Or:

Everything you always wanted to know about Switzerland * But were too afraid to ask!

I've just finished a semester on intercultural communication and then stumbled upon this forum. It's extremely interesting to read about people's experiences and perceptions, expectations and frustrations. I grew up in Switzerland and know a lot about it. Been browsing the forums for the last 2 days and it seems that I'm the only Swiss guy on here, so, if you have a question that you've always wanted to ask but never dared: Here I am

Why do the Swiss put their introductory first posts on the forum into the "Complaints Corner" area of the site and not the "Introductions" part?

just kidding Welcome!

Well you are aware that you started this thread in the complaints corner, so be prepared for what you might get....

Ok, I'll kick this off with an oldie but a goodie - what's up with the irrational fear of drafts, as well as a universal fear of airconditioning? (mistaken belief that all air-conditioning makes you sick)

By the way - I've already heard the "answers" to this a million and one times, but since you posted in complaints corner I just thought I'd help you kick start your thread.

There are also quite a few Swiss on the forum

(I also condensed your thread title to make it a bit easier to swallow)

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there are a lot more Swissies on here than you think.

What is it like to be considered a "Swissie"?

and there was me thinking it was because of the extra heating/cooling costs!

Because we love to complain! Ever met a Swiss person outside of Switzerland? My parents get a lot of random visitors in Australia from the Old Country and all they do is compare absolutely everything they see to how it's done in Switzerland and then precede to tell you, at considerable length and detail, why it's better 'back home'. I sometimes wonder why they travel at all!

PS: i introduced myself properly too. never got a welcome there though so, thank you!

you mean this is considered a Switzerland-only thing? Here in Japan people 'know' about that (ACs are evil!) too. It's kind of the same as 'if you go out with wet hair, you'll catch a cold', isn't it? Also, drafts destroy souffles, hence they must be bad for you!

Can't believe how many posts are here already! Uhm...might have been a bad idea after all to create this thread...

I quite enjoy it actually. I love showing the people at customs my little book with the two passports and asking which one they prefer..they get really miffed

Who are the other Swissies? Maybe they can help me out here...

So far as I can tell, there is a more general fear of any air below 20 degrees centigrade. An otherwise rational and sensible Swiss friend of mine was absolutely appalled when I mentioned that I like going running out of doors in the winter. Unbeknownst to me, apparently my lungs were in dire danger of freezing solid due to the extreme cold (not like it's actually even cold in most of Switzerland in winter), and other unspeakable disease-related horrors could send me to an early grave as a result of this activity.

I was even more perplexed when he (and all the other Swiss people in the vicinity) saw no potential health risks with engaging in 'proper' winter sports such as snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, etc., even though the overall exertion level and outdoor temperature might be the same.

So far as I can figure out the system, so long as you do winter sports in winter, and summer sports in summer, you're all clear, but apparently, your lungs can't handle the shock of doing a summer sport in winter. You might as well start digging your own grave.

????????

HeatherM

(PS-I love this country, and I love the Swiss, but they do make be laugh sometimes!)

Hello

But I'm probably not your typical Swissie, been living in UK for years now...

LOL is this intented to coax us Swiss People out of our hiding places for a proper verbal bashing perhaps??

Well, seeing as this is located in complaints........... he he

I never made a secret out of the fact that I am a Swiss and proud to be, tho' I'd much rather be a Briton!!!!
I think it's time to come clear and introduce myself properly over at the other forum

You might be onto something here. Sounds logical enough, no?

Also, Swiss people are born with Airconophobia, a rare disorder. Must be genetic. I lived in Australia for 6 years without an AC, bearing 40 degrees in the shade stoically.

Don't you hate the feeling of a completely dried up throat and sinuses, a cold and a cough after you've fallen asleep with the AC on?

Why do many Swiss men fold their bank notes into quarters (folded in half twice)?

That would be me for instance

See? Your nose's already blocked!

Why do many Americans keep their change in their pockets? To me: just as weird

because back in the old days (25 years ago), banknotes were huge and couldn't fit into normal wallets, so they had to fold them up.

Very funny!

sorry about that!

Why don't Swiss piano players working in popular hotel bars late into the evening in front of an increasingly drunk crowd, think that a little rendition of "Mac the Knife" wouldn't go down well?

I wasn't making any judgments, just asking a question like you solicited.

Actually, you'll find that most American men these days try to get rid of their change as quickly as they get it so they don't have to lug it around. Easily done since tipping is so prevalent. I've been using a separate coin wallet for many years now so I don't have any coins jangling around, but then again, I've lived in Europe for about 10 years now, too.

Since you brought it up, I've always thought it odd to have your coins adding to the bulk in your wallet, especially if you carry it in your back pocket and end up sitting on it. To each his/her own...

i agree. made me laugh out loud

no worries, mate

i read that sentence 4 times and still don't get it. is it supposed to be a double negative or have you been at the Spar Lager again? they think it would or wouldn't go down well? everybody loves kurt weill!

didn't say you did


oh, i know why they do it and it makes perfect sense. it's just another way of doing things differently. i like the weight of my wallet, because no-one could ever nick it. if that huge, heavy lump that's always banging against my right butt cheek with every step were missing i'd notice instantly. keeps the pickpockets away.

Yeah I ballsed that up! Still suffering the hospitality of the Veterans Zolliken FC team last night

It should have read..

Why do Swiss piano players, working in popular hotel bars late into the evening in front of an increasingly drunk crowd, think that a little rendition of "Mac the Knife" wouldn't go down well?