10 facts about Switzerland that amaze foreigners but are the norm for locals

As soon as someone mentions Switzerland, our brain instantly shows us pictures of picturesque alpine peaks, fresh cheese, and, of course, bank billboards. But these are just attributes of the facade, behind which there are many interesting things that even the guides will not tell you about.

We are in love with Switzerland, so we have compiled a list of unusual facts about this country and its inhabitants.

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1. Residents of Switzerland try to recycle any of their garbage: newspapers, cans, glass, and even used toilet paper. Food is also subject to reasonable use. For example, while we are dumping used oil down the drain, the people of Switzerland pack it in containers and take it to a collection point.

2. If the vehicle is delayed by 1 hour or more, the passenger is entitled to compensation. It can be up to 50% of the ticket price. If the traveler is forced to look for an overnight stay due to a delay in travel between cities, the transport company is obliged to reimburse the costs of this. You can get away from paying only if the bus or train was delayed due to a natural disaster.

3. Despite the highly developed banking system in Switzerland, its residents rarely use plastic cards for payments. They prefer cash. Even if they are going to buy something big (like a car), the locals will withdraw the money from their account first. This habit is called a Swiss cultural phenomenon.

4. Instead of arguing about what type of budget is best for the family shared or separate, the people of Switzerland found a compromise. They recommend that young couples open 3 bank accounts when they get married. One of them should be for joint mandatory expenses, and the remaining 2 for the personal needs of each of the partners, such as a hobby or self-development activity.

5. Unlimited mobile Internet is what young people in Switzerland are choosing today. They switch to the appropriate data plan and then simply activate the hotspot on their phone to surf the net while working on their laptop or desktop computer. Home Wi-Fi is no longer needed, and instead of 2 Internet points, there is only one.

6. Getting to work, the Swiss try to show their best side in front of HR. According to a 2020 study, almost 60% of resumes are not true. Local residents sometimes exaggerate their powers to a potential employer. For example, a short internship in a large company will be added as work experience. It is curious that the representatives of the older generation turned out to be the most polished applicants.

7. No one will judge a restaurant visitor who does not leave a tip for a nice waiter. But when a guest still wants to express gratitude for good service in a special way, he will simply round up the bill. For example, if a meal costs 14.5 Swiss francs, the visitor will give 15 francs and say, "Keep the change."

8. Activists in Switzerland are pushing for vending machines with free tampons and pads in schools and universities across the country. Their goal is to help girls who are caught off guard by premature menstruation or an empty wallet. Also, the initiators of the project are in favor of removing the taboo atmosphere when it comes to the features of female physiology.

9. Loudly chewing gum is especially annoying for the locals. They consider it the height of bad manners. In Switzerland, tourists are advised to resist the temptation to take their favorite gum out of their pocket and chew it in a public place in Switzerland. It is better to wait until no one is around, and only then chew gum.

10. Residents of Switzerland do not see anything wrong with spitting on the street. The same applies to blowing your nose.