Episodes
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Let's dive into another episode about Swiss German through the lens of the traditional Swiss radio game âABC SRF 3â. We' havenât laughed so much in an episode yet; weâll let you decide if thatâs a good thing.
And we introduce two new segments. First, we address user questions and feedback, featuring Cathy, who proudly participates in Swiss traditions. Second, get ready for the brand new "Swiss Bites" (with a must-hear sound effect) and our listener poll.00:00 - Intro
How to say things in different situations by regionThat is what they sound like
01:53 - Listener Feedback
04:06 - Swiss Bytes
06:22 - Learning Swiss German
Swiss German episodes on Swiss and ChipsOfficial page of ABCSRF3 with links to the gameâScherenschnittâ or traditional paper cutting
19:34 - Listener poll: Vote here!
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Swiss National Day is coming up! Letâs talk about what happens on the big day and what it means to the Swiss. Weâll help you figure out how to mark the occasion even if you havenât been in Switzerland for long. We also have some new features in our podcast for you: âSwiss bytesâ, listener feedback and our survey.
00:00 - Intro
01:58 - Listener Feedback
03:14 - Swiss Bytes
US Marine reacts to Why the Swiss love their Guns (more than Americans)
Another interesting Video about Why Switzerland has 370 000 bunkers
Da chönt ja jedÀ cho
07:09 - Learning Swiss German
Da chönt ja jedÀ cho
10:32 - 1st August: What to buy and what to do
16:05 - Listener Survey
Fun with Flags
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Episodes manquant?
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How do you cope with the chaos, confusion, and frequent frustration of queuing in Switzerland? In this episode, we explore Swiss queuing culture and share our experiences and advice on how to survive and possibly thrive in the chaotic queuing land of the Alps. We have some horror stories to share that you might be able to identify with. Whether youâre a newcomer, a visitor, or a long-time resident, we hope this episode will help you to navigate Swiss queueing protocol, or at the very least, give you a laugh.
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
Suzi LeVine complaining about queuing in Adelboden.A discussion on Reddit about Swiss queuing culture and even if it exists at all.Learning Swiss German
Hundsverlochete
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Switzerland, a country known for its linguistic diversity, is home to the unique dialect of Swiss German. It has many variations around the country, with words, sounds and phrases changing by city or valley. Here, we dive into a very specific topic of Swiss German - the use of nicknames.
In this episode of âDecoding Swiss German Nicknamesâ, we aim to unravel the meanings, origins, and usage of nicknames. Letâs decode together!
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
User feedbackSwiss dialects / Swiss nicknamesLearning Swiss German
The Instagram video.
GrĂŒbschi: Apple or pear coreMĂŒrggel: The end bit of a loaf of breadRittigampfi: A swingFööf: FiveKĂŒdder: Rubbish or binGluggsi: HiccupGagel: Poo
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Discovering animal sounds in Swiss German: A fun exploration at the DÀhlhölzli Petting Zoo
Come with us on a stroll through the famous DÀhlhölzli petting zoo in Bern where we talk about the different animal noises in English and Swiss German.
A special welcome and thanks to all our super early subscribers: Samir, Julian, Nuclei, Alicia, Nicholas, Joee and many more - we really appreciate the early support!
And Krissy! She was the first to comment in the subscriber chat about what advice sheâd give anyone planning to move to Switzerland.
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
Why ducks say "quack-quack" in English but "ga-ga" in Japanese. By Quick and dirty tippsBee, bird, cockerel, owl, horse, frog, sheep, cuckoo, dogJohnâs explanation of what a BĂŒnzli isLearning Swiss German
Liiri, Liiri-BĂ€nz, Gritti-BĂ€nz
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The experience of going to see a film in Switzerland has some quirks. The first question youâre probably going to ask yourself when trying to catch a new release is what language itâs going to be shown in and secondly, how much the pleasure is going to set you back.
In this episode, we talk about which kind of cinema typically shows films in which languages, how dubbing or subtitles come into play, the financial consequences of a cinema trip in Switzerland and where to find out whatâs on.We also explain why we moved the Swiss and Chips community to Substack, a place where we want to hear from you and get to know you better.
All our content and community chat on Substack is free.
