Switzerland

Acceptable Public Behavior

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.

Business Attire

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