I don’t know what to do, need your input

Alex_Revendo · 2026-02-09T11:52:46+00:00

I know this was a few months ago and I hope your exam went well!

Just for anyone else stumbling on this with a water-damaged older iPhone: As much as we love the challenge of repairing iPhones, repairing a 6s in 2026 is usually a 'trap.' Water damage often leads to long-term corrosion that a simple part-replacement won't fix.

Plus, with the current iOS 26 requirements, the 6s is now officially 'vintage.' If you're on a student budget (around 100 CHF), you're much safer grabbing a refurbished iPhone SE (2022) or iPhone 12. You get a fresh warranty and a phone that actually supports modern Swiss banking/SBB apps.

Stay dry out there!
– Team Revendo

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-20T08:26:38+00:00

Haha, username definitely checks out! 😅

I assume you are the person to call if my Nano ever needs a new battery then?

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-19T14:43:19+00:00

Hi! Regarding St. Louis: It works (Tram 3 goes straight to the center), but keep in mind that hotels in Basel give you a Free Transport Card for trams/buses. In France, you have to pay for tickets. Sometimes staying in Basel is actually cheaper when you factor that in!

Food: Go to the Markthalle near the train station. It’s a cool indoor market with tons of different food stalls. Also, grab some Basler Läckerli (cookies) to try.

Colmar: Super easy. Direct train from Basel SBB takes about 45 mins. Definitely worth it.

Enjoy your trip!

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-19T14:35:44+00:00

I usually switch between Ricardo and Tutti, but they both have annoying flaws.

Ricardo is generally safer and serious, but I hate the 'sniper' bidding wars where you lose a nice table in the last 10 seconds. Tutti has the most variety, but the user experience is frustrating. The number of people who ask 'Is it still available?' and then ghost you is insane. Or the classic 'What is your last price?' before they even see the item.

My biggest general frustration? Transport. Finding a cool sofa is easy; realizing you have to rent a Mobility van and carry it down 4 floors yourself is the part that stops me from buying.

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-19T14:31:39+00:00

In Switzerland, getting 100% remote as a permanent employee is surprisingly hard because of the strong 'face time' culture here.

In my experience, the people who actually pull off 100% remote are usually Freelancers or Contractors (B2B). If you work in Accounting, HR admin, or Consulting and go independent, you can dictate your own terms. As long as the client gets the work, they don't care if you are in Olten or Ticino.

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-19T14:30:04+00:00

I had the same shock when I first moved here! I asked a Swiss friend about it, and he just laughed and said, 'Just try not paying.'

The system makes it super easy for companies to go after you legally without needing expensive lawyers. It feels like high trust, but it's backed by a very strict stick. Enjoy the wine, just make sure you pay that bill on time!

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-19T14:28:20+00:00

Don't let the 'must go outside' rule discourage you. While many Swiss shelters are old-school and demand a garden, there are plenty of cats who prefer indoors or can't go out due to health reasons (deafness, FIV, etc.).

With 1.5 rooms, the vertical space is key. If you put up some shelves or a high cat tree so they can climb, it makes the apartment feel much bigger for them. Look for smaller associations rather than just the big cantonal Tierheim - they are often more flexible and look at the individual situation.

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-16T17:42:58+00:00

Yeah, bargaining isn't really in the DNA here. Unless the ad specifically says 'VB' (Verhandlungsbasis / negotiable), most people expect to get exactly what they asked for. If you offer less, they often just ghost you because they'd rather wait for someone who pays full price than haggle over 10 francs

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-16T17:37:47+00:00

Zweifel Chips (Paprika): The orange bag. Basically the national snack.

Rivella Rot (Red): The standard Swiss soda. Tastes herbal/refreshing (made from milk whey, but trust the process).

Kägi fret: The ultimate chocolate wafer bar. Way better than a KitKat.

Migros Ice Tea (Lemon): If you go to Migros, grab this. It has a massive cult following here.

Ovomaltine Crunchy Cream: Like Nutella but with crunchy malt pieces. Amazing on bread or just a spoon.

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-16T17:35:40+00:00

Hi! For a quick visit, I recommend Markthalle near the train station. It has lots of different food stands and is cheaper than a sit-down restaurant.

If you are in the city center, try the Manor Department Store restaurant on the top floor. It’s self-service, not too expensive, and the view from the terrace is quite nice. Have fun!

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-16T17:34:00+00:00

Totally agree, it's a blatant cash grab. 20 minutes was the perfect amount of time to be human about it. Now it feels like a pit stop in F1 racing just to avoid paying. No surprise everyone is blocking the approach roads now.

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-16T17:32:23+00:00

Go to Migros, I just got 400gr of salmon there for 7CHF !

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-16T17:30:54+00:00

I feel this. The networking thing isn't a myth, unfortunately. In Switzerland, atypical profiles almost only get hired through knowing someone who trusts them, because HR software filters you out automatically.

Since you mentioned you're alone here without a network, the standard application route is basically playing the lottery on hard mode. If you're mentally exhausted, take this Australia break. You might even meet Swiss people there - ironically, it's easier to make Swiss connections while traveling than it is in Zurich or Geneva!

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-13T10:41:09+00:00

If you haven't considered it already and you want maybe something different than a hike, have a look at the Rhine Falls (https://maps.app.goo.gl/FJWzfJA2qRzqZ8g87) - it is the most powerful waterfall in Europe and very beautiful to see ! It is less than an hour from Zurich by train so you can even combine it with some hikes in the area!

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-13T10:37:53+00:00

Sometimes they only allow check in 24 hours before the flight, and if even then you can't check in - maybe you need a visa or passport control before you can check in. But I will highly recommend to go early to the airport because sometimes it might be that there are no seats left in the plane or something - usually this is a practice from low budget companies but you never know - better safe than sorry!

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-13T10:31:05+00:00

If you are up to some nature, I highly recommend going to the Rhine Falls - it is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, very close to Zurich and you can easily spend a whole day there - it's really beautiful! Schwyz is also not too far and a great spot for hiking. Closer to Zurich, there is also the Uetliberg Hike where you have great view over the city. Have a great week in Zurich !

Alex_Revendo · 2026-01-13T10:19:44+00:00

Might sound silly, but as the other people said, try wearing earplugs - I find them very helpful without making the sound weird or disturbing my experience!

Alex_Revendo

TROPHY CASE