SWITZERLAND
Western Europe
Capital: Zurich
Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh
Religion(s): Christianity
(predominantly Roman Catholic/Protestant)
COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:
- Swiss people are very friendly and polite.
- Small is beautiful: Swiss are modest and reserved in a pleasant way. It’s impolite to be too loud.
- Traditions, quality, punctuality and perfectionism mean a lot to the Swiss. People in Switzerland take their time to fulfill duties and tasks perfectly instead of being overhasty.
FUN FACTS:
- Switzerland has more than 1,500 lakes, and 70% of Switzerland is covered in mountains.
- Chocolate is a major Swiss export – just 18 Swiss chocolate companies make 172,376 tons of chocolate in one year.
- In Switzerland, it is illegal to keep just one guinea pig. You have to keep them in pairs.
USEFUL PHRASES:
- How are you? Wie goots Ihne?
- Fine, thanks. Dangge, guet, und Ihne?
- My name is…. I heisse….
- Nice to meet you. Fröit mi.
- Thank you. Merci vielmal.
Photos by: Highlander411 {flickr}; Wallace Howe {flickr}