Every city has its own Idiosyncrasies which can be difficult to digest at first. But with time, we get used to them and either embrace them or hopefully just take them with a smile.
The following are some that come to mind right away. Coming from New York, I definitely had to adjust to certain things! (to say the least).
SPONTANEOUS DINNER PLANS
New York: Wanna meet for dinner tomorrow?
Zurich: I’m so sorry but I’m completely booked. Can we schedule for a month from now?
DATE NIGHT AT THAI RESTAURANT
New York: You’re worth the $10 I will spend on your chicken curry!
Zurich: I have a good feeling about you. I don’t mind spending CHF26 on your chicken curry!
SCHEDULING A MEETING TIME
New York: Getting on the subway now, hope to make it within the next 30 minutes, that is if the train runs on time.
Zurich: I see you in exactly 7 minutes!
BUMPING INTO SOMEONE BY ACCIDENT
New York: Move Bitch!
Zurich: Look of death
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS NEXT WEEKEND?
New York: Driving Upstate.
Zurich: Flying to Mykonos
MANI / PEDI DATE WITH FRIENDS
New York: Let’s pop in this salon quickly. If it’s not perfect we can always go back next week. $25 won’t kill us.
Zurich: We can’t go together. They only schedule one person at a time because it takes about two hours to get a Mani/ Pedi. Which probably explains the small price tag of CHF2oo!!
TRASH
New York: Trash bags pile up on the sidewalk, their contents thrown out onto the streets. No one cares.
Zurich: Wrong Garbage Bag? Swiss Trash Police will be On your Case. To avoid exorbitant fines, you must buy special trash bags (CHF2 each depending on size) for your area and follow the local rules!
OFFICE LUNCH HOUR
New York: Gotta order in. Can’t leave the office. Too much to do.
Zurich: It’s noon already? Gotta go! Will be back in 1 to 1.5 hours.
HOW MANY LANGUAGES DO YOU SPEAK?
New York: English and enough Spanish to order my tacos.
Zurich: Hmm, let me count! Fluent in Swiss German, High German and English. And my French and Italian get me by when I travel.
Featured image by national stereotype
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