The Swiss definitely like to be invited in writing with maybe 2 or 3 weeks notice. They will all arrive 5 to 10 minutes after the appointed time (For business meetings you should arrive 5 to 15 minutes early!). To arrive on time for a private invitation is considered unreasonable, the hostess must be given time to remove that unnoticed spider's web. They will all leave at the appointed time.
Have plenty of vases handy, many will arrive with chocolates or small bunches of flowers. Don't serve any wine that is brought to you, put it to the side. They also like to be served good quality local products. They really expect to be able to sit down, and don't expect them to mingle.
You should maybe consider offering Swiss things, cheese, salami and ham nibbles, coffee, wine, sparkling wine, juice, mineral water still and fizzy.
At the same time they would like to try English things like a decent cup of tea with milk and also lemon offered. A simple plate of scones, jam and thick cream is always popular, give a little demonstration, my Dutch girl friend cut her scone vertically: my fault in not telling her!
Don't make too much, just give a wide selection. No loud music.
Well, thank you very much to those people who have offered useful advice; this is very much appreciated and I'm really pleased I posed the question to the forum - it has helped a lot.
Good
Share the experience when it happens
I agree, at Easter would be good. And you might get some good tips in advance in regards to the schools and other local info. Good luck with the move.
Hi again,
So, I thought I'd let you know briefly how our neighbour drinks went here in Lausanne; very well indeed.
Practical things that others might like to know for the future...
- We popped an invitation in everyone's letter boxes a few weeks ago - please feel free to email me if your French isn't so great (I got an example from my French teacher)
- Everyone chose to drink red wine (local) or beer (local) rather than the anticipated white wine
- We had a big plate of cold meat, one of cheese, some bread sticks, nibbly things, biscuits and some English mustard (a talking point more than anything). This seemed to be plenty.
- We got some coloured plastic picnic cup things from Migros for kids to use (we don't have kids - on this note, if you are like us and have a bit of a boring house for kids, it might be useful to get something to occupy them if you know your neighbours are likely to arrive with them)
- Everyone sat round the dining table
We had a lovely time with our lovely neighbours, and hope to do something similar again when the warmer weather arrives.
Thank you again for the help. I hope this thread is useful to others in the future.
Supercat
My Easter trip is now just around the corner, so I am planning to drop invitations through neighbours doors as soon as we arrive so we can do the whole 2 weeks notice thing.
Could anyone help me with the wording. My German is still very basic and although I could probably word a basic invitation I would really like to do it in Swiss german. I was thinking of a simple heading like "Come & Meet the New Neighbours at (and then our address)" I would then put the rest in English so as not to create a false sense of our Swiss German ability.
Also wondered what your thinking on day of the week & time would be.
I was wondering if Sunday was a "no no" or acceptable and also what time would be good - I was wondering about 4pm but is this too near dinner time? Any suggestions very welcome
I cannot help much here as quite a lot depends on the age and nationality of your neighbours.
My only tip - if they are 'senior' or if there are any 'non-Swiss German speakers' among them, I wouldn't write it in Swiss German. With youngsters (anything under about 40!!), this might be the norm.
Thanks, and I see what your saying - they are all Swiss in their mid 30's - early 50's and professionals (doctors & the like) - we just wanted to create the right impression - you know - we are trying to learn the language, and fit in rather than being rude auslanders :-)