CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN SWITZERLAND!! Social Etiquette & Fitting in 

You bring back memories when you talk about scheduled laundry times. Living in Rolle, near Geneva, in the 80s, we had an assigned wash time, but instead of dryers they had drying rooms that were essentially a roomful of clotheslines where you cranked up the heat in the entire room to dry your clothes. One time we ran past the evening deadline, and the manager locked all our clothes including bed sheets in the drying room.

But you forgot one important factor about swiss culture: switzerland is different depending on the region ... some areas are more relaxed

I'm Swiss and I think that is so annoying to greet everyone when I'm leaving the party😂😂

Luckily the salary thing is changing among the younger people (20-30) in Switzerland, never had an issue asking anyone how much they earn.

In Romania, for where I am, we have also the “du” and “Sie” situation. The only difference is that, even if it’s a closed family member, if that person is older than you, you have to address to him/her with “Sie”, because it’s considered in this way you respect that person because it’s older than you. You only address him/her with “du” only if he/she tells you to.

Yeah many things are typical for Europe... One kiss in Germany, two kisses in Spain, three in Switzerland. To be late is quite rude... I always wonder how this is not considered rude in some countries. What are people doing there when arriving on time? Waiting 30min in the cold or alone at the table?

Very informative video, but I especially loved watching your energetic puppy in the background. So cute!!!

lol Odin in the background bouncing around with his big smile and hoppy jumps! Gorgeous scenery!

Loved this video! I live in Germany, and all the things you mentioned apply here as well.

I love your cultural videos Julia, they are very interesting and different from what we can see everywhere else on you tube. I'm french so apart from the laundry times, everything is as in Switzerland ;-)

Hey Julia, greetings from the UK! Love your videos and this one in particular as my husband and I are in the process of moving to Switzerland (Lausanne). Thanks for the tips :D

A lot of this is true for a lot European countries. I'm from Slovenia and we do a lot of things the same way.

Hi Julia, Love the scenery ! Absolutely beautiful!!!

Great video! What an incredibly beautiful place! Thanks for all the tips. From what you describe, I would really enjoy the Swiss culture. Plan to visit mid next year from the US. Your pup is adorable!

this was soo interesting!! I am also a Canadian living in Switzerland!!! I am so glad I found your channel!!!!

Haha yes the „Wäschtag“ am back to it after nearly two decades of laundry-liberty and it took some time to adjust. On the casual clothing, last week I think I was the only properly dressed person in Coop (I came straight from work to my defense) so we do seem to embrace trainers and sneakers to run lower errands. Love the Swiss videos!!!

J'ai adoré la vidéo! Merci Julia xoxo

I found this channel because I was looking up info on fondue. Glad I did, very interesting random informative videos.

That scenery is gorgeous! 😍😍

I love videos like this. Thanks for sharing!

I really like this video! Sounds like I would be happy there except for laundry and dressing up for groceries!! Thank you for the video! 💜

thank you for the video, it is very interesting to see how other cultures live. Very informative.

I loved this video. I think it's very valuable to learn about other cultural customs. I was floored with the laundry rules! I would have a lot of trouble with that! Great video!!! Odin was making me laugh, he was so cute and funny in the background.

Yes, please show us more beautiful swiss landscape on your videos! And your dog as well, he is so cute and seems like a lot of fun to be around!

Those mountains are so breathtaking. When Im back in Germany I will be traveling to Switzerland!

You looking really great out there Julia! and Switzerland is SO beautiful!! Gee, wish I lived there. Enjoy your day and that adorable doggie!

Green eyed beauty and orange cutie on icing tour)) Thank you sooo much for starting my morning with this fairytale))

Thanks for your absolute accurate descrption of swiss etiquette.

The view is beautiful! I hope to visit one day ❤️

I love this kind of videos❤️❤️

I enjoyed your video about how to be Swiss a lot. Please share more of it if you can thank you so much.

I agree. Switzerland is very reserved in terms of outward displays of wealth. Conservatism is routinely the norm. Over decades of doing business there, I found the wearing of jewelry is minimal. A fine watch, preferably conservative, by one of Switzerland's finest houses is always a great idea. In short, everything is rather subtle yet elegant. If you happen to work with your hands and appreciate fine craftsmanship, Switzerland is like Disneyland squared!

Another useful video. I must say that there are similar customs in the French speaking part of the country. In Jamaica we have a similar kind of formality in the work environment and salaries are never discussed. Thanks!

I just loved watching Odin play in the snow behind you! Also, we never go to someone’s home empty-handed here in the States either.

in austria we do the appointment thing too, but there is spontanious meeting too. and here men who are good friends do the backslap hug^^

Thanks for all information Julia 🤝

Tbh. You are just wow. I learned nothing new, just because I'm a native. But you somehow were able to make it look like the most interesting thing to me and I just couldn't stop listening. I don't know how you do that but I love it :D

I loved this! So cool to learn about life in other countries. My German teacher used to tell us similar things. So different from my country. And yet the whole "du" and "Sie" thing is quite similar.

