Duna TV may find itself in hot water following accusations that it went overboard with product placement in its "Diplomatavadász" ("Diplomat Hunter") comedy series, index.hu reports. While brand name products are allowed to be shown in television programs, their promotion is banned by the National Radio and Television Board (ORTT). In the series, the characters always drive Audis and Volkswagens that originate from Porsche Hungária Kft, and always eat at the Symbol restaurant. The owners of these companies revealed that they do have agreements with Duna TV, but declined to mention specifics, citing non-disclosure practices.

Hungarians are certainly accomplished at many things, but when it comes to translating into a foreign language, anyone visiting Budapest has no doubt learned this is one of those areas fraught with more buktas than average. The most recent example can be found on the Economy Ministry's façade, where the sign also provides the ministry's name in English, French and German.

Back in June, we reported on a decision by the Budapest authorities to move in and prevent the city's historic but financially struggling amusement park Vidámpark ("Happy Park") from having to shut its gates. Now, via ingatlanhirek.hu, I see that our Town Elders have followed up with some concrete proposals to keep the park in business.

A new study of shopping habits in 12 Central European countries by market researcher GfK reveals Hungarian consumers to be among the most cost-conscious in the region. According to the findings, 82% of Hungarian shoppers plan their purchasing before they got to the store, with barely half making on-the-spot, "impulse" purchases. Over two-thirds of the Hungarians surveyed said they compare the prices of comparable products offered under different brands, and the "impulse" buying rate is now below what it was in the middle of the last decade.