A simple “Grüezi” is the universal greeting in Switzerland. It is derived from the polite (and outdated) form “Ich grüsse Sie.” Like this older form, “Grüezi” is only used in a context, in which people do not know each other and wish to use the polite form of address.
The Italian greeting ciao, which translates to 'hello' or 'hi' also finds great use among Swiss German speakers. The Romansh chau sounds quite similar as well, although due to its lower number of speakers, it has not reached as much influence.
Depending on where you are in Switzerland, you may hear people bidding each other farewell with Ade or Adje. These words are versions of the French adieu, which is not limited to the French parts of Switzerland but is also frequently used by Swiss German speakers.
While the French say “Bon appetite” before a meal, the Swiss-Germans wish their dinner companions “En Guete!” This phrase is the colloquial way of wishing someone a good meal.
Saying "please" when making requests and "thank you" when receiving help is expected. It's a simple way to show respect for others. Swiss people appreciate a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, especially in public places like trains, buses, and cafes.
We have already acknowledged that the Swiss like to tread softly: “It can be difficult to establish contact with someone you like, but you might be better off taking it slow if you want to spark a connection”, says Lea Hauke: “In a culture where people are famous for being more reserved, it can come across as crude to ...
Tipping in Switzerland is not expected. Instead, a service charge will normally be added to your bill. The service charge will usually be declared on the menu if you're in a cafe or restaurant, for example, and is paid directly to the company rather than to an individual member of staff.
Ciao (/tʃaʊ/ CHOW, Italian: [ˈtʃaːo]) is an informal salutation in the Italian language that is used for both "hello" and "goodbye". Originally from the Venetian language, it has entered the vocabulary of English and of many other languages around the world.
Prego! – You're welcome! K: Here's our first example of prego. It means “you're welcome”, as a response to grazie. As you probably already know this one, let's talk quickly about the pronunciation.
