Good to know
Good to Know
- For a country as small as Switzerland, it often surprises foreigners how different dialects of Swiss German can be from village to village! Making an effort to greet people in the local dialect is appreciated.
- Greet everyone, always. Even if there are 16 fellow hikers on the narrow path, give each one some eye contact and a brief hello.
- If you're invited to a party, be sure to leave before midnight so the host has some time to clean up.
- If you've been invited over for dinner or a party, bringing a small gift like (an odd number of) flowers or wine is good social etiquette.
- Engelberg's cultural calendar centers around traditional Alpine customs, particularly the famous Alpabzug cattle descent in late September, which reflects the deep agricultural heritage of Obwalden.
- If you're invited to someone's home in Switzerland, take off your shoes when entering unless the host explicitly tells you to keep them on. It's polite and expected in many Swiss homes.
Greetings
- Everyday Greetings
- In Engelberg, most people speak a local version of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect. Always greet people with a polite "Grüezi" in German-speaking areas when entering shops or rural settings.
- Formal First Meeting
- A firm handshake and maintained eye contact is standard when meeting someone for the first time. Refer to them using their surname, using the formal Sie (in German-speaking areas) until they ask you to refer to them with the informal Du.
- Informal Among Friends
- For friends or more informal peers, you may air-kiss three times on the cheek (starting with the right).
Dress Code
The Swiss appreciate neat and stylish clothes. Consequently, you won't see too many people in sweatpants or overly casual clothes. Swiss style has become more relaxed in recent years and individuals now dress in a style most people would describe as 'smart casual'. Although appearance matters, they are not ostentatious people who like to show off 'branded' clothing or expensive jewellery.
Punctuality
The Swiss place great value on time. Punctuality is expected, and your counterparts will expect you to adhere to any project milestones or schedules. In German-speaking areas, arriving even five minutes late for a business or social engagement can be offensive.
Personal Space
In one-on-one conversations, people usually stand an arms-length apart, sometimes a little less in the Italian Swiss regions. Close friends and family often touch when speaking, but this is not common in workplaces or with acquaintances.
Public Behavior
- Body Language
- Social etiquette in Switzerland is to maintain good posture as it's considered impolite to slouch or stretch in public. Tapping your forehead with your index finger suggests that someone is crazy and is very insulting.
- Noise And Quiet Hours
- 10pm is when the usual night rest starts if you're living in a neighbour friendly area. Don't be too loud, not even when returning from a karaoke bar.
- Litter And Cleanliness
- Don't litter. Really, it's a big faux pas here.
Dining Etiquette
- Departure
- An unspoken Swiss rule is that the guests should leave before midnight. If by chance you're invited to a dinner, keep this in mind.
- At The Table
- Wait for everybody to be served and for your host/hostess to start before eating your meal. Table manners are Continental — the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. Do not place your elbows on the table.
- When Invited
- If invited to the home of your Swiss counterpart for dinner, aim to arrive on time or slightly before as punctuality is valued. Bringing a small gift like (an odd number of) flowers or wine, and something for any children in the house is good social etiquette.
Local Traditions
- Alpabzug
- On the last Saturday in September the Alpabzug takes place, when the cattle are brought from the mountain pastures back to their winter barns in the village and valley. You can hear the bells of the approaching cattle harvest from afar in the village. After four months of grazing in the mountains, the herdsman returns to the valley with his cows. The Alpine descent is a colorful piece of living tradition and genuine custom.
- Swiss National Day
- In common with the rest of Switzerland, there is a village celebration for Swiss National Day on 1 August, with parades and events throughout the day.
Communication Style
The Swiss are fairly direct when communicating. They typically do not engage in 'reading between the lines', innuendo and non-verbal communication. As such, ensure you are respectfully explicit in your speech.
Sensitive Topics To Avoid
Things to avoid include Swiss neutrality in the EU, discussion on the military, and heated topics like immigration. Questions about someone's private income or wealth are considered to be very rude.
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this culture & etiquette research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Engelberg
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.