https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Switzerland in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Shopping is not merely about filling your cart with food and other necessities — where in Switzerland you choose to shop also reveals quite a bit about you. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240802/what-your-choice-of-swiss-supermarket-says-about-you Fri, 02 Aug 2024 13:22:33 +0200 what-your-choice-of-swiss-supermarket-says-about-you Yes, Switzerland is known for its mouth-watering chocolate. But there are plenty of other sweet treats that you should definitely sample at least once. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230810/five-classic-swiss-treats-you-need-to-try-that-arent-chocolate Thu, 10 Aug 2023 10:55:32 +0200 five-classic-swiss-treats-you-need-to-try-that-arent-chocolate Small in size, Switzerland is big on diversity. Here are nine maps that help you understand this curious country. https://www.thelocal.ch/20200216/z-maps-that-help-explain-switzerland Sun, 16 Feb 2020 22:34:56 +0100 z-maps-that-help-explain-switzerland Whether it is in a tent, caravan, or mobile home: wild camping in Switzerland is only permitted in certain locations and under special conditions. Here’s what you need to know, https://www.thelocal.ch/20230616/reader-question-is-wild-camping-allowed-in-switzerland Fri, 16 Jun 2023 09:57:51 +0200 reader-question-is-wild-camping-allowed-in-switzerland The Swiss may not have a reputation for being funny but they actually have a great sense of humour. The Local compiled some jokes and funny quotes about Switzerland for our readers’ enjoyment. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210205/swiss-humour-yes-there-really-is-such-a-thing Fri, 05 Feb 2021 16:48:28 +0100 swiss-humour-yes-there-really-is-such-a-thing Some people don’t care where they shop, while others swear by one supermarket – or online retailer – over others. Where do Swiss consumers stand on this issue? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260721/revealed-the-retailers-swiss-consumers-like-best Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:59:11 +0200 revealed-the-retailers-swiss-consumers-like-best What does it take for Switzerland’s most popular exports, such as watches, chocolate, and cheese, to be officially branded “Swiss”? Do they even need to be produced in Switzerland. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230222/when-is-something-from-switzerland-officially-considered-swiss Wed, 22 Feb 2023 16:09:31 +0100 when-is-something-from-switzerland-officially-considered-swiss Whatever country you grew up in, you probably had an image of Switzerland which at least in part turned out to be false once you came here. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about this country and its people. https://www.thelocal.ch/20211018/9-stereotypes-about-switzerland-that-just-arent-true Mon, 18 Oct 2021 17:19:47 +0200 9-stereotypes-about-switzerland-that-just-arent-true Depending on how the matter plays out in the parliament, Switzerland’s cows could soon be wearing electric shock collars instead of bells around their necks. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260630/why-famous-swiss-cow-bells-could-soon-fall-silent Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:47:13 +0200 why-famous-swiss-cow-bells-could-soon-fall-silent Switzerland's political system can be a little confusing for international residents to get their head around. Here's a quick guide to help you understand how it works. https://www.thelocal.ch/20211129/a-foreigners-guide-to-understanding-swiss-politics-in-five-minutes Mon, 29 Nov 2021 13:01:41 +0100 a-foreigners-guide-to-understanding-swiss-politics-in-five-minutes If you have lived in the country a while, you know that things here change at a snail’s pace. There are several reasons why the Swiss like to take their sweet time — and it has nothing to do with watches. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230202/why-is-change-so-slow-to-take-root-in-switzerland Thu, 02 Feb 2023 15:20:41 +0100 why-is-change-so-slow-to-take-root-in-switzerland In a new book titled ‘Why Switzerland Became Rich: Facts and Myths of an Economic Miracle,’ its author, Swiss historian Markus Somm, outlines the factors that have contributed to the country’s impressive wealth. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260511/economic-miracle-new-book-explains-how-switzerland-became-so-rich Mon, 11 May 2026 16:50:11 +0200 economic-miracle-new-book-explains-how-switzerland-became-so-rich Switzerland has many rules (both written and not) about what is an acceptable and expected behaviour in all areas of life – including making and receiving calls. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260325/explained-the-right-and-wrong-way-to-answer-the-phone-in-switzerland Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:28:07 +0100 explained-the-right-and-wrong-way-to-answer-the-phone-in-switzerland In a new study, the vast majority of respondents — 69 percent — described themselves as 'Swiss', with only 4 percent identifying as 'European.' So why is that? https://www.thelocal.ch/20250612/why-so-many-in-switzerland-identify-only-as-swiss-rather-than-european Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:07:28 +0200 why-so-many-in-switzerland-identify-only-as-swiss-rather-than-european As we wrap up the Christmas period, you may be wondering how to dispose of your Christmas tree in Switzerland without getting stuck with a fine. Here’s how. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231227/explained-how-to-properly-dispose-of-a-christmas-tree-in-switzerland Wed, 27 Dec 2023 17:04:22 +0100 explained-how-to-properly-dispose-of-a-christmas-tree-in-switzerland Most Swiss cantons belong to German, French, or Italian linguistic regions. But there are also some where two national languages are spoken. Does that mean things can get complicated? https://www.thelocal.ch/20230720/what-you-should-know-about-living-in-switzerlands-bilingual-cantons Thu, 20 Jul 2023 13:12:57 +0200 what-you-should-know-about-living-in-switzerlands-bilingual-cantons Nothing disturbs your peace more than loud noises made by your neighbours. But Swiss law provides for some specific rules in such situations. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220913/reader-question-what-can-residents-in-switzerland-do-about-noisy-neighbours Tue, 13 Sep 2022 14:10:16 +0200 reader-question-what-can-residents-in-switzerland-do-about-noisy-neighbours From dodgy bankers to cuckoo clocks, William Tell to Swiss soldiers, Switzerland is a country where myths and stereotypes abound. We separate the facts from the fiction. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220801/myth-busters-five-things-about-switzerland-you-should-not-believe Mon, 01 Aug 2022 14:05:37 +0200 myth-busters-five-things-about-switzerland-you-should-not-believe In some countries, neighbours don’t need an instruction manual on how to treat each other in a courteous and respectful way. But the Swiss have their own — written and unwritten — etiquette. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210503/eight-tips-on-how-to-get-along-with-your-swiss-neighbours Mon, 03 May 2021 16:44:53 +0200 eight-tips-on-how-to-get-along-with-your-swiss-neighbours Aside from chocolate, cheese, watches and army knives, Switzerland is often synonymous with wealth. But why exactly is this small country of only around 9 million people so rich? https://www.thelocal.ch/20210602/how-did-switzerland-get-so-wealthy Wed, 02 Jun 2021 16:56:12 +0200 how-did-switzerland-get-so-wealthy