Hi there, today is just another day that I realized that I may end up going crazy. I have just arrived here in Switzerland and found out that here is all work and no play. I am used to have everything opened almost till midnight and weekends till dawn. I could hear ppl making noise and see moviments. In here I have to always hurry up before any shop can close down or remember that there are days that they dont even open at all. Sunday is like my worst day, almost living in Ghost town. Has anyone had this feeling and what recommendations you have. Well if you say a book to read, I will end up having a library at home, and if you say to get a job, its not as fast as I can especially when not great in Hoch Deutsch and no hope in Swiss German.

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me!

I am sorry, but I have no idea how to help you, as you seem resolved that you are not going to try.

You are in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and you need to get out and explore.

Embrace the quietness, come to social events.

There are jobs out there that do not require German.

Life in switzerland is not about malls and shopping. It's more montains, walk, skiing, lakes, walking... I would suggest you take each weekend and visit a new place in this small country.

I recommend streaking. It is quite refreshing and as you say, there is virtually no chance of being caught as the towns are so dead. Whistling some gay show tune while streaking is a good variant as well.

A Swiss version of Jackass might be fun

Agree with your feelings about Sundays, in Winter. You've got to force yourself out. Some outdoor activities (hiking, skiing, snowboarding) or indoor (Sunday pub quiz, arrange a dinner with friends). A lot of us have suffered it; the trick is make sure you have something planned for Sundays. The rest is Switzerland and you'll have to get used to it. Please join us at a social event to get your started. If you're in Zurich, come to a pub quiz or hang out at Paddy's for some afternoon footie. Or maybe arrange a hike.

On a serious note, these are just the cultural adjustments one needs to make, you get used to the relative peace (either that or we are all crazy without knowing it) and find activities outside of your usual comfort zone to take up...(not streaking), ice skating, snowshoe walking...etc., through these activities you will meet great people.

Give us a shout next Sunday if you're bored. I already helped one poor boozing too much sod of a new member this past Saturday. $10/job Natasha was very helpful in this regard.

What can one recommend - well, it is highly unlikely you can change Switzerland. So if you are planning to stay, it is easier if you don't struggle too much You know, it is actually quite nice just to relax and do nothing on Sundays. Or you can always meet up with your friends, go to the gym etc...or buy plane tickets to some more exciting place for the weekend?

Usually Sundays I spend playing games (I play WoW with my family back in the US, it is a fun and relatively inexpensive way to keep in touch)

or!

I go out to lunch at various restaurants between Basel and Luzern. I really like the view and area around Schloss Dornach, the restaurant there isn't bad.

Walking around Augusta Raurica is nice also, some neat things to see.

We've been to Papilorama (sp?) also, can't remember if we've ever been on a Sunday but it is a neat place to visit with a very nice butterfly garden, a petting "zoo" as well as a couple other animal exhibits.


I'm lucky in that way though, my husband is Swiss and his mother and I get along pretty well so I've had some chance to explore than some folks with language difficulties may not be so willing to do right off.

I'm amazed over and over again how people complain about the differences to their home place. One quiet day a week and you get bored? Are you really only entertained when the shops are open?

Thank God there remains one day in the week when everything slows down a bit!

If you find it difficult to find a job due to your lack of language knowledge, try to learn it - you seem to have the time to do so. If you don't have a job I do understand your weeks are long. But then you have time to get to know the place. Why not buy a railway day pass and travel to Geneva, from there to Berne and continue to Lucerne? Just an idea, but you will see great scenery!

I honestly think people are as bored as they want to be.

Cheer up!

I agree that in Switzerland you need to search out the fun activities to enjoy, some places the fun finds you without much effort on your part.

Acutally, it's the whole world that's different to CH in this regard. It's just so damn dead here on Sundays and most of us are not used to it, even people from just across the border. I know that Sunday depression is a very serious issue for newcomers; was for me and many others I know.

But if she takes your suggestions, she'll be fine on her way.

I always found a Sunday hangover to be an adequate distraction from such depression.

Failing that, there's getting on a train and going somewhere, going down the pub and getting drunk, a day of squelchy fun under the duvet, or baiting silly people on the internet.

There's never a shortage of stuff to do for those who are easily entertained...

When you first encounter the "everything closed on Sunday" phenomena, it's seems very odd, but after a while you get used to it and moreover enjoy it!

My first encounter with the concept was when I lived in Finland about eight years ago. It was inconceivable that a modern, developed country would have the business values of 1950's America but you know what, I quickly realized that they did all of their work in the other days and that Sundays were spent with their families usually enjoying the outdoors. This was not unlike the U.S. 40 years ago. . . when their were strong family values and everyone went to church on Sunday. If you think about it, you'll probably see that this concept is a GOOD thing. Something we lost along the way. After a few years there, there was no going back.

I love my quiet Sundays. My wife and I sleep in, watch home shows over a leisurely, cooked breakfast and then go for a long walk/jog/run. We come home putter around the house and then often go out to dinner with friends. Sounds like a pretty good day in my opinion and something the hustle and bustle of home doesn't allow. Enjoy your time here.

Hi Lila2009.

Good for you posting your thoughts on your Swiss experience.

It sounds like where you come from is a pretty fun and happening environment so I can understand you must be feeling a bit lost at the moment. I always say I am glad we came to Switzerland with a couple of kids and could enjoy a quiet family life here. London, Sydney and Athens are where we spent our "party years" so I think we were pretty lucky.

It sounds like there is quite a good Expat social scene in Zurich so you should try and become a part of that.

It is always hard to be away from your family and friends. I hope you settle into to your new life in Switzerland and find the "fun" here too. It may just take a little bit of extra digging to find it.

Good luck!

Mel

Welcome Lila, hope you enjoy EF and Zurich

Langstrasse prices?

Ever been in France on a Sunday? Shops are closed, too, and the French love to spend Sunday at home and eat for hours. My GF is French, so I suppose I know what I'm talking about.