As a Swiss Abroad, which stereotypes about your country do you most often encounter?

Hosted by:

A member of the Swiss Abroad editorial team, I mainly write about Switzerland's most peculiar features and stories. After completing my master's degree in Asian Studies in Geneva (with a detour at Tokyo University and Kyoto University), I worked on the newsdesk at RSI, occasionally collaborating with Presence Switzerland during the Expo in South Korea and Milan. I have been working for SWI swissinfo.ch since 2016.

Deutsch

Welche Klischees über die Schweiz hören Sie als Auslandschweizer:in am häufigsten?
Français

En tant que Suisse de l’étranger, à quels stéréotypes sur la Confédération faites-vous face le plus souvent?
Italiano

Come svizzero/a all’estero, con quali stereotipi sulla Confederazione vi trovate più spesso confrontati? Original

You speak “Swiss”, you speak four languages fluently, and you have a lot of money in your bank account. You are always on time; you love precision. In your home country you lived in a wooden chalet with a view of the Alps. You can yodel and play alphorn. You eat mostly cheese and chocolate and if an argument breaks out, you prefer not to take sides.

Swiss nationals are associated with many stereotypes abroad, some of which may be true, others which are quite false.

As a Swiss Abroad, which clichés do you most often confront in your country of residence – and how do you refute or explain them? Which can you relate to, and which annoy you?

Share your experiences below: your contribution could be used in a future article and in our short video series with voices from our community.

Join the conversation!

Contributions must adhere to our guidelines. If you have questions or wish to suggest other ideas for debates, please, get in touch!

Please sign in to submit and like comments.

Sort by

bbbb@xyz.net 2025-11-12 00:21

Ahoy from Alaska__We run a Bed and Breakfast place here in Homer, Alaska__Most Europeans visiting are from Switzerland, some seasoned travelers, others a bit__old fashioned, bringing their ways along, asking naive questions, are open to new things,__rather pleasant.__Questions are mostly about what brought us here, how Alaskans live, work and what is__fun to do when not working__We so far had little negative input in regards to behavior, unfriendliness or other negative or strange behavior __Alaska offers so much nature in ways that make the Alps seem small and with the Pacific all around the guests are overwhelmed by all this beauty__Good luck with this survey, warm greetings from a cool place: Alaska

A. Borel 2025-11-08 09:21

The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Living in the west of France, I notice that it's mostly the usual nice clichés that come up: the country of chocolate and watchmaking, pretty chalets and mountains/landscapes. The stability of our democratic system and our culture of political consensus are often cited. The humorous remarks about our "slowness" and our accent are often delicate and amusing 😆 In fact, many French people know little or nothing about our country, which generally arouses positive curiosity.____ On the other hand, I've noticed (especially in a professional context) that certain preconceived ideas persist. In the eyes of some people, every Swiss person is a millionaire with a Mazerrati in the garage and Nazi gold ingots in the bank... Our taste for excellence and hard work (when it produces results) arouses jealousy, sometimes very violent. In the workplace, the desire to resolve conflicts with management rather than resorting to clashes or deadlocks is not always well understood either... __I've also heard it said that I come from an "uninteresting" country that "eats from every tray".

Habitant dans l’ouest de la France, je remarque que ce sont surtout les gentils clichés habituels qui reviennent : pays du chocolat et de l’horlogerie, les jolis chalets et les montagnes/paysages. La stabilité de notre système démocratique et notre culture du consensus politique sont souvent cités. Les traits d’humour sur notre « lenteur » et sur notre accent sont souvent délicats et amusants 😆 En fait, beaucoup de Français connaissent peu ou mal notre pays, ce qui suscite en général une curiosité positive.____En revanche, je me suis aperçue (surtout dans le cadre professionnel) que certaines idées reçues subsistent. Aux yeux des certaines personnes chaque Suisse est millionnaire avec une Mazerrati au garage et des lingots d’or nazis à la banque… Nôtre goût de l’excellence et du travail acharné (quand ils produisent du résultat) suscitent des jalousies parfois très violentes. En entreprise, la volonté de résoudre les conflits avec la hiérarchie plutôt que d’aller au clash ou au blocage n’est pas toujours très bien comprise non plus… __J’ai déjà entendu aussi que je venais d’un pays « inintéressant » et qui « bouffait à tous les râteliers »

