Yet another import who found it tough to make friends with the Swiss. Anybody have some advice for someone living in the Basel area (please omit the clearly obvious, such as "just be yourself"). I've traveled all over the world and no where has been as hard to make friends with strangers. The only people even slightly interested are other ex-pats.
Is this normal in your experience as well?

I've found it takes quite some time to really make friends with the Swiss locals. The come over for a drink and a barbie, spontaneous invitations which I was used to don't seem to be as prevalent here but making the effort and creating those kinds of events ourselves does work in making new friends.

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Bring on Summer!

*raises hand*

Welcome to Basel. I live just over the border in Germany, but close enough.

You're right, it's not that easy to just jump in and get to know the locals. Even here in Germany it is not so simple, even in comparison to the north of the country.

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Not allowed? Me? I'm allowed everywhere!

Don't live in Basel, we are beautiful Zug cantonites. We've found it exceptionally hard to make friends with Swiss people - although I doubt our mentalist of seven helps. I did think it would be easier, just before we left Bangkok I did a TESOL course. another participant was a Swiss man who seemed like a good enough egg he was jovial and social (although looking back he never got a drink for anyone except himself). He came from the Italian part of Switzerland and spoke alll the official languages as well as English and Portuguese. He said he'd trained as a Geologist but couldn't get a job. While we were doing the course he enjoyed our hospitality on more than a few occasions and effectively told us a pack of big fat fibs about himself. The language aspect was true, I heard them with my own ears. The geology part was an untruth and he ended up in big trouble with the management of the hostel he was staying at I doubt if we'd receive a warm welcome from his parents if we took up his offer of a holiday. So, in my rather long winded way I would say it is virtually impossible to make friends unless they are those with benefits.

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One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art.

Hey I'm a bit late with my response, but since I have swiss blood though am clearly more expat thought I drop my two cents worth.

I've found it even diffucult getting to know my own swiss relatives. Cousins that are my same age, after living here over a year, am I only starting to get know one of my cousins more and it is still a challenge. If you want to make friends with them you need to really work at it, it will take time.

And like anywhere there are some really worth it swiss friends and others that you might want to think twice about.

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trust no one

Hey Matt.
I also live in Basel. Haven't made many Swiss friends, but do got some other foreigners friends
What are your hobbies? We have a photoclub, a runningclub, then there are some bookclubs and currynights sometimes.