If you’re an international/ expat who has moved abroad to Switzerland as well: what was YOUR Swiss cultural shock?🤪😝
Рік тому+3
10:10 This isn't your fallout-shelter/bunker, this is just your normal basement. The fallout-shelters have really massive concrete doors and an air filter. Ask somebody to show you your shelter 🙂 .Sometimes your shelter is not in your own house. I live in an old building and our shelter is in the building next to us.
Well, we, as a society, just want the employees in the supermarket to have Sundays off as well. Is it really rocket science to plan your purchases a little bit? When I'm sick, I call my family doctor and he always reserves a few appointments a day for urgent cases. If he doesn't know what to do, he sends me to the hospital and I have an appointment there. I've also lived abroad and experienced how you can spend a day in the waiting room in a public clinic until someone finds time - every system has advantages and disadvantages. Regarding handing over the apartment: for me this is a matter of course. If I borrow a hedge trimmer, I return it cleaned and lubricated. If I borrow a delivery van or truck from the company, I also clean it up at the end and fill up the fuel. It's the same with an apartment, I clean it. And yes, when I was abroad, the rental agreement said that the apartment had to be "vacated" - I cleaned it anyway - typical Swiss.
the cleaning and moving is also the reason i stay in my apartment here :P but when i go i will pay a company and make a contract, that they are responisble for it all. its expensive but if you have a picky landlord its possible that you have to clean 3 times until he is happy. i just dont want to do that xD. the washing machine is mostly your own in buildings built since 2010 i would say. before that it was common to share it, just because it is cheaper that way. but the bigger apartments today normaly have a washingmashine and a tumbler.
Thanks for sharing! Yes, I might just get a cleaning company in future come the day we move out to save the hassle, but Good Lord dassss expensiveeee 😆 for the washing machine, I think it also depends on the Regie managing the building: the apartment I moved to this time is a brand new one built just in 2021 but they did not provide each unit with a washing machine, still a communal laundry room! ☹️
@@Olliechinny that would be a reason to not take this apartment :p there are also some older once without a dishwasher. Thats even more horrible. I am watching your videos now. They are very entertaining.
For house cleaning is exactly the same in Singapore! Just moved out of my second flat in condo and it was stated in both agreements to provide invoice from cleaning (including walls, blinds etc). Luckily a bit cheaper than in Switzerland haha
Hello there I know im a little late on this so you probably know this, but for the ones who watch this video: -On the point of getting sick and going to the doctor: Swiss people usualy keep some basic medications for fevers, cough, headaches and similar smaler things at home. If we dont have that at home or we're not sure what it is, we go to the Pharmacy to get medications (its best if you can ask someone to go for you). They ask you questions and based on your answers they'll give you the medications needed. A doctors appointment isnt needed for a basic fever or cough in switzerland, but if its going on longer that it should then you need to make an appointment. -As someone already said in the comments: not all cellars are nuclear bunkers. You'll recognize one by the thick and heavy door that is always open (usualy). -On the appartments: Even we Swiss hate cleaning the appartment when moving out XD What many people do is clean everything exept the bathroom and the kitchen and hire a cleraning company to clean those because (thats the hardest to clean). And if you cant paint yourself you'll need to pay a painter to come and repaint the dirty spots you left at the walls. But all that cleaning yourself and paying to make the appartment like it was before is still cheaper than to loose the bond (i think thats what its called in english) you paid when you moved in. Unless you are some sort of monster and trash the place. -On bringing gifts: It heavily depends on the person, the region you are living in, your relationship with said person and/or your ages. Im 27 and my frends and me dont bring gifts to eachother. Neither do their friends. I think most swiss people will understand that you may not know about that part of culture and not judge you to hard ^^'. If you are unsure, ask them. Every social norm of a forign country is going to be weird to you and unknowing to you, so asking is (imo) the best solution to that problem :)
Seriously I rented out like 4 diff apartments in Singapore and I was expected not only to clean but to hire professional cleaners to clean and also to dry wash the curtains !
