What Are Swiss People Like?

Switzerland is often called a small village, since people tend to be friendly and greet each other frequently. The country's traditional foods, picturesque lakes, and many mountains are what characterize Switzerland. In Swiss culture, people are highly active and healthy, politely pursuing the most important elements of life in a timely manner.

To join in, simply turn off the television and get organized. Furthermore, Swiss have an extremely reserved, highly organized nature, and follow strict unwritten social rules for daily life, which can seem cold and hostile to extroverted foreigners.

Punctuality

The Swiss take punctuality very seriously. In Swiss culture, a punctual person is considerate, and by being punctual, they show respect for other people. Swiss trains are also the epitome of punctuality, they are always on time.

The Swiss dominate watchmaking, which is why the term “Swiss made” is often used to describe the most reliable and well-crafted products in the world. You should not be late for more than 3-5 minutes. If you cannot make it on time, please notify the person you are meeting.

Social Etiquette

You should respect the Swiss' manners wherever you go, even at the grocery store you visit weekly. Say Salü, Hoi, Grüetzi, or Ciao to people in your area. The Swiss consider this to be polite.

The best way to greet someone for the first time is to remain formal. When you're being introduced, maintain eye contact and give a firm handshake. When you are invited over for dinner or a party, it is good social etiquette in Switzerland to bring a small gift, such as flowers or wine, as well as something for the kids.

Swiss communication styles vary depending on the culture of the speakers, but on average, Swiss people tend to be polite, reserved, direct, and a little guarded. In work environments, social etiquette is to remain formal until explicitly told otherwise, but as Swiss German rarely gets written, Standard German is used, also referred to as High German.

Here are some other common Swiss courtesies:

• Call before visiting.
• Bring small gifts like chocolates or flowers when invited for a meal.
• Respect other people’s time. Be on time for appointments and cancel on time.
• Sunday is a day of rest.
• Avoid chewing gum in public.
• Don’t litter.

Thriftiness

The Swiss have one of the highest savings rates, and children are taught the importance of saving from a young age. They are taught to enroll in piggybanks. Swiss people are well educated and have good jobs, which helps them live a quality lifestyle. they are good with money, but that doesn't mean they will tell you how much they earn.

Multilingual

Since Switzerland is a federation of different regions, it is quite common for Swiss to speak in more than one language. This is one of the reasons you will find it so interesting to travel through Switzerland and interact with people from other regions.

Among the four languages spoken in Switzerland are German, Italian, French, and Rumantsch. People from Zermatt may speak Italian and French, while those from Gstaad may speak French or German.

Tipping and Visitor’s Culture

Swiss love tipping people who provide exemplary services as one of their most distinctive characteristics. If you are planning to invite someone, you must notify them in advance, as this allows them to prepare adequately and adjust their schedule, and you must arrive on time at your location when you are invited.

There are some differences between tipping in Switzerland and tipping in the United States. You don’t have to tip the waiter who served you all night, the taxi driver, or the hairdresser in Switzerland. Swiss people usually round up the amount they spend on coffee or rides.

Respectful

Despite their respect for community rules and orderliness, Swiss people are also known for offering individual freedom, taking cleanliness very seriously, and paying great attention to their neighbors. You won't hear loud music after a certain hour. People are very respectful of one another, which has been part of Swiss culture for a very long time. Everyone follows the guidelines and social norms, if one deviates or behaves in an unexpected way, people will call the person out.

The Swiss also take nature very seriously, which is why there are strong laws to protect the environment and animals. They work very hard to maintain the delicate balance of greens. In Switzerland, it is illegal to have "social" animals, such as parrots, pigs, fish, and others, unless they are a pair. It may seem odd to some, but this is due to their passion for outdoor activities.

Personality

Generally, Swiss people keep to themselves, especially in big cities. They have the highest standard of privacy, so it's hard to approach them. People in big cities tend to be more business-oriented, and this kind of behavior is relatively common in big cities around the world. On the other hand, people from the countryside can be friendly and welcoming. Swiss people are usually hesitant to make friends with strangers, but with time and conversation, you can easily break the ice.

As a country, the Swiss are environmentally friendly because they love nature, and it is easy to see why they care so much about protecting it when they enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. The country's museums and cultural attractions reflect its deep appreciation for the arts as well.

Perfectionists

Swiss people are perfectionists. This characteristic can be seen in their products as well. Swiss products include good food, shoes, clothing, success at work, and achieving greater heights through smart work. Swiss companies and Swiss people put a great deal of effort into making a product perfect. Swiss watches, for instance, are well known for their quality craftsmanship. Swiss cheese and other products are well known for their quality. Additionally, this perfectionist culture is widespread among the Swiss.

The country is also famous for its great storytellers like Herman Hesse, as well as its rich traditional music. It is also known for its wonderful architecture and design, demonstrating how much art is evident in everyday Swiss life as well.

Interested in studying in Switzerland? Here’s everything you need to know about studying here as an international student.