My friend moved to switzerland so I thought it was interesting. Your background was so pretty, and your dog was so cute. I kept worrying about its paws being cold though, the LA woman in me just doesnt understand snow even though ive been living in PA now for a number of years.

Thanks for such an interesting video! I always love finding out about all these different little habits in different countries. I guess it will be so interesting to see a video about holidays and traditions as well (both Canada and Switzerland) It was so interesting to find out that swiss also have the difference of formal and informal "you". I am from Russia, and we have the same in our language and habit, and I thought it is only local thing :) And we also do the kissing on the cheek between girls (usually friends and family) but only one time, so I had an awkward moment with one of my Swiss friends haha

love those kinds of vids! 😊

at home in the UK it's so common to address everyone by their first names only. I've been in situations where I've known people for quite a while but never knew their surname. When I was growing up, admittedly in a fairly strict & traditional school, we called each other only by our surnames, unless they were particularly close friend and even then that was only in private. How things have reversed!

Woow i like that place,hope one day i can travel there also.

Amazing information! Thank you!

I loved that you filmed outside! 😊

Love those cultural comparision videos 👍 When I lived in Switzerland I was only allowed to wash every 3 weeks. Had to buy lots of new cloths to have 22 outfits

Hope you are having a lovely day. 😊

I’m Mexican and wow a lot of the examples you stated also apply to us :) (generally speaking) I love these types of videos, I live in SoCAL and Switzerland looks sooo beautiful and relaxing

Beautiful scenes!! And so many great tips thank you! I move to Fribourg (from England) at the end of April, is Fribourg near to where you live? I’m very excited but quite nervous too - especially because I’m often late, and very spontaneous 🙈. Anyway thanks again x

I love this kind of video! Very interesting. I think the Du/Sie thing is a language thing too. I'm Canadian but I live in Quebec so we speak French and so we have the same Tu/vous thing. We use the vous mostly when adressing someone older or a customer, or a formal boss or something, but it's true that we are pretty casual about it. I used the "tu" in highschool for most teachers and for all my bosses, but I use the vous in university and with older people that I dont know. Obviously in English this distinction between formal and informal "you" doesnt exist!

Great video, love your puppy.

I enjoy these videos. please do more. :)

This is so true!! I'm from Vancouver and my boyfriend is from Switzerland (played hockey in Vancouver and now we're in Nashville), and I remember the first time I went to Bern, I was in totally social shocked, especially making eye contact with people when you cheers. I don't think I've ever felt more awkward in my life. Great video :)

Hi Julia , nice to meet you 😊😊

I love your videos! And your puppy.... I'm melted.:D How cute is he bouncing at the backgroud!?! :D You should make more videos with him!

Having a laundry day and time is genius! I would have loved that! I tried to implement that system with my old roommates but they were too stupid lol

Well etiquette is very important to us Swiss, and yes many people could learn from it.

Totally the same here in Italy, except for the laundry part, almost everyone here has its own washer (and dryer are not so common here because we are able almost everywhere to air-dry clothes outside, on the balcony or in the garden)

I’m American, but grew up with all of this as normal being my Mom is French. Hearing you say all of this, I was reminded it is definitely different.

Hi Julia, I hardly ever comment on videos but I just have to tell you that you look so beautiful in this one (always of course, but in this one in particular!). Also it's a great video; most of these things apply to Germany as well :). Have a great day!

My goodness, that view! 😍.

I am half Swiss. My family is from the Grisons area …I have never visited but would love to.

In French you also have formal or informal ( tu is you informal ) and ( vous for Formal ) ! Love your videos and the reason I am learning about Switzerland is because my favorite singer the beautiful Francine Jordi is from there !!

This is very interesting! I live in the Uk and I wish people had more manners etc here xx

love the poodle with the long tail I have one almost the same color but short tail ....great dogs

That was really interesting! I think it’s nice Switzerland maintains some uniqueness. Being from a minority country I get a bit peeved with being told I’m wrong or different ... when I’m in my own country and they are the visitor!

Agree, some experience there few times, they love their natures and pound of that, not much brand new even most of them can afford those expensive stuff. When you know one all people in group are inviting you in but generally they ignore to get closed to you. people in big city are different due to more complexity of foreigner mixed culture ways. Thanks for video to know more about them. Nice view and cute dog :)

Such a beautiful setting! Odin is a darling.

Hey Julia :) I was wondering wich mountain you were on in this video? Looks like it could be the ''Beatenberg'' in Interlaken, Bern. Love your Videos! Liebi Grüess, Robin

In my smaller village it is quite common to go shopping in any clothes or sports clothes, I think it depends on the region in CH😊

Awesome content

I was raised by German parents and we still practice these manners... Many people find us a bit formal, but I like things this way. It shows respect for others and yourself.....Michelle in the USA

amongst the younger generation you see quite often big brands logo and stuff and many of the young adults wear legings/sweatpants

All the rules and restrictions than you have the dog playing and having fun freely 😊 that felt good.

Haha I love it, how things that are totally normal to me, can seem so strange to others 😅 but we're mostly really friendly and loyal people, once you get to know us ;)

love your poodle!

