Stuck in a traffic jam again? 33 tips against boredom and stress in the car
Every year again - traffic jams at Easter. From egg hunts to a change of perspective: here are 33 (more or less serious) tips to help combat monotonous moments in the car.
It goes without saying, but we still don't want to leave it unmentioned: The tips are only partially aimed at drivers. Despite all the fun they have with our top tips, they should always keep their eyes on the road. Drive safely! 🚗🙏
For the Easter traffic jam: on the hunt for eggs
As the saying goes? Preparation is half the battle. Hide small chocolate eggs and other mini sweets as well as bunny stickers in the car before setting off. If your passengers get search fever and suddenly discover the sweet Easter surprises in the glove or door compartment, the traffic jam will be forgotten for the time being.
It can always be worse
Anyone stuck in a traffic jam is probably wondering whether it could get any worse. Yes, it could indeed. A little change of perspective can help here. Try to think of three things that would make your current situation in a traffic jam even worse.
For example, the air conditioning could break down in the warm spring sun, you could need to go to the toilet urgently or you could be hungry and run out of snacks. The traffic jam only seems half as tragic.
And here's a reminder: on January 25, 1995, the longest traffic jam ever recorded in Switzerland occurred on the A1 highway. Between Bern and Niederbipp AG , the traffic jam was 53 kilometers long. That should make you feel much better.
Incidentally, the reason was traffic congestion due to the winter sports vacations coming to an end, rain-soaked roads and numerous rear-end collisions.
Tell us more
How much do you really know about your friends? With the card game "Tell each other more" from the German game start-up Simon & Jan, you can get to know your favorite people in a whole new way.
The game contains 60 cards with different questions that are divided into three categories: Self-reflection, mind game and cross-examination. Ideal for in-depth conversations - traffic is the only thing that stops. If you don't have the game to hand at the moment, you might find inspiration with over 99 questions at GQ.
Or you can cross-examine yourself with these questions
Inspo:
- The ultimate classic always works: What is the meaning of life?
- What is really important in life?
- Is there life after death?
- What does justice mean?
- What does good politics mean? (Attention, potential for conflict)
- What am I not making enough time for?
- How can I be a role model for others?
- What motivates me?
- What am I grateful for?
- Why do I think the way I do?
- What was the most formative event in your life?
- What do I want to leave behind when I die?
- What do I wish I had known 10 years ago?
- What opinion do you share that the mainstream would completely reject?
- What stories from your life would you tell your children?
- Do we have free will?
- How would you decide if you had to? Wake up and everyone knows you or wake up and no one remembers you?
- Which day of the past year will you still remember in a year's time?
If you don't start to ponder this, you really do live a carefree life. In any case, we always get to thinking here.
"Yes, exactly! And then..."
Speaking of telling stories: Now your improvisation skills are in demand. Someone in the group will start a made-up story with the words "Do you remember when we ...". Then someone else says: "Yes, exactly! And then..."
The twist: "we" is always used instead of "I" and "but" is removed from the vocabulary. Let your creativity run wild - plus points if it's an Easter story.
Bring out the knitting needles
Forgot the Easter present for the relatives at home, but packed the knitting or crochet needles instead? The Easter rush gives you enough time to make a last-minute gift yourself. If you want to give yourself a present - how about a fluffy cover for the headrest?
Even beginners can get started with the art of needlework while stuck in a traffic jam: There are lots of good videos for beginners on YouTube that you can knit along to. So get on your needles!
Of course, crochet is also allowed
Sing it
The absolute classic: car karaoke! Create the ultimate Easter playlist before you set off and sing along to your favorite songs at the top of your voice.
Former Late Late Show host James Corden knows best how to provide musical ear candy in the car:
Mobile beauty salon
Didn't have enough time to paint your nails, apply a face mask or put on lipstick? Use the time and turn the car into your mobile beauty salon.
But be careful if it suddenly starts again and you slip. Don't forget to pack your make-up remover.
Become your own podcast host
Anyone can listen to podcasts. Press the record button on your phone and create your own podcast with live commentary on traffic jams, in-depth conversations (see point 3) or the question: "Where would we be right now?"
Advanced users can film the whole thing with a second smartphone.
If you don't feel like podcasting yourself and would rather just listen, then we'd like to do a little surreptitious advertising here and point you to our football podcast "Heimspiel":
The Roger Federer Game
The game always starts with tennis legend Roger Federer. A category is then determined, for example athletes. After Roger Federer, the next player must name a sportsperson whose first name begins with the letter of their last surname. So F. Example: Fabio Celestini. Then comes Christian Stucki and so on.
If you don't know enough sportspeople, you can also draw on the world of stars and starlets if necessary.
Do ... nothing at all
You don't feel like you're moving an inch? There's nothing but an eternal avalanche of bugs ahead of you? Then this is the perfect time to do nothing at all for five minutes.
