As a Chinese who studies at ETH, I definitely relate to the racism thing you mentioned. Even among the professors there is racism from time to time…And pretty often I was recognized as Japanese because I look “fashionable”. I think the fact that there are so few Asians here makes people don’t realize there are actually big differences between Asians.
We have also been here for a year.....and I would agree to your summation. Not only is customer service slow....it is often unfriendly. When we go home for the summer......I'm almost shocked at how friendly and helpful the customer service is. (example....returning Amazon purchases at Kohl's department store.....wow!). After having spent 4 years in Uzbekistan it has been lovely here....and we do plan to stay. To speak to your comments on the ignorant racism....my husband is black American and is often asked (almost disdainfully) if he is African. Also....some Swiss folks just seem irritated when they learn we are American..... so...there's that. I've enjoyed watching your adventures....hope this year goes well for you! Prost!
We have set up standing orders with our bank to automatically pay things like rent/mortgage. It is a normal thing, we set it up in our bank app in a few minutes. Better check that again.
as Swiss I think it is very interesting, what you say thank you, the automatic bank payment should not really be a problem, there is a option where you can say as example under this amount just pay it (I pay like this my phone bills etc / I am with Migros Bank but think other banks should have the option too / the racism is a sad part as we sometimes do not know how to treat people from other countries as we are not use to it (and think Zurich is not the worst place for that in Switzerland), so thanks again for reflection on Switzerland hope a lot of people see it and we just go on improving our skills and help everybody to feel comfortable here (and yes do not buy Amazon here, we are an Island in Europe (Tax Island))
@@oliviaschuler6054 Because it's not in the Customs Union. To be clear, when importing goods from the EU, you get a refund for the 20% VAT most EU countries have, and then you pay the Swiss VAT (7%). Of course, many EU businesses _don't know_ how to do it and of course, there are many ways of tax dodging, but it's tax dodging (illegal if you prefer).
Well, with 2500 Korean citizens in Switzerland, unsurprisingly Korean culture is widely unknown. On the other hand, we have many people with roots in Erythrea or Albania, which is also cool (and not very known on a global scale)
I dont think racism has anything to do with how “well known” a country is to others. It should be common sense that it’s a bit rude to pass a stranger on the streets and yell stereotypical racial phrases
@@chaejik Hmm, when I go to the Philippines to visit my girlfriend they would call me "Joe from America". Should I be mad? - No, because I know historically the Philippines was colonized by the Americans after the Spanish, so that's what they assume when they see a white person in the province there. I grew up in Switzerland as a native Swiss and even 25 years back in primary school 40% of my class mates were foreigners in our village of 5000 inhabitants. I had class mates from Chile, Spain, Sweden, Serbia, Kosovo, Turkye, Tunesia, Cuba and more. We didn't judge each other by the skin colour or any steoretype, the Swiss German language and our village was our bond that we belonged together. Although it could happen what you experienced, that you were judged by your appearance, like skin colour or height or soft skills like school grades (They would bully me as a nerd because of my excellent grades). Even as a Swiss, some balkan people they would call you "Swiss cheese", "farmer" or whatever to make you uncomfortable but if you take it seriously they win. Don't listen to those people. If they would ask if you are Chinese, it's because they can't differentiate between Asian nations, and in the end you are American anyway. So how should they know? Some of my cousins are half-Vietnamese, some other they are half-Korean. All of them born and raised in Switzerland. If you talk to them in Chinese, Korean, or English, or even worse in standard German would they feel offended? Yes, for sure - because they are definitely Swiss, never been to South Korea or Vietnam (the husband of my auntie, he is a deaf war refugee from Vietnam war) and they speak Swiss German, behave like a Swiss, only eat rice like once a week not like me now as someone influenced by Filipino cuisine with a rice cooker at home. So you see, it's difficult. In every aspect, it's difficult to assume the background just based on appearance - that's why I will talk in Swiss German to everyone here in Zurich, and if they don't understand switch to English.
I think generally speaking for non Asian countries and for people who have not had any relation with Asian culture. You would most likely look like Chinese. I’m from Colombia and I’m tired of hearing things about cocaine, narcos and stuff.. it’s just a general perception which should not get you uncomfortable.. there are always exceptions but it’s what it is…
If you have set up ebill for recurring transactions you can set a threshold for each biller up to what amount per month/week you want to accept automatically
I have been following your videos for a while. What a nice vlog! I am based in London amd will be moving to Zug in just over a weeks time. Do uou think these issues are a deal breaker for you ? I have family there and they own a PO box in Germany. That is a way to buy certain things from Amazon. Not sure if it helps qkth tax though. For me i guess it means i need to buy my expensive coffeee machine from amazon before i leave 😂 I really hope that i dont have yo approve all my bills manually every month.
Thanks! And no not necessarily deal breakers. You can also take trips to the neighboring countries and buy things if you really need. (At least it helps me spend less than I would have otherwise) The PO box is definitely a good idea
@@chaejik yes, there are so many pluses about Switzerland. Travelling is one of them. How do you find it the recycling challenge ? It’s pretty strict inSwitzerland?
I wanted to say something. It might make some of you feel a bit better. If no one offends you directly for being a different nationality, race, or religion, know that this is not racism for the majority of Europeans. Most are just curious and cautious about how to behave properly in front of you. The American racism is only in America. Balkans and most other Europeans like the East, actually. The biggest form of racism someone will give you is a stare, which is normal for anything that's different from the usual. It might feel like a cultural difference or discrimination (for the very rude people, unfortunately). Most Europeans won't mind you being different, as long as you don't push it into their face. I don't think any of you are, so feel free to enjoy yourselves and be happy!
I think Racism is generally a thing in Switzerland, I would often think Racism was only done to Africans, buh hearing u say this? Damn... Ion knoa what to think 😂
When my daughter would complain about things when she was a child ... i told her many times, if i could i would send you to africa for 3 weeks ... she would come back being thankful for all what Switzerland offers
There’s no place like this abundant nation of USA. Switzerland is beautiful in many areas, however some places there have a backward mentality. Even some five-star hotels are fuddy-duddy. I guess you have to take the good with the bad just like any place on earth. China and Japan are powerful nations, and Korea is sandwiched between them so naturally it is not well recognized as you would think, like China and Japan. So don’t get offended or take it as a racism, just educate them because some of these people usually are not well educated or cultured.
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. Just because people are unaware, does not make it "not racist". I can have empathy to understand why they might do certain actions, but to say you should just "not get offended or take it as racism" is sweeping the problem under the rug. Also, I wouldn't say Korea is not well recognized in this day and age. I won't get into the stats as I know you're trying to be supportive, but I just wanted to make it clear. And sometimes, it shouldn't be the job of the person on the receiving end to have to educate others on what not to do.
