Noticeable Differences

1) On Sunday, stores are closed. There is a gas station in Ittigen that is open and many of the shops in the Bern trains station stay open but that is it. Stores also close at 7pm on weekdays and at 5pm on Saturday.

2) No washing of clothes is done on Sunday, and not allowed in rental buildings. Sunday is family day and taken seriously from what I gather.

3) Certain food items that we are used to in the U.S. are not available or difficult to find and expensive here. Some include brown sugar, molasses, real vanilla extract, decaf tea. Although you can find a version of sliced, packaged bread here, it isn't commonly used and not real attractive. There is a wonderful variety of fresh bread available daily at all markets though.

4) Everyone bags their own grocery...everyone. Most bring their own bag, or own a wheeled cart (almost looks like a rolling suitcase) that they pack their groceries into after paying. We own one of these and I view it as a necessity. You can purchase reusable or paper bags at the counter if needed.
5) Everyone owns a Nespresso machine. This is an automatic espresso machine into which small capsules are inserted for each use to perfectly brew a single cup of coffee. You can buy capsules of different varieties.

6) People are reserved. Trains, trams, buses, streets and grocery stores are quiet. People don't talk much in these situations. When we ride the train, the children's voices echo through the cars. There is no doubt that foreigners are on board.

7) Everyone is active and fit. You see 60+ year-olds riding scooters down the hill to town center and lugging their skis on the train.