Quirky Geneva

Some say the greatest perk about living in another country is enjoying the differences in culture.  And as we said earlier, no one in the world is more proud of their stereotype.

Take note, here are a few differences that we have found hold true with most of our quirky friends. When you finish, think about how different US culture is, and how unusual you will inevitably seem to your new coworkers!

The Swiss are cold and serious

It is quite possible to spend two hours in a Swiss train in front of somebody your age and he or she will not dare strike up a conversation. It’s not that your traveling companion wouldn’t enjoy talking with you, but the idea of starting a conversation with a stranger seems unnatural. Regional variations are high. Take Geneva with its 37% of full-time foreigners, not to speak of visitors, and understandably you will need more than to say you are a tourist to trigger an outburst of warmth from a local. But head for the mountains and people may well invite you to come over to drink their homemade cellar wine (many Swiss make their own wine).

The Swiss are an individualist lot

“Everybody takes care of his own business and the cows will be well guarded,” is a Swiss saying. People do not like to get involved in others’ problems and things are usually kept within the family. A common saying is On lave son linge sale en famille. (One washes his dirty laundry in the family.) People will assume that if you are in trouble, it must be because you have done something wrong and until you prove the contrary, they will not interfere. Not that their hearts are made of stone, but remember that this is a people who had nothing but mountains and poverty going for them a hundred years ago, so they just don’t blindly accept everything to come from the state or from others. Aide-toi et le ciel t’aidera seems to be the motto (Heaven helps those who help themselves). Another proverb says that Chacun chez soi, chacun pour soi (Each in his home - each for his own.)

The Swiss are extremely privacy minded.

Many rich and famous people live in Switzerland and when they are recognized on the street, people just smile and look the other way. No Swiss in their right mind would dare bother somebody to whom they had not been introduced, however famous. Laws supporting discretion and the respect of privacy have long been in force, especially for lawyers, trustees and bankers. The banking secrecy laws are very strict and a banker who reveals information about a client to anybody but a Swiss judge with a search warrant will be fined and can be sent to prison.

Manners and Politeness

The Swiss are extremely polite. Expressions like “thank you very much” or “my pleasure” are used all the time. Always shake hands when being introduced to a Swiss, and when leaving. This is standard behavior, even with young and casual people. It is also customary to greet the proprietor upon entering a shop, bar or café, and to say good-bye when leaving.

Public displays of affection are fine, but are more common in French-speaking Switzerland than in the slightly more formal German-speaking parts. Exchanging kisses (three times, alternating cheeks) upon meeting is a common ritual in French-speaking Switzerland.

Clothing and Appearance

In upper management, corporate finance and private banks, dark suits are the rule as in many countries. In most other industries you will encounter countless types of attire. Lower-ranking employees often wear casual clothes and jeans are quite common. The Swiss may be admired for a few things, but clothing is probably not among them. The first thing the Swiss looks at to judge someone’s credibility is the condition of their shoes. Always try to have good shoes that are well polished (never running shoes) if you want to leave a good impression. On the same note, clean nails reveal that you are a well-groomed person. The Swiss hold that if people make an effort to take good care of themselves, they will also make an effort in doing business.

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