good to hear your story
lähettäjä Roger B in Sveitsi foorumi
Hi alexander, it's really good to hear your story for a change. I personally think that Chur is a quite charming place to live. It's like the enterance point to the Alps (good in the winter), from Chur you're in Zurich within an hour and there are plenty of cool places to go in the city.
So what's it all about people talking about the Swiss as cold, narrow minded and unfriendly? Well, first I don't think one should mistaken a certain personal distance as unfriendlyness, the Swiss can be quite reserved and sport a "mind-your-own-business" attitude (ok, that probably qualifies somewhat as "narrow mindedness"). As said though, this kind of behaviour does not mean that they are unfriendly or racist, it's just that they generally require a healthy dose of effort if you want to get to know them really. Most Swiss are very proud, but are raised in a way not to show this overtly (says something about the reservation I'd say), unlike say for instance the Americans, but nonetheless, most people appreciate if you show some interest about our history and culture (personally, I sure do). This however does not mean that you need to be an expert in every single aspect from Swiss history to politics, but take some time at least to look into it (I think this is a common mistake especially expats make when comming to Switzerland. Often, at least from what I can observe, they show a certain lack of interest which then translates into reservation by the Swiss - we are not just low tax and internationality). If you know something about history and politics, do however try to stay neutral and don't delve into thorny issues (probably this is the same in Belgium... I probably shouldn't talk outright politics right?).
I think the fact that your girlfriend lives in Chur should make it easier for you to connect. However, be aware that not all Swiss are that fluent in English, most speak a basic level of it, but it might make conversations somewhat difficult. Be sure though to try and integrate into your GF network (as a quick entrance), with young people this should be far easier than say if you were in your 40ies.
Speaking of language, I assume you are a Flemish speaker? Well, this gives you a certain headstart over, say, romanic languages. I would first start learning ordinary German (maybe through a language school) and try to pick up Swiss German through the people around you. Be aware though that Swiss German is not a standardized language, varying from region to region (for instance, peops in Chur speak a different form of Swiss German than I do in Zurich). Depending on your current level of German you can pick up a few words of Swiss German quite easily.
So enjoy your time in Chur
Cheers
Roger
Muut vastaukset
- Making friends in Switzerland
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- EN la sierra de Guadarrama.
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- Sobre mi zona.
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- Bitte echli MITdenke!!!
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- now im really angry how swiss are and behave
- you are right jim
- Maybe Zurich is different to Bern?
- hola celia zurich es diferente hi celia zurich is diferent
- celia have you tried to meet people out of your laboral area
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- What?
- Miscegenation
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- reply
- if you arnt swiss, you arnt good enough
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- To Mark
- canuck
- @ mark
- canuck
- Sorry
- The Swiss and their friends
- hi
- Why is it so hard to make friends in Switzerland??
- to Faiz
- Why is it so hard to make friends in Switzerland??
- @ Faiz
- Why is it so hard to make friends in Switzerland??
- @ Faiz
- Why is it so hard to make friends in Switzerland??
- ouch
- Schwiitzertüütsch
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- Why is it so hard to make friends in Switzerland??
- Swiss Friends
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- Can't realy agree
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- @ roger
- german speaker
- Can't agree
- thanks
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- becose they dont want new people or diferent people
- attn. Brian Taylor
- Dear Brian Taylor
- Swiss people are....
- fellow canuck
- hoi!
- :
- good to hear your story
- new in switzerland!!
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- the Swiss are very racist . They hate everybody including themeselves
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- @ alexander, roger and just in general
- Fear of foreigners is one of the reasons...
- A piece of news from World Radio Switzerland
- Switzerland & Racism
- why ???
- To Roger B with respect
- back with respect
- Difficult to integrate with this kind of campains
- I understand but it's a free democracy
- Free democracy promoting racist and xenophobic campains aginst foreigners
- half the country?
- The authorities have to be blamed for their inaction
- of course part of the problem are the authorities
- @ Roger
- a question for roger
- Swiss racism is to blame for everything
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- Mr. Jackson be careful...
- Switzerland explained
- STOP IT
- Mr. Switzerland you be very careful
- Stop it
- To Jim Jakson
- hi
- bout carefulnes
- Foreigners more than ever considered to be criminals!!!
- Na, if you think it's the way you describe, you have not understood the initiative
- This is an ugly racist and xenophobic agenda
- We pet a lost dog, so lets send a smile to the stranger...
- Racisim big time in Switzerland as usual..
- racism in Switzerland
- Here is a good one foe you again from a "foreign" friend in Switzearland
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- n
- Check what Human rights web site says about racism in Switzerland
- get the point guys
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- racism in Switzerland
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- hi dear flo regina
- sorry to hear that
- Even for a swiss guy it's not easy to make friends in Switzerland
- re
- re
- the same
- Yes, it is VERY hard to find friends in this country!!!
- to live in Switzerland
- LOOKING FOR GOLD DEALERS URGENT
- Why is it so hard to make friends in Switzerland??
- Dear Karim
- ok
- I need help
- my opinion
- Seriously?
- Open your heart
- :-O
- MSC STUDENT INQUIRY
- Its really easy to make friends
- Oh yeah?
- great, li lu
- Blaming Swiss
- Riiiight
- Hi
- hello
- Dear Nikko Z.
- O yes!
- Really?
- What to do with a problem named Mariaaaaaa?
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- Time
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- Friends and other things
- PS, forgot to say one last thing...
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- Tonight ????
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- Yeah, right.
- Seldom had such a good laugh...
- I am Spanish
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- do not agree
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- still existing the comunity college in Zurich
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- oh
- For one who said "The best thing about Switzerland is to leave it!"
- Hie
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- swiss
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- person who's good ,nice and simple, can find good friends everywhere...
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- Jim, are you OCD?
- .
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- .
- .
- .
- Friendliness Requirement
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- From the outside
- Why is it so hard to make friends in Switzerland??
- Why is it so hard to make friends in Switzerland?? (40)
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- If this thread is so popular since 2008...
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- "hosting in Egyptian Home" welcome to hosting in our Egyptian Home in Egypt ..f
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- Making friends in Switzerland