A close-up and personal look at Switzerland
When my parents came to visit, Ben and I always tried to do something special. Once we decided to take a week-long river cruise on the Rhine. It started in Düsseldorf went to Koblenz and up the Mosel then back… Read moreRhine Cruise in Germany
I try not to annoy people, you know, I want to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. I’m working hard on it but I think I’m light years away from my goal. Considering how many different… Read moreAnnoyed and getting Mad
Just because “Swiss” is on it, doesn’t mean “Swiss” is in it. There are legislation rules for “Made in Switzerland” and the Swiss cross. But, anything can still be called “Swiss”, it just doesn’t have the Swissness of “Made in… Read moreSwissness unplugged. “Swiss” sells but is it Swiss?
Hands down. Once you’ve learned the basic rules, the pronunciation of written words in German is easier than in English. Learning German guttural sounds may take time, but it’s doable. In English, sometimes, okay, quite often even Americans have problems… Read morePronunciation of Written Words
I’ve been in Switzerland a very long time. When I go back to the States I have to get used to some things again. Getting back into the “American groove” can even take a couple of days. Money The first thing… Read moreGetting back into the groove in the States
Strange means ‘not previously encountered’, ‘unusual’ or ‘surprising’. With that in mind, many of the things that Americans eat are strange to the Swiss. Likewise, some of the things that Swiss put on their tables are strange to Americans. I… Read moreStrange Swiss and American Food Combinations
Sometimes it’s difficult to know exactly where Switzerland is, especially if you are American. After all, it’s far away and “over there” in Europe somewhere. Usually, sometimes. Quite often Sweden and Switzerland are interchanged. Alas, to err is human. Here… Read moreWhere Exactly is Switzerland?
Independence day for Switzerland and America are over for 2017. Taking a quick look at both, there are lots of similarities but some differences, too. Both Swiss and Americans celebrate their national holidays. Depending on which day it falls, many… Read moreSwiss and American Independence Day
Although it is enormously important, only learning the Swiss language doesn’t make one Swiss. Some of the small, but important differences present themselves in the form of numbers. Handwritten Numbers 1, 7, 9 and oftentimes 4, the most important being… Read moreLearning Swiss by the Numbers
I’ve already talked about some of the smaller and midsized cultural shocks I had to deal with since moving here. I still stumble occasionally but not nearly as much as I used to. I enjoy the cultural differences, many of… Read moreCultural Differences in Switzerland and America
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