Culture and health
Culture, Health, and Gender Norms
Introduce the topic of culture related to health. Describe the relationship between culture and health. Discuss gender norms associated with your wikicountry
In the hospital setting, it was observed that appearances are not important. While they must wear the appropriate uniform, doctors and nurses had visible tattoos, earrings and a variety of hairstyles. One doctor had the sides of her head shaved with a strip of hair going down the middle of her head and ending in a ponytail. When questioning about the differences in appearances, Frau Holzer explained that they care more about how you do your job versus the hair style and tattoos. However, Frau Holzer stated one can identify the types of nurses based on their fashion and accessories. Psych nurses tend to have numerous tattoos and piercings.
Hierarchy is also very important in the hospital setting. It is necessary to use appropriate titles especially when addressing an elder. If a person has the ranking of professor, their title must be included, for example "Herr Professor" or "Frau Professor." Talking back or being rude at all to a professor or someone of a higher rank is unacceptable.
Common Helpful or Harmful Cultural Practices
Identify a minimum of three common cultural practices in your Wikicountry that are helpful or harmful to health. Describe the cultural practice and the impact on health.
In Austria, smoking is VERY common. Most young people start smoking around the age of 15. Healthcare professionals are given time as needed during the work day to go outside for smoke breaks. Smoking rooms are also provided on some of the units for patients to be able to smoke without leaving the building. Smoking is also common in public such as in restaurants and bars. Some restaurants have designated areas for smoking. This is one of the top contributors to respiratory disease and mortality. Austria has a mortality rate of 63.2 per every 100 000 inhabitants due to respiratory diseases (Statistic taken from http://www.erswhitebook.org/chapters/the-burden-of-lung-disease/).
Alcohol consumption is also a common cultural practice. It is considered normal to consume a few drinks after dinner, especially when you are out. Shots are called Schnaps.
However, walking is normal in Austria. People do not use cars if they find their destination is nearby. People will take stairs and save the elevator for when they are hurt or disabled. They do not understand why so many will take the elevator when taking the stairs can be quicker. Being outside is incredibly important and many Austrians can be seen taking daily walks. Children playing outside is a common sight.
Cultural Information & Taboos
Discuss specific cultural information/taboos that would be helpful if traveling to this country: ie, appropriate clothing, gestures or behaviors to avoid or expected behaviors
Austrians tend to be well dressed. At PMU campus, majority of the teachers and students would wear the latest fashion. Yoga pants are not acceptable to them. However, tattoos, hairstyle, haircolor and piercings do not concern them within the school and hospital setting. When asked why they are okay with visible tattoos and variety of haircolors and piercings, they said appearances does not matter. They care more about how your do you job. As long as you wear the required uniform in the hospital, you are considered to be dressed correctly.
Gestures are the same in America when it comes to appropriate and inappropriate. However, Austrians are not known to be super friendly to acquaintances. They do not say hello and smile to every person they pass. They find it strange when Americans say "hello, how are you" and continue walking. Shake hands, make eye contact, and greet everyone when in the hospital. When walking down the hallways it appropriate to use phrases such as "Grüß Gott" or if you are familiar with the person, "Hallo." In the morning, it is appropriate to greet others by saying "Guten Morgen" or even just "Morgen." At meal time, it is common in Austrian hospitals to greet others with the phrase "Mahlzeit." If this phrase is said to you, simply repeat it back to the other person. When toasting drinks with someone, it is vital to look at them and toast straight on while saying "Prost." Never cross arms, it is bad luck.
Joking in Austria is a bit different. Austrians are known to joke at one's expense. It is funny to tease someone. It is vital to not take what they say to heart, it just means they are on good terms with you. They love it when you joke back!