The appointment part is so true! hahahahahah I became educated by force lol

true what you told, every culture is somewhat different, I am Swiis who lives in rural Thailand and learnt many of their habits, that's why they fully accept me.

That formal form at workplace thing really depends.I lived in switzerland for 10 years now and I have never used a formal form with any colleagues or bosses at work. And I work for a rather old company. So it really depends, and it is changing. Even the CEO is OK to be adressed informally (he said himself once that topic was brought up). But its easy: just wait for the swiss person to start and listen carefully and then just copy ;-). Or just ask, its absolutely fine to just ask openly and politely in most situations. Better do that than to assume anything. Once asked, many people will offer informal form anyway. There is a lot of advice out there to just use the formal form, since it is less risky. That is true but it is not good at all, since it is also very award if you are the one addressing everyone formally if everyone else is informal - even if everyone knows you are a foreigner. It will not make you fit in, I have experienced that many times (with foreigners).

I've been to Germany and France and a lot of the cultural Swiss things you mentioned I've seen in those countries. Probably since these three countries are so close, some of the customs are integrated.

I was in Bern in November and I asked the Airbnb host if I can wash clothes and she said you need an appointment here to wash. I was taken aback but I hand washed and dried on the heater overnight. It was fine

I would like to add, these advice are good also for other countries I know: Germany, Austria, Slovenia. Some things may be more relaxed (like shaking hands when you leave, that's like something more for special occasions), but everything else - it applies.

I was use to with this culture here about 8 years.

I partially wonder if the "scheduling with friends" thing is something that changed with age and maybe less a cultural thing. I'm with you in the sense that I never used to do that at all in my 20s - it was all about calling your friends on the evening of to figure out what you were doing that evening. But now, in my 30s (I'm in Toronto btw), I feel like I'm scheduling things not only weeks in advance, but often months in advance as well!

Sounds a lot like Germany. When I went to Vancouver for a year all those small differences could be a bit confusing at times.

true, I lived cdn and usa but i am stil swiss, live in asta now

That was very helpful, thank you! Hey, when you 1st move into a new apartment, do you go around greeting the new neighbours, or is that considered rude? We are soon moving to Switzerland and I want to start off on a good note :) Can I bring them a little something, or is it better to leave them alone? Please help! ;)

Most of the things you´ve mentioned are also very common here in the Czech republic. I guess it is similar for central european countries :)

great video :) I have an aunt that lives in switzerland and her 3 kisses always confuse me, because here in Slovakia, we have only 2. So it is always a surprise or even a little bit odd when there is one more :D we have the same habits about cheers, but we do not say their names, just "cheers" which is in our language "for health". We usually do not bring things when we are visitng them except gifts for birthdays etc - but they are usually flowers or wine. About salaries - it depends on personality - somebody is ok with talking about that, somebody thinks it is rude. But I personally have in job contract that I cannot talk about it I cannot say anybody how much I earn and I cannot ask anybody about how much she/he earns otherwise I can be fired immediately. This is really unfair, because this way it can happen that somebody is earning half for the same job as his colleague, because nobody really knows how much to ask especially if the person is fresh graduate. But this is quite common here, expecially in big corporat companies. And we also have similar way of addressing people. In formal way we use plural "you" (we have different word for it, it is not like in english when there is "you" the same word for one person and for more) to addresing somebody we do not know and we are using thei surnames with mr/mrs. And men usually do not hug each other (unless they are drunked or something) - people would question if they are gay if they would do that.

Being swiss I have a lot of trouble using the "du/tu" form with adults, even with my neighbours, friend's parents,...

Yes plz

None of my guy friends shake hands..that would be weird lol.. They do the bro slap or idk what to call it :) maybe I'm just from a different generation.

For the English word YOU it's important to distinguish DU and SIE, like in all German speaking countries. It's the same in French with TU and VOUS. In a bakery you say: Haben Sie noch Brot? Avez-vous encore du pain? Do you still have bread? To a friend: Hast du noch Brot? As-tu encore du pain ? Do you still have bread? Brot = bread, same roots from Proto-Germanic.

I m Swiss-and it is exactly as she says!!;-)

I'm most likely moving to Germany in less than a year - I wonder how many of these things apply there too! I've been to Europe multiple times and I've lived in Italy for a few months (I'm dating a German-American), but I get the feeling the permanent move is gonna be a big change for me regardless (since I'm from Israel and the cultures are very different). Thanks for the info!

Very interesting 🙂

the formalities when entering or leaving parties are kind of the same in Germany, usually more with older crowds. I always found it annoying to shake hands individually so I simply do a hello or goodbye wave to the crowd. I stopped caring if the others consider it rude (it’s also not a thing among my younger or closer friends)

There are situation when you don't know if you can address someone in a non formal way. You know the person long enough that it's too late to ask. In these situations people tend to create sentences where they don't use either (du or Sie) of theme.

We do the three kisses thing in the south of Brazil too! Apparently in the rest of the country only kiss twice on the cheek, so when people come here, they get a little bit confused. It's kind of funny, actually :)

the dog has a lot of fun