Hungarians are a rude people!

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No-Marketing-3962@reddit

You are soooo correct ! Glad you were here just as tourists, They are nor just rude but arrogant and alwaysssss nagging!!!! Like ah do thatttt instead of that or .... I'm here in Budapest for studying in medical field, it's my 3 year here and still more to pass though,, but every day passing is just a nightmare and also the teachers and staff WOKING IN THE UNIVERSITY, are just quite rude! Not to mention THEY DON'T HAVE JUST 1 HR OR SOMETHING in anything,,,workplace, uni Just to REPORT THOSE PEOPLE! one time I was in wrong class the attendance list was kn table I had to see that if I'm in wrong class or not, it was my first days here, the teacher SHOUTED at me and said don't touch my paper! Hly .. I was just looking on it !!! Also today I was seeing the projector for myself, the another teacher just had pit it down and was writing email on it, then somehow I was kinda freaked where's the file on board, actually the was writing a personal email , when she just saw I was seeing the board, she angrily turned off the monitor !!! I even couldn't see the letters bc it was too small, also she shouldn't even use that monitor when we were practicing work! This place is UNBELIEVABLE AND SHOCKING P.s. More shocking that all those teachers WERE THE NICEST!!!!!!

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joumase69@reddit

A beautiful city with lovely weather. The people tend to ruin that though. I’m a firm believer that in the service industry, the bare minimum you could do is be polite. No smiles expected but at least respond in conversation. In Hungary I’ve encountered the most arrogant and condescending waiters and waitresses out of every country in the world I’ve been privileged enough to visit (except for two lovely waitresses). I come from South Africa where many people live on 350 rand a month or even less (equivalent to about 20 dollars). You rarely see them being arrogant and short to people, especially tourists, as they provide a huge amount of economic stimulus. For that reason I believe the excuse that Hungarians wage isn’t liveable and that’s why they’re rude is utter rubbish.

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No-Marketing-3962@reddit

EXACTLY

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dmSolymos@reddit

Why do you expect grade A hospitality from spar kfc souvenir employees? Like dude I don’t know where are you from but to expect a high level of courtesy from low level wage earners is just dumb

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No-Marketing-3962@reddit

This is what it is, everyone here is soooo Ryde and they always excuse this ! Omg! What about those people(asians) that are soooo generous in anything?! Seriously dude this is not the case, you can TRY AT LEAST TO BE NICER,....!

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Different_Tennis_898@reddit

That's simply not true , you're making assumptions that lower wage earners are somehow expected to be rude. Yes, they are not well-scripted hospitality workers of michelin rated establishments, but they do to some extent transmit a national character. For instance in countries (deliberately chosing all over the world like Colombia, China, Japan, Jordan, Turkey, Denmark) you wouldn't observe such a thing (or at least very very rarely) ...

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Mean_Reindeer742@reddit

Ive met lots of different nationalities, and yes, hungars are by far, the trashiest people

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Educational_Guest_19@reddit

Just here to update, the same rude people so far, i pick up some guiness because local beer is not so great and when I approached the clerk he looked at me and said “What” almost yelling. I stepped back and let the cans in the floor. Know your place fucking servant, your city is a trash bin with piss smell in every corner, food is not better. Thats whats happens when you cant win a war in 500 years.

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Solid_Crow_4894@reddit

i know this thread is old but i just came back from budapest EVERYONE was rude to us, they made comments and whispered about us stared at us constantly, waiters would make jokes about us and laugh at us not knowing that we could understand. We did nothing to provoke it, it’s just a very unfriendly place. Lots of people we met agreed

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Select-Sundae8650@reddit

Yes they are ostile, rude people. I lived in 4 continents and never experienced such ostility. It is so stressful

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Stephlau94@reddit

We've been fucked from left and right for much of our history. Those kinds of conditions don't really foster a lovely and kind atmosphere. Generational trauma is real here...

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Ok-Entertainer-4367@reddit

Bro...im.from Bosnia...if anyone had it bad its us...and we are not even close to being rude like you.

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pretty_little_flower@reddit

I think Hungarians are great people. In Budapest everybody was so nice to me and my friend and we never met rude cashier or waiter. Maybe your behavour isn't as good as you think. You could have bad luck as well, shit happens ┐( O‸ ರ )┌

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chairman212121@reddit

See comments below

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ttc67@reddit

I can confirm that from Montenegro too, so it's not abt small talk common in the US, it's about basic politeness and manners.

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ferdbrown@reddit (OP)

No, I’m certain I haven’t done anything to provoke such behavior. That’s why I’m surprised.

