Switzerland - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

by Kendall Hunter

There is far more to Switzerland than beautiful scenery, chocolate, watches, faceless bankers, and spotless cities. The real Switzerland is full of surprises and anything but bland. This small, rugged, landlocked country at the heart of Europe has been a confederation since the first three cantons came together in a defensive alliance in 1291. Four national languages are spoken within its borders. Its present twenty-six cantons are largely autonomous and retain their individual characters. In this grassroots democracy real power lies with the people, who exercise it directly through frequent referendums. “Swissness” is, above all, a spirit of independence and of communal involvement.Although it is a model of peace and multicultural cooperation, with one of the highest standards of living in Europe, Switzerland’s prosperity has been hard-won. Historically neutral, it maintains a semi-detached relationship within the European Union. In 2014, a national referendum supported quotas on EU migrants. Despite the several hundred thousand EU nationals living and working within its borders, and almost half a million Swiss working in the EU, this small, resource-poor country appears determined to retain its independence. Culture Smart! Switzerland provides an historical perspective, explores Swiss values and attitudes, and looks at the cultural continuity of festivals and traditions. It helps you navigate the workplace, the neighborhood, and the social scene. It offers crucial insights into Swiss business culture, and more generally on differences in communication style. Swiss people are not always easy to get to know. Proud, industrious, fair-minded, and creative, they respect the individual, which means that while they appreciate clear thinking and direct talking, they avoid confrontation. They will never intrude, yet will willingly help out if asked. Make the effort, and people will respond. Warmth, decency, intelligence, and wit are among the many hidden riches of this fascinating society.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2016

Reviews

[Claudia Pino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Respectful and true

This book truly captures the Swiss essence in a respectful and appreciative way. My late stepfather was Swiss (my mom and I are Latin American, he moved to our contry when they got married) and these pages brought to life so many memories! He trying to fit in a society that doesn't plan long term and time is 'relative', our emotional way to socialize, etc. I remember my mom once asking him by the tenth time in a very flirty way (as customary here) 'Honey, do you love me?, and him looking at her with an expression of confusion all over his face, answering 'Darling, I already told you I love you this morning. I haven't changed my mind.' In the end, we learned a lot from him as well as he from us. Books like these, that can actually help you understand and appreciate a different culture faster, are really a treasure. Thanks to the author for this great work. Totally recommended.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would be embarrassed to admit that I was on chapter three before I figured out this book was exactly the same as the one I read before. To be fair, the authors’ names were different and the narrators were also.

[Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Switzerland is a unique, interesting country in that it maintains a localized system of government that is antithetical to the centralized system widespread in Europe that also bows down to the European Union. Switzerland has maintained its success and unique culture through World Wars and is known throughout the world for Swiss watches and banking secrecy laws that attract bankers globally although the banking secrecy laws are somewhat obsolete after a 2018 regulation.

It's a land of cleanliness, order, multiple languages, and cultures and of hard-working people who respect each-others privacy. They put high value on vocational education and high requirements for academic education so vocational education is very popular, more so than purely academic degrees and they have the lowest youth unemployment rates in Europe.

The Swiss might appear cold and overly reserved for someone coming from the States but they just value each-others space and like to think over things before making decisions.

It's quite infuriating to read how the European Union has attempted to force Third-World immigration quotas on Switzerland for many years but luckily the Swiss have continuously voted to stay away from that demonic pit of hell of a union. It's quite clear to me now that the European Union bureaucrats hate the wonderful multivariant cultures of white European Christians and seek to destroy them by importing endless Third-World wolves in sheep's clothing that hate European cultures and seek to create similar wastelands of hell out of Europe similar to their home countries.

[Dani Ollé · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent short text with a lot of relevant information

[Barbpie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adequate.

[Mario Pérez Díaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guía esencial para el que es sin duda, el mejor país del mundo.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the Swiss and Swiss culture, including is a brief history of Switzerland which gives one a greater understanding of why the Swiss are the way they are.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in this fine series of books about foreign cultures. A bit too much emphasis on business matters, but otherwise informative and full of practical tips. More examples, of the difference between High German and Swiss German would be beneficial.