Ok - on a rant as I'm cleaning the apartment. EVERY week, I have to DECALC the shower, coffee machine, water machine, and now I think to myself geez -- what if I drank this stuff??? My doctor would say sorry Ma'am but your stomach and liver are petrified. Is anyone else afraid?

Also - does anyone else worry that when we use the "toilet" there is aways a brush? Why do we have to "brush away stuff" or is this common in Europe? In the States - no brush, we have well designed toilets that flush with the proper water pressure. It's gross to me to have to bring out a brush that other people have used "to do stuff" even in my own home.

Sorry guys, bit of rant as my cat died yesterday and not even happy with animal healthcare here, let alone people care. She had renal failure and in NYC my other cat had it -- much more available in NYC to that cat to help him than here. And not going into my medical experiences here (nothing major, but compared to the States, bosh). Go down Obama with your heathcare. If you can pay, company sponser or otherwise, best medical care right now in the States.

Otherwise, I love living here.

Thanks for listening.

Rant away...calcium is excellent for your bones, and I think the reason why USA toilets 'flush away' everything is because they use exorbitant amounts of water...or you use chemicals where a little elbow grease might be just better for the soul...

At least one gets some privacy in European lavatories, not like those horribly exposed American ones where you can almost see the chap next to you.

Sorry about your cat, though. That's really tough.

We bought a Britta Filter so at least we don't have to decalc the coffee machine, Water machine etc. all the Time. Works really well....

I don't think its a problem to drink it. Even my baby gets it...

Um... brushes are common in the states as well.
I don't know what part of the states you're from, but how have you never seen or used a toilet brush before moving to Europe?? You don't need to use the brush every time you use the toilet, but use it to keep the bowl clean, generally once or twice a week with some kind of cleaner. Maybe you're used to the disposable toilet bowl cleaners in the states?

and for your heart too, and of course for the environment (plastics manufacture and disposal/recycling, transport, packaging etc.
So sorry about your cat.

Well one thing I know, not in a third world country and paying the rent we do - I want it to be swept away vs sitting next to me in a "container".

I, for one, need a brush. It's like the Exxon Valdiz sometimes after a particularly heavy Guinness sesh.

The water from the tap is heaven here compared to my old water in Florida. You could actually smell the crap that they added to it (fluoride, old people's medicine etc). It was bad enough that I needed to use filtered water to cook and bake otherwise the food tasted like crap. God bless Swiss tap water.

I prefer to think of it like this:

Yes, we had the brush, but we only had to use it once a week as you said, and it was "hidden". BECAUSE you didn't have to brush every time. Maybe once a week to clean the bowl. Sigh, just how it is here, but my husband and I have many convs on how clean either are.....

Maybe you should aim better, straight down the hole,less brushing needed

Thanks - made me laugh. Maybe he should aim better. Cheers.

Here in the sticks we still have toilets that flush properly, thank goodness!
I use cheap alcohol vinegar (bought in France for 30 cts a litre) to clean kettles, sink, tiles and yes, WC. Works great. For the shower, I use a skeejee blade everytime- takes seconds and avoids calcium deposits and cleaning.

Of all the things one can rant about in Switzerland and you rant about the water???

Pssst... it's not really about the water.

Sorry about your cat

You mentioning the toilet brush reminded me of something that happened on Monday. My little girl needed the loo at Manor and while she was on the toilet (I have to hold her up as she has just recently completed potty training and isn't very confident on "big people's" toilets) my little boy ran into the cubicle next door and started playing with the toilet brush. oh the joys

Anyway, I don't quite fancy drinking the water here just because of the taste (I'm trying really hard to.. It's a constant struggle ) Health-wise it's fine so don't worry about it.

Thanks DB - It's about the stress of losing an animal. Cheers. Everything else here is great.

Water ......nice if you have some......I calmly handed over my apartment keys to the Houseman this morning as they wanted to test the water pressure. I came home at 7.30 this evening to a note on the door saying the hot and cold water was turned off and will not be back on till tomorrow evening .........FML ......

Sorry to hear about your Cat. I know what it is like to lose a pet.

Water is okay here...but if you have any health problems then buy a Brita Filter.

About Ranting...it is good to rant...release the negative energy...and breathe in some positive...