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pretty_little_flower@reddit

Are you from USA? I know that Americans are way more into small talks and maybe things that are rude to you are normal to us. I know that Hungarians aren't super talkative with strangers but so am I and I still had great time in Budapest

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poluzec@reddit

I’m from Belgrade and Hungarians are equally unpleasant to us too.

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pretty_little_flower@reddit

I lived in Budapest for another 2 years since then and I changed my mind. Hungarians are unpleasant and I don't enjoy it here anymore.

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RonnieNajjar@reddit

I too googled “are Hungarians rude?” Which led me to this thread. I’ve been here for 1 month and absolutely fell in love with this city. I’ve been to 52 countries and have spend years in each continent, so I’m very well travelled and love observing cultures and fascinated by the nuances. Well… good old Budapest. I have nothing but praise for their gorgeous city, but one downside… you guessed it. The rude culture. Wow! I found it comical to witness how rude people are to me and themselves. I just brush it off normally, even giggle about it. But today I saw and experienced too much that it might have left a bad taste in my mouth. I have had multiple experiences, actually dozens if I count all of them of varying degrees of rudeness. And interactions that have never existed anywhere else, only unique to Budapest/ Hungary. Such as: people walking past my table, stepping wholly and heavily on my foot and not even turn back to say sorry. Store owner suddenly closing their shop and standing between me and the last item I was purchasing to prevent me from buying and rushing me out, and yelling at me with zero warning. Multiply this by ten and that’s my month. I can’t make this stuff up. In the moments I never got angry- because I was so bewildered I couldn't process it! Then afterwards when I think about it and realize how out of this world disrespectful… shocks me. Fascinating but man… sad at the same time.

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chairman212121@reddit

We need body cam footage! Can confirm how rude they are.

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Zestyclose-Today-514@reddit

I am now in Hungary and was completely shocked how rude people are in general, or almost bullying. I think it is a common thing in the region. Examples?

In restaurants they keep pulling plates away while there is still food on it. You didn't finish.

A random lady stands near a train station toilet. I look her in the eyes as I am not sure if she is staff or not. She ignores me. When I am nearly in the toilet she starts shouting why I did not pay her. She points to a hidden sign.

In the train we put a baby buggy at the standing area. The train is nearly empty. Only a handful of people in the whole train. I put the buggy at the opposite side of where people exit. It is quite a special buggy and people should expect it to be from us, the only foreigners. Someone moved my buggy unnoticed to the side where people do exit. But still, it blocks only 50% of the exit and with only a handful of people it should not matter at all. I had a feeling and walked there at the next stop. I noticed the staff trying to pull the buggy out of the train!!! He failed since it was on a break. I just stood there watching. When he saw me he looked a bit ashamed and started speaking really long in hungarian. When he noticed I did not speak the language he quickly walked away.

People randomly shout at you when you do something not according to their rules. They are extremely picky about what is correct. I think it is a leftover from communism.

I tried yo ask the tram driver if we were in the right tram. She just started shouting and making hand signs that we should bugger off. Very arrogant.

At a health spa we had many similar incidents. The spa was nice but this thing makes the overall experience an unpleasant one.

So these places are probably not for me :). It is a good lesson in life. Being kind doesn't cost money and can make life so much nicer..

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chairman212121@reddit

Can confirm all of this

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Sensitive_Winner_345@reddit

I live in Hungary for quite some years now, but I have to correct you. Your title should be: "MOST Hungarians are rude people".

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chairman212121@reddit

This is the current state of affairs. No two ways about it.

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putsch80@reddit

LPT: if everyone you encounter treats you like an asshole, then you’re probably an asshole.

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ferdbrown@reddit (OP)

This is a judgmental statement and has no value added. You don’t know me, please don’t do that.

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putsch80@reddit

It was not judgmental. I don't know if you're an asshole. Maybe you're a great person. Maybe you're a complete shitbag. I have no idea. All I know is that when people complain that they are constantly treated like an asshole, the reason is virtually never because they are encountering lots of terrible people. Instead, the only common thread in those interactions is the potential-asshole themselves, meaning that such person's behavior and manners tend to explain why others are constantly treating them like shit. Rather than accusing me of being judgmental, maybe a bit of self-reflection on how you're interacting with people of another culture would have been a better choice.

And, while we're talking about thing that have "no value added," a whiny post decrying an entire nationality as being "rude people" is a quintessential example of something that adds no value to any discussion. It's just plain condescending.

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ferdbrown@reddit (OP)

I see. You’re generalizing. That don’t apply. Thanks for your input and contribution.

