Has anyone noticed how the swiss blow their noses really loud in public? It almost sounds like some sort of foghorn! I don't even know how its physically possible to make so much noise from blowing your nose, I can't even do it myself.

I have also noticed that they like to blow their noses at every chance they get. I always know when my swiss flatmates are home, because the first thing they do is blow their noses as loud as possible as soon as they walk in the door. I guess the cold makes their nose a bit runny, but English speaking cultures just tend to put up with it and sniffle for a while.

I was once on a train on a cold morning, and it sounded like some sort of trombone orchestra!

Anyone else noticed this? I'm guessing it must just be some cultural thing.

They are not the only ones I blow my nose as loud as necessary to clean it and regulary!

Well I prefer someone to deal with the issue once and for all than stand/sit next to me schnipping and schnorking because they won't blow it. I have been tempted to offer someone a paper tissue before now....

Have you not noticed that the traditional Swiss nose is bigger than average?

Being British, I prefer to picket.

The woman who sits opposite me in work in a loud blower. Shes so small and petit..... makes me laugh.

But i do find it irritating when im on the phone or dealing with a co worker because she constantly blows loud through out the day. Our phone conversations only last 1 - 2 minutes max so i dont see it a big deal to wait a little longer for me to hang up. Unless your sick.... then do it to your hearts content lol

Of all the generalization we've had about 'the Swiss' on the forum, this is the funniest! Congrats!

Don't you know, they take lessons on nose blowing, which comes in handy when you want to blow someone's alphorn.

Don't get me started on the yodeling they do to clear their throats

That's true, at least! I was substituting the sick teacher in a kindergarten class two weeks ago, and we had the visit from the school nurse to teach the kids how to blow their noses efficiently

That's your concern? What about all the people fingering their nose like a young excited teenager?

Nose picking seems a To Do when stuck in the traffic and the weirdest part is they do it with no shame. Maybe they think we can't see through the windows.

And spitting? This seems to be a national sport.

Ps: I saw it mostly everywhere but in much greater number in CH.

Funny, most be a Zurich thing or are you thinking of China?

OP: You sure enjoy observing the Swiss a lot. If you learn the language, you might even be able to talk to them.

And it's called: Nase schnüze (schneuzen)

Not a good idea. She might like them, and we would miss her witty and accurate posts

Lol. I found the nose mining particularly irritating.

to blow: blasen (google this word and you'll get some mind-blowing definitions)

You obviously haven't been to Paris :P Not only do they spit everywhere, they also urinate on streets.

Many native English speakers DO blow their nose, but much more quietly. Its more of a "pfffft" than a "BWOOOOOOOOR". I have never heard anyone blow their nose as loudly as the Swiss do.

What was the name of your convent, again?

I think that I remember someone mentioning that he Swiss might perhaps seem to smoke slightly a teeny bit more that people elsewhere in the world....Maybe the nose blowing is connected?

You know, the same way that all Australians drink Fosters or all Americans carry guns*

*Okay, the last one may be true

Sisters of the Holy Outback.

So what do the rest do? Sniffle the whole day and swallow what they can?