Switzerland
Do:
-Respect traditional greetings such as three kisses on the cheek, even though handshakes are expected when first meeting
-Appreciate tolerance and patience
-Be punctual wherever you go
-Give a gift and a thank you note to a host of a party
-Dress conservatively and neatly
Do Not:
-Ask private questions
-Put your hands in your pockets while talking
-Use a first name until given permission: use surnames and and titles
-Speak loudly in public
Did you know Switzerland was ranked as the world’s happiest country in 2015?
-Respect traditional greetings such as three kisses on the cheek, even though handshakes are expected when first meeting
-Appreciate tolerance and patience
-Be punctual wherever you go
-Give a gift and a thank you note to a host of a party
-Dress conservatively and neatly
Do Not:
-Ask private questions
-Put your hands in your pockets while talking
-Use a first name until given permission: use surnames and and titles
-Speak loudly in public
Did you know Switzerland was ranked as the world’s happiest country in 2015?
Germany
Do:
-Remove your shoes before entering a house
-Have serious conversations, not pointless chit-chat
-Be formal
-Be very punctual
-Shake hands with everyone, even children
Do Not:
-Jaywalk, as no one else does, and it can result in a fine
-Show any symbol of the Third Reich, as it is highly offensive and results in criminal punishment
-Get drunk anywhere else than your home
-Ask for tap water
Did you know Germany has the third highest recycling rate in the world?
-Remove your shoes before entering a house
-Have serious conversations, not pointless chit-chat
-Be formal
-Be very punctual
-Shake hands with everyone, even children
Do Not:
-Jaywalk, as no one else does, and it can result in a fine
-Show any symbol of the Third Reich, as it is highly offensive and results in criminal punishment
-Get drunk anywhere else than your home
-Ask for tap water
Did you know Germany has the third highest recycling rate in the world?
France
Do:
-Dress well and fashionably
-Bring presents to friends and families
-Give flowers in odd numbers, but not 13
-Carry only what you need
Do Not:
-Expect ice at a meal
-Sit with legs spread apart
-Talk about money
-Talk to a Frenchman in English, as the French take pride in their language
-Try to do business between noon and 2 pm.
Did you know France was the first country in the world to ban supermarkets from disposing of unsold food?
-Dress well and fashionably
-Bring presents to friends and families
-Give flowers in odd numbers, but not 13
-Carry only what you need
Do Not:
-Expect ice at a meal
-Sit with legs spread apart
-Talk about money
-Talk to a Frenchman in English, as the French take pride in their language
-Try to do business between noon and 2 pm.
Did you know France was the first country in the world to ban supermarkets from disposing of unsold food?
Austria
Do:
-Watch where you walk, as there are many dogs who go relieve themselves in the city
-Be careful of pickpockets
-Let older women move in front of you
-Expect to be chased out of stores before closing time
Do Not:
-Expect air conditioning everywhere
-Make noise after 10 pm
-Expect people to respect rules of a line
-Expect Austrians to speak English
Did you know that Austria has sworn permanent neutrality since the end of the world wars?
-Watch where you walk, as there are many dogs who go relieve themselves in the city
-Be careful of pickpockets
-Let older women move in front of you
-Expect to be chased out of stores before closing time
Do Not:
-Expect air conditioning everywhere
-Make noise after 10 pm
-Expect people to respect rules of a line
-Expect Austrians to speak English
Did you know that Austria has sworn permanent neutrality since the end of the world wars?
The Netherlands
Do:
-Watch for pickpockets
-Refer to the country as “the Netherlands”, not Holland
-Greet people
-Be tolerant, as it is very important to the Dutch
Do Not:
-Drink alcohol in public
-Walk on the bike lanes
-Be afraid to speak English to the Dutch
-Start eating without saying “Eet Smakelijk”, meaning to eat well and with taste
Did you know the Dutch are the tallest people in the world?
-Watch for pickpockets
-Refer to the country as “the Netherlands”, not Holland
-Greet people
-Be tolerant, as it is very important to the Dutch
Do Not:
-Drink alcohol in public
-Walk on the bike lanes
-Be afraid to speak English to the Dutch
-Start eating without saying “Eet Smakelijk”, meaning to eat well and with taste
Did you know the Dutch are the tallest people in the world?