Top 10 Things I Hate About Switzerland

I am a dual citizen of Switzerland and Canada, and have lived in Switzerland for over 10 years. Here are my Top 10 things I dislike about living here! If you want to see my Top 10 things I LOVE about Switzerland, check out my previous video: • Top 10 Best Things abo...
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[@lia.8814]

I hate that people automatically assume that you have a lot of money just because you're from Switzerland. Like no we also have to pay so much taxes and stuff is expensivee

[@pinkc6343]

Lia S. And i hate how swiss people always complain about stuff being more expensive here etc... yeah living here is lets say 2 times more expensive than in other countries, but you earn like 5 times more!!! :D

[@lia.8814]

Caro Bee not only living, but also for example health insurance costs 400-500 francs at the very lowest. I don't wanna complain much because yes, in comparison to a lot of other countries we really do live good here and have high standards, I know and appreciate that, but also a good amount of people here honestly can't afford more than people from other countries where you earn less. And it just annoys me that when you tell ppl you are swiss they say you're rich or have a lot of money and then also for example wanna sell you everything like double the price it would've been if you said you were from Austria. Just because Switzerland has many rich people doesn't mean everyone is; both my parents are working, I'm the only child they still have to pay for and they are constantly telling me we're tight on money. And our place for living isn't expensive

[@AlexA-ln4pj]

Girl come to Russia for a week, after that you will realize how paradise Switzerland is. 😎

[@lia.8814]

Alex A yeah as said i know we have it v good compared to other countries

[@fizjak5250]

mier hend dütlich nidrigeri stüre als zb unseri nochberländer: dütschland, frankrich und italie. je noch kanton hen mier 10-25% währends bi dene easy über 30% goht

[@fiedelmina]

it's even hard to find new friends when you're Swiss.

[@rchloe-bv3sl]

I'd probably actually like #1 about Switzerland... I'm very get in/get out when I go into establishments and find friendliness and small talk annoying. I'd only be bothered if someone was actively rude to me.

[@TheNeverposts]

the Netherlands is what you want, the Swiss are straight up rude

[@kkayka1499]

most aren’t rude, they just don’t want to bother people, they let them look around and if they want get in/get out very fast that’s generally best. if a customer needs/wants help they can ask one of the staff and they‘ll be glad to help

[@SJ-12345]

Irgendwelchi schwiizr da?

[@michelles8216]

jo haha

[@plumuckel84]

Ja

[@Alexandra-hb4kp]

Joo

[@yamatoirishima9221]

Nai die Schwizer chönd doch ka gschids Englisch...

[@queenishtar4950]

pho.enix1 yes

[@blumammu]

I've lived in multiple countries and I completely understand that you don't have to 100% love the country you live in. Every country has lots of pros and cons and we just have find the one that has cons we can live with :)

[@Emgreen19]

Well I disagree with you on your first point I like to be left alone in stores and to not always have a waitress around me. I have a week-end job as a waitress myself and I feel like I'm annoying people when I turn up every five minutes asking if everything's alright. Besides, I guess the service in restaurants in the states and probably Canada too is only so good bc they depend on the tip, here wages are high enough.

[@thedeathbedconversions1235]

Totally agree about finding friends - they stay in their own circle at the end of the day and the smaller the town, the bigger the ´incestual´(among friends) situation in dating

[@joyal77]

One of the things I loved about living in Switzerland was the breathtaking beauty EVERYWHERE. So absolutely gorgeous! The chocolates! Organized! Also I learned to relax about dieting. Take it easy and eat less food and healthier foods and exercise a little. It’s a healthier approach to fitness I managed to get fit and stay fit.

[@mathieud9025]

I'm swiss, I have lived in the US and I agree more the less with almost everything she said. I have my reserves on number 10 though. A decentralized system allows for a better management of cantons and take into account various sensibilities depending on the population. For a fact french speakers, swiss-italians and swiss-germans have very different mentalities and therefor you could not apply the same rules. Also, on the case of making friends, she is talking about the swiss german area of Switzerland. People are a little more open on the french and italian speaking parts. But still not that easy though. A little uptight.

[@CS-eh6eq]

I live in Switzerland. I wear bold and alternative clothing. Sometimes I get treated quite differently for it. (And not in a good way. They stare disapprovingly and they mostly underestimate me.) Still, it's always important to stay true to yourself. You've only got one life. Also, it depends where you live in Switzerland. In some places, there are more alternative people than in other ones.

