#15 Jeffrey Crowder: The CaliWiener’s Vienna. Where Language Meets Laughter

Jeffrey Crowder, also known as “The CaliWiener,” is not your average English teacher and translator – he’s also an author and comedian originally from sunny San Diego, California. A self-proclaimed cultural and culinary refugee, his first encounters with Austria involved Lederhosen and the Sound of Music as a toddler. However, it was upon moving to Vienna in 1997 that Jeffrey truly discovered the depth of this remarkable country. Vienna, as Jeffrey describes, is a haven for expats, offering boundless opportunities for personal and professional growth. It’s a harmonious blend of classical grandeur and contemporary vibrancy, where tradition seamlessly meets innovation. Ludwig Wittgenstein once famously wrote, “Die Grenzen meiner Sprache bedeuten die Grenzen meiner Welt” (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, 1921, “The limits of my language are the limits of my world”). Jeffrey embodies this sentiment, having delved deep into the German language and mastering it with sympathetic finesse. 

A linguistic virtuoso, Jeffrey not only converses fluently in the Austrian dialect but also delights in quirky wordplays unique to the region or sometimes even on a small stage, where he belts out the occasional Cali-Wiener-Waltz, embodying the Austrian soul. And isn’t it refreshing to trade “Wiener Grant” for “Wiener Schmäh” sometimes? Just be mindful of your appearance when mingling with the older locals – greasy locks might not go unnoticed! Join Jeffrey, the Californian Viennese, as he shares his love for Vienna, his favorite spots in the city, and how Austrian legends like Tante Jolesch and Helmut Qualtinger introduced him to the local dialect. It’s expat advice from one insider to another – don’t miss out!