The Swiss appreciate honesty and tolerance. In fact, they are extremely proud of their neutrality and promotion of worldwide peace. However, that doesn't mean that they don't care about how other nations perceive them.
The Swiss value punctuality and efficiency; a common saying claims that if one is late, it's probably because they weren't wearing a Swiss watch or riding a Swiss train. The country's motto is, “Unity, yes; uniformity, no,” which speaks to the open-minded, peaceful, and collaborative culture of Switzerland.
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.
Switzerland's work culture is determined and steadfast. Working days are Monday to Friday and it is common for employees to clock in 45–48 hours per week. Although finding a job in Switzerland is tough and the hours may seem long, do not let this dissuade you.
The Swiss culture is distinguished by its diversity, as the country lies at the crossroads of several outstanding European cultures. Switzerland is also a multilingual country, as its national languages include German, French, Italian and Romansh. In addition, there are numerous dialects spoken in every region.
Tradition dictates that the place of Swiss women is in the home in charge of housework and child care. Being in a society with strong patriarchal roots, Swiss tradition also places women under the authority of their fathers and their husbands.
Punctuality
Make sure to arrive on time whenever you meet a Swiss person. They value punctuality more than anything else because it is a sign of respect. A person who arrives late is wasting their time, time that won't come back, the time they would like to spend in a thousand different ways.
Swiss companies generally have a very hierarchical structure. Therefore, decision-making is top-down with little input from employees. Above all the Swiss appreciate punctuality, frugality, responsibility, and tolerance. These cultural values are evident in the way Swiss people approach business.
The Swiss are proud of many things; such as the beauty of their country, their domination of bobsleighing at the winter Olympics and, of course, Roger Federer, the nation's poster boy. But you certainly won't find more pride than that which flows smooth and strong through every Swiss, like, well, a river of chocolate.
Switzerland has the second-highest life expectancy of all the countries in the world (after Japan), with an average age of 83 years. Swiss women live even longer, with an average lifespan of 85 years. Switzerland also has one of the oldest populations in Europe, with the highest number of people aged over 100.
"Unus pro Omnibus, Omnes pro Uno" means "One for all, all for one". It is Switzerland's motto and symbolizes the unity of the country and the cohesion of the 26 cantons.
Politeness and Friendliness
One typical Swiss characteristic is that they consider greeting people they meet in public spaces polite. However, they respect discretion and privacy, and strangers are not usually expected to talk to each other. However, when it comes to friendliness, the same rules do not apply.
“Grüezi” works any time of the day – even when picking up a phone call. It is a short form of “Gott grüez i”, which means as much as “may God greet you.” When it comes to friends, an informal “Hoi”, “Sali” or “Ciao” plus the name is the way to go! For instance, “Sali Birgit” or “Hoi Manfred.”
Generally speaking, the Swiss are not known for being avid conversationalists with people they have just met. They tend to be quiet and discreet, which means it's better not to spill your most intimate stories on the first encounter. Nor is it a good idea to ask probing questions about their personal life or family.
Swiss wrestling (Schwingen) - from herdsman's pastime to elite sport. The Swiss form of wrestling (Schwingen) enjoys great popularity in Switzerland. Thus, Schwingen festivals attract many visitors each time.
Catholicism and Protestantism are the major religions. For centuries, Catholics were a minority, but in 1990 there were more Catholics (46 percent) than Protestants (40 percent). The proportion of people belonging to other churches has risen since 1980.
Work culture
Companies in Switzerland typically follow a hierarchical structure with strict adherence to rules and regulations but with flexible work arrangements. While there is a greater emphasis on productivity and codes of conduct, employees generally enjoy a good work-life balance.
Dating Swiss women can be a unique and enjoyable experience. They tend to be independent and resourceful, with strong boundaries and a clear idea of what they want. They are known for their politeness, punctuality, and honesty, so you can trust that your data will be straightforward and reliable.
It is made a little easier by the Swiss custom of not using Miss. That way, you don't have to find out someone's marital status refer to them appropriately. All women, regardless of their marital status, use Mrs. It's a sign of respect…just call me Madame.
Population, female (% of total population) in Switzerland was reported at 50.34 % in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources.
The reason why shops shut on Sundays is mainly because of religion. In a Christian dominated country, Sunday is considered to be a day of rest where everyone should stop work, and, traditionally, go to church. This was the case from the advent of Christianity in Switzerland.
Switzerland currently does not have a national animal, but the animal most commonly associated with Switzerland, or Alpine culture in general, is the cow. However, various other animals have been used to represent the Swiss nation, such as the marmot, ibex, St. Bernhard, and blackbird.