The other day I got a letter from "Der Stadtverwaltung Winterthur" as a final act of my bike (motor cycle that is) accident in June.

The letter was just to inform me that since I did not press charges against the other person involved in the accident within the 3 month window, the case is to be considered closed.

In the letter both parties were mentioned by name of course but the nationality of the other dude (he is from Serbia and Montenegro) was also mentioned but mine not (Danish).

I am thinking.......is this racism? Does the official Swiss i.e. in this case the Stadtverwaltung Winterthur, thinks that is worth mentioning because he is from eastern Europe, or what could the purpose be?

Maybe I am thinking too much

Yes you are thinking too much

Maybe they guessed you would know that you were Danish.

If the other guy gets a letter maybe your nationality will be on his paper?

Either that or maybe it's important for you to be able to identify him since he was under suspicion, or for a potential civil case that can be brought by you later.

So...he is wearing a T-shirt saying "I am from Serbia & Montenegro"?

Um... no. I would have thought that in a civil case he'd be identifiable through more official means such as his passport.

Today it is even rasism if you ask someone from which country he comes from.

Ok, I believe I can solve the mystery: In Swiss bureaucracy, your home village is terribly important. You will always be identified with your name in combination with your "Heimatgemeinde" as there are plenty of people with similar names around. If you happen to be not Swiss (shit happens...), the poor guy at the city hall, police station or whatever legal thing you are in is looking at a form and has no Heimatgemeinde to fill out. They often then use the country instead. Even my work contract looks like that... (ok, a very Swiss company) "This contract is between Employer AG and Treverus (from Germany)..."

Maybe he's not a resident. Or only on an L permit.

My thoughts run along this line...

Perhaps more detailed information is listed about him because he is the perpetrator and you the victim. Although it wasn't a "violent crime," perhaps there is precedence set within those sorts of situations which means effort made to keep details of victims more private.

Changing this "home village" goes through a process similar to citizenship application (lighter version of course). Now I don't know why would someone change it, and why is it so important this origin village.

PS: I thought that Treverus was already geographically specific

Let's let the cat amongst the pigeons. It is Racist!!

Its errr irrelevatism

If the letter is addressed to you, why do you need reminding of your nationality ?

Good question.

To be more specific. There was a letter with an explanation and a form for me to sign in order to confirm that I now know, that the case is closed.

It was on the form his name and nationality were mentioned.

When I read it I was thinking at first "Oh...that's why he didn't obey the rules and consequently denied to have any guild what so ever in hitting me."

Um....am I the racist now?

No just a bit judgemental like everyone in here!

I talked to an insurance agent some time ago. He said that he doesn't even sell policies to people from the Balkan anymore.
Too much hassle (accidents, fake accidents, crashes, general fraud).
If you read 20min, you can see that every report about a car accident comes with age and nationality of the people involved.
In Germany, this information is usually tactfully omitted. But of course, every insurance-company who wants to stay alive knows their statistics.

Could you be more elaborate on this?