LIVING IN BASEL
Module 1
SCHWYZERDÜTSCH
Grüezi
En Guete
Ade
Merci
Berlitz, Migros Clubschule, Academia, Inlingua
NOT ONLY CHEESE, CHOCOLATE AND HEIDI…
Einstein
Waterfalls close to Schaffhausen
Bungy jump in Verzasca Valley
Rhine swimming / «Wickelfisch»
Basel cultural capital of Switzerland
First university of Switzerland
Three countries in one day
First art museum in the world
Art Basel
WHAT WE WANT TO SHARE ABOUT SWITZERLAND
Swiss neighbours may check you out at first before getting a step closer and before getting to the «DU»
In everyday life the Swiss are considerate
In Switzerland a lot is based on honesty/trust (ticket on public transport)
Tipping is welcome (round it up)
The Swiss have a “police” mentality
Children will walk to school on their own at a young age
Tap water can be drunk / fountains when hiking
THE LAND OF RULES
Treat your neighbours the way you would like them to treat you = common sense
Rules of the road (will apply to pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers)
MEET AND GREET
MEETING WITH SWISS PEOPLE
«Apero»
Be punctual
Bring something along (bottle of wine/chocolate/flowers)
Baking or cooking something will impress the Swiss
Toasting: «Prost» or «zum Wohl»
Do not be too spontaneous when inviting Swiss people to your place
GREETING
Formal hand shaking
Say your last name when answering the phone
Hug/3 kisses when meeting friends or family members
When meeting neighbours try out «Grüezi»
ROAD
SWISS ROAD PRIORITIES
Emergency vehicles
Public Transport
Pedestrians Cyclists Motorists
CYCLING
Back and front lights compulsory
Brakes need to work
Lock your bike
Regular police checks
Helmet mandatory on E-bike
CAR ADMIN
Driving licence
exchange within 1 year
Car registration «Swiss Motorway Vignette »
Foreign driving licence must be exchanged within 12 months after registration
Sold at most border crossings, post offices and petrol stations
E-Vignette
CHF 40 per year
You have to register your car when importing to Switzerland
MORE «CAR» RULES
Seat belts
Winter tires
Alcohol limit (0,05 %)
Children seat
Lights day and night
SPEED LIMITS
Residential zones: 30km/h and 20km/h
General speed limit in town: 50km/h
Country roads: 80km/h
Highway/Motorway: 120km/h
Risk of losing driving license >30km/h
Different rules in Germany and France
RIGHT OF WAY
Switzerland has a right of way system
BLUE PARKING ZONE
Generally free parking from 18:00 – 08:00 Monday to Saturday, and all-day Sunday and public holidays
Resident street permit = CHF 284/year per zone
Blue zone half day/full day parking tickets (public transport ticket machines)
WHITE PARKING ZONES
Pay Parking
Free Parking
SHOPPING
GENERAL TIPS
Have 1 EUR / 2 CHF ready for your shopping cart
Cross border shopping is the local «hobby»
Tax reclaim process differs in Germany or France
When paying with credit card always choose local currency EUR/CHF (better exchange rate)
Do not speak too openly about cross border shopping to the Swiss
DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCES
Importation of goods for people travelling or as gifts
GASTRONOMY
Why not order a «Schale», a «Gipfeli» or a «Laugen Gipfeli» for breakfast
Bread basket for lunch and dinner is «free»
Restaurants «can» charge for tap water
Tipping
From traditional to world cuisine
«Elsbethenstübli», «Walliser Kanne», «Zielmann» in BielBenken
International food courts at «Markthalle» and «Klara»
LOCAL TREATS
Go to «Leckerli Huus»
For chocolate go to «Läderach», «Sprüngli», «Bachmann», «Schiesser»
Why not go for the light and airy «Luxemburgerli» from «Sprüngli»
MAIN TRAIN STATION
“HONESTY” SHOPPING
“DREILÄNDERSHOPPING”
CROSS BORDER SHOPPING
Ask for “Ausfuhrschein” at cashier in Germany
Ask for “Formulaire douanier” at cashier/caisse centrale in France
Stop at customs office (border) to get stamp
Return to shop for tax refund (Germany)
Tax refund on credit card (France)
«Quick Zoll» App
GERMAN “PFANDSYSTEM”
You pay a small fee per bottle and if you return the bottle at the supermarket, you get the fee back. This is very common for glass bottles of water and beer but also some plastic bottles. If you see the icon shown in the picture below on the bottle, you know you will get refunded. This refund usually happens at every common supermarket.
PO BOX: FRANCE / GERMANY
HOME
HOME FINDING TIPS
Take shoes off
Dress formally
Ask for approval to open cabinets and take photos
Be punctual (call to inform about delay)
Open window to check on noise
Visit additional rooms such as cellar, bike room (Veloraum), laundry
Try to find out why the current tenants are moving out
Ask current tenant what the neighbours are like (expat friendly house)
Top floor apartment could be warmer, especially in older houses (no airconditiong)
Competition (public viewings)
HOUSE RULES
Quiet hours
10 pm to 7 am
noon to 2 pm
Sundays and holidays
8 pm to 7 am no vacuum cleaning, hammering
Using appliances, wearing high heeled shoes, moving furniture, volume level
Applies to some outdoor areas (parks, recycling stations).
CLEANLINESS AND VENTILATION
Very important to Swiss
Store buggies and bicycles in the «Veloraum»
Air twice a day Keep common areas clear
LAUNDRY
Keep the shared laundry room neat and tidy
Should not be higher than balcony railings
BS NEIGHBOURHOODS
BL COMMUNES
WASTE AND RECYCLING
WASTE IN BS
Bebbi Sagg (roll of 10)
17 l / CHF 12
35 l / CHF 23
Available at supermarkets in BS (cashier or flower counter)
WASTE IN BL
Stickers/Bags
Available at town halls, post offices & supermarkets in your municipality
RECYCLING TIPS
Cardboard and paper
Separate
Glass, aluminium and cans Plastic bottles
Supermarket
WHAT ELSE…
Nespresso capsules
Household appliances
Batteries
Pickup service for recycling
Bioklappe (for organic waste)
www.aue.bs.ch
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
U-ABO
TNW Zone Map
U-Abo App
TICKET MACHINE
Choose language
Regional tickets into Germany and France
Bicycle/dog ticket = child ticket
Multiple ride cards/day cards
Parking tickets for blue zone
Form of payment: coins/occasionally cards
Swiss Pass: “all-in-one card”
Half Fare Travel Card : CHF
185/year/adult
GA/U-Abo
General abonnement (“GA”)
CHF 3’995 2nd class/year/adult
Junior Card (age 6 - 16)
CHF 30/year/child
GENERAL
DOGS
Roby Dog
Signs
Hundelieb app
Lange Erlen
Die Hard
Dog parks in Basel (dog “playgrounds”)
POST OFFICE
LIVING IN BASEL
Module 2
Will make you feel more comfortable
Understanding Swiss culture better
Understanding Swiss behaviour
Get your personal intercultural profile
