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Switzerland's weekend mountain ritual

Why do the Swiss regularly abandon foggy cities for the mountains? That’s the question we get into in this episode. Beyond this beloved autumn and winter weekend pastime, we take a look at your messages, our latest poll results, Swiss bytes, and we even pack in a fresh “Learning Swiss German” segment.

We’d love to hear from you!
Send your feedback, questions, or voice messages to [email protected].

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

00:00 - Intro

01:34 - Listener messages

• How to find a job in Switzerland as an expat
• Find us on Instagram (Swiss and Chips, Jo, Simon) or Bluesky Jo and Simon

07:54 - Why do Swiss locals go to the mountains when the weather is gray

• Apfelfunk (a Swiss and German podcast about Apple)

13:15 - Listener poll: For how long would you travel to see the sun?

15:32 - Swiss bytes: 

• Swiss Podcast Network
• Swiss Podcasts in English from Swissinfo

17:20 - Learning Swiss German: “Rumpelsurig”

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What acceptance looks like amongst the Swiss

Moving to Switzerland as an expat is definitely challenging and it can feel hard to be accepted. But what does being accepted really mean anyway? In this very personal episode, Jo talks about what fitting in means to her and we discuss integration from a very Swiss perspective, including their ongoing interest in expats. 

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

00:00 - Intro

01:32 - Listener Feedback

• The Ministry for the Future

09:01 - Do you feel accepted as an expat in Switzerland?

19:13 - Swiss bytes: Expat Series

• Part 1 (the recruiting)
• Part 2 (two portraits)
• Part 3 (finding a place to stay)
• Part 4 (the integration)

20:40 - Learning Swiss German: Glüschtelä

24:43 - Listener poll: Which is your favourite season of the year

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In this episode of Swiss and Chips - Your British Guide to Switzerland, it's all about our listeners’ voices. We asked what annoys you about Switzerland or what you would change, and you replied!

From the pain of exchange rates to supermarket stress (again), Mexican food and laundry room drama (again). Also, don’t forget to vote in our listener poll.

Feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Drop us a line to [email protected]! 

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

00:00 - Intro

01:29 - Listener Feedback

• Muottas Muragl funicular

05:32 - The one thing to change in Switzerland

11:35 - Swiss bytes: Do you feel accepted as a non-EU immigrant?

13:46 - Learning Swiss German: Gutsch

18:07 - Listener poll: Do you feel accepted as an immigrant in Switzerland?

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Drop us an email: [email protected]
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--- Send us your questions ---

There is no listener poll this week, but a listener survey: What's the one thing you would change about Switzerland if you could?

Send us an audio message or text to +41 76 282 67 66 or email [email protected].

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

00:00 - Intro

01:08 - Listener Feedback

• Niesenbahn, the longest stairs in the world
• Marzili-Bahn, the shortest one in Switzerland

08:32 - 1st August badge 2025

• 1.-August-Abzeichen 2025
• Swiss bytes: Send us your suggestion to [email protected]

15:49 - Learning Swiss German: Tönder (or Thunder)

19:38 - Listener survey: Send us the one thing you would change about Switzerland as an audio message or text to +41 76 282 67 66 or email [email protected].

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Send your questions:
Drop us an email: [email protected]
Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66
Find us on Bluesky: Jo and Simon
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Other ways to subscribe

--- Send us your questions ---

There is no listener poll this week, but a listener survey: What's the one thing you would change about Switzerland if you could?

Send us an audio message or text to +41 76 282 67 66 or email [email protected].

Notes on this episode

00:00 - Intro

01:09 - Listener Feedback

09:40 - Coming to a restaurant, be ready to order

16:20 - Swiss bytes: As an expat, if you could change only one thing about Switzerland (Reddit)

21:37 - Learning Swiss German: Gaffi Crème (or Thé Crème)

25:27 - Listener survey: Send us the one thing you would change about Switzerland as an audio or text message to +41 76 282 67 66 or to [email protected]

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Join the community Chat
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Send your questions:
Drop us an email: [email protected]
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Let the sunshine (and fresh air) in! 