For appointments my doctor take me the very day I call or the day after here in Switzerland. I'm also lucky to be in a small town and my dr is like 10min by public transportation. The harder is to find a Gynecologist and have an appointment. I also see you are in the Canton of Vaud with your bags, I'm from there too X)
just wanted your own opinion, given that no country is perfect, how do you find your stay in swiss? do you love it there? im seriously considering migrating to swiss permanently. what are the pros and cons. im from malaysia, your reply is appreciated
usually nobody should run to a doctor by just having an ordinary cough or a bit of fever. In any urgent case, you'll get an timely appointment at your family doctor without any problems, just a matter of communication ;-)
Having the apartment professionally cleaned is very common practice in Singapore as well. The outgoing tenant would have to provide a receipt showing that it has been professionally cleaned. This receipt is also then shown to the new tenant as evidence that the apartment has been cleaned. For your apartment in Singapore, did you rent it out on your own or via an agent? It should be within the standard clauses of a rental contract.
Thanks for sharing! I rented it through an agent; but it was not for the entire apartment, rather individual rooms. That explains the difference since I wouldn’t be expecting them to clean the other areas of the apartment which they did not occupy!
Swiss person here (56 yrs old). I don't know what strange doctor you know but I never ever had to wait longer than a day or two if I had a cold or the flu for example. Most of the time I could go and visit my doctor the same day I called him/her. And by the way: I'm no exception - it's the same for all people I personally know. Oh, and if you have a REAL emergency, then you can always visit a hospital near you and go to the emergency room and get to see the doctor in a matter of minutes or maybe half an hour. And about not being allowed to flush the toilet after 10 pm: that's just not true. Sorry but that's some sort of urban myth. Believe me, no matter what you maybe read somewhere, you are ALWAYS allowed to use the bathroom. And sure enough you are allowed to do your laundry on a Sunday. That's also not true. There is no such law in Switzerland that would forbid to do the laundry on a Sunday.
The ONLY exception is during football season (euro/World Cup) when Switzerland/France (or European countries with large immigrant population) is playing. Then crazy people start honking their cars on the streets and throwing fireworks and for just that night…. It’s TOLERATED 😅
Hi, Olivia. I really enjoyed your video, but for an odd reason. My wife, daughter and I just returned from Spring Break vacation in Singapore to our home in Hawaii. I had been wanting to visit Singapore again ever since first visiting 27 years ago. We had a fantastic time in my favorite foreign city! Since our return, I’ve been watching UA-cam videos on our next Spring Break destination. One of our ideas is Switzerland. So I came upon this “Culture Shock from Singaporean living in Switzerland” video and figured I had to watch it! Very nice presentation, and certainly many of these things would also appear on my list as an American if I had the opportunity to live in Switzerland (I lived in Germany for a year in college, and I remember the complicated recycling rules…although that was back in the mid-1980s!).
This is not true from where I come from in Singapore. Although yes for first time visits, or special occasions of course it is polite to do so, however there isn’t that much of a strong pressure to bring something, especially if its with close friends. You simply just show up and it’s not a big deal. However it is like a solid unspoken rule that even if u are going five minutes for coffee at a person’s place in Switzerland you have to bring something however small it might be! Nevertheless I get your point about courtesy. Thank you for sharing!
Lol, it is absolutely NOT the custom everywhere in the world. There are many countries aside SG where this is the case. You sound ridiculous and are alluding that it would (or should) be the “standard” everywhere. 🤣
Well, this myth about not flushing the toilet is a myth. even if it's written in the house-rules - you are allowed to flush :) - and the reason for not having a laundry machine in the flat is because of the danger of water damage in the flat ... :D
If you’re an international/ expat who has moved abroad to Switzerland as well: what was YOUR Swiss cultural shock?🤪😝
10:10 This isn't your fallout-shelter/bunker, this is just your normal basement. The fallout-shelters have really massive concrete doors and an air filter. Ask somebody to show you your shelter 🙂 .Sometimes your shelter is not in your own house. I live in an old building and our shelter is in the building next to us.