Sit back, close your eyes and relax. Imagine yourself on a dreamy beach in the South Seas, listen to the (imaginary) sound of the sea and sip a delicious (imaginary) cocktail. Haaaah, that's the way to live!
To make things a little more real, here's a little sea on your ear:
For the cocktail, pull out the Rivella instead. At least as good with a little imagination.
PS: If you nod off from all the relaxation, the friendly drivers behind you will be happy to wake you up with a concert of horns.
Be Shazam for a change
A song is played for two seconds, after which the other passengers have to guess the song title. Alternatively, the song can also be hummed briefly, but guessing success is not guaranteed.
Coloring duel
Grab a pen and paper (or receipt or whatever is lying around) and draw the driver of the round within ten minutes. The person at the wheel decides who has won.
Puzzle fun
Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, Wordle and co. are among the absolute classics among brain games - a good puzzle is quickly at hand and provides a small sense of achievement (which is urgently needed in a traffic jam).
Rabbit Cluedo
Someone invents a scenario in which the Easter bunny has been kidnapped. The others have to find out who did it - à la "Cluedo", but in the car. Spoiler: Grandma had an alibi.
Speaking of the bunny: did you know that?
Spam detox
When was the last time you cleaned out your email inbox? Get rid of all the spam emails, unsubscribe from all unnecessary newsletters and delete those ancient emails from 10 years ago.
If you have your laptop with you, you can also tidy up your desktop. We don't even want to know how many old pictures, folders and documents are piling up there...
And while you're tidying up...
... you can go through your picture gallery and delete the 20 accidental screenshots of your phone screen.
Dialect challenge
Every five minutes you have to comment on your current state of mind in the traffic jam in a different dialect. From Zürischnurre to Bernese German to Valais German - this will keep you entertained in the sea of metal. And you can also argue about the best/worst Swiss dialect.
If you prefer to guess, you can do so in SRF's fun dialect guessing game.
Which car am I?
The classic children's game with a twist: think of a car make or model - the others guess by asking yes/no questions.
"I see something you don't see..."
We're sticking with the classic. But the new rule is: only things IN other cars count! Whether it's a dangling aroma tree or a pizza box on the passenger seat - whoever looks through the windshield with an alert eye collects points.
Car bingo
Bingo cards are made before the journey - with everything you can spot on the way: Convertible, dog in the car, pink T-shirt, honking driver ...
Everyone puts together their own card, then it's time to go: Open your eyes! The first person to fill five boxes in a row shouts "Bingo!" and wins.
"When I was still little"
Everyone tells an anecdote from their childhood, if possible with an Easter connection. Is the story true or a lie? The others have to guess.
The silent competition
Who can hold out the longest without getting upset about the traffic jam, commenting on the navigation system or saying "How much longer?"? Prize: the last piece of Easter chocolate.
Car gourmet
Speaking of chocolate: before the car journey, everyone packs their favorite snack. The other passengers can taste it with their eyes closed and guess the snack.
Of course, this can also be played in a healthier version with fruit, vegetables, nuts and the like (for all worried parents who are afraid of the next dentist bill).
The traffic jam slam
Patience is all well and good, but sometimes you just have to give your feelings space. The best way to do this is the poetic way with a spontaneous live poetry slam.
The Easter legend
What does the Easter bunny do at Christmas or during the summer vacations? Make up your own legend about the busy Easter messenger.
Do you prefer Santa Claus? Then why don't you tell us what he gets up to during the summer months?
Write again
Everyone is happy to receive a handwritten letter instead of an impersonal WhatsApp message. The little Easter greeting can go to your relatives or to the driver who is maneuvering you into the Easter vacations.
Getting stuck in traffic jams is almost a national sport
Especially around public holidays, our beloved Gotthard Pass becomes a bottleneck from the north to the south. Being stuck in a traffic jam in front of the Gotthard is practically a tradition. Not everything was better in the past.
We never learn: Easter traffic at the Gotthard with a huge rush at the car loading station on the Gotthard route. (Picture from April 4, 1958)
Image: KEYSTONE/PHOTOPRESS-ARCHIV/Jules Vogt
Even almost 10 years later, things don't look much better: The vacation queue winds its way northwards in the Schöllenen near the Gotthard. (Picture from August 6, 1969)
Image: (KEYSTONE/Str)
You really wouldn't want to be a bus driver here. On July 11, 1981, there was also a traffic jam in the form of a loooong queue of cars snaking down the Gotthard ramp.
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
The traffic was - as always - at a standstill in front of the Gotthard. It doesn't seem to matter whether it's Easter, spring, summer or fall vacation: Everyone just always wants to go to Ticino. Admittedly, it is simply beautiful there. (Picture from April 1981.)
