As an American in Zürich, I am acutely aware of the fact that I don't really fit in. I am making progress at blending in, but I still look undeniably American. I enjoy observing people as I make my way around the city, and my ability to spot other Americans is quite good. I actually really enjoy seeing how Americans respond to Switzerland, since I remember being new here and what it was like.
Yesterday, I spotted a couple waiting for the tram, and I just knew that they were American. They got on the tram and were definitely speaking English with American accents. Score one for me!
In the evening, I was out in the center of the city with some friends and spotted two middle-aged men who looked American. They entered a cross-walk, spotted some cars approaching and immediately broke into a run across the street. (Cars have to stop for pedestrians in cross-walks here. In fact, if you're even sort of near a cross-walk, often cars stop on the chance that you want to cross.) All of the other people crossing the street just looked at them confusedly and continued walking at a normal pace. As the guys reached the other side of the street, I overheard one say to the other, "The cars must have to stop. I just don't understand!" My friends and I just giggled. Oh, Americans...
Yesterday, I spotted a couple waiting for the tram, and I just knew that they were American. They got on the tram and were definitely speaking English with American accents. Score one for me!
In the evening, I was out in the center of the city with some friends and spotted two middle-aged men who looked American. They entered a cross-walk, spotted some cars approaching and immediately broke into a run across the street. (Cars have to stop for pedestrians in cross-walks here. In fact, if you're even sort of near a cross-walk, often cars stop on the chance that you want to cross.) All of the other people crossing the street just looked at them confusedly and continued walking at a normal pace. As the guys reached the other side of the street, I overheard one say to the other, "The cars must have to stop. I just don't understand!" My friends and I just giggled. Oh, Americans...
