I'm not sure where you're reading this, but for us Spaniards, Switzerland is a place that seems incredibly dissimilar to our way of life and traditions. These ten items will be useful to you before you depart if you are planning a trip to Switzerland, whether it be for business, pleasure, education, or emigration.
The main currency is not the Euro
The Swiss franc (CHF) is the country's official currency because it is independent of the European Union and has its own economic and financial system. The Swiss franc and the US dollar are roughly equal in value.
Since there is an exchange office in every train station, it is best to bring euros if you are visiting Switzerland and do not have Swiss francs. Similar to this, larger cities always accept euros, but be aware that you will be given back Swiss francs and that the change they give you will not be the best for you.
Italian is an official language
German, French, Italian, and Romansch are the four official languages in Switzerland. Romansh is only spoken by about 1% of the population, so the first three are the most common.
Nearly 75% of the population speaks German, followed by 20% who speak French, and only 5% who speak Italian as their official language. It's important to emphasize that even if you don't speak any of the official languages, you can get by with English almost anywhere.
I advise you to start learning an official language if your goal is to move here in search of employment because it will give you access to more opportunities and help you get there more quickly.
Grass cutting is not permitted on Sundays
There is something referred to as a Law of Silence in Switzerland. The duration of when one may make noise is one of the regulations set forth by this law. For instance, it is forbidden to make loud noises between the hours of 10 PM and 8 AM.
Likewise, Sunday is a holy day in Switzerland. If you live in an apartment, you are not allowed to host events where you anticipate yelling a lot, nor are you allowed to do anything around the house that might annoy the neighbors, such as putting together furniture, mowing the lawn, or even vacuuming.
11:30 AM be ready for lunch
In Switzerland, life begins earlier than it does in southern european countries. The post office and some administrative offices open early at 7 AM, and all businesses begin working between 8 AM and 8:30 AM. They also eat lunch much earlier because of this.
Don't be shocked if you schedule a lunch date with a Swiss at precisely 12 o'clock at some point. The Swiss typically eat dinner between 6 PM and 7:30 PM for this very reason. Since the days are longer and dinner is served later in the summer, this schedule may change depending on the season.
Before going inside a house, leave the shoes out
The practice of removing shoes before entering a home is one custom that connects Switzerland and Japan. It is believed that this tradition dates back to a time when peasants were required to leave their muddy boots at the door of the house in order to prevent the interior from becoming soiled.
Taking off your shoes before entering and as soon as you enter the reception hall is a very polite gesture and a sign of respect when visiting a Swiss person's home today because it is a very established social custom. This way of life is so distinctive in Switzerland that almost all homes have a closet at the entrance for both coats.
You must always be on time
It is crucial that you consider how important punctuality is to the Swiss. People will be tolerant for a maximum of five minutes. Punctuality in Swiss culture is a sign of respect for other people's time. I started to be picky about it, and to be completely honest, it's a different way of life; you start to value both your own and other people's time.
You must recycle
In Switzerland, you must use specific bags provided by the government to dispose of the trash. Each canton has a different bag type, but the system is always the same; you must conform to the law.
I am aware that in Zurich you can either buy the bag or some labels to stick to any other bag, but only one of the two can be used and they are both the same price.
However, what purpose does using if or if that unique bag serve? WHAT RECYCLE DO YOU DO? Since you are required by law to use these bags, recycling and sorting your trash will make each bag last longer and cost less overall. In Switzerland, I came to understand that the Swiss adhere to all laws that help you save money.
Privacy is important
The Swiss are very respectful of people's privacy, so asking you about what is going in your private life may seem intrusive and put you in an awkward position where you feel like you have to share information you don't want to. share.
Questions about your salary, how much something costs you, or how much rent you pay typically result in the same outcome. In order to share, it is crucial to keep this in mind.
Access to clean drinking water all across the nation
Travelers to Switzerland should be aware that, barring special instructions, the water is always safe to drink. In almost all Swiss cities, there are numerous fountains where you can fill your own bottle in addition to being able to drink the tap water.
If you want to visit Switzerland on vacation or move there permanently, it is a good way to save money. Even fountains are frequently magnificent works of art and play a significant role in Swiss architecture.
One of the best transportation networks in the entire world
You will notice that it is among the best transportation systems in the world. I frequently remark that Switzerland is blessed with beautiful landscapes, but the best asset it possesses is the infrastructure that makes it possible to travel to pristine locations that would be otherwise inaccessible.
There is a reason why the renowned Swiss trains are so well-known. You can travel anywhere you want in Switzerland without a car using the country's trains, buses, boats, cable cars, and funiculars.
Do you know of any additional salient features of Swiss culture? Leave a comment for me!
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