Aperitif (occasion)

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Aperitif at the workplace
Aperitif in a private setting
Kristian Ghedina at the Davos International Sports Night 2012
Apéro drinks and snacks
Aperitif at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (2008)

An aperitif is a social custom in France , Switzerland and Luxembourg that combines pleasure and conviviality . An aperitif can take place at the beginning or at the end of events or celebrations, or before the meal. The aperitif is primarily about exchanging ideas with friends, colleagues or relatives.

An aperitif can best be compared to the British Wine and Cheese Party , a cocktail party or a get-together with drinks and finger food . Is very similar to an aperitif of the Swabian common room stand Ling .

Occasions and meaning

The aperitif is an integral part of everyday culture . Similar to the tapas in Spain , the mezedes in Greece or the Aperitivo Milanese in Italy, the aperitif generally does not count as a starter or main course . It can bridge the time to the actual meal or serve as an independent small meal.

An aperitif is organized on many different occasions: birthdays and weddings or other family celebrations are often occasions for an aperitif in private. The aperitif also plays a social role in the business world and is used as an opportunity to maintain networks or to exchange ideas after work. When starting a new job, for example, it is often common to host a welcome drink for colleagues. Openings, lectures, conferences etc. are often accompanied by an aperitif or concluded with an aperitif. The Swiss National Bank (SNB), for example, regularly invites you to a money market aperitif in Zurich, where, after presentations by top people at the bank, the social part follows as an aperitif. In Geneva, the SNB calls the aperitif “Marché monétaire” .

Ingredients in Switzerland

A typical Swiss aperitif is arranged on serving or aperitif platters. In contrast to an aperitif , which in Germany usually only means an appetizing drink, a Swiss aperitif is always served with something to eat. The guest makes use of mostly self. Main ingredients of a Swiss aperitifs are typically Lamb , chips , savory biscuits , dried meat , cheese, vegetable dips , olives, bread or canapés .

Non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks will be served appropriately for the occasion. White wine , orange juice and mineral water are preferred, and more rarely red wine, sparkling wines and beer.

Aperitif riche is a particularly rich aperitif in Switzerland. This can replace a separate meal, as it usually comprises the complete menu from salty to sweet.

Aperitif in France

In France, an aperitif can take place at someone's home or in a café. The time can be before lunch or dinner, after the market shopping or after work.

A distinction is sometimes made between a small apéro léger and a more extensive apéro dinatoire, dinatoire de fête or aperitif gourmand. In contrast to a normal meal, the traditional order of starter, main and dessert is missing.

Wine, kir , champagne , pastis , whiskey, cognac with ice or non-alcoholic drinks are drunk. A wide variety of dishes are served, such as olives and nuts, in the south of France tapenade , anchovy paste on thin baguette slices, tartines, sandwiches and crackers , or rolled crepes and skewers.

literature

  • Günter Liehr: France: A Country Portrait. Ch.links Verlag, Berlin 2013, page 186.
  • German variant dictionary: The standard language in Austria, Switzerland and Germany as well as in Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, East Belgium and South Tyrol. De Gruyter, Berlin 2004.

Web links

Wiktionary: Apéro  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Presidential Elections: What We Love About France . In: THE WORLD . May 7, 2017 ( welt.de [accessed December 30, 2017]).
  2. ↑ Aperitif culture as a competitive advantage avenir-suisse.ch, article from September 12, 2013
  3. ↑ Markets in Transition Money Market Aperitif - PDF. Retrieved December 30, 2017 .
  4. ↑ Banque nationale suisse (BNS) - Evolution du marché des capitaux en francs et politique monétaire de la BNS. "Marché monétaire" aperitif, Genève, November 16, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017 (French).
  5. ↑ Is an “aperitif riche” to be understood as a full dinner? Neue Zürcher Zeitung, May 1, 2011
  6. ↑ a b Murielle Rousseau : Savoir-vivre: Life like a French woman . Insel Verlag, 2017, ISBN 978-3-458-73689-9 ( google.ch [accessed December 30, 2017]).