Four types of foreigners you might meet in Switzerland
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Loading... - harry samuel
- 31 Aug 2022
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Certainly, a good number of arrivals from abroad — especially those living here a long time — are well integrated and possibly even have become naturalised (in which case they are, at least from the statistical point of view, Swiss, rather than foreigners).
But among the new arrivals, there are some types that you might recognise.
Type 1: Complainers
This is a person who most likely moved to Switzerland because of external circumstances, not because they nurtured a love of all things Swiss.
For instance, expatriates who are sent to work in Switzerland by their companies or those married to a Swiss citizen and moving here to be with their spouses.
How would you recognise such a person?
They will invariably compare life in Switzerland with life in their countries of origin, emphasising what is much worse here and much better back home.
They will likely complain about the cost of living (an easy enough target), the obligation to take up health insurance, shops closing early, paid trash bags, not being able to mow their lawn on Sunday, small ovens in Swiss homes, inability to make friends in Switzerland (which is not surprising, given their negative attitude), and a myriad of other inconveniences.
Of course, everything in their own country is much cheaper and better, and they can’t wait to leave Switzerland and move back.
Type 2: They love everything
This group is the exact opposite of the complainers: they wear the proverbial rose-coloured glasses and are positive and cheerful about everything.
Possibly these people have always dreamed of living in Switzerland and are so happy to be here, they neglect to be more objective about all the pros and cons.
Early shop closings don’t bother them because they see it as a way to ensure a good work-life balance. Health insurance mandate gives equal access to excellent medical care to all residents. No-noise Sundays allow people to have a day to rest and relax. Taxed garbage bags are good for the environment. And the stoves in Swiss kitchens are just the right size — after all, you only make a Thanksgiving turkey once a year. Read More…
