So, we arrived last Wednesday, got registered, got a bank account, moved into a temporary apartment, sussed out the grocery store, and here we are. This weekend I'll tackle the whole health insurance question, but I have a few random questions that are yet unanswered after a week here (some of them are along the lines of "Why is the sky blue?", but some actual questions in here, too)

• How many people die every year due to the random fireworks on 1 August?
• Is there a store where I can buy things in bulk (i.e., bins with things you scoop, label, weigh – not Costco/Sam’s-type bulk)? I’m specifically looking for beans and grains, but if there was a place that had spices you could measure out in smaller quantities, that would be great!
• What’s the best way to say “Do you speak English?” – Sprächen sie Englisch? Or is there a better way in Swiss German? Or should I just launch in with a sheepish, “Uh, hello, yes, help me, please!”
• How do people sleep in the spring/summer/fall with these duvets?
• If I were to buy a little grocery push cart, where would I get one? Same question for waffle maker. I went to the Coop City near us at Sihlcity Nord, but didn't see either there. Would a bigger Migros have these?

Thanks!

Hi. Many questions. The best way to adjust will be only to be open and accept the things as they are. Switzerland has a very distinct and rich culture. If you approach people with respect and a smile then you will be alright. "Sprechen Sie Englisch" is by the way perfect.

You're welcome.

Sprechen Sie Englisch, bitte?

Kann ich bitte Englisch sprechen?
Can I speak in English please?

Ich spreche leider kein Deutsch, sondern nur Englisch.
Unfortunately I do not speak German, but only Englisch.

* * *

We have a summer and winter duvet. In summer you simply unbutton the second layer used in winter only.

I would not recommend to sleep without any duvet or sheets, except when the night temperature is also above 20 degrees (rarely, definitely not this summer).

Thanks! I'm working on the smiling.

Post-thanks! All very helpful - and I've updated my profile. And yes, I am a bit of a granny. Weak hips and bad eyesight and all that fighting with my chronological age.

Thank you for the translations!

"Do you speak English" is best. If they don't understand, they don't. Easy. Why ask in any other language?

Tom

Well, it's funny you should say that as I was at Heathrow once, when a German woman came up to me and said, in perfect English, 'Are you German?'

's polite. And doesn't come across as a touch arrogant.

They are not random at all, it's the local 4th of July. I'm sure less people die because of them here than the amount of people dying in the US because of their "random fireworks".

I'm not sure about the spices, but depending on the city you might find local, Mom & Pop type of stores. Not cheap. Regarding bulk, there is one chain that I know of (there might be others) called "TOP CC". It's like Costco, but you need to own some sort of store of be member of a type of club to get a card. Once you're fully settled you can try to find people who have a card and can issue an extension for you. You don't use it to pay, just to be allowed to shop there.

We have those too, we use regular sheets and blankets.

I don't know if Migros carries these, probably Manor does. We bought one of these, and we use it all the time.



For small shopping needs you can get one of these:



They sell these in many places, but for eBay type of purchases, go to www.ricardo.ch, it's far better than eBay in Switzerland.

We had a thread recently titled "question for cohabitating couples" that was all about how do you sleep at night with this bloody heat?!?! I still can't figure it out.

I have seen the shopping bags on wheels (not a push-type, but a pull-type) in the baggage departments of department stores like Manor, Coop City, Pfauen, Globus, etc. The larger grocery stores sell them, too. If you're going to a Migros, look for one with 3 Ms on the store front.

1 M = small store, limited selection
2 M = somewhat larger store, larger selection and greater variety
3 M = big store, lots to choose from, expanded departments.

They sure seem random when you're standing at the top of Zurichsee! (I'm talking about the people setting off fireworks in the park and not any show that the city may have organized - if there was one, I missed it. We left because I was tired of getting hit in the face with fireworks debris)

Also, regarding bulk foods, I'm specifically NOT looking for Costco type places - more talking about a Whole Foods type set up (though I've seen it at places other than Whole Foods), where you have a wall of bins with beans, grains, flours, sugars, dried fruit, nuts, etc, and can take as much or as little as you want. I've also seen this with spices, though less often. Is that something that's done here? It's really useful when you want to try something and not commit to a whole bag/package, or when you just want enough for the night's meal

It's a good question. I haven't seen any such set up here, unfortunately. Perhaps one of the small, mom & pop-type Asian stores?

What? A wife?

Hi there,

Glad the move went smoothly, so welcome

I just sent you a PM to see if we can aid you with the Insurances.

As far as the grains etc I would take a trip to the Viadukt Market; they have al-sorts of wonderful fresh produce in there and you can even meet our EF resident Grumpygrapefuit at his awesome cheese and produce counter mmmmmmmmmm