Yes, I realised that’s the case after I researched further! 😅😂
Thanks Olivia for another great video!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! thanks too for supporting the channel 😇
Well, we, as a society, just want the employees in the supermarket to have Sundays off as well. Is it really rocket science to plan your purchases a little bit? When I'm sick, I call my family doctor and he always reserves a few appointments a day for urgent cases. If he doesn't know what to do, he sends me to the hospital and I have an appointment there. I've also lived abroad and experienced how you can spend a day in the waiting room in a public clinic until someone finds time - every system has advantages and disadvantages. Regarding handing over the apartment: for me this is a matter of course. If I borrow a hedge trimmer, I return it cleaned and lubricated. If I borrow a delivery van or truck from the company, I also clean it up at the end and fill up the fuel. It's the same with an apartment, I clean it. And yes, when I was abroad, the rental agreement said that the apartment had to be "vacated" - I cleaned it anyway - typical Swiss.
the cleaning and moving is also the reason i stay in my apartment here :P but when i go i will pay a company and make a contract, that they are responisble for it all. its expensive but if you have a picky landlord its possible that you have to clean 3 times until he is happy. i just dont want to do that xD. the washing machine is mostly your own in buildings built since 2010 i would say. before that it was common to share it, just because it is cheaper that way. but the bigger apartments today normaly have a washingmashine and a tumbler.
Thanks for sharing! Yes, I might just get a cleaning company in future come the day we move out to save the hassle, but Good Lord dassss expensiveeee 😆 for the washing machine, I think it also depends on the Regie managing the building: the apartment I moved to this time is a brand new one built just in 2021 but they did not provide each unit with a washing machine, still a communal laundry room! ☹️
@@Olliechinny that would be a reason to not take this apartment :p there are also some older once without a dishwasher. Thats even more horrible. I am watching your videos now. They are very entertaining.
For house cleaning is exactly the same in Singapore! Just moved out of my second flat in condo and it was stated in both agreements to provide invoice from cleaning (including walls, blinds etc). Luckily a bit cheaper than in Switzerland haha
I see…. Didn’t know that works the same in Singapore. Thanks for sharing!
@@Olliechinny Yes its the same for Singapore! You can include this clause into your agreement with your tenants from now on ;)
Hello there
I know im a little late on this so you probably know this, but for the ones who watch this video:
-On the point of getting sick and going to the doctor:
Swiss people usualy keep some basic medications for fevers, cough, headaches and similar smaler things at home. If we dont have that at home or we're not sure what it is, we go to the Pharmacy to get medications (its best if you can ask someone to go for you). They ask you questions and based on your answers they'll give you the medications needed. A doctors appointment isnt needed for a basic fever or cough in switzerland, but if its going on longer that it should then you need to make an appointment.
-As someone already said in the comments: not all cellars are nuclear bunkers. You'll recognize one by the thick and heavy door that is always open (usualy).
-On the appartments:
Even we Swiss hate cleaning the appartment when moving out XD What many people do is clean everything exept the bathroom and the kitchen and hire a cleraning company to clean those because (thats the hardest to clean). And if you cant paint yourself you'll need to pay a painter to come and repaint the dirty spots you left at the walls.
But all that cleaning yourself and paying to make the appartment like it was before is still cheaper than to loose the bond (i think thats what its called in english) you paid when you moved in. Unless you are some sort of monster and trash the place.
-On bringing gifts:
It heavily depends on the person, the region you are living in, your relationship with said person and/or your ages. Im 27 and my frends and me dont bring gifts to eachother. Neither do their friends. I think most swiss people will understand that you may not know about that part of culture and not judge you to hard ^^'. If you are unsure, ask them. Every social norm of a forign country is going to be weird to you and unknowing to you, so asking is (imo) the best solution to that problem :)
Thank you for sharing your personal experience, it is very insightful!
Seriously
I rented out like 4 diff apartments in Singapore and I was expected not only to clean but to hire professional cleaners to clean and also to dry wash the curtains !
Bond (moving out cleaning) is the same in Australia. Which i like. Very helpful videos!!!
Thank you!! Do support with a like and subscribe!
For appointments my doctor take me the very day I call or the day after here in Switzerland. I'm also lucky to be in a small town and my dr is like 10min by public transportation. The harder is to find a Gynecologist and have an appointment. I also see you are in the Canton of Vaud with your bags, I'm from there too X)
That’s extremely rare to hear of, a same-day appointment! Yes, I heard that gynaes are really hard to get. Hi to a fellow Vaudoise! 🙂
@@Olliechinny no its not, that is normal, you seem to have a very weird doctor xD
You're so right! 🇨🇭 Greetings from Bern in Switzerland.
