Swiss food, nostalgia, and economic quirks It’s that magical time of year again – the air is crisp, the leaves are turning gold, and my inner Swiss is screaming for those Swiss delights that remind me of my childhood. Yes, winter is here, and with it comes the irresistible craving for raclette and fondue, those glorious dairy-based dishes that warm both the belly and the soul. So off I trotted to our favourite upscale supermarket, visions of bubbling cheese and crusty bread d

Swiss politics and identity through cultural symbols There are moments in life when you realise just how differently countries operate. Take car licence plates, for instance. Here are some facts about Swiss number plates that may surprise you. 🏷️ 1. Licence Plates for Life – Like Marriage, But More Binding In most countries, plates belong to the car. Easy. Logical. Efficient. Predictable. Switzerland looked at that idea and said: “Nein. Too easy.” In Switzerland, your plates

Digital life, bureaucracy, and living abroad Last week, my wife and I went to see Back to the Future in concert – 40 years after its premiere. Forty years! Sometimes I do feel old. As the orchestra launched into that epic opening theme and the DeLorean thundered to life, I felt chills – partly from nostalgia, partly from the dawning realisation that humanity has somehow managed to invent AI that writes poetry, but not a single functioning time machine. And frankly, some days,

Swiss politics seen from a Japanese perspective Last month, I once again did my civic duty (or privilege, as I prefer to view it) as a Swiss citizen: I voted in a national referendum. Other countries argue over national elections every few years and then leave it to the lawmakers to make the actual decisions. But not so in Switzerland, where democracy is served four times a year, fondue-style, and every citizen is invited to dip their bread into the bubbling pot of policy. On

Blending in, standing out, and expat identity Living in Japan as a Western foreigner can be rather interesting. People spot you, freeze, and then quietly decide not to engage unless absolutely necessary. It's entertaining, frustrating, and occasionally useful, depending on how much social interaction you're trying to avoid that day. No matter how long I've lived here, my face will always be a dead giveaway that I'm not from around here. And with that comes a whole bouquet of

Marking years abroad and life in Japan On 30 September, I will be celebrating my 29th Japaniversary – that's right, 29 years since I started a new life in the Land of the Rising Sun, with almost zero language skills and no job, but with a Japanese wife and a suitcase full of optimism. Now, I hadn't just stumbled into Japan like a confused tourist looking for Mt. Fuji. I had visited twice before. The first time was to spend a few weeks with my then-girlfriend, criss-crossing t

Swiss traditions and identity viewed from Japan So, here's a fun fact: around 11% of Swiss citizens live abroad. That's right – roughly one in ten people born in the land of cheese, Toblerone, and punctual trains have packed their bags and said "Thanks, but I'm off." And the trend is up. Now, this might come as a shock. After all, Switzerland is often seen as an Alpine utopia (albeit an expensive one!) – a place where cows wear bells, mountains look like postcards, and everyt

The many meanings of “sumimasen” in daily life Last week, I talked about the British "apology reflex" – that charming Olympic sport where two strangers bump into each other and then spend the next five minutes locked in a duel of “No, I insist, it was my fault!” until someone either dies of politeness or misses their train. So, what about Japan, I hear you ask? Well, here it’s a bit different. If you collide with someone on the street, you’ll usually get a quick 「すみません」(sumim

Apologies, nuance, and cultural expectations in Japan Last week, I reflected on how different cultures handle small talk. Just a day later, I was reminded of this in the most unexpectedly sweaty way: while trying to pay for a bottle of water at a convenience store: I confidently stride into my local 7-Eleven, parched from my 37°C walk. I grab a bottle of chilled mineral water, in a bid to avert heat stroke, head to the counter and whip out my phone like a digital samurai, App

Language mishaps and translation quirks in Japan The other day, I made what I believed to be a casual, innocent comment to my wife. You know, one of those soft suggestions disguised as idle musings. I merely said, "It's been a while since we had a proper full English breakfast." Translation: My soul is dying inside, please send bacon. I wasn't demanding. I wasn't even requesting. It was just a subtle cry for help – a whisper, really – in the general direction of cholesterol.