Story 2025-11-07 23:43

The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

The cliché of the Swiss all loaded with money... that's the label that sticks to my skin. ____ Strange people and different mentalities...__Which doesn't displease me because there are completely different ways of living and being between the Swiss and the French...

Le cliché des Suisses tous blindés de fric... voilà l'étiquette qui me colle a la peau.____Gens étranges et mentalités différentes...__Ce qui ne me déplaît pas car effectivement entre les suisses et les français il y a des façons de vivre, d'être complètement différentes...

abdy 2025-11-07 21:41

The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

There are many clichés in Switzerland that are often mentioned abroad. For example, it is often said that the Swiss are very punctual and precise. This is true in many cases, as punctuality and order are highly valued in the culture. At the same time, experience shows that flexibility and adaptability are also valued.____ Another common cliché concerns wealth. Many people believe that all Swiss people are wealthy. The reality is different: The cost of living is high and wealth depends on many factors. Quality of life and attitude often play a greater role than income alone.____Neutrality is another characteristic attributed to the Swiss. It is true that the middle way is often sought in conflicts and calm is valued. Nevertheless, clear, respectful expression of opinion is also valued when issues are important.____Multilingualism is also often mentioned. In Switzerland, several languages are learnt - German, French, Italian - and many people also speak other languages. This facilitates communication in different countries and cultures.____Traditions such as yodelling or playing the alphorn are also among the familiar images. These cultural elements are part of the heritage, but at the same time many people are also interested in modern topics such as technology, travelling or craftsmanship.____ Another cliché concerns the perception of the Swiss as cool or exclusively logical. In practice, respect, directness and social interaction are emphasised. Friendliness, laughter and emotional connection are also part of everyday life, especially in informal moments or at the weekend.____And finally: Switzerland is often described as very beautiful and perfect. The nature is impressive, the system works well and the people are mostly friendly. Nevertheless, there are challenges and responsibilities, just like in any other country.

In der Schweiz gibt es viele Klischees, die im Ausland oft genannt werden. Zum Beispiel wird oft gesagt, dass Schweizer sehr pünktlich und genau sind. Das trifft in vielen Fällen zu, da Pünktlichkeit und Ordnung in der Kultur einen hohen Stellenwert haben. Gleichzeitig zeigt die Erfahrung, dass Flexibilität und Anpassungsfähigkeit ebenfalls geschätzt werden.____Ein weiteres häufiges Klischee betrifft Reichtum. Viele Menschen glauben, dass alle Schweizer wohlhabend sind. Die Realität sieht anders aus: Die Lebenshaltungskosten sind hoch, und Wohlstand hängt von vielen Faktoren ab. Lebensqualität und Einstellung spielen oft eine größere Rolle als das Einkommen allein.____Neutralität ist ein weiteres Merkmal, das den Schweizerinnen und Schweizern zugeschrieben wird. Es stimmt, dass in Konflikten häufig der Mittelweg gesucht wird und Ruhe geschätzt wird. Dennoch wird auch klare, respektvolle Meinungsäußerung geschätzt, wenn Themen wichtig sind.____Mehrsprachigkeit wird ebenfalls oft erwähnt. In der Schweiz werden mehrere Sprachen gelernt – Deutsch, Französisch, Italienisch – und viele Menschen sprechen zusätzlich weitere Sprachen. Das erleichtert die Kommunikation in verschiedenen Ländern und Kulturen.____Traditionen wie Jodeln oder Alphorn spielen gehören ebenfalls zu den bekannten Bildern. Diese kulturellen Elemente sind Teil des Erbes, gleichzeitig interessieren sich viele Menschen auch für moderne Themen wie Technologie, Reisen oder handwerkliche Tätigkeiten.____Ein weiteres Klischee betrifft die Wahrnehmung der Schweizer als kühl oder ausschließlich logisch. In der Praxis wird Respekt, Direktheit und soziale Interaktion großgeschrieben. Freundlichkeit, Lachen und emotionale Verbundenheit sind ebenso Teil des Alltags, besonders in informellen Momenten oder am Wochenende.____Und schließlich: Die Schweiz wird oft als sehr schön und perfekt beschrieben. Die Natur ist beeindruckend, das System funktioniert gut, und die Menschen sind meist freundlich. Dennoch gibt es Herausforderungen und Verantwortung, wie in jedem anderen Land auch.

