- The hand shake is the most common greeting. You
should always shake hands upon both meeting and departing.
- Some Swiss colleagues may kiss and/or embrace each
other, depending on the closeness of their relationship.
- You should not kiss or embrace a colleague until
you know your relationship has grown to that level
and it is welcomed.
- When meeting people, you should wait for a third
person to initiate the introductions if there is one.
You should also stand when being introduced to someone.
- Men will raise their hats when passing acquaintances
in more traditional parts of Switzerland.
- It is important to show special consideration to
the elderly.
- Bad behavior is likely to cause offence so do not
drop litter, walk against a red light, make excessive
noise late on Saturday evenings, or wash your car
or mow your lawn on Sunday mornings.
- Keep your hands out of your pockets, do not sit
with one ankle resting on the other knee, do not slap
your colleagues' backs and use your full hand to point
at something.
-
A Swiss executive meeting a foreign
visitor will dress in a formal and conservative
style and you should do the same.
-
All clothes for both men and women
should be subdued in appearance.
-
Standard attire for men includes
finely tailored woolen suits, white cotton shirts
and plain silk ties, with highly polished black
leather shoes.
-
Standard attire for women includes
suits or skirts of a conservative length. Trouser-suits,
in classic styles, are also acceptable.
-
You should dress well, but modestly.
The Swiss dislike ostentatious displays of wealth
and appreciate clothing that is simply clean, well
pressed, and in perfect condition.
-
Any jewelry should be elegant, but
simple.
-
It is preferred to be introduced to
someone through a third party.
-
The Swiss tend to be conservative
in their opinions.
-
The Swiss are a very private people.
-
Avoid making jokes until you know
that it will be welcomed as the Swiss are very earnest
and they may think you are mocking them.
-
German Swiss, in particular, say
clearly what they think.
-
The Swiss like to exchange business
cards. You should give your card to everyone you
meet.
-
The Swiss will want to know how long
your organization has been around so you might want
to include that on your business card.
-
You will want to be prepared to speak
the language of your counterpart or to have it translated
for you.
-
The Swiss generally take a long time
to establish personal relationships.
-
Female business travelers will be
accepted even though not many women hold high positions
in Switzerland but they will be expected to be professional
at all times.
-
Some Swiss get straight down to business
while others start with small talk.
-
Humor is not welcomed in negotiations.
-
It will require substantial information
and persuasive argument before getting the Swiss
to agree to a new procedure or plan.
- The Swiss will often have beverages before dinner.
- During the meal, you will be offered red or white
wine.
- Coffee will be served at the conclusion of the
meal.
- You are expected to finish everything on your plate.
- You should not put your hands in your lap or your
elbows on the table. Instead you should put your wrists
on the table.
- You should place the knife and fork parallel to
each other at an angle across the right side of the
plate when you have finished eating. If you don’t
do this they will think you are not done eating.
- Do not bring up topics such as Switzerland's role
during World Wars I and II, the Swiss military, money
and Swiss banks, or any personal question.
Sources
A summary of this information can be
found at Executive Planet.
For more information go to:
www.executiveplanet.com
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