[@moominbrockmann2712]

I think there is a big difference between the German speaking part of Switzerland and the French speaking part.

[@LexieJaneFreak]

well, I'm a student working as a part time waitress and I feel a little offended by your first point. I am very polite, always smiling and in a good mood. maybe you just weren't at the right restaurant yet😉

[@svenlima]

I guess that service personel in North America is mainly super friendly because a big part of their salary is tips: no smile - no tips. In Switzerland you're not obliged to tip because the wages are fine but we mostly do when service is good.

[@MaggieKleppe]

Gurl. It's like you are describing Norway. I moved 9 years ago, and I have experienced exactly the same.

[@schwebor]

I like to quote a good integrated german friend: if u have problems with integration in switzerland, do the same thing he did... join a sports club.

[@lisasusanna7896]

That was so interesting! I have never been to either Canada or Switzerland, so I am always interested in learning new things :) I am wondering: What made you move to Switzerland? (If the question is too personal I apologize)

[@Beachbug1vw]

I'm of Swiss ancestors who immigrated to the USA in the late 1880s. I've been to my great grandfathers home town Zweisimmen (kinda south of Bern) about 4 times and love it there. My family has been living in the same house (added onto many times from a large one room hut) on the mountainside since late 1500's and the 7th generation is in there still. My great grandma was fro Zurich and I've been there too. I most enjoyed my many ski trips in Switzerland. I lived in Germany for near 8 years and my favorite trip was to visit my Swiss cousins. A beautiful town surrounded by mountains and a great ski area near ton! It's lovely!

[@lieslearwood2766]

Where abouts do you leave in Switzerland? I am British and Dutch and I live in Geneva and while I do agree with some, I also disagree with some of your points. Everything is ridiculously over priced as you said and the shops are all the same everywhere you go. But I find that making friends is quite easy and that people are very open here. I am a teenager and I go to an international school so I don't know what adult life is like here. Therefore I guess it makes sense that our experiences are different as well. I really loved this video though as I love watching KZbinrs who live in Switzerland and I love seeing your perspective on living here! Definitely going to go and checkout the Top 10 Things video! Thank you so much for making this video! 😊

[@TheThirdShift]

Things are very different as a teen when you go to school. :)

[@alexp3752]

I worked with Swissair for many years, and I did my best to remain in Geneva. As an American, Geneva is certainly the best place for native English speakers as it is truly an international city. Being in the Francophone part of the country is a huge plus, and in all deference to my friends in Zurich, the people are a great deal more friendlier and open.

[@quacker143]

Alex P try to go out in the real world with locals and not in an international school where most are foreign kids just like yourself.

[@micaelad1555]

Oh, how cool! I'm from Zurich, but I always wanted to visit Geneva :)

[@grahamb7947]

glad you're enjoying life here. Your success is probably due to the circles you are enveloped in. That is, being in an international school, you all are expected to speak English, so integration comes naturally since you, like me, are british. However when you're not in that circle, it gets a lot stickier because you have to learn the swiss dialects before you can make friends, and since there are 0 swiss german courses/dictionaries due to it not being any sort of official language, this is close to an impossible feat. There's also a lot of pig-headed people who have forgotten how to speak high german due to not using it since leaving school, or are just so proud of their canton that they refuse to speak anything but dialect. I have come across many people who just plain refuse to speak high german, even if it means helping you to learn. I've been here 5 years now and am only just starting to get any sort of grasp on Swiss German, and I had a lot of high german down several years ago, with the B1 course passed rather easily.

[@lindyvandenbosch9539]

Its also very very hard to make friends in the Netherlands. People have to make appointments to go visit their parents and grandparents

[@unlinedwork]

I agree with the customer service thing. I'm a Canadian who has done a ton of travelling around Europe and I've noticed that in a lot of countries. The attitude of those working in restaurants ranges from indifferent to downright insulting. The thing that bothers me most is that where I've noticed the wait staff being really rude is in countries where their economy isn't doing well and they depend on tourism. But they see us as a nuisance instead of a good source of revenue.

