Spending time in a foreign location, living with locals, exploring the region in a somewhat slow pace has many benefits. One of these advantages is getting to explore and understand the lives that the people of the region live.
It is a fantastic experience when among all the differences that exist on the exterior you find similarities that make you feel warm and welcomed, even when you are thousands of miles away from your native land.
Switzerland was, for me, a sort of a revelation. Natural beauty aside – which, beyond a doubt, impressed me – I was taken in by how the country worked and especially by its people.
Even though different regions are highly influenced by their neighbours in terms of language, food, and culture, there is a sense of calm and unity that runs across the country. The support they display towards society and working for the greater good is a characteristic that is really commendable.
In observing the locals, as best as I could, I was truly impressed by certain traits I found to be alluring. Now, obviously these traits are not exclusive to the people of Switzerland. They can easily be found in individuals across the world and a similar sort of love for country and countrymen is quite common elsewhere too.
However, I found these traits omnipresent across all the places I travelled to in the country and maybe that’s why they left a positive impression on my mind, enough so as for me to write about them;
Work with their Hands
The Swiss love to work with their hands; watch-making, wine, chocolates, farming, cheese, I found the Swiss to be really hard working and not shy away from manual labour. Whether it is working in vineyards around the year or the delicately complex work required in making watches, the Swiss have for long believed in the power of the hands and the fact that their products are considered the best around the globe is proof of their dedication.
Pride
The Swiss are very proud of everything local and part of that is also because a lot of hard-work and passion goes into whatever they produce. What I found even more adoring was that the Swiss live by example; all the patronization for local products is not just for tourists or to “sell” them, rather they go out of their way and even pay extra at times to self-consume what they produce, be it wine and chocolates or vegetables from the weekly held farmer’s market.
Live and Let Live
You may be surprised to know that many celebrities from around the world have residences in Switzerland. One of the primary reasons for this is that the Swiss know how to mind their own business. A celebrity can walk down a busy street, shop at a local store, and no one will bother them besides a courteous hello or a good day.
Love for Food and Wine
There’s something infectious about the love that the Swiss have towards food and wine. The importance they give to produce and especially where it comes from (locally sourced products are always preferred as mentioned above) as well as magnificent food preparations at homes let alone restaurants is the reason why Switzerland is considered a dominant force in the culinary world.
Indifferent to the Weather
One of the most surprising characteristics of the Swiss is that they never crib about the weather. It is what it is and they simply adapt to it. For example, when researching for tourist walks I found that all of them advertised saying “come rain or shine” they will go ahead as planned. Being one with nature and what it has to offer, good or bad, is really something special.
Affection towards Children
The Swiss go out of their way for children. Whether it is discounts on food and local travel or using every free space of land they can find and converting it into parks with swings and jungle-gyms, they go out of their way to accommodate kids (both local and visiting) and as a result the bonds of family run deep in the country.
Walking and Keeping it Green
The love for nature that the Swiss have is also evident from the fact that they enjoy walking. Hiking is more than just a pass-time and even in their day to day lives walking (or using public transport) is encouraged. That might seem normal, but remember, the topography of Switzerland is such that walking isn’t always easy. Moreover, they are aware of their responsibility towards nature, and many villages and towns are car free because of that – Zermatt, one of the most popular ski-towns of the world, is petrol/diesel car free with only electric cars allowed.
Attitude Towards Art & Culture
There is so much art and culture in Switzerland, everywhere you go, that if you don’t stop and look, you will miss out on most of it. Murals on walls, museums, sculptures all around, beautiful fountains, buildings so spectacular that they are probably every architectural student’s wet dream; there’s something for everyone, and all you have to do is keep your eyes open.
Humble
One of my closest friends is Swiss and till the time I visited her this summer I had no clue about the amazing experiences that Switzerland has to offer. The Swiss are very proud of what they have but do not go boasting about it. They are very humble about their achievements and about the beauty of their country. Okay they have an amazingly expansive tourism board, but were it not for Yash Chopra and his movies, I’m sure we in India wouldn’t have “discovered” the beauty of Switzerland till a lot later.
Strong family ties, warmth towards visitors, love for society (volunteering to take care of common gardens or help with local official business), using their regional products, the Swiss truly lead by example in every field and that is why, be it for just a vacation, it is not possible to return from Switzerland without being impressed by the people and how they live.
44 Comments
camelbroken
Very interesting, and your children are beautiful!
Ticker Eats The World
Thank you so much on both counts.
Jonathan Wood
Couldn’t agree more with all the points! Great post!
Ticker Eats The World
Thanks Jonathan.
arv!
It’s a lovely post Raghav! Your observation are so true. The history bears the fact that even during the WW 2, the Swiss maintained neutrality. Like some of their neighbors, the country believes in quality! Quality in life, quality in products….
Ticker Eats The World
Yeah! They have a true democracy. I was surprised to find that even the removal (or non-removal) of an art installation in a public place is done after taking in votes from the entire public.
arv!
Wow! That’s great!
SpringToMyMind
You pointed out Swiss traits very accurately )) Switzerland was ranked the best country to be a child for good reasons))
Ticker Eats The World
Was it! That’s so cool and I agree. They even votes to not have “free” money so you can imagine their thinking is so pure. Thanks
Lata Sunil
Love this post. It is so tempting to visit.
