Common Etiquette
Being respectful of someone or anything means learning their native tongue. Even though English is widely spoken in Switzerland, making an effort to communicate in the local tongue is always welcomed (particularly in the French-speaking region of the nation).
It's usually courteous to inquire about their language proficiency before striking up a conversation. Try to at least learn the words for "Hello," "Goodbye," "Please," and "Thank You" in the language of the area you will be visiting. Another useful sentence is "I would like to..." It is typically advised to try speaking German rather than Swiss German if you are in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.
When the German-Swiss realize they are speaking to a foreigner, they practically instinctively switch to German. You can employ formal and informal forms of the word in German, French, and Italian, which alter the conjugation of the verb you use and occasionally phrases. For instance, the formal equivalent of don't worry about it in French is ne vous en faites pas, but the informal equivalent is ne t'en fais pas.
The formal is used to express respect to those who are older than you, whom you view as superiors, who hold positions of authority over you at work, or even just random strangers on the street. With intimate friends, relatives, and peers, the casual is employed.
