Quiet hours…Nachrühe

Being Spanish as I am, remaining quiet is a difficult task to achieve! Nevertheless ever since I’m in Switzerland I have tried very hard to integrate myself maintaining my essence. This has sometimes been a hard task especially when you are suggested not to do certain things at certain times…which to my surprise everybody finds usual and normal!!

In Switzerland there are a lot of expectations as to how to behave. There are unwritten laws which everyone follows as a learned behavior and which no one mentions, not because they don’t want, but just because they assume everybody behaves in the same way, not having to make any further notice!!

But believe me you are going to look as surprised as I did when I started to hear that I could not shower or even flush the toilet after 10pm!! When I first heard this image rushed into my head…what if I ever have a midnight hurry?? How am I supposed to proceed? Shall I leave the, well …(you understand me)… there until next morning?? I have never done this question to anyone, not event to you…as here are certain things I’d rather not have an answer for and just proceed as I would normally do!!

The best recommendation I can give you is to keep your eyes and ears opened, and never judge but look for guidance. The way to fit into a new situation or a new culture is to observe and adjust to the surroundings.

Having said so, quiet hours are set:                                                              

-          Daily from 12.00- 13.00 (lunch hour) and from 22.00 – 7.00 (night rest)

-          Hole of Sundays and any Public Holidays.

During this time, I would reduce the amount of noise and will pay special attention to:

-          TV, radio or music volume.

-          Flushing the toilet

-          Taking a shower

-          Vacuum cleaning

-          Doing laundry (some buildings actually shut off electricity to the machines at this time)

-          Gardening

-          Recycling glass bottles

-          Drilling, hanging pictures ... basically no diy (Do It Yourself)

Some apartment buildings have strict quiet hours and these may include specific things a non-Swiss person may not typically associate with loud noise. For this reason clauses may be included in your apartment rental contract.