My Ex was with me in the UK once and I suggested we should 'pop-in' on a friend unannounced. She couldn't believe it was considered appropriate to do so. She was mortified when my friend's Father answered the door, saying he was there to do some decorating and was there on his own: my pal had gone out. He invited us in anyway and we had a nice cuppa tea. It was like she awoke to a whole new universe of possibilities in social interaction.

You can forget doing that here.

Even in sportsclubs the emphasis is on 'working' the game (as opposed to just 'playing') and I found it quite difficult to make friends that way. Beers afterwards? Usually not.

Don't want this to sound like something from the "Swiss racist..?" thread, it's just a different approach here. I'd like to echo what others elsewhere have mentioned that once 'they' become friends, the Swissies are jolly good ones!