[@jessicat.7159]

I‘m Swiss, born in canton de Vaud and live now in Lucern and I 100% agree with you!! I met my man in San Diego (he is Swiss German) and we really miss the services, the easy way to make friends etc... I live in Lucern since 9 years and still think hard to make friends.... love your videos 👍🏻

[@charlotterolfe9754]

Canada represent! I live in Switz right now too and can relate to some of these especially the service one

[@yipman2341]

160fr zum ässä :D issisch du gold?

[@mirjamanna9435]

Making friends when you're older than twelve is soo difficult even when both people are from switzerland lol

[@user-iz5gx2zm2m]

I am living now since 2 years in swiss and I have no clue where you live there and what ppl you met but I have the completely opposite experience when it comes to the ppl or to beeing accepted for who you are and I also made friends right away... just saying

[@michz9304]

In Germany the service is similar but I don't mind that actually. North Americans are very entitled because of this 'customer is always right' bull and I've seen how atrocious guests or customers can be to service people. So I think they are treated here with far more dignity. Service is breif and to the point. I'm here for the food and layout of the restaurant not for the staff.

[@jolieblabla4828]

We visited last year California again after 18 years. I fel they‘ve changed a lot. Prices in restaurants, hotels were quite high and the service in restaurants / shops was not as nice as it used to be. And in supermarkets produce is expensiv.

[@booketoiles1600]

Best fast food by far in Switzerland are Kebabs. It tastes super good, costs as much as the others but you get way more food, and the best thing is that it's not a chain, so all the profits go to the workers, who are generally there in a family business.

[@Nolaxrs]

I'd love to visit Switzerland, it's so beautiful. Have you ever been to Australia. I feel it's similar in costs but maybe a little less than Switzerland.

[@Goaltimer]

Swiss restaurants hire servers from all around europe and often with a limited contract durations. Yes, bad service is often resulting. Anyhow, the Swiss are having many small familiy owned and run restaurant as well where even the boss is personally coming to the table for a chat.

[@candytwiggytwist3506]

Waiters from other countries are mostly the nicest!

[@j.b1077]

The boss personally coming to the table for a chat is NOT good service! I hate when they do that, especially when I'm still eating or in the middle of a private conversation. They can say hello, but not more.

[@Ayaforshort]

So your comment just suggested that the bad service is because people from other countries work their and that she will get better service from Swiss only restaurants... That is called prejudice or xenophobia. Why do you think only Swiss people do a good job?

[@Folklore-evermore1987]

I love your honest, keeping it real videos :-)

[@lapamful]

What about if you live near a border town, can't you just do a weekly outing across the border into France, Germany, Italy etc. and get your food shopping etc cheaper?

[@leonoraanderson8926]

I totally agree

[@FrodeEgas]

Hi Julia, thanks so much for being so clear about some key aspects of living in Switzerland. I am thinking on moving there and this information is quite enlightening for what my approach will be if I decide to go and live there... By the way you look so amazing the choices of colors in your makeup are just amazing you look great! It is a bum that shopping is not so hot there, since everyone I know goes quite crazy jealous when I get some Swiss product and one would assume it was a different more exciting experience than what you describe... The sense of country is important, without that... You can't feel great or live well, and having nasty people serving you will get me in trouble since I demand excellent service all the time... Be well and take care!

[@cuteprincess441]

I don't find that accurate about the service at restaurants and stores.. In Canada, I've had terrible service both in restaurants, the post office, malls, grocery stores. Literally anywhere. But then, there have been a few times that we've had amazing service. I that that totally depends on a variety of factors. And not just the location.

[@romyph]

cuteprincess441 tbh in swotzerland it's really bad.. generally a lot of people are unfriendly here..

[@mauvebeast1736]

Romy Pierhöfer Lmao what you mean? I bet you go to the cheapest stores...everytime i go somewhere they say „Hello“ and are very friendly! Poor people here.

[@personincognito3989]

cuteprincess441 yes We as Canadians are experiencing bad service whereas it used to be friendly a high end service. Have you been to Switzerland to compare the service? Can you tell us about the differences you have found.

[@healthyandanextraincome4746]

time has changed, canada used to be excellent in service and quality or price 10 years ago, now it has gone downhill in price as well as in service. Those people from restaurants are new there as well as uneducated.