On Substack, you can directly subscribe to the episodes and additional content via email, be part of the subscriber chat, give direct feedback on the episode articles and have your say in polls.
This is what happens if you get in touch with us
We read all comments, emails and chat replies carefully, as we really want to hear from you. Often these conversations make our day and are why weâre doing what weâre doing.Other community members can join the discussion, give advice or get help.All of this will directly influence the show and upcoming topics.At this point, many thanks to our first new subscribers on Substack đ„ł and a special welcome to Amritam, Jane and Krissy đ
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
Why we moved from Facebook to SubstackAn app to look up films playing at the cinema: CinemanLearning Swiss German
Swiss words we explain in this episode: âSchĂ€rmĂ€â, not to be confused with âSchirmâ (umbrella) or being âandercoverâ. And as a bonus, a more cinema-related word: âKĂŒderâ.
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After 13 years of living in Switzerland, Jo is finally allowed to have her say in her new home country and participate in the democratic process. The Swiss elections are coming up and after becoming Swiss, this might be the second most exciting day for a new citizen. The papers have arrived (a long time ago) and are ready to be explored. Let's do the unboxing together and talk about the specialities of the Swiss elections.
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
What's it like to get the the election material for the first time?What's inside the envelope?How do you vote?Smartvote
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The Swiss can't get enough of it: Rivella is the Alpine nation's traditional soft drink of choice. But there's an unusual ingredient hiding beneath the bubbles of this thirst-quenching liquid. Any idea what it is?
In this episode, we'll introduce you to the delights of Switzerland's weird and wonderful fizzy refreshment, and Simon takes a blind Rivella taste test to find out how Swiss he is after all.
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
Facts and figuresDifferent colours of Rivella bottles and their meaningThe drink experiment!Learning Swiss German
How to properly order a Rivella in Switzerland.
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If you're looking for Christmas magic, put Colmar, France on your list of must-see places. A beautiful city at any time of year, it is decorated and lit up to perfection every Christmas.
The city's cobbled streets are flanked by Medieval or Renaissance-period buildings and small canals run alongside the main thoroughfares. There are six different markets to see, each with a different focus such as artisan crafts, food or even an area aimed at children. On top of all that, the city's park has an ice rink and even a merry-go-round that has been adapted into a highly festive rotating drinkery.
Although Switzerland has an abundance of lovely Christmas markets, a trip to Colmar is something special: we'll tell you why in this latest episode!
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
We talk about user feedback. Send yours here.Colmar and its Christmas marketsLearning Swiss German
The word in this episode was "birÀweich".
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It can take time to figure out what the useful websites are when you move to a new country. What are the most-popular car-sharing, price comparison, weather and buy-and-sell sites in Switzerland? We crowdsourced a list of the must-know websites in Switzerland from our Facebook group, Switzerland for English Speakers. In this episode we explain why they're useful and what we personally think of them.
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
Send your audio file to our inbox or directly to 0041 76 282 67 66Vote results from our last episode Full list of useful websites from our group on FacebookGalaxus and Gonsertutti, anibisComparisToppreisedeeplMeteo SuisseMobilityPeakfinderAlertswiss How to find an apartment in Switzerland as an expat - a previous episodeLearning Swiss German
The word in this episode was "SidÀfin".
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Warning: this episode is a rollercoaster! We try to navigate our way through a traditional Swiss kitchen, and explain the classic items you'll find in any Swiss kitchen cupboard. From flavourings to implements, we lift the table cloth on the secrets of Switzerland's home dining habits - and we reveal a few foody preferences of our own along the way. Plus: what's missing in a standard Swiss kitchen? We name three items that we can't live without, but which have proven to be somewhat of a novelty to your average Swiss.
Interested in connecting with us and other listeners?
Want to chat about the show, talk about life in Switzerland or even meet up? We want to know how! Please vote and we'll try and make it happen. If anything is missing, you can add it in the comments at the bottom of this page.
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
Vote results from our last episodeThanks to 'AGBinCH' for the helpful commentWhat you'll find in a Swiss kitchenAromat and KressiAfter Eights in Switzerland, here, here and hereWhat's missing in Swiss kitchensLearning Swiss German
Chnuuschti - if you have a better explanation, let us know in the comments.
