What are the cultures of Switzerland?

Answer 1

Technology

The people of Switzerland value their technology and science, and they have ethnocentrism for their achieved advancements. Switzerland is one of the most highly developed countries in technology; it is known as an international research center, as the Swiss are constantly developing new technological and scientific innovations. Forty-five percent of the nation is involved in the science and technology production, propagation, and application because these fields are vital to Swiss economics and society. Some of their most urbanized research has been in Nanotechnology, micro technology, biotechnology, hi-tech, aerospace, defense, pharmaceutical and engineering technologies and sciences.

Symbols

Switzerland's symbols strive to achieve unity, but they also try to show how diversified the country really is. Switzerland has three main symbols that the Swiss value the most. They include the Swiss flag, the story of William Tell, and Helvetia.

The Swiss flag is one of the national symbols. This flag, which was officially created in 1848, was made by the first confederate canton armies so that they could be identified. The design resembles the coat of arms of canton Schwyz, which was one of the three original members of the Swiss confederation in 1291. The white cross on the red background represents Switzerland's past union with the "Christian Occident," and the red and white colors are Switzerland's national colors.

Although the Swiss aren't certain of his existence, William Tell is the national hero in Switzerland. As told, in the fourteenth century Tell refused to bow to the Hapsburg power symbol, so he was forced to shoot an apple at the top at his son's head with an arrow. He did so with success, but he was arrested for rebellion. This story is a symbol of the bravery of the alpine people, who strived for independence from foreign judges. The story of William Tell is a national symbol because the Swiss value their independence and bravery.

Helvetia is the feminine national symbol of unity and harmony of the federal state uniting the cantons. Although Helvetia isn't a real person, she personifies Switzerland's unity and is pictured on coins and postage stamps as a mother creating harmony amongst her children.

Language

Switzerland's languages are multicultural because the country is locked between many European nations. There is no official Swiss language. The three main languages spoken in Switzerland, however, are German, French, and Italian. As seen in the map, the country is touching Germany, France, Italy, and part of Austria, so the languages spoken in Switzerland are appropriate. Other minor languages spoken in Switzerland include Romansh, Spanish, Serbo-Croatian, Portuguese, Turkish, English, and Albanese.

Culture Shock!

Although those living in Switzerland aren't hostile or standoffish, they definitely aren't sociable or affable. Many tourists have a hard time making friends with the Swiss because they tend to be very reserved and conservative. One of the reasons for their behavior is the trivial laws restricting certain behaviors. Some of these laws include: you cannot kiss or embrace those who you do not know that well, you need to be introduced to someone by someone else, you cannot make loud noises on Saturday nights, you cannot wash your car or mow your lawn on Sunday mornings, and tipping is unnecessary. If you ever travel to Switzerland, don't be shocked if you can't make a friend at first!

Good Websites:

http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Switzerland.html

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/destinations/culture/

http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=198

Answer 2

There are 3 main cultures in Switzerland: the French culture, the German culture, and the Italian culture. Most of Switzerland (64%) Speak Swiss German, and share a culture similar to that of the German people. French is a minority in Switzerland with 20% of the population living in the french region. The French parts of Switzerland tend to have a culture closer to that of latin-based language cultures and they tend to be more liberal. The Italian, with only 6,5% is a clear minority and they share a culture very similar to that of the Italians. The last are the Romansh, which represent less than 1% of Switzerland's population. Their culture is similar, yet different to that of the Swiss Germans.

Of course, there are also many immigrants and minorities in Switzerland, and there are more cultures that this. These ones are only the "official" ones.

Answer 3

I can only speak from my American perspective, but having lived now in Zurich, Switzerland for the past four years, I would say that some of the common cultural traits among the Swiss include being reserved (e.g. not being openly expressive or showing much emotion) and a desire for timeliness, order and perfection.