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crashyyyy@reddit

Ironic comment, since your thread title "Hungarians are a rude people" is a huge false generalization.

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chairman212121@reddit

No it isn’t.

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8--------D-@reddit

It's true.

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chairman212121@reddit

Try being a European woman in Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia.

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skp_005@reddit

If this is your first experience out of a culture zone where service industry employees are forced to be overly kind and polite to earn a living wage from tips then yes, in your perception, people will be generally rude. Add to that the fact that most people, even if they speak English, don't speak it at a high level, so they will express themselves in very simple terms, and these together will get you very direct and short interactions, which again, you will perceive as rude.

Also, as already said by others, in-your-face style service is frowned upon, so the shop assistant will not pester you, the waiter will not ask you how everything is every five minutes and so on. If you have time, you can spend some time just observing how these people interact with natives just to see you're not getting any special treatment. And of course there are the usual stereotypes as well about the bored mall shop assistant etc.

In general, I'd recommend not to try to be rude on purpose, just do things as you would normally, or maybe in a simpler, more direct way. Likewise, people are not going out of their way trying to be rude with you, they just behave as they would with everyone else.

Ah, and please please please, do not go to restaurants if you're ever in Paris (I mean in France), where you should consider yourself privileged if a waiter graces you with his attention.

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chairman212121@reddit

And yet my Hungarian friend and his parents refuse to go to Hungary because after 50 years in the UK they can’t stand the rudeness and gratuitous insults from various gov offices and service industry. So that is the reality.

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Known-Buffalo-3717@reddit

As a hungarian I kinda agree with you. Hungarians are generally pessimistic, cynical, self-centered and rude. Also we tend to invent excuses for pretty much everything. Budapest is especially toxic. When I talk to strangers I never let my guard down.

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ttc67@reddit

I have to agree, I've been to a lot of places, places where employees earn about the same amount, or even less, but was never met with such impolite rudeness like in Hungary, so I don't think it's a valid reason to blame it on low salary... I also noticed that in many situations the problem was seemingly that I'm a foreigner, not a local. I especially recall one situation when I entered a shop, the cashier was smiling super friendly, greeting me, when I started to ask for items in English her expression suddenly changed to blunt, almost like I'm bothering her, and after paying she just tossed my change onto the counter in a quite rude manner. I wouldn't say that all Hungarians are rude all the time, but I noticably made the most such experiences in Hungary out of all destinations I've visited.

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Plane_Locksmith9604@reddit

I have to agree, I've been to a lot of places, places where employees earn about the same amount, or even less, but was never met with such impolite rudeness like in Hungary, so I don't think it's a valid reason to blame it on low salary... I also noticed that in many situations the problem was seemingly that I'm a foreigner, not a local. I especially recall one situation when I entered a shop, the cashier was smiling super friendly, greeting me, when I started to ask for items in English her expression suddenly changed to blunt, almost like I'm bothering her, and after paying she just tossed my change onto the counter in a quite rude manner. I wouldn't say that all Hungarians are rude all the time, but I noticably made the most such experiences in Hungary out of all destinations I've visited.

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AlarmingChocolate863@reddit

I agree! Whatever you do, don't make any mistakes. I'm a 70 year old woman travelling alone and got yelled at more than once for things like asking a question.

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HealthyWolverine9785@reddit

Americans are much ruder Hungarians are sincere We dont gie you big fake nice all the time

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Euphoric-Lack-1613@reddit

Leaving Budapest now and googling in airport about Hungary and their culture.

Just a side note. I’m originally from Ukraine (so I get the whole Eastern European thing very well myself). I have lived in Australia and Asia for more than 2 decades. I travel regularly for work and have been to many different countries in Europe.

So I’m leaving Hungary and at first i thought maybe I’m imagining it, but after few days here it does feel like people are generally more rude than my baseline expectations. I have met probably 3 people who were nice, polite and professional (there are good people always). But the rest looked like they couldn’t wait for me to leave. There is no need to fake politeness or smile, that’s no required, but country feels very cold.

The experience left me with desire to avoid Hungary as much as I can.

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Select-Sundae8650@reddit

I wish it was cold. It is not cold. It is toxic and hostile

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Crazy_Top_8877@reddit

Imagine what shame might some feel, just because they were born to that country! It's a curse, I tell you what. I can't wait to leave.

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Zestyclose-Brick-682@reddit

I’ve literally been in Budapest for two days now and find myself googling “Hungarian people rude?” Which had lead me to this thread, I’ve visited most of Europe, multiple countries in the middle-east & the States..to this day I haven’t been anywhere where people lack such basic manners and politeness as Budapest. I’m actually shell-shocked at the arrogance and rudeness of people, for a city which really doesn’t offer much I’m speechless to understand where the arrogance comes from. I’ve come to the conclusion the song “Budapest” has gotten to their heads and they have a superior complex.

