Differences of Life and Culture in Hungary and America

1.

• US: The first day of the week is Sunday.US: The first day of the week is Sunday.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, WednesdaySunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday……

• HU:The first day of the week is Monday.HU:The first day of the week is Monday.Hétfő, Kedd, Szerda, Csütörtök, Péntek, Szombat, Hétfő, Kedd, Szerda, Csütörtök, Péntek, Szombat,

Vasárnap.Vasárnap.

2.2.

• Twenty-four hour time is usedTwenty-four hour time is used on all official or formal notices, on all official or formal notices,

train and bus schedules, train and bus schedules, TV program listings, TV program listings,

store hours, store hours, school classes, school classes,

public events, public events, invitations, etc. invitations, etc.

3.3.

• The date is writtenThe date is written

year.month.day.year.month.day.

Hungary joined the European Union on Hungary joined the European Union on

2004.05.01. or 2004.V.1. 2004.05.01. or 2004.V.1.

4.• Telephone numbers in Budapest have an Telephone numbers in Budapest have an

area code of 1 and are seven digits long. area code of 1 and are seven digits long.

• Other cities have a two-digit area code Other cities have a two-digit area code followed by a six-digit number. followed by a six-digit number.

• Mobile phones have a two-digit area Mobile phones have a two-digit area (company) code followed by seven digits. (company) code followed by seven digits.

• Phone numbers are usually divided Phone numbers are usually divided 3-3 or 3-4, but if a number is easier to 3-3 or 3-4, but if a number is easier to remember in another configuration, then it is remember in another configuration, then it is permissible to write it that way,permissible to write it that way, e.g., 49-49-978 or 22-57-33. e.g., 49-49-978 or 22-57-33.

• Genuine church bells are rungGenuine church bells are rung—with vigor—for about a minute at —with vigor—for about a minute at noon, especially in the smaller cities noon, especially in the smaller cities and villages. and villages.

They also are rung at 11 o’clock, for a They also are rung at 11 o’clock, for a funeral at any time of day.funeral at any time of day.

• In some places they rung oftener: they In some places they rung oftener: they sign the time exactly with their bellsign the time exactly with their bell

Guns as personal property are almost Guns as personal property are almost unheard-of.unheard-of.

• Names are given in this order: Names are given in this order: FAMILY - CHRISTIAN. FAMILY - CHRISTIAN. For example, Kovács János. For example, Kovács János.

Third names are rare but are becoming Third names are rare but are becoming a fashion trend. They come last, after a fashion trend. They come last, after the Christian name. the Christian name.

• When a couple is engaged to be married, they often give each other their wedding rings, which are worn on the left hand.

• The rings are transferred to the right hand on their wedding day.

• The first (and official) wedding The first (and official) wedding ceremony is done by a municipal ceremony is done by a municipal

official. A church wedding is optional official. A church wedding is optional and has no legal consequenceand has no legal consequence..

Titles on the spines of books Titles on the spines of books

are printed from bottom to top. are printed from bottom to top.

The titles can thus be read The titles can thus be read

in order when the books in order when the books

are shelved in a library. are shelved in a library.

Major surgery

(if one is under the state medical

system)

is free.

A rolling ball is retrieved A rolling ball is retrieved with the feet, mainly due to with the feet, mainly due to the influence of sports the influence of sports (soccer). (soccer).

People buy very People buy very few frozen few frozen foods because foods because most home most home freezers are freezers are quite small. quite small.