You are miffed (uk) when train tickets not chcked.

When you say "drop by any time for a coffee" but you really mean "give me at least 2 weeks notice in writing"

hahahahahahaha, yes, I failed miserably at this situation at work when recently arrived.

- Hey Axa, we should have a drink one of these days.

- Sure, just let me finish this email, launch a simulation and let's gooooo

- Well, it's 14h00 and I meant one of these days in the next month (implying 2 weeks notice).

I'm American and people showing up uninvited is the stuff of nightmares for me. We used to have a couple of friends who did this in Basel and we would immediately shut off all the lights and hide away from windows as if evading a zombie attack.

Do some people not sit in their homes hungover on Sundays in pj's, with bedhead and all in a mess? Is a simple SMS "Hey you home, wanna hang?" not a normal enough of a warning?

Sure, totally unannounced isn't really kosher anywhere. The point being, the Swiss definition of "spontaneous" is "lets make a plan, but no sooner than a week from today".

They're welcome to come over, as long as they match my energy level...

You've also been in Switzerland to long, when you start looking for a new car and wonder why they don't offer more shades between grey and silver.

Yea, but both people who did this were Swiss

Oh good, I'm not the only one who hates drop-ins. We have a garden-level apartment and one day during the summer I was sitting at my dining table, eating lunch, and one of my neighbor's suddenly peeps her head inside our door and said "hello!" Just as I'm in mid-bite, with noodles hanging out of my mouth. Another day I was getting dressed in my bedroom and suddenly her face magically appeared in my bedroom window.

That lady takes the term "drop-in" to a whole new level.

I actually have a Swiss friend who's more spontaneous, she can call or send and sms today to ask if we can meet tomorrow! The funny part is I am thinking "why the hell she didn't say anything earlier??" (like one week in advance or at least few days)
But she has spent a lot of time in the USA and has travelled around the world.
If anyone wonders, she's Swiss without an "immigration background"..a very atypical one.

No, they get up at 6 am for an 8 hour hike on Sundays

Lol true!

I asked my German tutor if Swiss people wore pj's all day and she was in shock that us Americans commonly do.

"What if you have a visitor or a delivery?!!!"

I don't mind the delivery guy seeing me in my PJ's and the rare chance that someone drops by (I will most likely not answer the door anyway) is not an excuse to be uncomfy all day.

You have lived in Zurich too long! (not elsewhere- possibly Geneva).

Many expats have lived in one region only, and assume (wrongly) that the whole of Switzerland is the same. It is a small country, but incredibly varied, in geography but culturally too.

Same. I need a good weeks notice - my apartment always looks like a bomb went off

I have never owned nor worn PJs since I was 8 or so.

Tom

True friends don't mind

You tart

Well, we do have these friends who like to be warned if we're coming so that they can clean, as they know that if they don't (or if they do) my wife is going to clean it for them!

Tom

she is welcome any time then- I'll provide the mop, cloths and products

She only speaks Italian, however.

Tom