses at inexpensive rates. Fine dairy and pastry shops (cukrászda) offer light meals. Specialities include halászlé (fish soups) with pasta and Goulash gulyás soup. Western goulash is called pörkölt or tokány. Stuffed vegetables, sweet cakes, gundel palacsinta (pancake) and pastries are also popular. Drink: Eszpressz coffee bars and Drink bars offer refreshments. Gerbeaud's is probably Budapest's most famous coffee-house. Tokaji (strong dessert wine) or Bull's Blood (strong red wine) are recommended. Pálinka or barack (apricot brandy) is a typical liqueur. Imported beers and soft drinks are also available. There are no licensing hours, but the legal age for drinking in a bar is 18 years. Minors are allowed to go into bars but will not be served alcohol. SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: Most Hungarians enjoy modern music and dance, although older people still preserve their traditions and culture, particularly in small villages. Handshaking is customary. Both Christian name and surname should be used. Normal courtesies should be observed. At a meal, toasts are usually made and should be returned. A useful word is egészségünkre (pronounced Ay-gash-ay-gun-gre), meaning 'your health'. Few people speak English outside hotels, big restaurants and tourist offices. A knowledge of German is very useful. Gifts are acceptable for hosts as a token of thanks, particularly when invited for a meal. Casual wear is acceptable in most places, with the exception of expensive restaurants and bars. Formal attire should be worn for important social functions, but it is not common practice to specify dress on invitations. Smoking is prohibited on public transport in towns and public buildings. Travellers may smoke on long-distance trains. Tipping: In Budapest, 10-15% is expected for nearly all services. Elsewhere, tipping is not obligatory, although 10-15% is normal for most services. |
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