[@eaubert1]

cuteprincess441, service has been consistently lousy in Switzerland for me. While I agree that service in restaurants depends a lot on the restaurant itself and the individual waitress you get, I'm aware of what's so troubling in Switzerland. In most countries, pretty much anyone can get a job working as a waitress or a store clerk. In Switzerland, you have a thing known as the "Berufslehre" (a three- or four-year apprenticeship) that people need to go through in order to work as a waitress. You basically need a diploma to work as a waitress. That obviously makes them feel superior and they develop these horrible attitudes, but the one thing they don't seem to learn is customer friendliness.

[@gosiamil5608]

I love your video ,very informative

[@chnoxis]

The first two points (cost of dining out and bad service) are very different where you are in Switzerland. It is a big diffence if you are in Zurich-City or somewhere in Bernese Oberland. And it is also dependent from the time. But yes... I was in Vancouver BC for three months and I was really amazed how friendy they are there. I would wish Switzerland would be so friendly too.

[@jdosn09]

Hi Julia! Do you have any recommendations for a fellow Canadian planning to visit Switzerland in March? I hear the weather can be a bit dreary.

[@TheThirdShift]

March is a weird in between month. I guess head up into the moutains maybe there's still now :D

[@sameermangtani]

I went there in 2016 on a work trip for Lonely Planet & Swiss Tourism. So I simply loved it. I am going there in next July on my own and will come to know the difference :) but I liked your video. makes lot of sense.

[@isabelleboulanger1937]

That's so interesting! I love these kinds of videos from you Julia, you're just so honnest. I would love to see a 10 things you love/hate about Canada, being Canadian myself I would find that very interesting, especially since you have the kind of perspective that few have because of how you have dual citizenship and have lived in 2-3 different countries and all. (Also I laughed at the fast food one, again, so honnest 😂)

[@sandraobucinagurung4609]

Honest opinion, HIGHLY APPRECIATED Julia! I feel locked in UK and I always wonder if Switz. Was a perfection.....

[@MandaSBSP]

I thought for sure you would talk about the post...you have mentioned that several times in videos!

[@BrutalPhotographer]

The bad service and expensiveness in terms of eating out components are EXACTLY the same in here in Turkey. Love you btw Julia xx

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

We have the insane mark-ups in Israel too (with cosmetics especially), and it's absurd. Pretty much the same price range you described at least for makeup. We have "sales" which are essentially "this is a less horrible price for this item that you would have wanted as the normal original price". I buy pretty much anything I can online.

[@rubyandrobert]

I would LOVE to visit Switzerland it’s so beautiful!

[@AsterDisaster]

You can also go to the Austrian alps. Just as beautiful, cheaper and the people are very friendly

[@beccablueeyes99]

The costs that you were talking about seems similar to Australia. You can pay $16-35 for a drugstore mascara.

[@HideoGojira]

I think a lot of what you said depends on where you live. Most of the things you criticise don't apply to my Kanton: Basel-Stadt. Except for the Kantönligeist xD

[@Makeup-your-mindNet]

I love that idea of paying based on percentage of salary. That's a really good solution!

[@MizzMadeUp]

so fun to see......sweden has with the shopping been a lot like Switzerland...stores take forever to come here....and if they do...very over priced...starting to get better though...fun to hear...lots 0f love

[@EricHurner]

I'm Swiss and South African and I can understand a lot of what you're saying, except that the things that bother you about shopping here are pretty irrelevant to me. I'm also not impressed with the food, particularly at that price, but then, I like African meals and avoid fast food whenever I can.I find the degree of self-satsifaction here pretty hard to take as well, and the tendency people have to keep their eye on what you're doing and correct you when they believe you're stepping out of line. It's unbelievable to me that anyone could have dogmas about how to hang washing, issue a dog with a Swiss passport - you name it...

[@Escalusia]

All of this is literally the same as Denmark. Everything here is so expensive, and we have to pay 25% extra on all imported products and i can only buy stuff from outside the EU if its below $11, otherwise we'll have to pay 25% extra + import fees, which is double the price and if its above $120, we also have to pay taxes to get it, which is 45%, so it sucks. And we only have like- MACs and Sephoras in like three cities and its just bad as a whole.

[@stachelbeere91]

we dont have sephora at all in austria =D

[@crisyorke1328]

Still cheaper

[@lordclancharlie1325]

Well, you can remove all the import taxes and open your borders to massive immigration.You'll have plenty of MACs and Sephoras but then of course you'll have to accept miserables wages, insecurity, low standard of living and not even dream to buy make-up.

