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Speaking from experience: people in small towns in the German speaking Alpine region may be more friendly to tourists (since that's what they make their money with), but are even more brutal and exclusive to foreigners in daily life. Foreigners include people from actual foreign countries and people just living in the village 10km down the road. It's not racism, but those are small communities where everybody knows each other.
OP may be in for an unpleasant surprise when he's stuck in a small ass town with just a couple of "Wirtshäuser" where the locals hang around. Especially when he keeps refusing to learn the language. Better to stay in the expat bubble of Zürich than to be completely alone...
Basically almost anywhere in Spain. Even in touristy cities such as Barcelona and Madrid the people are very friendly. They just like to socialize. You have to speak the language though, or at least have a slight understanding of it.
Basically almost anywhere in Spain. Even in touristy cities such as Barcelona and Madrid the people are very friendly. They just like to socialize. You have to speak the language though, or at least have a slight understanding of it.
Yeah, Spaniards in general seem a lot more likely to talk your ear off (if you get off on a friendly foot) than any other groups I've been around in Europe. They're the funnest people, but it can be exhausting if you're an introvert.
Basically almost anywhere in Spain. Even in touristy cities such as Barcelona and Madrid the people are very friendly. They just like to socialize. You have to speak the language though, or at least have a slight understanding of it.
While Germans are a little friendlier and more open than the Swiss, most are still difficult to make friends with. The Swiss are basically just uber Germans magnified. Any traits Germans have, you can magnify by 10 for the Swiss.
I think in general most Europeans are like this, but the Swiss take it to a whole other level. I've done a lot of travel in Europe and can say the Swiss are definitely the most reclusive and hardest to make friends with.
The German Swiss say that they're slow to make friends, but once they accept you as a friend, you're friends for life, and they're very loyal. In some ways this is better than the superficial kind of friendship you find in some parts of the world.
Yep, try many years. Been living here 2 years now and despite my efforts of joining social/activity groups etc, it just seems they aren't interested.
All foreigners say the same thing. Knew of a guy who lived here 10 years and couldn't make a single friend.
Switzerland is a lonely place for a foreigner.
There must be a good expat scene in Zurich. That might be your best bet for friends.
The smaller towns in southern Germany can be friendly, but you need to speak German for the friendliness to happen. Do you speak German, OP? If not, I'm sure that's part of your problem.
The German Swiss say that they're slow to make friends, but once they accept you as a friend, you're friends for life, and they're very loyal. In some ways this is better than the superficial kind of friendship you find in some parts of the world.
Exactly, that's why the Germans are the best kind of the people when it comes to a decent companion.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ISTJ
Originally from Australia and now living in Zurich.
The only thing I hate about Zurich (and Switzerland in General) is the people. They are extremely reserved, xenophobic, racist, and impossible to make friends with.
Thinking of moving back to Australia but also wondering if there are any cities in Europe where the people are friendly, open, welcoming, and easy to make friends with. This does not include UK, so I'm just talking about continental Europe.
I'd prefer cities in a colder climate, as Southern Europe tends to get too hot in summer.
They probably don't want to be friends with just about everyone. Most Europeans and especially Germans/Swiss are very selective. They have to KNOW a person for a long time, before they consider to be friends.
I think, Germans like to have a sense of purpose before initiating a conversation. Saying "Hi, how are you", or "What's up" to a total stranger is pretty foreign to them, and they don't rush over to become instant friends with someone.
nothing wrong with that at all
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