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Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

Arts & Culture Podcasts

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. Become part of the community.

Location:

Switzerland

Description:

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. Become part of the community.

Language:

English


Episodes
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The surprising reality of day-to-day life in Switzerland

4/3/2025
--- Send us your questions --- 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 ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Bluesky: Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:21:06

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Walking Across Borders: Switzerland to France on Foot

3/13/2025
--- Send us your questions --- 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 MoineFahyChees grating13:49 - Learning Swiss German: Vögeliwohl 14:55 - Listener poll ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Bluesky: Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:15:54

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Skiing in Switzerland: going beyond the bunny slopes

2/13/2025
--- Send us your questions --- 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 19:49 - Learning Swiss German: “Spitzcheeri” Kick turnDidier Cuche’s ski flip22:23 - Listener poll ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:24:07

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Only in Switzerland: The curse of the washing room in apartment buildings

1/23/2025
--- Send us your questions --- 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'sCow song: Link to the cow video06:27 - The curse of the washing room in apartment buildings 18:47 - Learning Swiss German: Töggelä 20:46 - Listener poll ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:21:49

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How to be polite in Switzerland

10/28/2024
--- Send us your questions --- “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 ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:36:41

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Learning Swiss German with 'ABC SRF 3' - Discover Swiss Traditions

8/8/2024
--- Send us your questions --- Let's dive into another episode about Swiss German through the lens of the traditional Swiss radio game ‘ABC SRF 3’. We' haven’t laughed so much in an episode yet; we’ll let you decide if that’s 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 01:53 - Listener Feedback 04:06 - Swiss Bytes How to say things in different situations by regionThat is what they sound like 06:22 - Learning Swiss German Swiss German episodes on Swiss and ChipsOfficial page of ABCSRF3 with links to the gameScherenschnitt 19:34 - Listener poll: Vote here! ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:23:03

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Let‘s talk about Swiss National Day

7/18/2024
--- Send us your questions --- Swiss National Day is coming up! Let’s talk about what happens on the big day and what it means to the Swiss. We’ll help you figure out how to mark the occasion even if you haven’t been in Switzerland for long. We also have some new features in our podcast for you: “Swiss bytes”, 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 jedä cho 07:09 - Learning Swiss German Da chönt ja jedä cho 10:32 - 1st August: What to buy and what to do 16:05 - Listener Survey Fun with Flags ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:18:11

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How to survive Swiss queuing culture

3/5/2024
--- Send us your questions --- 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 you’re 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 queuing in Adelboden.on RedditLearning Swiss German ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:20:39

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Decoding Swiss German Nicknames

12/21/2023
--- Send us your questions --- 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 feedbackLearning Swiss German The Instagram video. ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:19:08

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What noise does an animal make in Swiss German?

12/7/2023
--- Send us your questions --- Discovering animal sounds in Swiss German: A fun exploration at the Dählhölzli Petting Zoo Come with us on a stroll through the famous Dählhölzli 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 she’d give anyone planning to move to Switzerland. Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland By Quick and dirty tippswhat a Bünzli isLearning Swiss German ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:19:55

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5 things you need to know before going to a Swiss cinema

11/23/2023
--- Send us your questions --- The experience of going to see a film in Switzerland has some quirks. The first question you’re probably going to ask yourself when trying to catch a new release is what language it’s 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 what’s 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 At this point, many thanks to our first new subscribers on Substack 🥳 and a special welcome to Amritam, Jane and Krissy 👋 Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland SubstackCinemanLearning Swiss German Swiss words we explain in this episode: “Schärmä”, not to be confused with “Schirm” (umbrella) or being “andercover”. And as a bonus, a more cinema-related word: “Küder”. ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:11:16

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Unboxing the Swiss ballot papers

10/19/2023
--- Send us your questions --- 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 Smartvote ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:15:45

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We taste traditional Swiss food and drink so you don't have to: Rivella

2/2/2023
--- Send us your questions --- 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 Learning Swiss German How to properly order a Rivella in Switzerland. ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:17:17

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From Bern to Colmar: Swiss and Chips over the border

12/22/2022
--- Send us your questions --- 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 here.Learning Swiss German The word in this episode was "biräweich". ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:10:35

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The must-know websites for Switzerland

12/1/2022
--- Send us your questions --- 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 audio file to our inboxVote results Full listGalaxusGonsertuttianibisComparisToppreisedeeplMeteo SuisseMobilityPeakfinderAlertswiss How to find an apartment in Switzerland as an expatLearning Swiss German The word in this episode was "Sidäfin". ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:18:48

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Six things you'll find in a Swiss kitchen (and what's missing!)

11/10/2022
--- Send us your questions --- 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 resultshelpful commentAromatKressihereherehereLearning Swiss German Chnuuschti - if you have a better explanation, let us know in the comments. ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:20:20

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Voting in Switzerland

10/20/2022
--- Send us your questions --- 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 Learning Swiss German Our word in this episode: 'Gfröörli'. ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:16:55

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Driving to the UK from Switzerland

9/29/2022
--- Send us your questions --- 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 that’s worth talking about and sharing with you. Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland Recommendations in our Facebook GroupChannel Tunnel videoLearning Swiss German Our word(s) in this episode: 'Plapperä' and 'Plapperi'. ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:13:42

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Becoming Swiss, part seven: 'Crossing the Finish Line'

9/8/2022
--- Send us your questions --- 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'. ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:13:55

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A 'BEA' Special: the must-see traditional Swiss agricultural fair

5/2/2022
--- Send us your questions --- 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 BEA websiteThe mapSchwarzseeon our website.Learning Swiss German Our word in this episode is: 'Zuckerwatte'. ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: hello@swissandchips.com Send a voice message to play on the show +41 76 282 67 66 Find us on Threads Swiss and Chips, Jo and Simon Find us on Instagram ... Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music Other ways to subscribe

Duration:00:11:18