Greeting Etiquette

Between strangers, the customary handshake with open eyes and a grin is sufficient. As a relationship progresses, air-kissing on both cheeks and a slap on the back between men are frequently included. You might kiss three or twice, depending on the locality. If you're unsure, we advise that you kiss three times. Unless otherwise requested, we advise you to refer to your Swiss colleagues by their polite or official titles.

Although titles are not a big deal to the Swiss, doing so at the beginning is advised out of politeness. Use Monsieur (male) or Madam (female) in the French-speaking Switzerland, Herr (male) or Frau (female) in the German-speaking Switzerland, and Signore (male) or Signora (female) in the Italian-speaking Switzerland (female). Unless speaking to young female teenagers or youngsters, avoid using the pronouns Fräulein, Mademoiselle, and Signorina. The use of these phrases to refer to adult women has decreased over time.