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Majestic-Cap-1787@reddit

I can only agree i hungarians are the most unpolite unfriendly i've ever met, in hingary and outside. Its deeply rooted in an country where educations means nationalism. Above this all humgary is THE gypsy land of europe and budapest truly the gypsy capital. Nearly half of a million gypsy only love in budapest i was shocked when i visited one this city. Its said therr sre over 2millions gypsy living in thos small country,.its litarary the gypdy homeland... so thats prob the reason why humgarians are so rude. Its and Emmigration country except the gypsies they dont leave their land only white hungarians aka remnants of german colonizations..

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akafadamn@reddit

Let me tell you that even Orbán Viktor is a gypsy 😂 and that you got it wrong. We don't vote for him. We don't like him. We don't even want him. The lower class votes for him so they can get like 10kgs of potato, and the upper-class, who has interests because of the so corrupted system. But it doesn't matter how many votes he has if he produces the vote counters...

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Select-Sundae8650@reddit

What says the song. Why you think this. Yes they are very rude. I same have lived in 4 continents and many countries. I have never seen such same ostility and suffered so much in a country before

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Specific_Childhood21@reddit

My bf is in Hungary today. He had surgery last week and today is his first day he can have food. He really wanted potato soup. Went to restaurant, tried to order, and they told him to get out when he asked if they have cola. That’s pretty darn rude.

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Artistic_Shift9946@reddit

Maybe the read your shifty vibe, I been going to Budapest for years and in fact moving there in 5 months, hey bud I have news for you, THERES ASSHOLES EVERYWHERE, most people working the lowest income jobs have miserable lives, instead of thinking about yourself think about why they might be "rude" also your idea of "rude" might not be rude to Hungarians, I find the vast majority very friendly but there's also alot that are more reserved.

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Impressive_Diet_3686@reddit

Don’t worry the ones in the US that have that heritage are just as bad

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Visible_Sun699@reddit

Another point of view:

Imagine living among these people as a native local, wanting to move abroad and live your dreams but also wanting to make the place better. And if you look around or work or do whatever, you work with scammers, live among bullies, and if you still manage to build up something among these apathetic barbarians, the government takes like 60-70 percent of your money in taxes, changing laws every few weeks, inflating your money, and taking people's businesses. All the while, EU is trying to take your country's sovereignity, and Ukraine is talking against the country in every forum possible.

I moved abroad last year, but then came back short term, which became longer. This country is a sh*thole that is possibly on the edge of collapse, and most people staying act like mentally disabled people who hate white collar, intellectual, and middle class people.

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SecretFaceFamousFeet@reddit

Hungarian people are genuinely the rudest people I have ever come across, they literally have no idea of manners or any form of politeness. I won’t be coming back

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Ok-Complaint3844@reddit

I dunno I live in Germany and have traveled the world and my experience today was everyone was been extremely cold, like they didn’t want us there (hotel reception, everyone at the nice restaurant we went to). I was here 8 years ago and didn’t recall this. We will see what tomorrow brings but I’m taken aback…

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Different_Tennis_898@reddit

I totally agree. I just arrived in Hungary and compared to many other countries I've visted (>30), so far, I've been struck with occasional examples of blunt service in coffee shops, stores etc. Of course it doens't apply to 100% of the people but I was so shocked that I even looked it up on reddit. Just now for instance before my eyes a nice looking elderly foreign woman was asked by a coffee shop staff to step outside and discuss some order miscommunication and the elderly woman was clearly shocked by being asked to leave the coffee shop like some sort of deviant (infront of lots of people)

Nobody is doubting that 95% of hungarians are really nice people and polite but I've never seen a 5% being so blunt/direct/ quite frankly rude.

Still love the country and doens't make me want to spend less time here but it's a valid observation.

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pomodoro64@reddit

As a hungarian who's been living abroad for the past 10 years, it's my experience as well when I visit home, that people will channel their frustrations onto you, whether they're service or office workers or whatever.

People here will disagree, or say it's language barrier. Some of it might be true, but like I said, even as a hungarian, people don't really want to do the bare minimum for their jobs, are generally rude and unhelpful on purpose.

Don't feed into it, just be kind and patient. You doing the same will only reinforce them in their behavior.

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ferdbrown@reddit (OP)

What happened in your situation?

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HeadcrabsOnReddit@reddit

WELCOME TO HUNGARY THEN!