[@ohnemich7805]

I do agree with some of the points even thought I feel you are stretching things a bit here and there. BUT the message I get from you is "I live in Switzerland and hate that it is not like the US/Canada". Reminds me of people moving next to an airport and then complaining about the noise... Many of the unmentioned things that are great in Switzerland are BECAUSE of the high prices: Low crime rates, low poverty, excellent public transportation, clean cities, stability and much more are bought with this. One can not have one without the other and considering where you live I would say you have made your choice between them...

[@TheThirdShift]

You obviously did not watch the intro or check out my video where I talk about the positive things 🙄

[@Big_Computer]

I am swiss and about money it's so true, the best example is McDonald's, a regular medium menu is between 15 and 20 dollars and only French fries coast 4 dollars so you absolutely don't go to McDonald's because its cheap

[@reb6220]

That's so true. So I go always shopping in France

[@beli-]

Hi Julia, I agree on every point, my +1 is the crazy expensive rental prices and the almost ridiculous process. I used to live in Geneva, and a friend of mine (she is originally from Florida) recommended us the Holy Cow Burger Restaurant, I think it is worth trying :)

[@TheThirdShift]

+Edit Belánszky I have tried it twice, don't like it at all. Dry & bland!

[@iraz6590]

I was at Zurich good service at a restaurant and bar. People in the street not friendly, I was lost asking for directions and they ignore me. I had a better experience in France and italy

[@ivi122]

Where are you? You haven’t uploaded in neither channel for almost a month. We miss your videos especially your vlogs and fitfridays

[@gg13308]

I would like to visit there and I am vegetarian. Do they have markets where you can buy fresh veggies?

[@SilvanaMaria2319]

Why do you care what people think? If you want to wear a bright color, wear it. I was once in Germany ( in the country side) and I wore a faux fur hat, everyone looked weird at me, but I didn’t care because I felt good and that’s all that matters. If you feel good with yourself, why do you care what others think? Maybe if a few people will start going out of what’s considered “normal”, more will follow and the perception of people will change.

[@lindyvandenbosch9539]

SilvanaMaria Germany is nothing like Switzerland

[@eaubert1]

I don't know where in Switzerland you live. I live in the Kanton of AG, about half an hour from the German border and I usually do my shopping in Waldshut-Tiengen. You get the same products at a fraction of the Swiss price and German restaurants have much better service!

[@mariabubble7425]

So true... so true everything... shopping and Fast food...oh yeah Btw... really good Lightsituation... looks great your MakeUp and the Light in the eyes

[@nadine7327]

I agree 100% with everything you said with exception of numner 8-work-life balance.

[@Someone-wh8hi]

3. on the other hand, people consume less that way. 10. its the biggest part of the whole culture.

[@isomon5441]

Have you ever considered moving to Germany? :) The service sector is also atrocious (guess that's a central European thing?) but in general life costs are sooo much lower and in bigger cities you have a lot of cultural/social/food diversity :) Especially in big media cities like Cologne, Berlin or Hamburg

[@Fabomenal92]

Where do you go to eat in switzerland? Luzern? Bern? Zurich?

[@Farangis08]

Honestly, I can't understand ppl complaining about working more and not having work-life-balance. First thing - this is a personal decision to make - also regarding how much you want to earn and which kind of profession you work in. Looking at the IT field it's been normal for a long time to work 10h/day or more when there is a project to finish, or some trouble to be fixed. (yes in your neighbor countries ;-)) That's just something you have to be aware of when you choose this profession. (Similar to the ppl working in hospital, it's normal to work in shifts.) So best thing is to be self employed, then you can create your own schedule ;-)

[@katringlass2140]

for a lot of people it's not a personal decision to make. Everyone's gotta work and make a living, and in a lot of jobs, you won't be able to survive if you don't work full-time. Even just working 80% makes your income so much lower, but the cost of living stays. You definitely won't be going on holiday if you work less than 4 days a week. a sales person for example, they could never survive on their salary if they didn't work full-time. I understand where you're coming from, but there's lots of people who don't work in IT or have the choice to be self-employed, but have to grind every day and still can't eat out ever. Switzerland is great if you're rich, but if you gotta make a living, ain't nothing a personal decision anymore.

