"Welschwoching" in German-speaking Switzerland office
Last week’s *Weltwoche* report, which drew a comparison between the French-speaking Swiss and the Greeks, caused quite a stir, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland. Now, however, it appears that the media article is bringing the two parts of the country together.
In German-speaking Switzerland, the first solidarity actions are appearing, as evidenced, for example, by the video entitled "Welschwoching" created in a Zurich office. In a parody, a "Quart d'heure romand," a quarter-hour office break, is staged. Loud laughter, spontaneous hugging scenes, Greek music and popping champagne bottles replace a dull Swiss-German office scene.
The idea for this spot came from Wolfang von Fels from the agency Eyes-Agency and Sebastien Lambércy from the agency Compresso, according to the press release. Sébastien Lambercy is French Swiss and Wolfgang von Fels is from German-speaking Switzerland. Both have lived in German-speaking Switzerland for a long time and are confronted daily with the relationship between the two parts of the country. The Weltwoche article has upset them, because from their point of view once again a cliché is used that is not true in any way. They are convinced that there are no major differences in the work mentality between German- and French-speaking Switzerland. But they appreciate the small cultural differences that enrich the cooperation. And that's exactly how their German-speaking Swiss colleagues, who appear in the video clip, see it.
The clip was created in a spontaneous action on Monday morning and was only posted on the Youtube platform. The reactions in the French-speaking part of Switzerland were not lacking. Within a short time, more than 10,000 people have watched the short film and posted numerous almost only positive comments.
