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GIFT GIVING IN
SWITZERLAND* - Gift Giving Customs
BUSINESS GIFT GIVING /
PERSONAL GIFT GIVING
-
In Swiss business
culture, propriety is considered more important than gestures of affection
such as gifts. When the Swiss decide that they like you, however, they will
go out of their way to be friendly and generous. The best policy is to wait
until the conclusion of negotiations before presenting any gift and you
should really allow your contact to give the first gift so that you can
reciprocate.
-
It is recommended
that you bring an assortment of gifts for different occasions. A
coffee-table book about your home region or some representative artefact
would be suitable choices and a bottle of fine wine, whisky or brandy is a
good fallback.
-
Do not give a gift
that is obviously expensive, since your generosity may be perceived as
either too excessive or a form of bribery.
-
If you are invited
to a Swiss home, flowers [not chrysanthemums, white lilies or red
roses] and/or chocolates are safe options. You must also send a hand-written
thank-you note to your hosts.
-
Interpreters or
guides prefer to receive a thoughtful gift rather than a tip.
-
Knives, scissors,
cutlery or other sharp objects of any kind are not appropriate gifts
since they symbolise the severing of a friendship or other close bond.
*Dray, Paul. Switzerland Business
Etiquette - Gift Giving. Executive Planet. 16 Aug. 2004
<http://www.executiveplanet.com/business-culture-in/132161242033.html>. |
Above: The flag of Switzerland
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