[@michaeldeslex9834]

Is it possible to survive in Switzerland by speaking english only? I mean at least until I catch up with french? I'm part Swiss but live in Croatia and can't wait to get out...

[@moolikeachicken]

Meanwhile, in America: "What's paternity leave?" 😭😭😭

[@bellacortez]

moolikeachicken Im always confused when people say they never heard of paternity leave. Im in VA and the men get paternity leave like upto 2 months.Maybe we just have it in the south or maybe just VA idk.

[@moolikeachicken]

Ahava It's possible! I'm from WI, and we don't even have guaranteed maternity leave...

[@bellacortez]

moolikeachicken Insane. We have guaranteed maternity leave in the entire south. I would think its very inhumane and sexist to deny women time to heal physically and mentally and spiritually after having a baby. I hope you guys get your guaranteed leave soon.

[@DailyRealness]

@Ahava I am certain most in the South, Trump supporters especially, would rather you do away with it. In a Trump dominated world women will get no rights whatsoever.

[@ShesReady2Live]

Speaking of how burgers in Europe taste.... I visited Amsterdam a couple years ago, and ordered a burger. I'm from the US. I do NOT know what type of meat was in this burger but it not taste right! Lol! I swear it wasn't beef even though I think it said Angus on the menu. It tasted soooo weird!

[@kisss688]

Sooo true !

[@55uniwega]

HI, Julia, U just need more Roeschti for fast food :) I loved it when I was there :)

[@stachelbeere91]

in österreich ist vieles ähnlich^^ obwohl ich glaub, dass wir zb was kleidung angeht etwas chilliger drauf sind, zumindest bei knalligen farben. wenn man alternativ is wird man ja überall blöd angeschaut. teurer is bei uns auch sehr viel als zb in deutschland und soweit ich weiß verdienen wir hier nicht mehr dort(?)

[@Farangis08]

Das ist der Ö-Aufschlag, ist ja klar ;-) Und was das blöd anschauen betrifft, kommt das echt drauf an wo man sich bewegt. In Wien z.b. kann man froh sein, wenn die Leute beim durch-die-Straßen-hetzten überhaupt noch auf andere Leute achten ... (Wir verdienen weniger als D oder CH, dafür sind die Steuern auch höher... in Ö *heul*)

[@plumuckel84]

Also was kleidung angeht...sind wir eigentlich auch ziemlich chillig hier in der schweiz...die hälfte der dinge die,die gute dame erzählt stimmt so nicht wirklich :-)

[@umatozzi5964]

You are so right!!!

[@dsgarden]

Vaud vs Ticino. That would be epic.

[@winniep8707]

My Swiss friend loves Mcdonald so much. Now I know that he has no choice hahaha

[@winniehughes4982]

Come over here in Sydney Australia, 😍😊😊 you will enjoy the country and most of all we’re not that expensive.. anyway thank u so much to ur video. As I’m going to Zurich in 4 months time. It gave me some idea, though someone already told me that Switzerland is very pricey place.😊😊 more power to ur channel.. godbless

[@SilverExl]

Wouldn't the higher import costs by not being in the EU account for the mark up you mention?

[@oszaszi]

I moved here recently for a job and I do not speak any of the 3 languages most spoken - swiss german, italian or french... making friends seems like impossible. I already started my german classes but I feel like it will take a 10+ years to have friends... :( even if i learn german I will need to also do advanced swiss german afterwards. This wont happen from one day to another especially with the job I have because it includes a lot of travelling for longer periods... so I dont even know how to advance with a language school. DOes anyone have an advise on some online classed german school where I could learn german with actual classes - not just with like online tests. Because I am doing the online tests but I am the person that needs actual classes and homework to motivate myself for this next to my job.

[@ramilyache8076]

Omg. That’s all true!) completely agree!

[@nickstefanisko]

Is Cindy's still around? I worked in CH for a summer in Spreitenbach, AG and ate almost every day at Cindy's. Really good burger. I assume it is a chain, it seemed very chainish.

[@cow_tools_]

Damn right about the burgers. I live in Lausanne and everyone reckons "Holy Cow" is fantastic. It's not!! It's bland.

[@laurameraki1706]

I agree on the bad service... BUT in the little cities or in villages I think the service is better.

