A close-up and personal look at Switzerland
The obligatory school is only 9 years in Switzerland but in reality only very few are truly done with schooling after that. The curriculum in the school is different in each canton. For example, each canton dictates which second language… Read moreSchooldays and Teachers
We do it. Many of our friends do it, in fact, I know of very few people who have never played the lottery. The Swiss have a national lottery, the funds go to sponsoring sports I believe. If you are… Read morePlaying and Winning the Lottery
One of the unique Swiss pastimes is playing cards. Their favorite game is Jass (pronounced yahss). The deck consists of 36 cards (6 to Aces) using either the French cards or the German cards. There is also a special mat you… Read moreJass and Hearts are Trump
All my knowledge about the Swiss military service is secondhand but I have heard a lot of stories. It’s a topic that all Swiss men can relate to and have an opinion about. At dinner parties when the men start… Read moreThese (Military) Boots Were Made for Walkin’
Mistakes happen. Two of my many language mistakes happened while playing cards with friends. I wanted to say cut the cards! what I said translates into get out of here! or Get lost! (for the people out there who know… Read moreThe Wrong Words
The Swiss have a work ethic that is second to none. There is next to no traffic on Sunday evenings not because there is soccer game or a ice hockey game on TV but because the majority of people are… Read moreWork Ethics
In “early August” 1291, during the late middle ages three cantons in what is now central Switzerland, swore an oath of alliance, and I suppose with that, a nation was conceived. Who were they uniting against? Here, my very short,… Read moreSwiss Independence Day
After Ben and I were married, we moved into the same apartment building as his sister and her family and his parents. Or, to put it another way, I moved into Ben’s apartment because he was already living there. I… Read moreLunchtime
I think I’m a nice sort of person. I smile and sometimes nod as a greeting when passing someone on the street to acknowledge them. I learned that in Switzerland you actually say ‘Gruessech’ too. Before we were married, Ben… Read morePure Gold
Sundays in Switzerland are quiet, lazy days typically spent with friends or relatives. On nice days hiking in the mountains or just visiting other parts of the country are often on the agenda. When I first came here I was… Read moreSundays and Quiet Rules
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