The language here is Switzerland is really interesting, with German being the most common but English is used somewhat as a fall back. I actually expected more English than there has been. Our hotels and restaurants seem to have one or maybe two who speak English, though most people understand at least the basics. Much of the music we have heard in restaurants has been English speaking, though we did get some yodeling music at one place. The last two nights have been a Michael Buble album on repeat.

Most tourists seem German-speaking, with only one or two English and some French and italian speakers. We are definitely the odd ones. But the Swiss have been anywhere from extremely nice to a few uninterested, with most being quite pleasant and trying to accommodate.

I have been frustrated at attempts to speak German as people always seem to repeat everything I say as if they are not sure that I meant what I was saying. So there doesn’t seem to be much point in trying, as they usually respond in English or German asking for clarification so that’s kind of disappointing.

It is a skill negotiating language as well, for example I dropped Holly’s sunglasses along the trail and a bit later an older man came up from behind and started in German. I had no idea what he was saying, and just kind of stared at him while processing, and he said quickly “in English then?”. Very smoothly, and without much detectable annoyance, although I’m sure they’d rather not have to.

Greetings are typically Grüezi, but plenty of Guten tag, morgen, etc. Almost always it is schone abend for good evening. Just when you get ready to say Grüezi, someone will hit you with Hallo or Bonjour or Morgen, so you have to be on your toes.

Accents are quite noticeable as well, particularly in Appenzell where the speaking was much more rhythmic and melodic almost. Kinda fun there. More typically German so far elsewhere.