just because you wear your jeans two days in a row doesn't mean you don't shower in between, does it?

AND you save on water! I think a few of my fellow commuters in the mornings have already stumbled upon this eco-awareness judging by the ripe smell on the 7.30 to Zug. Full marks to them.

For 27, have you ever shopped in another country where you bag your own? It's the same in the Netherlands, if not worse.

For 28, I think it's remarkable that people notice this stuff (well, unless there's a serious odor). Sometimes I can't remember what I wore the day before.

29. That so many people do speak or at least try to speak English. And people have been very kind about my attempts at German. If I went into a store in the US and asked "do you speak German," there would be massive eye rolling. And they'd just speak louder. At least here, they try. Maybe they laugh when I leave, but since I don't see it, I'm none the wiser.

e.

I miss that too.

30. Fruit pies, Wähe, is eaten as a main course for dinner.

31. Rösti, a zenith of Swiss cuisine, is actually glorified hash brown potatoes, except costing over 15 bucks. These cost 2 buck in the 'states as a side dish for breakfast.

32. Steaks cut as thick as cardboard, and all the fat is taken away.

33. Fondue dinners.... equivalent to glorified grilled cheese sandwiches.

I'm talking about my colleagues wearing the same full outfit 2, 3 or 4 days in a row. You should always change shirts, pants/trousers can be ok.

No, I wasn't talking about underwear.

Yes. In Ireland we bag our own groceries and we can do this without having our food bashed by the stupid divider. It is probably an attitude thing in so far as we're willing to wait for the person infront of us to be finished or the fact that the checkout person will help if there is a lot of stuff.

It isn't remarkable if you sit opposite someone for 8-10 hours a day to spot that they're wearing the same outfit two or three days in a row.

Maybe they're like me, I have several identical black shirts, several identical blue shirts, several identical white shirts, several identical black trousers.

Makes mylife easier.

As my girlfriend says, I don't have style, I just wear clothes so as not to be naked.

I take my style cues from Mickey Rourke in 9 1/2 weeks. 5 suits the same.

dave

Exactly, that way it requires no thought. Simple, get up, shower, dress, go. I once had someone remark that I lived without mirrors.

I have not seen the movie... I do not notice things like that - or very rarely, only if someone's style is very different from mine - then I will check it out...

it should be Ok to have the same clothes two days in row - I know that most of my male colleagues, back in Sweden, was wearing the same shirt two days in row - they found it practical in terms of washing and ironing (not so popular activities).

Where are we up to? 29? 30?

Anyway, I find it remarkable that so much Swiss traffic manages to run through so many red lights and not hit anything. I get the feeling the red light is more err.. guidance... than the law.

Shirts are obviously different. A different colour every day is important, especially in a Maus-Grau environment like most banks, offices and even labs. Pink is ontrend at the moment.....so Im told...

dave

Eh? Where? Surely not in Zürich, where traffic light cameras outnumber the fleas on the back of a stray poodle?

For sure, Zurich. Stand at Bürkliplatz at a pedestrian crossing at rush hour and see for yourself. More often than not there is a car actually stopped ON the crossing, bumper to bumper with the car in front - try and squeeze a pushchair through there!

Alternatively stand at the junction of the Rentenanstalt and count how many cars go through on red which then completely block the lane for the oncoming traffic. Once I was stuck in that jam and was stupid enough to wait at the lights when they changed to green because there was simply nowhere to go because the oncoming traffic was blocking the junction and I got beeped to Hell and back. So I just went "Zurich" and added my car to the mess.

Actually it's purple for AW07

As many posts in this thread refer to Zurich (and I find people in London or Paris similarly rude) I will put a slightly more positive view forward from a different area of CH.

34) As we walked towards a group of teenagers with my young family at 10pm they all parted to let us through and ALL wished us good evening.

35) When we are out of CH our neighbour thinks nothing of keeping our garden neat and tidy and refuses anything other than a bottle of Eichof for his trouble.

36) Usually being asked during meals if your food is good.

37) Majority of people you walk past saying hello and smiling.

Welcome to Fluelen! Indeed, Swiss city people and country people do act differently when walking down a street or path.

Where I live, it's considered rude not to say "Gruezi" to the passing person.

What's Fluelen like since the tunnel has been built? I bet much quieter nowadays.

Hi and thank you for the welcome, it is much quieter in the town and the restaurants/hotels are missing out on passing trade especially at the north end of the town as traffic comes off the motorway and takes the tunnel heading towards Brunnen or Schwyz. We have managed NOT to eat in the new Burger King (my late in-laws will be turning in their graves a BK in Fluelen!!)

Generally we love this area and find the people of Central Switz very welcoming

2 weeks ago I came back from a trip and next day noticed that my monthly tram-pass expired and I had no cash with me.
I took a tram and explained the situation to the driver. One old lady stood up and wanted to buy me a ticket. Driver said that it is OK - if control comes he will talk to them.

This is so amazing - I am so impressed with Swiss politeness.