Japan’s readiness culture through Swiss humour Last week, my wife and I went to the opera – expecting culture, drama, and, inevitably, an overpriced glass of champagne (but that's part of the experience). What we didn't expect was a full-scale disaster preparedness briefing before the curtain even rose. The announcement, delivered in both Japanese and English, wasn’t just about turning off your phone or refraining from illegal filming. No, this was a detailed monologue on ear

Swiss order meets Japanese social expectations Switzerland’s flag is basically the peak of minimalist design - sleek, square, and effortlessly stylish. While other countries went wild with complicated patterns that could win an embroidery contest, Switzerland kept it simple: red background, white cross, no unnecessary fluff. It’s the flag equivalent of an espresso - unapologetically strong, practical, and secretly judging anyone who adds cream. But the Swiss flag nearly took

Japan’s waste rules and cultural discipline Japanese sports fans have earned global admiration for their magical ability to clean up after themselves before leaving stadiums. They don’t just toss their trash - they meticulously gather it, sort it, and leave the place better than when they arrived. It’s basically a post-game cleaning ritual, like a victory dance, but with garbage bags. This comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with Japan’s school system, where children are

Tokyo’s dog culture and its charming extremes Japan is shrinking. Well, not geographically, but demographically. It turns out, people just aren't making enough more people. Over the past thirty years, Japan's birthrate has dropped from 1.50 to 1.26. In the same time period, the percentage of over 65s has risen from 12% to 29%, now making up almost one third of the entire population. Japan may have one of the longest life expectancies, but the nation's population has been in d

Swiss unity, politics, and cultural identity abroad The contrast couldn't be more dramatic. In the world's richest and most powerful country, a president has taken office who is determined to use every inch of executive power to push through his agenda, with the world watching on in bemusement. Meanwhile, in the rich - but somewhat less powerful - Switzerland (more"chocolate and watches" than "global dominance"), it's not always clear what the president and her government col

Swiss citizenship debates from a Japanese vantage point Being in an international marriage comes with its fair share of complications, and no, I’m not talking about clashing cultures or language barriers - after all, plenty of couples share a nationality and still can’t agree on the correct way to load a dishwasher. No, I’m talking about the practical implications of navigating two different passports. On paper, both my wife and I are the proud holders of travel documents

Cultural surprises and everyday oddities in Japan Japan has been surfing a tidal wave of popularity lately - both as a holiday hotspot and a full-time home. As a result, my neighbourhood has turned into a veritable United Nations parade every time I step out for a jog or walk. Given that by the end of 2024, a record-breaking 3.8 million foreigners called this home, it's hardly surprising that running into fellow members of the "foreign species" has become quite routine. That

Tokyo’s seasonal style and cultural expression Only days after a surprise snowfall in Tokyo, spring has suddenly sprung, with temperatures in the mid 20s (Celsius, not Fahrenheit!). One moment you’re dusting off your snow boots, and the next, it feels like British midsummer in March. Naturally, this means it’s time for me to shed the layers and don T-shirt and shorts for my daytime outings (though obviously not for work - that would be pushing it too far). But the best pa

Japan’s tech contradictions through Swiss eyes In the grandiose age of a cashless world, where debit cards, electronic payment Apps and QR codes reign supreme, you’d think that paying a bill would be as smooth as a freshly minted coin gliding over silk. There are so many options out there to part with your hard-earned money electronically: Some are universal, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal. Others are localised solutions, such as the hugely popular Twint in Switzer

Mispronunciations, identity, and communication abroad My bank has been on a crusade, encouraging everyone to upgrade to their new bank card with the latest security features. Apparently, even in a country as safe as Japan, there are always crafty fraudsters lurking in the shadows. The new card is a marvel of modern technology, combining the functions of a cash card, credit card, and debit card all in one. The catch? Switching to this new super-card is more of a quest than a q