I am an American living in Switzerland. Can anyone give me some advice on adapting?

Question

Some "musts" I should do, where to find out about laws, anything really would be great. Thanks.

Answer 1

www.admin.ch  the official site of the federal government.  a lot is in English, though not the law.

www.amcham.com  Swiss-American chamber of commerce.  Lots of information, they sell translations of Swiss laws.

Music:  Polo Hofer, Zuri West, Stephan Eicher, Gotthard

Listen to DRS3 or Radio Energy or Raido 24 (if you live in or near Zurich).  Listen to Radio NRJ if you live in the French part.

Read the www.blick.ch - Switzerland's biggest tabloid. Lots of gossip and inside information.

Read www.nzz.ch - Switzerland's most sophisticated newspaper - you'll learn a lot.

Travel by train.

Learn at least one of the four languages, preferably (Swiss)German or French.

Answer 2

Take off your shoes when you enter a Swiss person's home or apartment.  

Greet people when you get on the bus, train,  or tram--especially if you are NOT in a big city (there aren't any really big cities in Switzerland; but you know what I mean.

Don't be too loud in public or around Swiss people--they generally quiet and reserved.

NEVER talk about financial matters in public.  Peoples' income, how they deal with finances, etc. is a very important and private part of peoples' lives.

Be sure you have all your shopping done for the weekend by Saturday morning--the stores close at 4:00pm on Saturday and are not open on Sunday.

I hope some of these are helpful.  I live in Switzerland--and like you I am American!

Answer 3

I  live in Switzerland too and I'm from Macedonia.

Don't do things fast but react with maturity. Switzerland is 'cold country' 12 million people from all ower the world contacting between is not in high level so you can feel alone.

Create your personality so people will not use "must" anymore, but you MUST live in the MUSTS of the Switlzerland as a country.

Answer 4

Hi ,, i hope you have a good income, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to live in Europe..

good luck

Answer 5

Well it's quite important to know where in Switzerland since people can be quite different. Your age can also be a factor... Youngsters are very open minded but some oldie's still stick to some odd customs like if you want to visit them you must phone sometimes even days before to ask if it's OK. Language wise it shouldn't be a problem especially in the german part since many speak englisch. Sorry can't explain ALL on this site but still hope you'll enjoy your stay!

Answer 6

I'm in some great yahoo groups, lots of advice there.

(Yeah I'm bored) I looked through your Q&A and you might like

Expat_Moms_in_Switzerland

Answer 7

if you lived among Italian speaking Swissies, it would be easier. they r more friendly than others

Answer 8

Well just tune on a English-speaking radio.

For example in Geneva, there is the World Radio Geneva (WRG), organizing meetings for expats and giving good bargain for visits in museums...

The advantage of Geneva is that you won't meet only British and Americans but people from the 5 continents.