Hello there:

I have just received a lovely message and it prompted a train of thought.

English forum is a very active forum but seems to be run at two levels; those who find it and stay, make contributions time and again and are rewarded by membership status and the others are those who join, post once (if at all) and never do so again. Skimming through the members list I see a low mean for the majority of posters (sorry I dont have the stats but its plain to see for anyone who likes that kind of number crunching thing).

So my question is... What brings you back? Its one thing finding the forum, but its another thing sticking around for the duration.

What do you get out of contributing?

Hopefully will be back making more contributions personally very soon, once my workload decreases, then I can get over to Zurich for a week or two!

Look forward to hearing your reasons... I really should do a poll but I'm hoping the rationale is more varied than that.

In order to widen the group of people I can annoy in one sitting.

dave

I'm 'ere all week ;-)

Well Dave I have to be honest, I don't think that reason would have made it onto my poll selection... However, I have to say what ever your reason, you do it sooo well...

Note to self: Watch out for DaveA the group protagonist!

Oh yes indeed he does

I became addicted when I found the forum a good place to get help with daily life in CH, plus a chat/fun area. Then I started to organise events and made lots of real life friends as well on online friends. Now I moderate some areas of the forum so I'm sort of obliged to keep coming back. Actually, I still enjoy it, so it's no drag to do the mod stuff at the same time.

PS Nice to see you again!

On the internet, no-one knows...

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I am a non-frequent contributor. Mainly looking for advises, wondering who are the other expats living here. Promise myself to attend one of the get-together events, but not succesful until today - New Year resolution....

I'm glad I found this forum after ten years of living here in Switzerland. I've found so much useful information here that I would have had to pester German speaking colleagues for. I check in regularly and try to help if and when I can.

I'm here and keep coming back in order to learn more and maybe occasionally tell someone something that I know and they don't. For me, it is all about information exchange. I'm not a big fan of the extended discussions that go on here, I far prefer facts over opinions. Plus, the occasional thing that makes me laugh is not bad either (e.g., the "YouTube of the day" thread ).

Yes, I actually think this is a really good reason for sticking around. I think it's something like not liking to ask directions (which I don't). Having the feeling of being independent and finding things out rather than being reliant on others is a good thing, I think personally.

I must admit though, reading some threads, especially the more negative ones can give a disproportionately negative bias, so it is still worth while getting out there and exploring things for yourself. Even with the occasional faux pas!!

Still haven't managed to drive the car in Switerland yet... maybe next time! The piccie of the car accident where the police automatically assumed it was the foreigner, did it for me!! Cos chances are, in my case, they are right

Loved the cartoon Uncle max but someone, somewhere, out there... KNOWS!

I find good info here, always good to help out.

But mostly, I come here to learn from the Sarcasm Meisters.
I am but a humble beginner compared to the caustic wit I read here.

I looked for boards as soon as I knew I was moving to Zurich over a year ago and this was the first one. (also the one that seemed to have the most activity on a daily basis)
I have attended only a handful of Acalpulco drink meetings, but plan on attending some more events once i return from Canada.
I've found alot of helpful threads on here in regards to general questions about insurance, jobs, language, culture.....

I'm part of a huge community board in Toronto, so I am comfortable in this sense and so far enjoy this board.

Actually, to become a junior member....

So you will come to visit? Will you come to our meetings? I woul dlike to invite you for a a beer or more--not to forget the ALPEN-Muesli.

Only if you loan me your car to practice my left hand drive inner city driving skills

Thrill seeker, eh? I heard they do have remedies now for the chemically imbalanced.

Awww Earlycone... hasn't anyone explained the house rules on member status to you yet??

Its zero, ziltch, nada... nowt for posts in off topic! Soo... your status is safe for now... get out there and post a thread where it counts!

My competitors? Nope.. thanks for illuminating me. I will post like hell now ;-)

In terms of inviting for a meeting.. I may be more precise now..

Friday evenings, people get together,
Hiding from the weather.
Tea and toasted, buttered currant buns
Can't compensate for lack of sun,
Because the summer's all gone.

La-la-la-la...
Oh, my poor rheumatic back

I keep coming back because neither I nor my *Swiss* wife had any friends in Switzerland at the beginning. I have learned far more from visiting this forum than talking to my Swiss in-laws. They honestly do not seem to realize what is going on in this country... I keep wondering: are they just stupid? or what? Sadly, I do not get an answer... so I actually I do not believe I will remain in this country. However, as long as I am here, I will be here...