Cultural training day

Last week we had a full day of cultural training provided by 3M. We also had a two-day cultural training before we left for our stay in China. Maybe because China in itself is such a cultural difference we felt we learned more and the training was more significant? Our trainer was a nice guy, we got lots of history of Switzerland but no real surprises. Not to say that living in Switzerland doesn't involve some cultural changes but again compared to China...We think we got this. (At least I hope so)

Here are some highlights from our learning and experiences so far...

· The Swiss family life is pretty conservative, following the model of a male breadwinner and a female household. Things have improved since women gained their right to vote in 1971.          

· The Swiss dress is usually dressy casual.

· The Swiss value hard work, responsibility, and timeliness.

· Swiss don't like change. They like things predictable and orderly, no surprises. So that is the way their rules are. They are a conforming population. 

· Swiss remain "neutral" Given their history especially during the wars. They are proud of being neutral even though they admit it doesn't mean they were right, or without guilt. They helped both Nazi's and the Allies. Switzerland has not fought a foreign war since neutrality was established in the Treaty of Paris in 1815.

· Swiss is a combination of 3 different cultures who try to get along. French, German and Italian. They are a land locked country trying to get along with others, but not being inviting at the same time. They are very strict with their immigration entry, but 25% of the country are immigrants. 

· The country knows where every citizen lives. They keep a close record of this. Every time a person moves they have to go to the city they are moving from and deregister. Then they have to register in their new city as well. 

· They vote frequently on referendums. Instead of their elected officials making and passing laws the people vote on each law to say yay or nay. The next one coming up is whether to keep the tax on TV and radios in your house. (My guess is that one is going away)

· There are no school buses in Switzerland. It is the parent’s responsibility to get their kids to school. They may drop them off, they walk or many of them take the tram by themselves. He said it is the goal for the kids to be very independent in this. He claims there is no danger for the kids in doing so, like kidnappings etc.

· He defended their high cost for food here. He said they treat their animals very humanely here. Only so many animals per square foot, no routine use of antibiotics or steroids. If they do have to use an antibiotic on an animal they for instance would have to discard that milk for weeks before being able to use it again. (It may be due to the cost of the bells around their necks as well...lol)

· We discussed how we rarely saw any law enforcement anywhere. He said the majority of their law enforcement is undercover. They drive unmarked cars and they don't wear uniforms. People follow the rules here very closely because they never know when one is around. That is something we have noticed here right away. Everyone stops for anyone near a crosswalk. They seem to be very polite drivers, always complete stops etc.

· We also talked about the cost of living here. How do people afford to live here? He said that everyone makes a reasonable living here. For instance, the waiters make about $70,000 per year. (I guess that's why we don't tip them) No job is more important than the next. Everyone is treated with respect. 

· They are private people. They don't like to interfere. They celebrate their holidays very quietly. No excessive holiday decorations. (They don't celebrate Halloween for sure) 

· University system here is very low cost, practically free. If a person can't afford the cost there is help provided for that individual. 

· I asked him what he thought of Americans. He was very reluctant to say anything but I convinced him it would be helpful to us in "fitting in" They only things he would say is in general Americans are loud and he hates when we think everything "is our right". 

· Since I'm trying to keep the blog out of our politics...I won't say what was said about the current US President. Let’s just say we aren’t thought of the greatest country anymore.

· Adjusting to Life Abroad. Through years of study and research they have found out that everyone will go through the following stages. Of course, each individual is different but they still go through the following.

• Stage one: The Honeymoon stage. This stage is approximately 30 days long. Everything is new and exciting. We feel like tourists. Enjoy site seeing. High expectations.
• Stage two: Adjustment stage. There is a decrease in our excitement. Life begins to feel routine. Things that we first found charming become wearing and difficult. Home sickness sets in. All in different levels.
• Stage three: Adaptation stage. We no longer think of things as good or bad, just different. We stop comparing and accept our new reality as home. There still is adjustments, and are encouraged to be self-aware. Look for the positive in every experience. Set goals. Take care of yourself. Keep in touch with home. Learn the language!