Anonymous 2025-11-04 23:31

Most people in other countries do not really know much about Switzerland. They just repeat learned common views, generalised opinions and prejudices - depending on the Level of their education. The usual knowledge is: you speak different languages, have a solid democracy, a lot of wealth because of your banks... you are living 'in the mountains'... and producing milk!

Béa007 2025-11-01 08:16

The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

I'm often pleasantly surprised by the recognition of our Swiss qualities by the French people close to where I live, such as punctuality, kindness, helpfulness, diligence at work, orderliness, a job well done... but certain false clichés remain and encourage people to justify themselves, for example, the Swiss are rich, "you're loaded! But people often move abroad because it's simply impossible to stay in Switzerland on their pensions alone. There's also confusion between a retired Swiss expatriate who couldn't stay in Switzerland and a cross-border commuter who works in Switzerland and therefore earns a lot of money, hence the envy and sometimes contempt, the clichés...__And let's talk about chocolate...Yes, they recognise that it's good and they're happy when I bring some back, but when I offer an invitation to a Swiss fondue, they don't get the same welcome 😄 They prefer their cheeses and think I'm a bit too chauvinistic! So much the worse!As far as I'm concerned, what strikes me most about some people is the way they compare the incomparable, their demands even though the 35-hour week became 30 hours a long time ago, and their lack of understanding of the fact that in Switzerland we work a lot,We retire at 65 (I'm 70 and I still work a bit out of obligation, even though I'm an expat)__As for my accent, which is still a bit thick, and certain expressions, it just makes them laugh and they imitate me, but it's not mean-spirited, but it's still a cliché that a Swiss person in France is still a Swiss person with the cliché that they have.I miss Switzerland even if Geneva is no longer a typical representation of Switzerland.

Je suis souvent agréablement surprise par la reconnaissance de nos qualités suisses par les français proches de mon lieu de vie telles que ponctualité,gentillesse,serviabilité,assiduité au travail,ordre,travail bien fait…mais certains faux clichés restent et incitent à se justifier comme par exemple les suisses sont riches, « vous êtes blindés » entent-on ! Alors que l’on s’expatrie souvent parce qu’avec la seule retraite il est impossible de rester en Suisse tout simplement. Il y a aussi confusion entre un suisse retraité expatrié qui n’a pas pu rester en Suisse et un frontalier qui travaille en Suisse donc gagne beaucoup d’argent d’où la convoitise et parfois le mépris,les clichés…__Et parlons du chocolat…oui,ils reconnaissent qu’il est bon et sont contents quand j’en rapporte mais quand je propose une invitation à une fondue suisse,ouïe ouïe ouïe,pas le même accueil 😄 Ils préfèrent leurs fromages et me trouvent un peu trop chauvin ! Bon tant pis !__De mon côté,ce qui me frappe le plus de la part de certains est leur façon de comparer l’incomparable,leurs exigences alors que les 35h sont devenues 30h depuis longtemps et leur incompréhension que nous en Suisse on travaille beaucoup,on a la retraite à 65 ans (moi j’en ai 70 et je travaille encore un peu par obligation même en étant expatriée)__Quant à mon accent qui reste un peu et à certaines expressions,ça les fait juste rire et ils m’imitent mais ce n’est pas méchant,ça reste toutefois un cliché qu’un suisse en France,ça reste un suisse avec le cliché qu’ils en ont.__La Suisse me manque même si Genève n’est plus une représentation typique de la Suisse.

jepyerly@websud.ch 2025-10-21 11:02

The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Switzerland, which already has an overflowing population, and whose soil, water and infrastructure can take no more, must react. As in Australia, we need to be stricter about recognising new Swiss citizens.

