Cheese, chocolate and fondue is what most people think about when they hear Switzerland. Here are the top 7 things you need to know about Switzerland:
1. Recycling!!
Switzerland recycles more than any other country in the world. Families in Switzerland have to pay a tax per trash bag they use. Each month any paper they have gets picked up and recycled. Everything gets used. Any food scraps are put into a compost bin. Nothing goes to waste.
2. Street lights
In the United States, street lights go from green to yellow to red, and then from red to green. The yellow means start slowing down to a stop. Any driver knows
3. Transportation
In the United States, only big cities have good public transportation. In Switzerland, the only places that don't have good public transportation are a few small towns. Even in the
4. Internet
You will rarely find Swiss people watching more than one hour of t.v. per week and in many families the internet is turned off after a certain time at night. Swiss people focus more on family time than on social media. Many people only have one TV and most teens watch tv on their phones or computers.
6. Clean Water
In Switzerland, all of the water is drinkable, and I mean all of it. Water from the bathroom sink is clean. Many people actually fill up their water bottles in a fountain that they pass. This is perfectly safe! The only time you may not be able to drink the water from the fountain is when there is a grate covering the water spout.
7. Politeness
The Swiss people are always polite! They may not smile at you when you pass them but if you say Hallo they will always reply. When you are in Switzerland, do not forget to say "Bitte" (please) and Danke (thank you). This small act means so much to the Swiss people.
8. Languages
Switzerland has four major languages, Swiss German, French, Italian, and Romansh. But, from a young age people are taught English in school. Most people you talk to will know English; so, if you're ever lost or have a question, just ask.
