[wnesensohn]

While your observations are definitely true for the "older" generations (the ones for which many tombstones had to be carved), I'd say that title fetish is fortunately declining quite rapidly.

For example, not so long ago it was common to call wifes of doctors "Frau Doktor", but I've never in my life heard a person < 60 years saying that to the wife of a doctor.

Granted, there are still some strange titles floating around which do not mean much, but they're also fading away quickly. And even though many people may hold a title, my personal observation is that they're shown only very rarely.

So while Austrians had a strong title fetish, I wouldn't say that's neccessarily true anymore. Especially not for the upcoming generations. So don't expect too much title fetish in Austria, you might be disappointed. But be sure to visit the "Zentralfriedhof" in Vienna, it's one of the largest cemeteries in the world and walking through it is a wonderful journey through the past, packed with a plethora of stories.