Ticker Eats The World
Thanks Lata
Durga Prasad Dash
I have never gone there. However, my daughter is doing her MS in Zurich. I think she has chosen the right country, as it appears from your blog post.
Ticker Eats The World
Yeah, I’m already thinking of sending my daughter there once she finishes school. Cheers
Alok Singhal
Nice, i didn’t know so much about Swiss people i guess then
Ticker Eats The World
Thanks
The Tales of a Traveler
Planning to visit Switzerland next year… have bookmarked this page for planning our trip
fulltimecanada
Wonderful blog. I really love the picture of the waterfall and cow. Creative framing, well done!
Ticker Eats The World
Thank you
Hang Around The World
That’s why Switzerland is considered one of the most livable countries in the world! We agree with what you written, we have to visit this place
Ticker Eats The World
Thanks and hope you get to travel soon
sudhagee
I liked Switzerland too, though found it a bit antiseptic. I was however impressed with the way everything functions – public transport, markets and clean drinking water available everywhere.
I followed your Switzerland trip keenly on social media when you were there and the posts you have written. Enjoyed them all, Raghav. Hope to visit Switzerland again in the future..
Ticker Eats The World
Thanks and yes the antiseptic aspect could be because for long it has been the medical destination for certain diseases and that might have left an impression of sorts on the culture and people. However, I love how they are so proud of what they have and humble about it.
It was really a wonderful vacation and yes I hope to cover the rest of the country some day.
Only By Land
You sure appreciated the good things about the Swiss, that’s important when traveling. I noticed how clean it was, even the river flowing through Zurich has clear water. Compare to London or Paris! Another thing I admired was the engineering, it’s easy to get to the top of most mountains!
Ticker Eats The World
Oh yeah without a doubt, they are great with laying down train tracks to the remotest of places and cleanliness is another point, agreed. Thanks
Hendrik
Switzerland… my new home country since last summer. As a German there is sometimes a special relationship to Swiss people, I heard it even has a bit of a tradition. But for myself I did not feel anything negative yet, since Switzerland is already very multicultural nowadays. I can totally agree to all of your points about Swiss people and I simply love so many things about them!
Ticker Eats The World
One of my best friends is Swiss and when I visited her this year I was like why didn’t you tell me all this time that there’s so much too see and do here. They are very proud but also humble. I envy you that you get to live there.
saraessop
I love how you’ve captured the Swiss traits so concisely. I’ve never thought about them in those terms before but I certainly agree with them after reading your article. I recently met a Swiss couple on safari in South Africa and I found them to be such well-mannered, gentle and friendly people. And of course, Swiss products are world-renowned – with good reason too.
Ticker Eats The World
That’s so nice and yeah I thought it’s only apt that I talk about it because we had such a wonderful time partly because of the people we came across. Thanks
Neha Verma
I have always loved switzerland as a destination. But these trends that you post here made me fall in love with it even more . If there is one place I had to move to leaving behind my home country, it would definitely be switzerland
Ticker Eats The World
Wonderful and I have somewhat similar feelings. The area where we stayed, Corseaux, was especially very picturesque.
kathy (from walkaboutwanderer.com)
I too love Switzerland. The people there are so friendly. I know what you mean about the locally produced products. They are always very high quality. Also I love the beauty of the Switzerland and how everyone loves the outdoors. I agree with everything you say in this post.
Ticker Eats The World
Awesome and yes was very impressed how much importance and consideration they give to local products. Thanks
La Vida Viva Travel
Wow, I had no idea about these things (haven’t been to Switzerland). This is all so wonderful to hear and it sounds like such a welcoming country. I particularly love that support local produce and just embrace the weather regardless.
Ticker Eats The World
I’m sure you are in for a treat whenever you make it there. Beautiful country with wonderful people.
Abigail
Swiss or not, all of these are wonderful traits to possess. This is the best part about traveling for me. It is a great opportunity to meet locals and learn through their viewpoints in life!
Ticker Eats The World
Exactly, and appreciating their lifestyle especially when they have been good to you. Thanks
TravelingMel
What great insight into the Swiss people. I was hoping we would get to Switzerland on our year in Europe, but we decided it was too expensive. I would love to get into those mountains, though! We’ve found that walking and public transportation (both of which I love) are really prominent in Bavaria, too. Maybe it’s a mountain culture thing.
Ticker Eats The World
Yeah I lived in the Bavarian region for about four years so have a fairly good idea. Switzerland is a little expensive but they also make it very easy for travellers to save money. I have written about ways to save money in Switzerland on the blog in case it interests you. Cheers
Soraya @ Hello Raya
Reading your post has made me SO proud to be half Swiss. I absolutely love Switzerland, and totally agree with you with these traits that you have outlined. What I love most about the Swiss is the way they care of their nature and surroundings. It is just so green and clean everywhere. This is all part of the pride of being Swiss!
Ticker Eats The World
So cool and awesome. I’m glad that you agree and yes they really take care of what they have and respect it
Familyearthtrek
What a great post and very well rhought! I enjoy reading it! And I was laughing a bit about how the swiss mind their own business.