My interdisciplinary seminar on 'neoliberalism and the US' last week started off with a reading assignment of 3 chapters of Paul Krugmann's 2002 book The Conscience of a Liberal (and by being outed as "coming from Vienna, äh.. Austria I mean" after being the ONLY one about whose origin the teacher inquired - and the class being held in English it should not be due to my 'cute' accent....)
Since then (me of course not being familiar with the name Krugmann before... ignorance, it may be noted, is not necessarily bliss, especially not if present to the extent I usually display) much has happened and been treated in a classical Austrian manner:
Paul Krugmann allegedly claimed - in an address at Princeton University - that in the course of the current global economic crisis Austria was one of the countries most definitely heading towards national bankruptcy due to its generous credit-spending in East European countries. (Actually, there was a comment in this direction in the q&a period, when Krugmann mentioned that, after Ireland and Iceland, Austria was the European country who will likely suffer severely from the economic crisis in the time to come as many Eastern European countries experiencing currency issues might not be able to repay their credits, but he did not predict or does not see Austria to be doomed - see also his blog).
But, what is far more fascinating than what Krugman said or how he reacts to reactions are these reactions because in all their fervor they are such a tragically exquisite image of the Austrian Volksseele. Whenever, it seems, anyone who not only possesses the authority but also the data to substance his/her claim makes an utterance that sounds at least faintly critical of any Austrian issue - especially if it is not only dead on but possibly also addressing an issue 'we' are all too aware of - the whole country rushes into full defence mode:
Step 1: Blow the utterance totally out of proportion, first by the state media corporation ORF, immediately followed by the two really bad tabloids constantly battling for the label: "most news least based on reality"
Step 2: Political and other (relevant) "Authorities", using the Austrian media reports rather than the original source for background information, rush into full defense mode, usually by diverting attention from the actual issue and by trying to discredit the criticizer.
Usually (especially if the truth of the original statement should soon prove to be impossible to conceal any longer and especially if anyone should then dare to mutter (even under their breaths) 'told you so') these are followed by:
Step 3: "We definitely do not need some self-appointed someone for something to tell us how to run our affairs" - attitude paired with hostility towards possible well-meaning attempts of trying to extend a helping hand.
Step 4: If then both critics and well-wishers turn away from 'us' annoyed and (honestly) also because this small speck that looks like a fallen shriveled pear is just not important enough to hold international attention for more than a half-day, 'WE' actually turn from them - as we don't need anyone! definitely!
Step 5: Keep a low profile, pretend nothing ever happened, ingrain the we-did-not-do-anything(-wrong)-attitude in the collective identity and wait till the whole thing blows over, as it will soon enough (see 4).
Well, can't wait for this week's class, because I am pretty sure I will be taken for the authentic Austrian voice in class and be asked about the topic ... great! my little self in a discussion on international economics... I mean, people, there is a reason I am in literature! (Actually, one of the most treasured compliments I ever received was upon entering the University of Economics in Vienna in my 5th semester there (yes, I went there, too!!) dressed in an ankle length bright purple dress, meeting someone (in proper attire, of course) from my English class, who starred me up and down, exhaling: "You obviously so do not belong here" - end of digression).
BUT: Despair not - dearest country mine! Your situation is a lot less grave than anticipated!! Because, I have outstanding taxes to pay for two years. *schluck*
And this is dealt with beautifully at the moment - one more example of our efficient bureaucracy. My Göttergatte informed me that there had been an attempt to deliver an RSA-letter to me. That means most official letter possible (also used for the persecution of criminals, I assume). There is RSA and RSB - format of official letters. While RSB can also be collected by someone related to you (and by proving several things or so) RSA can ONLY and EXCLUSIVELY be collected by the addressee, which is a little difficult if you live mere 9 hours away.... (train-time that is). However, while no one can get the letter, Stefan could go LOOK AT it - and this way find out that our tax authorities were trying to send me some greetings. Thus, I called them (already suspecting my non-declared 2007 taxes to having originated this communication). After only 3 times being redirected within the office (though the first contact proved difficult as she wanted to know why I called - because someone from your office sent me an RSA - we send many RSA, I have no idea which department, you need to be more specific - I can't, because I live abroad and thus cannot find out what is in the letter - but without knowing the content, what do you want - I want to know the content - get the letter then - I cant, I live abroad .... - .... - .... - do you want my social security number so you could look up my file and maybe find out? - No - ähm? - what is your last name - (gave my name) - starting with D? - yes - then you 'belong' to the a-d department. Just a moment, I put you through. (!!!!?!)
But the A-D department tried to be helpful (though utterly slow - especially in the speech act. If the two guys there would not have been Austrian civil servants already, they could make a terrific career in some bio-supermarket, where complete body-deceleration is unfortunately but apparently a pre-condition for employment). I immediately (with the second person that is) got the information, that as i never declared my taxes for 2007, they now estimated them and sent me the result and due-payment information. Yes, we always send that by RSA, it is important personal information. No, I could not send it RSB, that is not done. No, we cannot send it to an address abroad. Of course, you can appeal this estimate. You have until Mid-May. - But, I cannot get the letter before summer when I am next in Vienna, thus cannot know what to appeal. - Well, if the letter is not collected and returned to us, we eventually (after sending other RSAs) will start legal prosecution - meaning I will be hunted for tax evasion, made more severe by my relocation abroad....
You see, we had a very *lösungsorientiert* (solution oriented) conversation placing us, within not even 2 minutes, squarely back into frame 1: I cannot collect your RSA letter because I now live abroad.
So after having discussed and eliminated all regulated options for their impracticality this clerk suddenly asks: 'Do you have access to an e-mail address?" - OF COURSE!!! 3 at least! "Oh, then just write me a quick note, and I will just send you your estimated tax report as pdf by mail." (took less than 7 minutes to get the whole thing - and now takes only 1 more weekend to come up with my real tax reports and appeal)
The beauty of modern technology is less its actual speed than the advance (speed wise) it has on regulations of how to use it in the Austrian system. Unfortunately their estimation was not far off reality, and thus - although I will try to claim a lot more expenses etc - I am likely looking at back taxes that will eat up the 'generous'-part of my scholarship for all 2.5 years still to come ...
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