Hello there!
just wanted your own opinion, given that no country is perfect, how do you find your stay in swiss? do you love it there? im seriously considering migrating to swiss permanently. what are the pros and cons. im from malaysia, your reply is appreciated
usually nobody should run to a doctor by just having an ordinary cough or a bit of fever. In any urgent case, you'll get an timely appointment at your family doctor without any problems, just a matter of communication ;-)
Having the apartment professionally cleaned is very common practice in Singapore as well. The outgoing tenant would have to provide a receipt showing that it has been professionally cleaned. This receipt is also then shown to the new tenant as evidence that the apartment has been cleaned. For your apartment in Singapore, did you rent it out on your own or via an agent? It should be within the standard clauses of a rental contract.
Thanks for sharing! I rented it through an agent; but it was not for the entire apartment, rather individual rooms. That explains the difference since I wouldn’t be expecting them to clean the other areas of the apartment which they did not occupy!
Feel like bringing my dog to travel with me in Switzerland haha! Many Singaporeans do that.
I didn’t know that it is common amongst Singaporeans to bring their dogs on travels! Interesting
How do travelers handle getting sick and seeking medical consultation?
Can't agree on doctors. Usually I get an appointment the same day with my house doctor. I live in Luzern.
is it hard to make friends in swiss? if you are a foreigner
Swiss person here (56 yrs old). I don't know what strange doctor you know but I never ever had to wait longer than a day or two if I had a cold or the flu for example. Most of the time I could go and visit my doctor the same day I called him/her. And by the way: I'm no exception - it's the same for all people I personally know.
Oh, and if you have a REAL emergency, then you can always visit a hospital near you and go to the emergency room and get to see the doctor in a matter of minutes or maybe half an hour.
And about not being allowed to flush the toilet after 10 pm: that's just not true. Sorry but that's some sort of urban myth. Believe me, no matter what you maybe read somewhere, you are ALWAYS allowed to use the bathroom.
And sure enough you are allowed to do your laundry on a Sunday. That's also not true. There is no such law in Switzerland that would forbid to do the laundry on a Sunday.
Wow it is very similar to German's culture, especially #4. Lo Hei at home kena throw water lol
The ONLY exception is during football season (euro/World Cup) when Switzerland/France (or European countries with large immigrant population) is playing. Then crazy people start honking their cars on the streets and throwing fireworks and for just that night…. It’s TOLERATED 😅
Are dogs banned in Switzerland?
No, they are extremely welcome!
Hi, Olivia. I really enjoyed your video, but for an odd reason. My wife, daughter and I just returned from Spring Break vacation in Singapore to our home in Hawaii. I had been wanting to visit Singapore again ever since first visiting 27 years ago. We had a fantastic time in my favorite foreign city! Since our return, I’ve been watching UA-cam videos on our next Spring Break destination. One of our ideas is Switzerland. So I came upon this “Culture Shock from Singaporean living in Switzerland” video and figured I had to watch it! Very nice presentation, and certainly many of these things would also appear on my list as an American if I had the opportunity to live in Switzerland (I lived in Germany for a year in college, and I remember the complicated recycling rules…although that was back in the mid-1980s!).
Wow such a coincidence! I’m sure you will enjoy Switzerland as much as Singapore 😍 do subscribe to support the channel!
You should never go to someone’s home empty handed. I don’t think that’s a culture shock or only meant for Switzerland.
This is not true from where I come from in Singapore. Although yes for first time visits, or special occasions of course it is polite to do so, however there isn’t that much of a strong pressure to bring something, especially if its with close friends. You simply just show up and it’s not a big deal. However it is like a solid unspoken rule that even if u are going five minutes for coffee at a person’s place in Switzerland you have to bring something however small it might be!
Nevertheless I get your point about courtesy. Thank you for sharing!
I believe she is a rude person who knows nothing about Manners.
I think only Singaporeans will show up empty handed to someone’s house. i live in SG I know.
Lol, it is absolutely NOT the custom everywhere in the world. There are many countries aside SG where this is the case. You sound ridiculous and are alluding that it would (or should) be the “standard” everywhere. 🤣
Well, this myth about not flushing the toilet is a myth. even if it's written in the house-rules - you are allowed to flush :) - and the reason for not having a laundry machine in the flat is because of the danger of water damage in the flat ... :D
Ah i see!
It’s religious reasons
Why do need to play music in the background. It is unecessary and annoying. Otherwise, it is a good video.
I like it that way :)
Literally everyone does this and it's way better that way.