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
Just don't lose your nerve: Have a drink, sit back and enjoy the sun (or if it rains, be glad you don't get wet). (Travelers in the Easter traffic jam at the Gotthard, March 23, 1983.
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
Sufficient snacks are also a must. This was as true then as it is now: Easter traffic jam at the Gotthard, travelers picnicking on their hoods. (Picture from March 23, 1983.
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
A traffic jam is the perfect opportunity to finally (finish) that book you've been carrying around with you the whole time. Maybe that's what this boy thought when he turned the hood of his car into his reading chair during the annual Easter traffic jam on March 23, 1983.
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
It doesn't look much better in color... It may look like a folk festival, but it's a traffic jam on the north-south link, the Gotthard route. What else? (Picture from July 11, 1981.
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
This picture is probably familiar to us all: on the outward journey as well as the return journey through the Gotthard. (Picture from April 13, 2009, return trip traffic on the Gotthard highway before Airolo)
Image: KEYSTONE/Karl Mathis
At least there are some very nice views from time to time. For example, when you get stuck in Beckenried (NW) like these poor souls on April 10, 1989. Before the Seelisberg tunnel, the vehicles were lined up in kilometers-long columns.
Image: KEYSTONE/SIGI TISCHLER
We never learn: Easter traffic at the Gotthard with a huge rush at the car loading station on the Gotthard route. (Picture from April 4, 1958)
Image: KEYSTONE/PHOTOPRESS-ARCHIV/Jules Vogt
Even almost 10 years later, things don't look much better: The vacation queue winds its way northwards in the Schöllenen near the Gotthard. (Picture from August 6, 1969)
Image: (KEYSTONE/Str)
You really wouldn't want to be a bus driver here. On July 11, 1981, there was also a traffic jam in the form of a loooong queue of cars snaking down the Gotthard ramp.
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
The traffic was - as always - at a standstill in front of the Gotthard. It doesn't seem to matter whether it's Easter, spring, summer or fall vacation: Everyone just always wants to go to Ticino. Admittedly, it is simply beautiful there. (Picture from April 1981.)
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
Just don't lose your nerve: Have a drink, sit back and enjoy the sun (or if it rains, be glad you don't get wet). (Travelers in the Easter traffic jam at the Gotthard, March 23, 1983.
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
Sufficient snacks are also a must. This was as true then as it is now: Easter traffic jam at the Gotthard, travelers picnicking on their hoods. (Picture from March 23, 1983.
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
A traffic jam is the perfect opportunity to finally (finish) that book you've been carrying around with you the whole time. Maybe that's what this boy thought when he turned the hood of his car into his reading chair during the annual Easter traffic jam on March 23, 1983.
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
It doesn't look much better in color... It may look like a folk festival, but it's a traffic jam on the north-south link, the Gotthard route. What else? (Picture from July 11, 1981.
Image: KEYSTONE/Str
This picture is probably familiar to us all: on the outward journey as well as the return journey through the Gotthard. (Picture from April 13, 2009, return trip traffic on the Gotthard highway before Airolo)
Image: KEYSTONE/Karl Mathis
At least there are some very nice views from time to time. For example, when you get stuck in Beckenried (NW) like these poor souls on April 10, 1989. Before the Seelisberg tunnel, the vehicles were lined up in kilometers-long columns.
Image: KEYSTONE/SIGI TISCHLER
Hopefully this will help you get over the current situation a little.
It's time for a to-do list
Yes, you read that right. Haven't you been meaning to wash the curtains for a long time? And clear out and clean the kitchen cupboards? And what about the area behind the washing machine? Isn't there another compartment in the cellar that you've been meaning to clear out and declutter for a long time? And then there are all those individual charging cables that you've been meaning to sort out for ages...
Take some time to write down all the things you've been putting off for ages. And while you're at it: set yourself specific deadlines for when you want to have things done.
Put your knowledge to the test with our quizzes (Quize? Quizzes? Quizzes?)
By the way: The correct plural for "quiz" is "die Quizze" or "die Quiz" according to the Duden dictionary. (But we also had to look it up briefly)
When nothing helps
Before your patience finally snaps - this gallery is guaranteed to sweeten your mood:
Did someone say Easter?
Image: Unsplash
Always at your service
Image: Unsplash
Snow-white Easter favorite
Image: Unsplash
Sticking out your tongue is a must
Image: Pexels
Someone's all ears.
Image: Unsplash
It's best when you're with someone.
Image: Pexels
Did someone say Easter?
Image: Unsplash
Always at your service
Image: Unsplash
Snow-white Easter favorite
Image: Unsplash
Sticking out your tongue is a must
Image: Pexels
Someone's all ears.
Image: Unsplash
It's best when you're with someone.
Image: Pexels
