So it looks like I'll be going to Switzerland next week.
One thing has just came to mind for me when thinking about my move- Switzerland isn't in the EU so probably has a lot of different laws.
I've nearly been caught out by foreign countries having different and unexpected laws to home in the past. For instance when I went to Holland I crossed the street while the light was red (no cars anywhere in sight) and had a policeman really have a go at me, apparently it is illegal there whereas in the UK it is not at all.
So I'm wondering, are there any special laws to beware of in Switzerland that may be a bit of a surprise to foreigners?
I'm not necessarily talking about really serious stuff that will get me thrown in gaol for 10 years here, but just little differences that could catch people unawares.
A new one I learnt this week is do not pick the fruit from your neighbors tree that overhangs your boundary without first asking them if you may.
They have the option of refusing you - in which case they then ask you if they may pick it. You then have the option of refusing them access to your property to come pick the fruit.
I`m not too clear on the next step . . . I guess it must be to wait and see which side of the boundary the rotten fruit falls? If its rotten can I throw it back to the fruit owners side? Or am I obliged to keep it, even if I don`t want it?
You should drive with the car lights on all the time. Pay close attention to speed restrictions, on my 30 min commute they change from 60 to 40 to 50 and back about every two hundred meters. Do not get caught doing 60 where 40 is allowed or you'll soon be riding bicycles only.
This actually happened to a guy I was working with a few years back. Went out at lunch time for a jog, nearly finished his usual route and then ran out in front of a truck on a completely straight road. We believe he looked the wrong way!
The UK highway code is not legally binding. Only if it uses the word must (+- not) does it mean that any specific rule is also a legal requirement. I see from your link that they've now decided to capitalise and bold theser words in any such rules, of which there appear to be just three of the 35 in that section.
Any other rule is just advisory, not legally enforceable in itself.
I’ll use this from the UK Highway Code because it’s very relevant here.
Zebra crossings. Give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross.
Make sure traffic is stopping before you start to cross. I’ve seen a near miss where someone used the crossing, having checked for traffic, but a car nearly took her out just the same. She made the mistake of thinking that because he was a fair way from the crossing he’d see her and stop, but he didn’t. If she’d taken one more step she wouldn’t be with us now.
Something else that may surprise you if you have a dog is the strict dog ownership laws here. I won’t go into them as they may not be relevant for you, but if they are have a look under the Pet Corner section for the sticky there about them.
And if by chance you’re not British/European nationality check whether you need a Type D visa to enter Switzerland long term.
No, the rotten fruit that belongs to neighbours who are unable to claim it because you refuse them access to your garden is collected in a special bag that you must buy from your Gemeinde. You then have to fill in form 516A-X-92 in black ink, or if you prefer 516A-Y-97 in dark blue ink, explaining the location of the true and whether or not it is an indigineous tree and harbours any parasites. The Gemeinde will then come and remove the tree and send you a bill.