Switzerland🕣
State in Central Europe. Official name – the Swiss Confederation. Population – 8.7 million (as of April 2021). Capital – Bern. Official languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh. Government type – federal republic. Main religion – Christianity.
Switzerland
Greeting
The handshake is a traditional form of greeting in the Swiss business community and beyond. During a meeting (or farewell), handshakes should be exchanged with everyone present. It is important to maintain direct eye contact with your partner.
Even at an informal event your partner organizes, you should shake hands with everyone present.
Switzerland is a federal state made up of 26 cantons, which are culturally and linguistically diverse. 4 languages are recognized as official: German (spoken by about 64% of the population), French, Italian, and Romansh.
The verbal greeting will depend on the language spoken in a particular canton. In German-speaking Switzerland, for example, the customary greeting is as follows: in the morning - Guten Morgen! (Good morning!), in the afternoon - Guten Tag! (Good afternoon!), and in the evening - Guten Abend! (Good evening!).
However, the Swiss use the word Grüezi much more often than the above expressions. In German it is perceived as a rather formal and polite greeting. You can use this word to say hello to your colleague (even an older person), boss, teacher, bank official, and even any person you don’t know.
In the French-speaking part of Sweden, the French greetings are Bonjour! throughout the day and Bonsoir! (Good evening!).
In the Italian cantons of Switzerland, people greet each other with Buongiorno! (Good afternoon!) during the day and Buonasera! (Good evening!) in the evening.
As business relationships develop, the greeting rituals may change, especially in the Italian and French cantons of Switzerland. Here, hugs and kisses on the cheek are accepted, the number of the latter depending on the locality. As a rule, people exchange three or four air kisses on the cheek (without touching their partner's cheek), starting from the right side. This ritual is accepted between women and between men and women. Men are more likely to lightly hug each other as a sign of greeting.
Introduction
In Switzerland, categories such as status, rank, and position are still of great importance. Therefore, certain formalities must be observed when communicating with business partners from Switzerland. This applies in particular to the forms of address accepted in oral and written communication.
In the German-speaking part of Switzerland, these are Herr and Frau, in the...
Exchange of Business Cards
The exchange of business cards is part of business etiquette in Switzerland. They are exchanged during negotiations, at various conferences, forums, and formal and informal events. You should have a sufficient supply of business cards with you.
Businessmen traveling to Switzerland for a business meeting or negotiation usually leave a business card in the secretariat or reception area fo...
Small Talk: Overview
At the start of contacts, the Swiss tend to be reserved, observing the requirements of business etiquette. As the relationship develops, they will be more open and emotional. However, this may take some time.
When talking to your partner, try to be polite and reasonably modest. The Swiss do not like it when someone talks too much about their victories or boasts about their achievements....
Preferred Topics
Travelling, countries and places you have visited.
Switzerland's sights, its nature, cultural monuments.
International events, especially current events.
Sport, events in the world of sport.
...
Taboo Topics
All personal topics, including age, marital status, religion, background, family relationships, and even work belong to a person's private sphere, which should not be violated.
Political topics should generally be avoided. Among such topics, for example, the position of neutrality, which Switzerland has traditionally held since ancient times and which is interpreted as one of refraining...
Personal Space
The distance of comfortable communication varies from one part of Switzerland to another. In the German-speaking cantons, it is usually an arm's length or slightly more. This is the usual comfort zone of speaking people in most Western and Central European countries.
In these areas of the country, physical contact during communication in any of its forms, be it patting, hugging, etc.,...
Communication Specifics
Communication may differ in different parts of the country. For example, in German-speaking cantons, a clear and direct style of speech is preferred. Structure, logic, order, and relevant details are important. Everything should be expressed in words, with no hidden meanings via (for example) facial expression or tone of voice.
Clear and logical statements, facts supporting them, resp...
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