Vienna operates on formality that initially feels stuffy then becomes charming. Coffee house culture demands lingering; rushing offends tradition itself. Standing at würstelstands for sausages represents authentic Viennese dining, not compromise. The Vienna City Card saves money only with aggressive museum schedules; calculate honestly. Opera standing-room tickets cost €15 for world-class performances — arrive early. Palace gardens are free; interiors charge variously depending on combined tickets. Public transport covers everything efficiently; cars add nothing but parking stress. German formality here exceeds Germany itself — Sie versus du matters. Austrian cuisine satisfies hearty appetites; Schnitzel portions defeat most visitors. Heuriger wine taverns in outer districts serve new wine with buffets attached. Sunday closures affect retail entirely; restaurants remain open. Classical music performances happen nightly across venues of all price levels. The Naschmarkt combines tourist browsing with actual food shopping successfully. Cake culture at traditional cafés justifies the occasional €6 slice of Sachertorte. Christmas markets arrive late November with genuine atmosphere among commercialization. Museum Quarter combines world-class institutions with evening wine bars. Tipping rounds up rather than calculating percentages. Summer palace concerts attract tourists; winter balls attract society.