I have been trying to figure out the darn gender divide in Switzerland.

As a young woman from Canada, I feel completely comfortable in my skin about acting in "un-feminine" ways - doing things like skinny dipping, laughing/shouting loudly, having belching contests for fun, and being otherwise hyper/vulgar when among good friends (male or female). In Canada I'm considered pretty normal (if a little outgoing). There's not a big behavior divide between Canadian men and women.

But it seems to me that Swiss girls are different.
I've spent a lot of time in Switzerland, and all the girls I've met so far seem so....well, just so dang gentle, they're all beautiful, mature, stylish, polite and cute. (Swiss men, on the other hand, behave more or less the same as Canadian people).

It makes me feel awkward sometimes... like a big loud elephant among gazelles, even though I myself am very petite and can be ultra-feminine when I want to be.

My Swiss boyfriend says I'm just inventing things in my head... but I KNOW there are some messed up gender things going on in Switzerland. For example:

-Sooo many Swiss women are housewives.
-Military service is mandatory for men, but not women.
-Women didn't get the VOTE until SEVENTIES, for crying out loud....

So.... am I crazy, or is there some truth to this?

Welcome to the 20th century.

I don't know where you've visited here, but outside of the cities, in the countryside - especially as you get into the mountains - you might find the occasional woman, who can swill down a few beers, followed by a couple of schnapps - and still be able to wrestle a cow to the ground as she kicks the dog to hide the fact that she'd farted (but only when she's not having to wipe the kids' bums and get some food on the table).

Regardless of my opinion on the matter:
You've defined normal for yourself and decided that gender roles here are 'abnormal'. You do see the problem with that, don't you?

JB,
Aren't you confusing this with 'choice' ? There is a lot of importance placed on traditional family values here in CH. For the most part, people are happy, and not co-erced into sustaining this.

If you like to swig beer and get your kit off, please come down to the Viadukt on Thursdays, there may be a few traditionals glad to see such a display of freedom.

If you are comfortable with yourself, you should be comfortable with alternative conflicting styles. Respect for yourself is to respect all.
The fact that you are unhappy with gender roles here in Switzerland makes me think that you are a little less balanced than you claim to be.

I'm sorry, I know this won't make any friends... But I have to. The latter statement alone screams contradictory to the former. Where are you from in Canada? You may need to get out more...

As has been said, as obvious as it may be, Canadian "values" don't apply outside of Canada. And even then, with regional variances.

Though there is some truth in the idea that women may have a difficult professional path here. Not the most difficult, but not the easiest either - the system needs to catch up with a few socio-economic changes.

Start smoking like a chimney, swilling Red Bull and prosecco, and sleeping in a tanning bed and you'll be well on your way to fitting in with Swiss women

JB, I guess some EFers might want to know where all those so dang gentle, beautiful, mature, stylish, polite and cute women are. Not me, mind you, I'm taken and happy with that, but some threads on EF sound like quite a few members do not share your opinion and might be grateful for getting some hints.

You sure you're not in Sweden?

I get what you're trying to say but think you're mixing a few things up.
In places like Zürich looks are important, and women try to dress nicely and belching contests aren't exactly done either. I can't even burp around my friends anymore since their gfs don't like it..
But the housewifey thing is past, don't think any of the beautiful things you see on the street has it in her mind to become a housewife asap. The contrary is the case, they stay mostly single with the occasional fling here and there and pursue their own career, Zürich is a city full of single people preoccupied with their work, marriage and kids are postponed until bouncers don't give them the VIP treatment at club entrances anymore.

It's a city full of self-important, dolled up party chicks afraid of commitment, hardly material for traditional wives.

Lol I must admit as well, I need to do some searching for those gentle Swiss women you were talking about. Women being house wives doesn't constitute them as being feminine or dainty (my extra word I put in) - If they are house wives with kids, you'll probably see them unmatched, hair is disheveled with some timberland boots and black socks and matched that with a pair of capri windbreakers....Not what I consider as feminine, but they are getting their job done.

Everyone has their own opinion of who they will match up with in regards to friends, if you feel that you are taking longer time to find friends that match up to you, you're not alone, and I'm no belcher Every time you step out of your own comfort zone you start to feel a little uneasy because you have to start over again with getting comfortable with their skin and them being comfortable with yours...

So in conclusion...Belch out the entire alphabet and the first gal that giggles (which will probably be me) should be your new best friend You'll find em out there eventually I promise...we're out there.

Sorry - didn't get past the skinny dipping bit

Canadian women like me find it normal behavior for teenagers but certainly find it bad taste in adult women...

Is this how all the men in Canada behave? I never realised it was such an uncouth society.

Manners cost nothing; it may be prudent to consider others before acting uncouthly.

How old are you, just out of curiosity ?

Wow what a find! Someone else who is okay with who they are. In this world of rock stars, supermodels, breast implants etc it's nice to see someone, like myself. This is me and who I am. You can either like and that's great! If you don't, that's okay too. Good for you. BTW my daughter and boyfriend live in Nova Scotia and she belches too.

Ha ha... Well, I've said before that I've never met a Canadian that I didn't like!

I have to admit that, as an American, I also noticed that the women here (particularly in central Zurich) seem to be a lot more feminine than in the US, for example. Or maybe "stuffy" is a better word for it? I guess I just thought they seemed a lot less free-spirited and MORE concerned about how others might perceive them. I wonder if this has something to do with the fact that most people here live and are often in such close proximity to other people/strangers (e.g. on trams, living in apartments instead of more private houses, etc.). I know that for myself, I can't even fart in my own apartment without wondering if the neighbors heard it.

(Hmmm... maybe this is why so many Swiss people look like they've been holding in a fart for the past 10 years?)

I look forward to meeting Mrs. TiMow then

Dat's a Good One!

My observation here of Swiss women is similar to many in the States. It's all about the Image. Superstar wannabes. Even the tweens dress up like supermodels.(or hookers) I saw one the other day, had to be 12? with the big sunglasses, hoop earrings, SO BIG they actually didn't hang, they just rested on her shoulders on an angle. I was laughing at how ridiculous she looked.

In the States women don't fart, they poof!

I have problems believing we live in the same country. Last time I saw a group of "gazelles" coming out of the train, not only they were spitting on the floor, they dressed and acted like ladies of the night trade (but with the trademark fake Louis Vuitton bag to prove otherwise), shouted out loud, and banged their vodka bottles on every single metal rod around.


Skinny dipping is a fun thing when doing it together with boys. Because they like to show bravado daring you to do it, but once you get inside the water they refuse to remove their trunks. Pansies!

Not totally sure how to read this one. Obligatory female military service is not common on most countries of the world. Not sure what that would bring.

I also don’t believe there are more housewives here than, say, the USA. But I come from a country where NOT being a housewife is flagged and shouted, because it means we have evolved since the dictatorship.

And to be honest, so much fight for women to vote, but when you look at the numbers, most women don’t actually use that right that was so painfully fought for. Sometimes I do believe we do not deserve the fight our mothers/ grandmothers made for us.


But I have to say, bleching is just plain rude. On boys or girls. Same goes for farting and screaming with no apparent reason...