La Suisse, avec déjà une population débordante, dont le sol , l'eau, les infrastructures n'en peuvent plus, doit réagir . On doit , comme en Australie, être plus sévère pour la reconnaissance de nouveaux citoyens suisse.

Martin74 2025-10-21 00:04

The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

As a Swiss citizen and IV pensioner, my wish would be to continue living in Switzerland. Unfortunately, the pension is too small and I had to go abroad. Nowhere in the world is as well organised as Switzerland. But it would be advisable if Swiss politicians did a bit more for us Swiss instead of us having to go abroad. I think that most Swiss people have emigrated because of the small pension. Almost everyone comes back to Switzerland when their health no longer cooperates.

Als Schweizer und IV Rentner wäre mein Wunsch weiterhin in der Schweiz zu haben. Leider ist die Rente zu klein und musste ins Ausland gehen. Nirgends auf der Welt ist so gut organisiert wie die Schweiz. Aber es wäre empfehlenswert, wenn die Schweizer Politik etwas mehr für uns Schweizer tun würde, anstatt dass wir ins Ausland müssen. Ich denke, dass die meisten Schweizer wegen der kleinen Rente ausgewandert sind. Fast jeder kommt in die Schweiz zurück, wenn die Gesundheit nicht mehr mitmacht.

jepyerly@websud.ch 2025-10-21 11:06

The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

@Martin74

At the moment, many people work part-time, in which case it's neither up to the state nor me to pay the bills. On the other hand, if it's a question of serious illness or accident, or serious mental illness, the problem is different.

Détecter le problème, actuellement, beaucoup de personnes travaillent à temps partiel, dans ce cas, ce n'eat ni à l'Etat, ni à moi de de payer ses factures. __Par contre, si c'est une question de maladie grave ou d'accident , ou psychique grave , le problème est différent.

Jorg Hiker 2025-10-12 22:12

That Swiss think in terms of limits and prohibitions, not growth and opportunities. Suppose, there is a too narrow road. A Swiss would put a sign to limit traffic on the road. Almost everybody else in the world would build a wider road. Looking at the real Swiss roads, I can only say: touché!____That the only thing invented in Switzerland is the cuckoo clock. This is factually untrue, the cuckoo clock was invented in Germany.

Anonymous 2025-10-11 01:06

Living in the US/Canada, I've gotten these here a lot:____"There's lots of snow in Switzerland and winters are very cold." I usually explain that the mountains are where there's lots of snow, but most people live in the plateau. As for the cold, I just say that it depends on what you compare it to - many places in North America have colder winters.____"Everyone is rich." Yes and no. Given the strength of the currency, that's true in relation to other countries, but we have people with different income levels like every other country; it's not wealth in the Gatsby kind of way that people often imagine. It seems to be hard for people to consolidate the thought of a rich country that still has people who struggle financially.____"You are so direct because you are Swiss." Not completely wrong, but I also explain that my Swiss friends also find me to be very direct.____"Everyone in Switzerland is polite/nice." I don't know where that one is coming from, but I think it's just taking a nuanced cultural trait that is genuinely shared by some parts of the population, then exaggerating its extent and thinking it applies to everyone.____From US-Americans: "Switzerland is full of communists/socialists." Haha well, that's a very particular perspective.____Many of the stereotypes I hear have some truth to them, so most of the time, I don't take offense to them. Many stereotypes are also quite flattering, so we are lucky about that.

Nordstern 2025-10-10 23:12

The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Four languages...plus English??? No!