Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

Jo Fahy, Simon Zryd

An English Podcast about Switzerland for Expats living in Switzerland.
A podcast about Swiss culture, Swiss hidden places, work and living in Switzerland.
Your British guide to Switzerland: an audio podcast for English-speaking expats living in Switzerland and Swiss interested in Britain. Everything expats need to know about finding a job in Switzerland, how to find an apartment in Bern, Geneva or Zurich, how to find friends and get to know Swiss culture, traditions and of course, how to learn the language. We will answer your questions and give you a personal insight into what moving from London to Bern is like. This is not just a view from the outside looking in however, we will also bring you the Swiss perspective, from a "real" Swiss, born and bred in the Bernese Oberland.
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Top 10 Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

'Fête des Vignerons': make merry at the Swiss winemakers' festival

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

04/22/19 • 15 min

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If you’ve looked at any Swiss newspapers or programmes in the past few months you’ll have heard about the ‘Fête des Vignerons’. It’s a once-in-a-generation event that sounds like it's not to be missed. So what’s all the fuss about, and will there be wine?

Notes on this episode

We try to answer the most important questions before it begins.

What is the 'Fête des Vignerons'?

The festival is a massive production that takes place in a huge arena in Vevey, French-speaking Switzerland. There is space for 20,000 spectators for every performance. The show itself is a celebration of the winemaking tradition that exists in this part of Switzerland. There is also a festival village with lots of entertainment and music being put on over different stages.

The history of the 'Fête des Vignerons'

It has a long history, estimated to have begun in the 1700s. Back then, the winemakers’ association which represented landowners, awarded winemakers in the region for their work and gave prizes to encourage the perfection of the art of growing the grapes. There was a parade and eventually in 1797 a stage was erected so more people could see the prize giving. At this point the event started to look more like it does today. The last edition was in 1999.

What’s so special about it?

It’s the first living Swiss tradition that’s recognised by UNESCO for its ‘intangible cultural heritage’. It can take place a maximum of five times every hundred years.

What happens in the show?

It’s all about a year in the life of a vineyard, it starts and finishes with the harvest. At the centre of the event is the crowning of winegrowers, who did particularly excellent work. This takes place on July 18. In the show, which is on until August 11, there are 5,500 actors involved, who come from the local region. The costumes are elaborate, handmade, fantastical pieces. There is a gigantic choir, an orchestra, a brass band, a jazz band and more. There are giant video and LED projections.

Where can I get tickets?

Here. They cost from CHF39-359.

Anything else you need to know?

The director of the the 'Fête des Vignerons' is Daniele Finzi Pasca, from Lugano. He created the closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games in Turin in 2006 and Sochi in 2014, and has worked for the Cirque du Soleil.

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Hit the road: driving in Switzerland

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

07/09/19 • 13 min

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Do you need a car in Switzerland? And what other options are there apart from buying one? We asked what you wanted to hear about in this episode of our podcast, and driving in Switzerland was one topic you suggested in our Facebook group, Switzerland for English speakers. We talk about why you might decide to get a car, and how leasing, hiring and car sharing works.

Notes on this episode of Your British Guide to Switzerland
Owning a car - Great public transport, do you really need a car?
- Regular trips to the countryside, lots to take with you, or a particular commute might be some reasons why you decide you need a car
- Leasing a vehicle: very common in Switzerland: this is how it works
A car just for when you need it
- Renting: all the big name companies are in here in Switzerland too: Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Avis. They’re in towns and at airports, it’s just like a renting a car in any other country
- Car-sharing schemes: the biggest is Mobility. There are different types of memberships, it doesn’t cost too much and is very easy to use. There are different payment options including membership, annual fees and pay as you go. The cars belong to the company.
- Sharoo: you can borrow cars that other people own. They set out their prices: how much you pay depends on time and distance travelled.
Driving licence
- Don’t forget if you live here you’ll need to swap your licence for a Swiss one within the first year.
- If you can’t drive yet, in 9 cantons in Switzerland you can even take the basic theory test in English. There are driving instructors who speak English, just have a look for them in your area.

Where to find Swiss second-hand delights

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

05/07/19 • 14 min

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Looking for furniture, clothes or something for your home in Switzerland that won't cost the Earth? Then you definitely need to find your nearest flea market or second-hand shop. In the German-speaking part of the country thrift stores are called "Brockis" (short for "Brockenhäuser"). In this episode we'll take you through how you can find them and what to expect, and tell you where to look online if rummaging for a bargain in person isn't really your thing.

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

Different types of Brockis
Chain or independent: Salvation Army, HIOB-international
What to expect
Giving items to a Brocki
Flea markets
Buying second-hand online: tutti.ch, anibis.ch, ricardo.ch

Becoming Swiss, part two: 'Getting the Right Information'

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

03/12/19 • 15 min

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Applying to become Swiss is a long process and requires lots of forms, documents and appointments. If you've lived in Switzerland long enough to think about applying, this probably won't come as a surprise! In the city of Bern, an information evening is offered to people who want to apply. We went along to clear up some questions I had about the process, and to find out as much information as possible.

