Dining Etiquette

If you are asked to your Swiss counterpart's home for dinner, try to appear on time or a little early because punctuality is prized. Bring presents, such as wine or chocolates, if you are invited to a meal. Until you are requested to sit down, keep standing. You might be directed to a certain seat. It is customary to begin meals with "bon appetit" or "guten appetit."

Prior to starting your meal, wait for everyone to be served and your host or hostess to introduce themselves. Continental table manners dictate that the knife should be held in the right hand while eating and the fork in the left. Toasts are customary; be sure to raise your glass with each other's and make eye contact while doing so.

Please avoid resting your elbows on the table. A lunch in Switzerland typically includes cheese. If you are given round cheese, slice it thinly from the center. When finished, parallelise your cutlery and plate. You should finish everything on your plate because in Switzerland, wasting food is frowned upon.