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After Jo got her Swiss passport it was time to step up and get her first real taste of Swiss democracy⊠and what better way to do it than going to vote in the regular Swiss polls in person.
In this episode, we talk about how to vote in person or by post, and how to navigate political discussions with the Swiss.
The Swiss and Chips vote
Come and vote, we want to hear from you!
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
First time voting in Switzerland!When can you vote after becoming Swiss?When can you go and vote and how often?Where can you vote?How does it work?Learning Swiss German
Our word in this episode: 'Gfröörli'.
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The traditional ways to travel between the UK and Switzerland are plane, train and car. 2022 turned out to be the year we used the channel tunnel to make the trip for the first time. We drove from Bern to England and then back a few weeks later. It was an experience to remember! And one thatâs worth talking about and sharing with you.
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
Why did we end up driving by car? What is the advantage?Which route did we take, how long is the journey and how are the stops on the way?Which route to take, how long is the journey and how are the stops on the way? Recommendations in our Facebook Group.The Channel Tunnel video on YouTube.Learning Swiss German
Our word(s) in this episode: 'PlapperÀ' and 'Plapperi'.
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It took around two years, but the moment has finally come. Ten months after the final interview a confirmation letter arrived in the post: Jo is Swiss! Now that's worth talking about.
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
What happened so far: Check out our other episodes on 'How to become Swiss'. What happened since the interview What changes after becoming Swiss What's next?
Learning Swiss German
Our word in this episode is: 'Gschtabi'.
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The BEA is open! This annual traditional Swiss fair is a must-see for anyone living in or around Bern and it's open until May 8 this year. From donkey displays to fairground rides and the chance to sample local beers and a staggering range of cheese, there is so much to see for children and adults.
We recorded while out on a day trip in Switzerland, so there's not one, but two recommendations of places to visit in this episode. One of them is an insider tip about a slightly hidden place.
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland
The BEA website with prices, opening hours and ticketsThe map to find your way around the eventA hidden place for you to check out in Switzerland: Schwarzsee (Black Lake): find two on our website.Learning Swiss German
Our word in this episode is: 'Zuckerwatte'.
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Snow, a frozen lake and beautiful mountains: there aren't many more things you need to complete the perfect Swiss winter destination. When we headed to St. Moritz in January 2022 we had high expectations for this famous ski resort with a glitzy reputation. And it absolutely lived up to them! With breathtaking winter scenery and vintage Winter Olympics sights, there is lots to do here even if you're not skiing.
Reasons to go (there's more to see than the ski slopes!)How to get thereWhere to stayWhat to do while you're there
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to SwitzerlandLearning Swiss German
This episode's word is: IischzapfÀ. Hint: you'll see a lot of these in Switzerland in the winter!
Don't forget to visit our website for photos.
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What is it really like to move to Switzerland? In the second of two episodes looking back at when Jo first relocated from the UK, we delve into some of the unexpected sides to setting up a new life among the Swiss. In this episode we cover:
Differences in lifestyle between England and Switzerland The surprises that come with renting a flat Working in Switzerland and finding a jobPrevious episodes we refer to in the show:
How to find an apartment in Switzerland as an expat How to find a job in Switzerland as an expat
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Jo moved to Switzerland just over a decade ago, so it seemed to be about time to talk about her experience, the highlights, and what she would do differently if she would do it all over again.
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If you have a British-Swiss child and live in Switzerland, like we do, how do you go about getting their first passports? In this episode we'll explain everything from organising all of the documents to taking a suitable picture of your little one.
Organising the Swiss passport: where to get it, what you need and how to take a picture.The British passport: The long list of documents, how to organise them and roughly how long it takes. Start with the online form.
Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to SwitzerlandLearning Swiss German
This week's word is: 'Schoggijob'
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It's the big moment in the Swiss citizenship process: finally you will meet someone face-to-face who will decide whether all the paperwork you have collected, all the forms you have filled out and all the studying you have done is enough to make you a viable candidate for becoming Swiss.
My moment finally came when I was invited to the office that handles citizenship applications in Bern. I've read so many reports in the media about the difficult questions posed at these interviews and heard numerous horror stories about people being grilled on matters of Swiss society and history, or being asked highly personal questions. What actually happened was something quite different.
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