Please Remove Your Shoes

We are continuing our short series on cultural differences in Hungary and how that affects working here. 

Today we were invited to coffee at the home of some friends.  It reminded us of some of the customs surrounding being a guest in Hungary.  When we receive an invitation to someone's home, we always try to take a small gift with us.  Flowers are always a good gift as are chocolates or other treats.  The host or hostess greets us at the gate and when we enter the home, we always slip off our shoes.  Not wearing shoes inside keeps the houses cleaner.  Almost everyone wears slippers in their homes, not shoes.  We even take our shoes off when we go to our home group meeting or if we visit an INSTE group meeting in a home.  And then, when leaving, it is always polite to take one's time saying goodbyes.  If we are invited to dinner, it may take an hour from the time we start hinting that we need to go until we are on our way.  There is conversation and a goodbye at the table, at the door, at the gate, and sometimes even on the street.  Hungarians are very polite and hospitable and we are learning to slow down, enjoy the company and not be in a big hurry.