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

What the evening was like: who was there, what language did they speak, how long did it last
New information we found out: applications to start the process can only be submitted from the day you have been in Switzerland for ten years, citizenship in Switzerland is threefold (local community, canton and federal level)
What you can do in advance of the ten year mark: learn or improve your German and take a recognised language test (A2 written, B1 spoken is required), fulfil residency requirements (check with your local community and canton, and check years in advance. In Bern you need to have lived three of the last five years in the place where you are applying, and the last two years before you apply in the same local community, "Gemeinde" of Bern), get a C permit, and if you previously lived in a different canton you need to apply for the document to confirm when you lived there
Costs vary, but it looks like it will cost approximately CHF3000 and take roughly 2.5 years

Decoding Swiss German Nicknames

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

12/21/23 • 19 min

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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 ‘Decoding Swiss German Nicknames’, we aim to unravel the meanings, origins, and usage of nicknames. Let’s decode together!

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

User feedback
Swiss dialects / Swiss nicknames

Learning Swiss German

The Instagram video.

Grübschi: Apple or pear core
Mürggel: The end bit of a loaf of bread
Rittigampfi: A swing
Fööf: Five
Küdder: Rubbish or bin
Gluggsi: Hiccup
Gagel: Poo

What to expect at a Swiss apéro

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

06/17/21 • 13 min

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Before or instead of a dinner, at a garden party, a wedding, an office function or even a funeral, it‘s always the right time and place to join or organise a classic Swiss apéro. But what is expected at this typically Swiss get-together? We talk you through the food and drinks, the preparation, and, as always, the subtleties of navigating a Swiss event.

What is a Swiss apero?

The classic Swiss apéro involves nibbles and drinks and is suitable for any occasion.

The food usually consists of cold meats and cheese, crackers and/or (Zweifel) crisps. It can be a little fancier with small pizzas, mini croissants, or anything you find in the kitchen to serve and eat by hand or from small plates.

For drinks, you‘ll find white wine and mineral water and most of the time, orange juice. But also here - from tea to beer - nothing is a must, most things go.

That‘s it food- and drink-wise, but it can also be much more elaborate of course.

The occasion can be anything. It can be a big celebration, for a wedding for example, but it can also be without any major occasion at all if friends walk by and you invite them to your home for an apéro if the time feels right.

What do you do at a Swiss apéro?

You meet, greet and chat. It's a great opportunity to get to know people better and talk to them. And that's it!

All the in-betweens, what you can expect, what the atmosphere's like, and the do‘s and don‘ts are all discussed in this episode of the Swiss

How to be polite in Switzerland

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

10/28/24 • 36 min

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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

Walk with us along Bern's Aare river

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

04/14/20 • 19 min

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If you can only get out outside at the moment to go shopping or for some fresh air, you might be starting to get a little bored of your local surroundings. Pop your earphones in and come with us as we head out for a walk along the Aare river in Bern.

Where did we go on our walk?

'Dählhölzli' section of the Bern animal park, including the children's zoo
Elfenau park, including Bern city's greenhouses and the rare species garden

When to shake hands in Switzerland

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

03/10/20 • 15 min

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Shaking hands in Switzerland is common: children learn it at school and it seems to be a regular feature of everyday life. But when is holding out your hand too much and when would it be a faux pas not to? What are the alternatives when you can't shake hands, for example during the Coronavirus outbreak? We'll run you through the hand-shaking dos and don'ts of Swiss culture!

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

What to do if you don’t know whether to shake hands or not?
Hand shake or kiss on the cheek?
When shaking hands is a must
An optional hand-shaking moment
When to avoid shaking hands
'Der Schweizer Knigge', a well-known guide to Swiss etiquette (book in German)

Five ways to perfect your Swiss knowledge while staying at home

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

03/24/20 • 17 min

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The coronavirus might have stopped you from getting out and exploring Switzerland, but you can still learn plenty about Swiss culture from inside your own home. Here's our list of five things every person interested in getting closer to the Swiss or looking to become Swiss should know. We chose a film, a book, a musician, a recipe and a game that you can look up and enjoy to see you through your weeks staying at home in Switzerland.

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips, your British Guide to Switzerland

The most popular Swiss film of all time: 'Die Schweizermacher' (The Swissmakers). We rented it on iTunes in Swiss German with English subtitles.
A very well-known Swiss children's book: 'Schellen Ursli' (A Bell for Ursli)
One of Switzerland's most famous recording artists, DJ BoBo. You might know him for this song.
Tuck into a buttery 'Zopf' (a plaited, golden loaf of bread). Find a recipe and plenty of instructions here.
Looking for 'Hobelkäse'? It's a hard Swiss cheese made in the mountains, which is served after being planed into thin slices or rolls.
The Swiss card game 'Jass'.
Monday-Saturday mornings at 07:50 on Swiss Public Radio SRF 3, practise your Swiss German by playing along with the game 'ABC SRF 3'. You can also buy the card game to play at home.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland have?

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland currently has 77 episodes available.

What topics does Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland cover?

The podcast is about Expat, Places & Travel, Society & Culture and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland?

The episode title 'Walk with us along Bern's Aare river' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland?

The average episode length on Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland is 17 minutes.

How often are episodes of Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland released?

Episodes of Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland are typically released every 14 days.

When was the first episode of Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland?

The first episode of Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland was released on Feb 20, 2018.

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Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

Jo Fahy, Simon Zryd

Top 10 Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland Episodes

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

Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips, your British Guide to Switzerland

FAQ

How many episodes does Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland have?

What topics does Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland cover?

What is the most popular episode on Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland?

What is the average episode length on Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland?

How often are episodes of Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland released?

When was the first episode of Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland?

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