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| Giant Wine Goblets in the Sky |
Where was I? Oh yes! The Customs and Traditions in Switzerland. You must excuse me - I was rather distracted by the idea of watertank-sized Vino glasses, and the very pleasant prospect of a sun-filled vineyard in which to sip (by that I mean glug!) from them unhurriedly, in the gold pink glow of the Swiss evening sky.
By now you may have guessed that Wine, or Wii (no jokes please!) are a major part of the Swiss psyche. If you are invited to a dinner, or even a family lunch, it is normal (nay, expected!) that you will bring one, or even two, bottles of wine for your hosts, (amounts depending on how much you like them of course!) These offerings will be inspected and appreciated... and then you will never see them again! They will be squirrelled (Eichhörnchen) away for the host's private consumption at a later date. So I have found that really, any old plonk will do! Although the Swiss plonk is of course very good quality!!
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| Tonight I'm gonna party like it's 2999 |
So... before the meal is served, the wine must be poured. Usually white first. My in-laws use the tiniest glasses, almost like shot glasses. Then, before drinking a drop, it is polite to clink glasses with every member of the party, be it six or twenty! This can be either problematic, or fun like a game of Twister, depending on the health of your spine. Tradition dictates that you must clink, look directly into each person's eyes, and say 'Prost' or 'Zum Wohl' using their christian name. If I have forgotten, or don't yet know their name, I just mumble 'Rhubarb Rhubarb' at such a low frequency that only Bats and Mother-In-Laws can detect. But I know her name now (just), so I'm OK!
Prost is generally used more for Beer/Spirits, and Zum Wohl for wines. I have got the two mixed up on occasion, but I think I've been forgiven; as an Ausländer! (foreigner).
People who think the Swiss are reserved, and extremely polite, would be correct. This applies only until you are accepted and befriended by a Swiss, after which they can be full of good humour, loud, and quite raucous dinner guests. I have been to parties/dinners where they are just getting started at 2am, while I am completely burnt out, and ready for my bed! My brother-in-law, a large and burly teddy bear, is a good example of a Swiss 'party animal'. His booming foghorn laugh has given me many a headache... but I am still very fond of him!
The other difference at Swiss parties is that no one bothers to slip outside for a crafty ciggie. It is quite normal to smoke inside, filling the room with acrid choking smoke, which seems to affect nobody's lungs, except my feeble English ones! When I first moved here, every Cafe/Restaurant/Bar was a smoker's paradise. I used to avoid them unless they had a terrace. But since 2010, smoking has been banned inside public places and buildings. They do seem to be a little slower to catch up with the rest of the Western World; but they get there, in their own sweet, unhurried, Swiss time!
At the end of the evening, you will be wearied by Swiss conversations flying over your head in a rapid fire assault of jumbled words and sounds. You will want to take your leave. You will want to slink out, with a general wave to all, and a word of thanks to your Hosts. But oh NO!!! This is NOT the way it's done here! You must go to each person individually, shake their hand, and wish them a goodnight. This could take up to an hour. I am not joking!! So, you might want to get a head start, and begin your goodbyes roughly an hour before you actually need to leave. I find this works for me, although the fine planning of it may fall by the wayside, depending on how much Wii or Grappa I have imbibed!
All in all, I find the Swiss extremely hospitable, welcoming, and warm - when you get to know them! Warning: This could take either six months or six years! Some of my Swiss friends have taken longer to thaw than others! But once you're accepted, as a Kollegin, you will find fierce loyalty and sincere kindness in your Swiss friend; and that makes being an Englishwoman abroad almost bearable!
Thanks for clinking glasses with me!
Angela x
