What are Swiss Women Like - Dating Girls from Switzerland

The Alpine paradise of Switzerland conjures up images of snow-clad peaks, tall conifers and healthy cows grazing peacefully on the grassy slopes. Just like the real country is abuzz with banks, commercial and sporting activity, similarly not all Swiss women fit the Heidi stereotype. So what are Swiss women actually like – here are a few points to serve as a guideline if you plan to interact with them socially.

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Somewhat formal

The first thing to remember while getting acquainted with a Swiss woman is that they like to maintain their own personal space. A handshake is the normal greeting between men and women unless one is very familiar with the person. In this case, a triple kiss on each cheek is appropriate - This consists of first one kiss on one cheek, then one on the next cheek, and finally back to the first cheek. So if you are being introduced to a Swiss lady for the first time, don’t go hugging her or attempt to kiss her on the cheeks. Remember, it is customary to greet and say good-bye to a person using their name. The Swiss use formal forms of address both in German - Sie rather than du - and in French -  vous rather than tu. Also it may take some time to initiate a conversation with women from this country. Swiss women are not avid talkers especially with people they have just met. Thus in the beginning they may come off as rather formal and distant. However once they get to know you better and more importantly wish to do so, you will find them opening up to reveal themselves as smart, intelligent women with loads of brains to match their fair looks.

Don’t like to be molly-coddled

The culture of efficiency and perfectionism instilled among the people of Switzerland implies that its women are used to doing things on their own. They rarely look to men for help with small issues of daily living. So when dating a Swiss woman, don’t take her independent bearing as a sign of arrogance or rudeness. It is because she is accustomed to looking after herself that she has developed her own way of doing things. One advantage of this is that you will eventually have your Swiss partner offering to pay for the date too. However this is not to imply that you shouldn’t treat her as a lady. Swiss women want to be respected as much as they wish to be courted by their lovers. So small gestures of attention like taking their coats in a restaurant or opening the door for them can not only mark you as a gentleman but make them feel special too. Above all, don’t expect Swiss women to go into raptures of passion or touch heights of emotional ecstasy if you do something special for them. Just like Switzerland is known for political stability and neutrality, its women are also marked by an equable temperament. They prefer to seem untouched by emotional highs and lows and only express their deepest feelings before people very close to them.

Be punctual

One of the cardinal rules while dating Swiss women is to be always on time. A part of the Swiss culture of perfectionism makes them exceedingly punctual and the easiest way to fall in a Swiss woman’s esteem would be to show up for a date several minutes late. The Swiss, including women, usually arrive anywhere fifteen minutes early to make sure they're not late. Little wonder then Switzerland is famous for its trains always running on time and its people also consider it a matter of honor that they pay bills on time.

Treat her to chocolate

Among other things, Switzerland is famous for its cheese, chocolates and chocolate-based treats. The Swiss eat around ten kilos of chocolate per year, which makes them the greatest chocoholics in the world. So if you wish to impress your Swiss girl, buy her a gift of gourmet chocolates or holey cheese. Indeed for a home date you can invite your woman and treat her to fondue made of melted Emmental, Gruyère, white wine and flour which is considered a national favorite. And even if you don’t get it completely right the first time, she will appreciate your having taken the time and effort to make something special for her.

Fond of the outdoors

Mountains cover three fifths of Switzerland's area; thus it comes as no surprise that its women, like Swiss men are fond of the outdoors. Mountaineering, skiing and hiking are major parts of life and your average Swiss girl may leave you behind when skiing or hiking up the mountain trails. The typical image of a Swiss woman with rosy, healthy cheeks could be in part to the pure mountain air they breathe and an active life outdoors. At the same time though, don’t expect them all to be mountain-dwellers and lead an idyllic life on the slopes. In fact an overwhelming 68% of Swiss live in urban areas and despite her love of the mountains, your Swiss female friend too may be living and working in the city. Indeed the Swiss have one of the most extensive working hours in Switzerland and while dating women from this country, get ready to be put on hold should you happen to call them from eight in the morning to five in the evening.

Newly emancipated

If you are looking for partners who would be content to be homemakers, maybe you should look elsewhere. Most Swiss women today prefer to have no more than one or two children, and an increasing number of people choose to remain single. Women who marry do so at a later age than their mothers did and also have their children later. Also in general, the German-speaking Swiss tend to marry among themselves. Interestingly though, the emancipation of the Swiss woman is relatively recent. They obtained the right to vote only in 1971. Traditionally, a woman has needed her husband's permission to get a job, open a bank account, or run for political office. But even though Swiss women gained their political equality late, they have been catching up quickly. Today they fill 15 percent of all elected posts, a figure slightly above the European average.