[@ivi122]

I have a question for you, is the tip for meals included in the total price when you go out to eat there? I’m asking this because maybe if it is included they don’t have to try hard to give good service because they’ll get a good tip anyways. Here in United States most of them try hard because they know their tip depends on how good the service is

[@TheThirdShift]

Yes, the service is included, although rounding up the bill and tipping a little bit is normal, but not like 15-20% like in North America. I am a little bit on the fence about tipping because it's a way for an employer to pass on the costs of employment on to the consumers, and makes for a very fluctuating income to servers. On the other hand, it ensures polite service.

[@ivi122]

Julia's Life oh ok. Thanks for the reply! I hope all is well with your adorable puppy. I know how hard it is to have a puppy because we just got a boxer puppy five months ago. She’s 7 months now

[@Hoooneylips]

tip is included, you do not have to tip if you don't want to. it is considered polite to round up the sum or to leave a few extra francs though if you liked the service. I think you made a good point!

[@ivi122]

Michelle Tarantino thanks...👍🏼

[@xKiLLzZx1]

Well actually you can't say tip is included because it doesn't work the same way as it does in the states. The waiters do get payed well so there is no need for a tipping. But normally you round up the sum for instance if it is 22.50 francs some round it to 23 others might be more generous and say 25.

[@jeronimog9701]

In regard to #8 my dad stays at home while my mom works full time. I feel like it’s not that common but also not really frowned upon or anything like that (I’m “100%” swiss btw)

[@katinaballerina]

I'm a Swiss living abroad and I agree 100% with all of your 10 points.

[@pippavombr5856]

The service here in germany are the same. Nobody greets you or tell or ask you how your meal was.

[@mxLilith]

It just depends where you go buy your stuff/where you go to eat something. I think ppl in villages are nicer than those from the city.

[@ChryslerVoyager1991]

I agree 100%!

[@mrbredydff]

This is great. I like this a lot.

[@eastcarolina]

So much of this is true for the Czech Republic too. Except that our mark-up probably isn't as high because/and our wages are low. Much lower than the EU average. And we don't have different laws for different regions, but regional identity is pretty strong in places.

[@noranegrea1859]

Making friends in Austria is also very difficult. Also in Austria people stay friends with their friends from school or education. Foreigners have a tough time integrating.

[@katringlass2140]

I agree so much! Very good points! I've lived in Switzerland all my life and I just started realising a few years back how awful it is and how many things are so backwards and we don't even think about it (like that we earn so much but can never eat out) soo thank youuu for thiss, it was so interesting too

[@danielgraham6457]

I’m also Swiss and Canadian

[@theamethyst93]

They say the same thing about sweden, people are nice at first but its extremely hard to make friends

[@jovanalee]

Switerland is soooo much like Minnesota.... Aside from the burger thing.

[@Mel-sk7io]

Well, I don't think number one is necessarily a bad thing, it's just different. I personally find the over-politeness in the US of waiters kinda annoying and especially insincere. It's not because we're rude, we're just not as expressive, and also we don't depend on tips in order to live (which I think it's kind of messed up. It's so expensive btw, because we pay them fair wages). Like it's nice if you get along with the waiter, but in the end, if they bring you the food and are not rude about it, they've done their job. Emotional work is not required.

[@lovesouthfrance]

Im with you 120% as dual citizen as well! (Wisconsin born) Pizza is too expensive also.

[@myclickjournal]

That is so true!!

[@myclickjournal]

Well I used to live at the border to Germany near a bigger city too and that style thing is not that strong there, and I always go shopping to Germany which is like 2 minutes away so that's great. And you get taxes back:) how far do you live from Germany? Or where in Switzerland do you live? Because that's also a factor in how the people are, but basically you are totally right:)

[@WildHorseSpirit14]

Sounds like New Zealand lol the expensive dining out that is

[@marijanamartinovic]

I live in switzerland but like 5 mins away from germany and 5 mins away from france.. sooo i eat a lot in germany and buy a lot of my daily stuff there as well. And i would never move away from my place bc i love switzerland and i love germany aswell.

[@elodiemarie6140]

Try holy cow in Zurich, its more expensive than macDonalds, but a lot of my friends say it‘s very good and i think so too :)

[@TheThirdShift]

A perfect example of a not great burger that thinks it's amazing. Bland and overpriced! Sorry :D