In this episode we talk about the Swiss ritual that plays out daily in homes, offices, and schools across the country: Lüften. It’s the practice of throwing windows open wide and letting fresh air circulate through rooms and buildings. But why is Lüften so important to the Swiss mindset? As always, we’ll give you some insights, but mostly personal experiences of living with the fresh air in Switzerland.

00:00 - Intro

01:50 - Listener Feedback

07:08 - To lüft or not to lüft

• "Korrektes Lüften" BAG
• Differences between summer and winter
• Swiss lüfting "rules"

15:26 - Swiss bytes

• Federal Statistical Office

17:36 - Learning Swiss German: Dürzug

20:22 - Listener poll

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Not everything is as glossy as it seems

Many thanks to all the listeners who reach out to us! Today’s episode is for you. If you have questions or thoughts you want to share with us and the other listeners, let us know!

In this episode, we talk specifically about Jonathan’s feedback and his experiences of visiting Switzerland. It inspired us to talk about some other surprises and controversial aspects of ordinary life in Switzerland. 

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

00:00 - Introduction to this episode

00:58 - Listener feedback

02:12 - Swiss Controversies

14:55 - Swiss Bytes: Ali on Switzerland

17:25 - Learning Swiss German: “Bodäsuri”

20:00 - Listener poll

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Drop us an email: [email protected]
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A journey to Fahy and the history of Tête de Moine cheese.

In today’s episode of Swiss and Chips, we’re taking you on a journey across the Swiss-French border on foot! Join us as we explore the charming town of Fahy, visit the House of the Tête de Moine cheese, and dive into the history behind this delicious Swiss cheese. We’ll also share our experience of crossing the border and why many people shop across it. Tune in for an adventure filled with cheese, culture, and travel insights!

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

00:00 - Intro

00:41 - Listener Feedback

05:35 - Walking to France

• Tête de Moine
• Fahy
• Chees grating (video)

13:49 - Learning Swiss German: Vögeliwohl

14:55 - Listener poll

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Tips, passes, and resort advice for newbies on the pistes

In today’s episode of Swiss and Chips, we’re talking about how to enjoy a ski day when you’re ready to move beyond your first slope but you’re not ready to hit a “red” yet. We discuss some basics, like choosing the right ski pass or picking a resort, and skiing etiquette. But mainly Jo shares her personal experience. 

00:00 - Introduction to this episode

01:26 - Listener feedback

03:08 - Swiss Bytes: Alertswiss

05:04 - Skiing in Switzerland: going beyond the bunny slopes

• Different passes and costs
• Renting vs. buying ski equipment
• Beginner-friendly resorts? Family-friendly? Big or small regions?
• Ski etiquette

19:49 - Learning Swiss German: “Spitzcheeri”

• Kick turn
• Didier Cuche’s ski flip

22:23 - Listener poll

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It’s been a while, but we’re back - and we’re diving straight into a topic that’s Swiss and surprisingly sensitive: the (unspoken) rules of the shared washing room. We’ll share some personal stories of washing room drama and tell you what you need to know when searching for a new flat.

00:00 - Intro

02:42 - Swiss Bytes

• Most popular Swiss songs in the 1980's
• Cow song: Link to the cow video

06:27 - The curse of the washing room in apartment buildings

18:47 - Learning Swiss German: Töggelä

20:46 - Listener poll

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Join the community Chat
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“Especially in times of the pluralisation of lifestyles, there is a need to know how things should be done correctly. Because manners provide security in how to shape interactions positively. They simplify interactions and prevent misunderstandings.” This is a quote from the ‘Swiss Knigge’, a book about good manners and behaviour in Switzerland. 

Though often associated with formal manners, Knigge in Switzerland has evolved to cover modern-day needs, while retaining its core values of explaining respect and politeness. 

In this episode, we give you an overview of the book’s chapters, talk about how it can be useful for expats in Switzerland and go through a few of the guide’s most interesting bits. 

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland

00:00 - Intro

02:00 - Listener Feedback

03:08 - Swiss Bytes: Swiss SBB clock turns 80

05:23 - The Swiss Knigge as a book and ebook

29:58 - Listener give-away: Send us your message!

32:20 - Learning Swiss German: äs herbschtelet

33:03 - Listener poll

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Join the community Chat
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Send your questions:
Drop us an email: [email protected]
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