World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
Swiss cuisine is varied. The great speciality is fondue, a delicious concoction of Gruyre and Vacherin cheese, melted and mixed with white wine, flour, Kirsch and a little garlic. Other cheese specialities are Emmental and Tte de Moine. Regional specialities include viande seche (dried beef or pork) from Valais and the Grisons where it is called Bndnerfleisch. The meat is cut wafer thin and served with pickled spring onions and gherkins. Papet vaudoir is a delicious dish made from leeks and potatoes. Geneva’s great speciality is pieds de porc (pigs' feet). Pork sausages or salami come in a variety of local recipes including Beinwurst, Engadinerwurst, Kalbsleberwurst (calf’s liver pt), Knackerli, Landjger and Leberwurst (pt). Try Rsti (shredded fried potatoes) and Fondue Bourguignonne (cubed meat with various sauces). Cakes and pastries are also varied: Leckerli are Basle specialities (spiced honey cakes topped with icing sugar, decorated in Bern with a white sugar bear); Fasnachtkchli (sugar-dusted pastries eaten during Carnival), Gugelhopf (a type of sponge cake with a hollow centre) and Schaffhausen (cream-filled cakes) are also popular. Although there are many self-service snack bars, table service is normal.
A great variety of Swiss wines are available throughout the country. There are also spirits made from fruit, the most popular being Kirsch, Marc, Pflmli and Williams. Swiss beer of a lager type is also available. Bottled mineral water is an accepted beverage, with local brands including Henniez and Passuger. Bars/cocktail lounges have table and/or counter service.

Nightlife
Most major towns and resorts have nightclubs or discos with music and dancing, sometimes serving food. There are also cinemas and theatres, and some bars and restaurants have local folk entertainment.

Shopping
Special purchases include embroidery and linen, Bernese woodcarving, chocolate, cheese, Swiss army knives and luxury handmade clocks and watches. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1330-1830, Sat 0800-1200 and 1330-1600. Most shops are closed on Monday mornings.

Special Events
For more specific details, contact Switzerland Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Switzerland in 2005:
Jan 3 Chalandamarz, traditional event to chase away winter. Jan 4-5 Cricket on Ice, St Moritz. Jan 17-22 22nd World Snow Festival, Grindelwald. Jan 31-Feb 5 St Moritz Gourmet Festival. Feb 9-12 Carnival, Biasca. Feb 10-12 Bern Carnival. Feb 11-13 Zurich Carnival. Feb 17-19 Geneva Carnival. Mar 11-13 Easter Egg Market, Wolfwil. Mar 13 Nordic Skiing: Engadine Ski Marathon, St Moritz. Mar 19 La Nuit Blanche - Swiss Winter Sport Night, Davos. Apr 3 International Zurich Marathon. Jun 2-5 European Beer Festival, Lausanne. Jun 17-19 Federal Yodelling Festival & Contest, Aarau; Music Festival, Geneva. Jun 19 'Slow Up Hochrhein', Laufenburg. Jun 21 Fte de la Musique, Lausanne. Jun 26 Alpine Spring Festival, Grindelwald/Wengen. Jul 14-24 'Live at Sunset', music festival, Zurich. Aug 1 National Day. Aug 13 Street Parade, Zurich. Sep 1-17 La Batie, Geneva. Sep 2-4 Art Air. Sep 3-4 Schubertiade, Neuchtel. Sep 5-11 Swiss World Festival Vernier, Geneva. Sep 23 Bachfischet, children's festival and ancient custom. Oct 12-16 Lausanne Underground Film & Music Festival. Nov 14-20 Comedy Festival, Lucerne. Dec Christmas Markets. Dec 3 Course de l'Escalade, public running through the old town, Geneva. Dec 10-11 Fte de l'Escalade, historical event. Dec 11 New Year's Eve Run, Zurich.

Social Conventions
It is customary to give unwrapped flowers to the hostess when invited for a meal. Avoid red roses; never give chrysanthemums or white asters as they are considered funeral flowers. Informal wear is widely acceptable. First-class restaurants, hotel dining rooms and important social occasions may warrant jackets and ties. Black tie is usually specified when required. Tipping: A service charge is included in all hotel, restaurant, cafe, bar, taxi and hairdressing services by law; further gratuities are not usually required.