all i learnt from that book is that Im an apricot...

I thought it was "peach," Charlie...

which is furrier???

Yes, I would! It helped me - even as a German - to better understand the sometimes uncharming (sorry) Swiss way of being.

Though uncharming behaviour can also be found in Germany.... Anyway I liked the book

From the perspective of an outsider (me), the Swiss Germans and the "real" Germans have much in common.

Did you hear that?  That's the sound of hundreds of Swiss Germans reaching for their torches and pitchforks...  

Absolutely, Germany is just the biggest Kanton

...and Canada is the 51st US state, though we're going to sell it and pay off the national debt soon.

thanks for your replies, i was reading a bit in oreilly and understood what you've all meant about peaches and so.

So, for those of you who didn't read the book, the writer says the expats from warm countries, are open, livley, easy going, basically easy to get into them, like the soft peach... while swiss, are hard, strong and cold to the outside, but once you get in (Question is when...) you find out how sweet, true friends and amazing they are, like the coconut milk (sweet and so), in summary:

Exapts == Peaches, Swiss == Coconuts... there it is, i ruined the end :-)

Actually found a youtube movie explainning it, but she says that germans are coconuts and americans are peaches, now i'm confused...

I dunno... its all a hard nut to crack to me...

I can not confirm that and want to state that I am not a German coconut!

Looool ! I have to get me this book!! I was laughing out loud in the office! What if you're a Swiss peach? A conundrum??

Tina, Swiss peaches don't exist (according to the book).

I prefer nectarines

mmmm....

Avocado?

youre a lemon...

I think you mean juicy

no...

What about half-Swiss, half-American peaches then ?

I found the book helpful and a good insight to living in Switzerland.

Not sure which category I belong to, def NOT a coconut but is there something more extrovert than a peach? Pineapple? Anyway they all think i'm a crazy auslander. hehe!

I would tell them to learn German as soon they get here. Really helps settling in. I realise it as I start to try and speak my 15 german sentences :)

I prefer ballarinas..

I don't know about that video, is she the author?

I read the book shortly after arriving here ten years ago. The basic concept is helpful in understanding how 'germanic' people (is that a pc way of grouping them together???) are much more private and reserved when it comes to discussing themselves personally and developing friendships. However, with that being said, it's not at all the rule and in my experience, Swiss and Germans can really surprise you with their willingness to be open, inviting and friendly. Once you get beyond the 'formalities' stage of getting to know each other, people are people.

I should add, that, as an American, I don't mind informal, superficial friendliness, however sometimes I think people are a bit over the top about it. I have always been more of the reserved type, at least for an Ami, so I quite appreciate the germanic way. Polite, friendly and casual conversation with a passing stranger is one thing, but I don't like total strangers treating me like they've known me for years when I only just met them. Of course, some people are annoying idiots and some are prudish ninnies who can't stay out of other people's business, so there are pluses, minuses and extremes on every end.

This apricot - coconut reminds me of endoskeleton and exoskeleton. Humans etc have soft stuff around a bony core, while insects have exoskeletons, that is soft stuff in a hard shell.