Selling Christmas vouchers in Vienna is a cherished tradition that brings joy to employees and employers alike. Having lived in Vienna for many years, I can attest to the festive atmosphere that envelops the city during the holiday season. The bustling markets, subzero temperatures, and brisk winds create an unmistakable backdrop for this time of year.
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- “Good morning, Johanna from X speaking, am I speaking to Mrs. X? Have you already planned Christmas gifts for your employees?” became my mantra, echoing in my mind long after I left the office.
During my undergraduate studies in communication science, I took on various jobs to support myself. One day, a friend introduced me to a sales position at his office that promised flexible hours and a stable income. It seemed like the perfect opportunity amidst my unpredictable work schedule.
Once I settled in, I discovered that ‘sales’ was quite literal. Each day, my colleagues and I would sit together, calling companies from a list, attempting to sell them Christmas vouchers for their employees. This practice is commonplace in Austria and Germany, especially around Christmas, as these vouchers can be purchased tax-free and used in supermarkets and restaurants.
“Good morning, Johanna from X speaking, am I speaking to Mrs. X? Have you already planned Christmas gifts for your employees?” became my mantra, echoing in my mind long after I left the office.
Much to my surprise, many companies were eager to buy these vouchers. My colleagues and I, a diverse group of students, spent countless hours in our makeshift call centre, diligently tracking our daily calls and successful sales. It was a quirky mix of personalities: a Bosnian business student, a politically active young man, a cat-loving Austrian girl, and me, a German seeking solace in Vienna’s coffee houses.
Our office, reminiscent of a dreary Viennese winter, was a hub of activity during the festive season. We often received calls to come in on weekends to manually prepare thousands of envelopes filled with vouchers for eager customers. On those hectic days, we took far too many smoke breaks, bonding over our shared experiences.
Eventually, the company I worked for secured a significant contract with the Austrian government, which distributed vouchers worth up to €50 to nearly one million Viennese households. This initiative aimed to support the local gastronomy sector following the Covid crisis in 2020, with a total deal amounting to around €34 million. However, there were questions surrounding the legality of the advertising costs, estimated at €2.4 million.
It took eight months for me to finally receive a voucher from the company, handed out through the government initiative. My best friend and I decided to treat ourselves to dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant, where a steaming bowl of Pho soup felt like a well-deserved reward for surviving the chaos of the office.
