Is there a rivalry between Germans and Austrians?

Question

Since they are constantly getting compared to each other, does a rivalry exist?

Answer 1

This is interesting as I just answered a question about Canada and the US being allies or enemies last night and I used the Germans and Austrians as an example.  People.  Can't live with them, can't live without them.  

As a foreigner, I definitely noticed a difference between the two countries when I studied in Koeln and Wien.  There's an old saying of Austrians trying to grab Beethoven for themselves while trying to throw Hitler to Germany.  Germans tend to be more blunt, but honest, whereas Austrians tend to be nicer to your face, but they might say very nasty things when your back is turned.  The arts are equally important in both countries, but Austria tends to be more retro whereas Germans tend to be more futuristic.  Both are wonderfully rich in culture and history and I love visiting both.  Wish we had such advantages here in N. America.

Answer 2

Yes, there is, especially in the regions close to the border - much as you have a rivalry between Germany and Dutch in that border region. But if you saw the interviews surrounding the European soccer championships, it was all pretty good-humoured.

Answer 3

Living in Bavaria myself (and being a Bavarian), I completely agree with daffodil. I couldn't live without the friendly rivalry with the Austrians. And, after all, Germans and Austrians together created a music style called "Austropop" internationally, or "Alpenrock" in Bavarian. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austropop

So we have a rather friendly relationship. And maybe because of our rather similar dialects, Bavarians and Austrians always stand together when it's against the rest of the Germans whom we call "Preißn" (Preußen, Prussians) in Bavaria and "Piefkes" in Austria.

Answer 4

regarding the thumbs down. Sorry but there is someone trolling around in this section and here he is:http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 5

Yes there's a rivalry! The 'problem' is...like in many relationships...that they also can't live without each other! Many German tourists are visiting Austria every year and most of the supermarkets in Austria belong to German companies and it's the same with TV channels. Think Austria regards Germany as a 'bigger' brother who is always better faster etc...it's a bit frustrating.

Answer 6

It's a friendly one. There isn't any hostility towards each other and that. They get along just fine as far as I'm concerned!

Answer 7

It's the same rivalry as between people from the northern part of Germany and the bavarians, but more on a humorous manner.