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Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely disappointing
Review: As other revierws mention, this book is not an explanation of Swiss culture but rather an autobiography of the author. This is very disappointing, because I've read other culture shock books which were a thousand times better.Then, this book is completely outdated because of the things she is talking of (company names change over time!). She mentiones that the PTT have been split into the Post and Swisscom, however "PTT" is seen all over the book. Why not just say "the post office"? Since the author lived in French part of Switzerland, the focus is only on this and not on the bigger German part. The translation of some words are just plain wrong. She says the butchers shop is a "Fleischerladen". This is completely wrong, in Switzerland you will never find this word. It's called "Metzgerei". I'm from Switzerland and before offering this book as a gift I had to read it. But it's useless. Another book might be much better. Still looking around.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't bother
Review: Don't bother with this book. Although the book contains some useful information, it doesn't give enough detail to be truly useful most of the time. It's also rather poorly written--the writing style is very strange, almost as if it were a diary. I was hoping for information about the Swiss culture, but instead I got the experiences of one person, which in the end didn't amount to much of use for me. I'd definitely recommend the Hampshire "Living and Working in Switzerland" over this any day: although it focuses more on the logistics of moving and settling in, it's much better to read and actually gives you a better view of living here than the Culture Shock book does.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely disappointing
Review: I won't mince words: This book is AWFUL! Hoping to find the Swiss equivalent to the excellent "Culture Shock! France" edition, I was extremely disappointed. The France book does exactly what it should, it gives some helpful clues to getting along with the French and understanding their reasoning, so that your interactions with them, both business and personal, will go smoothly, without cultural differences causing unnecessary conflict. The Swiss edition is terrible. Rather than offer helpful, insider tips to the Swiss mind, the author gives you an autobiographical account of her first year of life in Switzerland. If you picked up this book, it's because you're curious about the culture and lifestyle of the Swiss, including how to get along with them, and how to think like a Swiss. Unfortunately, the author herself is a NOVICE to Switzerland and its people, making her as ignorant about the country as the average Joe! Sure, through time she may pick up on a few things about her neighbors and her butcher, but it's not likely, as her outward focus usually falls on her family and their experiences. Use the photos included in the book as an example: My husband unpacking our things in our new apartment. My mother and father taking bottles to the recycling center. Sadly, this shows how little interaction the author had with the Swiss, therefore making her unqualified to write this book! But, let's not discredit the author entirely. She was only writing what she knew about (which wasn't much). The Culture Shock editors should be ashamed of themselves for not selecting a more qualified writer who would follow the standards of the rest of the series. THIS BOOK WOULD BE A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!
Rating:
Summary: Author: This is supposed to be about SWITZERLAND, not you!
Review: I won't mince words: This book is AWFUL! Hoping to find the Swiss equivalent to the excellent "Culture Shock! France" edition, I was extremely disappointed. The France book does exactly what it should, it gives some helpful clues to getting along with the French and understanding their reasoning, so that your interactions with them, both business and personal, will go smoothly, without cultural differences causing unnecessary conflict. The Swiss edition is terrible. Rather than offer helpful, insider tips to the Swiss mind, the author gives you an autobiographical account of her first year of life in Switzerland. If you picked up this book, it's because you're curious about the culture and lifestyle of the Swiss, including how to get along with them, and how to think like a Swiss. Unfortunately, the author herself is a NOVICE to Switzerland and its people, making her as ignorant about the country as the average Joe! Sure, through time she may pick up on a few things about her neighbors and her butcher, but it's not likely, as her outward focus usually falls on her family and their experiences. Use the photos included in the book as an example: My husband unpacking our things in our new apartment. My mother and father taking bottles to the recycling center. Sadly, this shows how little interaction the author had with the Swiss, therefore making her unqualified to write this book! But, let's not discredit the author entirely. She was only writing what she knew about (which wasn't much). The Culture Shock editors should be ashamed of themselves for not selecting a more qualified writer who would follow the standards of the rest of the series. THIS BOOK WOULD BE A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!
Rating:
Summary: Author: This is supposed to be about SWITZERLAND, not you!
Review: I won't mince words: This book is AWFUL! Hoping to find the Swiss equivalent to the excellent "Culture Shock! France" edition, I was extremely disappointed. The France book does exactly what it should, it gives some helpful clues to getting along with the French and understanding their reasoning, so that your interactions with them, both business and personal, will go smoothly, without cultural differences causing unnecessary conflict. The Swiss edition is terrible. Rather than offer helpful, insider tips to the Swiss mind, the author gives you an autobiographical account of her first year of life in Switzerland. If you picked up this book, it's because you're curious about the culture and lifestyle of the Swiss, including how to get along with them, and how to think like a Swiss. Unfortunately, the author herself is a NOVICE to Switzerland and its people, making her as ignorant about the country as the average Joe! Sure, through time she may pick up on a few things about her neighbors and her butcher, but it's not likely, as her outward focus usually falls on her family and their experiences. Use the photos included in the book as an example: My husband unpacking our things in our new apartment. My mother and father taking bottles to the recycling center. Sadly, this shows how little interaction the author had with the Swiss, therefore making her unqualified to write this book! But, let's not discredit the author entirely. She was only writing what she knew about (which wasn't much). The Culture Shock editors should be ashamed of themselves for not selecting a more qualified writer who would follow the standards of the rest of the series. THIS BOOK WOULD BE A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!
Rating: 
Summary: not for those with any european experience
Review: If you are hoping for an in depth analysis of customs in Switzerland, this book certainly will not deliver. This book is intended for those with zero experience in european customs, or even those with no experience with western culture at all. If you have been to europe before, this book will probably be of little help to you. The lonely planet guide is probably a better choice. There is an interesting chapter on the history of Switzerland - but you can get that from any encyclopedia. On the other hand, this book was not written from an American standpoint which could be a bonus for people that are not familiar already with Euro-American custom. I give it three stars because the advertising suggests that this book is much more than it is.
Rating:
Summary: Only for the complete novice
Review: If you have any experience with Switzerland, or even Europe; you will learn precious little from this book. There are better books to buy on the subject.
Rating: 
Summary: culture shocked!
Review: This book helped me understand a lot about switzerland. From what to expect to eat to what to what to expect at a baptism! it helps you to understand how different parts of switzerland live and helps you for what to expect when you live there for a period of time. if you need all the basics of this buitiful country, this is the book for you! very easy to understand!
Rating:
Summary: Grammar Shock!
Review: You'll learn more about the author and her problems, especially with modifiers, than you'll learn about Switzerland. Any Swiss student who completes Gymnasium studies can write better English. The publishers of this series should pulp the book ASAP. They have a good concept, but clearly didn't edit the book.
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