I think it's because you're from London. When I visit London, I meet those crazy type of people you mention.

I should add if you love travelling and exploring by train, then CH is great. Both internally and to the rest of Europe. Great central location. It's what keeps me here. Well, plus the bribe money.

I knew it.

I don't think Switzerland is so boring: all its special laws, rules and swiss people behavior are a great source of entertainment on EF. I bet part of the success of EF is due to the alleged boredom.

what can we bribe you for?

Go to Appenzell and I promise you will never be bored, though in general I think Switzerland is pretty entertaining

I think that when it comes to "life" it is a matter of "boring is as boring does"... there is plenty to do, figure out how to get involved in the things that interest you, or look for others who may be interested in the things you want to be involved with, and do it.

I've lived in many places that people may consider "exciting" ... the chance to go party in Chicago, swimming all year in Hawaii, swimming / partying in Daytona Beach and even in those "exciting" places, after a while, even doing those "fun" things gets to be monotonous.

So, you have to shake it up a bit. Find folks who like to party (if you like that) and party witht them, find folks who want to go skiing and go ski with them, find folks who like to travel and travel with them... whatever.

One thing about moving someplace new is that you have a chance to be a whole new you (if you want). If you come here single, with no kids, it is all the easier to do that. (The year I spent in Savannah Georgia was pretty cool as I only knew two people when I moved there so I got a chance to check out whatever I wanted in my off-time)

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The Joys of Opticianry

Thank you for all the responses.

After reading all the replies and making a little search on the internet, I found many opportunities to have some fun time in Switzerland.

Please feel free to add if you have anything to say.

If you find Switzerland is too constraining and boring, feel free to blow off a little steam with the Swiss-invented "Anger Release Machine" (not to be used after 10pm and on Sundays, of course) ...prices are in Euros, just to add to your frustration



http://www.bertrand-gruner.com/galle...-27-273.html#y

Well I married one eighteen years ago but have never lived here until the last 2+ years, apart from failry regular visits. She always wanted to get out of CH but with between her family and things we ended up here after a spell in NZ.

Is it that boring - as someone said if you love the mountains, definitely not. I do, but while appreciating the SBB, all the efficiency and the quality of things it can certainly get to you - hard to put your finger on but it's the blinkered insular outlook I think; the apparent inevitability of it all. Of course the cities are very different to the rural areas and people generally are so polite and helpful (sometimes even that can get you down!). I would say that they are probably more friendly towards British people than many becasue of the history; being a muslim here just now would elict a verey different response I think.

And now some of them want to bring back the death penalty - just as China is debating its abolition!

But all said I'm linguistically-challenged and if you are not and manage to learn Schweizer-deutsch as well Haute-deutsch as my kids have done, and like an ordered life then you'll fit in fine.

I think boring is not the word (been to enough parties to be able to know that that isn't true!!) the word is just introverted to a certain degree.

You need to go (as Peg A says) to "your scene", then everything kind of works out and you just slide into the whole scene. Actually I've not met that much of anti-foreignerism here, but on the other hand I can speak dialect so I can pass off as Swiss.

Something that is quite useful is if you have someone to help you out the first few months.

And what more can we want for - Aarau Bahnhof has just been opened and the shops are open till 20:00 and on Sundays

I, too, have had some (lots) of parties, schnapps drinking, card playing nights (turning into daylight). I found that it takes a bit of time to get excepted but then so did my brother who lives in a town in Cornwall. Prehaps the wild parties are a Fricktal and neighbouring valley thing. As for Aarau having shops opening on Sundays- When is pay day, here I come!

life is what you make it.

Yes, the question here is what tools do you have to actually starting the building work.

To me, the grade of boredom in a country (I can compare five) is exactly linked with the kind of relationship I had with the people I was in contact with in general and in daily life. Size of city or even my financial situation did not influence the ratio boring/exiting.
But that does not answer the question: are there more exiting people to you in CH than somewhere else...

That's obvious-the tool is yourself.

I don't find it boring.

Something that helps, though, is keeping your eyes open for events that are going on ... or having a wife who does ...

..... yes.

Switzerland can be a bit boring, depending on your lifestyle.

You have to be persistent to be friends with the sly Swiss. They are a tough creature to catch, and once you do, to hang onto.

You will find that you have to take the first, second, third, and fourth step towards them. They are not going to call you. You have to learn to accept that.

If you are persistent and not a total bag of douche, you will find friends here just like everywhere else.

From now on if I use the therm THEY ,I mean of course the "Auslaender"

This country is all what you make of it. If you have a bad attitude and think everyone is boring of course you will not make friends!

If you want to meet people and make the effort you will. Also you need to remember that it takes at least 6 months to really get to know people and to feel settled here.

Switzerland is a wonderful place to live for an expat! And there are always plenty of other expats around if you are living in one of the bigger cities.

No I'm not!