Switzerland

[Snufkin!]

There's something very sinister about Switzerland.

 

[phildwyer]

Yes, in some ways & places the attitudes can still be somewhat medieval.

As the foreigner I got the cell, whilst my Swiss citizen pal (who had if anything an even bigger scar than mine from recent cardiac surgery) & his brother were just told to go over to a cafe & wait for me.

Once they got someone together with enough English (by this point I was a bit peeved & playing the typical Brit!) to explain that I shouldn't take my scar out in public, they were fine enough, even had a bit of a laugh.

So let me get this straight--you were thrown in jail for displaying a scar in public? Sounds very harsh to me, I wonder what the penalty is for flushing the toilet after 10pm!

 

[samk]

There's something very sinister about Switzerland.

Yes, confidential banking for the world's robber barons and despots

 

[Pie 1]

Christ almighty, I've rarely seen such a load of old bollocks trotted out.

I've lived here for over a year and have no idea what some of you are on about - seriously.

Door to door checks on bog flushing after 10pm?

 

[Pie 1]

Also, pushbikes needed insurance & road tax, but that was easy to obtain & dead cheap.

Insurance only. £3 per year.

 

[pogofish]

Insurance only. £3 per year.

Do they still have the annual inspection & the little numberplate/insurance thing? Dn't think the price has changed since my time there!

As for the bog-flushing. That is more a thing for older flats/pensions in the densest residential areas, so you don't bother your neighbours. Usually written into the flat/pension rules but there is a fine to back it up IIRC.

I also remember some places where they specified the type & colour of flowers for your windowbox/garden & when you had to have them planted by/on display for but not after. All for the civic good of course. These choccy-box villages don't happen by accident.

 

[pogofish]

So let me get this straight--you were thrown in jail for displaying a scar in public? Sounds very harsh to me,

Yes, we had lain down in the sun in a small park by the river in a well-known southern town. I'd dozed-off but one of my pals said he did see some people looking worriedly in my direction & an old dear cross herself & hurry-on. It was a rather large brutal & at that point still livid scar BTW. Somebody complained.

You don't have to scratch the surface very hard to find a considerable amount of pressure towards absolute social conformity amongst the Swiss. In some ways, this is good - eg strong traditional & independant communities where people do truly paricipate at all levels but the bad side is to be seen when you don't fit the mould, or get branded as an outsider etc. Then it can be very hard indeed.

Conversely, they don't give a shit about other things. On my last visit there, I rolled-up on my motorbike to a small border post & dumped my bag of a variety of presctiption abusables on the counter to get them registered. The guard barely looked-up, signed a form & said "on your way!" After having had to deal with complete appoplexy, detention, confiscation & having to get the whole lot again when I got to Germany, this was a refreshing approach indeed!

 

[Pie 1]

You don't have to scratch the surface very hard to find a considerable amount of pressure towards absolute social conformity amongst the Swiss. In some ways, this is good - eg strong traditional & independant communities where people do truly paricipate at all levels but the bad side is to be seen when you don't fit the mould, or get branded as an outsider etc. Then it can be very hard indeed.

Mate, I don't know what decade your experiences relate to but it's not this one, imo.
There is certainly a truth to your claims, but it is distinctly the preserve of a dwindling older generation.
Recent agreements on the freedom of movement of people within Europe and increasingly favourable voting in referendms on European issues have seen the Swiss become more open than ever, combined with a generaation of people who no longer have any interest in isolationism.
Things have moved on a lot here in the past 10 years from what I've gathered.

 

[phildwyer]

As for the bog-flushing. That is more a thing for older flats/pensions in the densest residential areas, so you don't bother your neighbours. Usually written into the flat/pension rules but there is a fine to back it up IIRC.

So you can shoot up heroin in a public park, but you can't flush the loo after 10pm? Sounds like a weird country if you ask me.

 

[Pie 1]

So you can shoot up heroin in a public park

That's a decade out of date too.

 

[pogofish]

Yes, about 10 years since I was last back & I'd seen the needle-park thing at its height a few years before that.

I've never found the Swiss not open tho. Indeed, in many ways, it was about the most open country I've ever seen, both government & socially - I took full advantage of that myself before then but I'd suggest it was openness on their terms & mostly to their advantage?

The South (Italian-speaking area) was the most traditional & contrast-ridden IME, whilst the Geneva (where I spent most time), Berne & Basle areas were considerably more modern & European in outlook.

I still have a number of friends & relatives there, also folk who have migrated from various countries/cultures & become Swiss.