Opinions in danger?

[Nil]

Am I getting it right? Or did I miss something here?

But now, apparently (from what I could understand) some people here, or the forum itself, may get some legal actions because of opinions from members on the life here, the Swiss, the culture?

Or did I miss some very bad comments, opinions and pure racist comments?

According to this guy and this girl, actions are going to be taken.

Because people are saying they don't like it here? They find it boring? Really? Or again, did I miss something so awefully racist that it should be send to court?

Where is the limit? Because I honestly believe not every subjects here have the same limits when it comes to what it is acceptable to say or not... Some topics are acceptable to bash while some aren't. Where do we draw the line?

[NotAllThere]

Threatening legal action? Are they newly arrived Americans?

I'm bemused by the quoting of parts of the legal code in German, without translation, on the grounds that English isn't an official language of Switzerland. Although English is the official language of this forum.

Following her logic, she should have posted it in French, German and Romansch...

But you know, such behaviour is typical of...



















...people who take themselves far too seriously, fire off unsubstantiated accusations, and appearing to be close to flouncing.

[Rangatiranui]

Thank NaT.. i was a little scared there.

You spend a few days asleep because the noise level dies down, and all hell breaks loose.

All i can say is bring back noise, and stop all this incessant hate!
We have enough of that in the Real World.

Oh Nil Kittster was being sarcastic, about CHexo and the likes, I already posted a picture of this

[Nil]

	Quote:	Angela-74
	Oh Nil Kittster was being sarcastic, about CHexo and the likes, I already posted a picture of this

Can you enlight me? If she was sarcastic to him, I am amazed of her very good job to do so, 'cause I didn't see it.

But I saw some of her previous posts of the day, and it was kind of going into that direction, why I thought she was serious.

[NotAllThere]

Wow - a mistress of irony. I missed that.

[MathNut]

Dear Nil,

When you sign up you agree not to post anything hateful, inflammatory, obscene, etc. Of course if we really applied those rules as strictly as possible, we'd have to delete half the threads in International Politics, never mind Complaints Corner! There has to be some feeling for what's reasonable and what's over the line. Thankfully most people are pretty good at recognizing this most of the time.

(It's probably worth mentioning that the line, such as it is, is drawn in different places in different areas of the forum as well. That's no accident. Complaints Corner was established specifically for people who need to vent about something, and so we use a lighter hand in policing potentially offensive comments in there, knowing they're often the result of passing frustration.)

It's possible that some Swiss statute somewhere could force this to become an all-pro-Swiss all-the-time website, or one with all-pro-Swiss all-the-time mods - but between you and me and the lamppost I don't think it's likely.

So no, I don't think "opinions" are really "in danger." We will let you know if EF's legal footing changes or if certain opinions may no longer be expressed on EF. Until then, carry on as you are: have a rant in the appropriate area if you need to, and try to be reasonable the rest of the time. Thanks for asking though!

MathNut

[Nickers]

wow another drama unfolds on EF

Seriously I saw the thread briefly yesterday and what economisto wrote and I read it as silly sarcastic tongue in cheek humour, I am amazed at the back lash. Do you REALLY think if he actually thought that he would post it? Come on guys get a grip!

I can't believe it.

I'm happy that I don't speak English very well, 'coz I didn't read "real" hating or racism posts on this Forum.

There's also the fact it's a forum where people can write their feelings freely, which is something becoming very rare nowadays...

Now I would be interested to see the legal answers to such legal actions, just let them do it if they want.

Just found a question on yahoo answers, asking if the forum was racist, so it's a bit of a old question.

[cmirsky]

Also keep in mind that this forum is an "open" forum so anyone on the "net" can read the posts. Everyone has their opinion, and as they say...

"Opinions are like {fill in the blank}.. Everybody has one, and thinks theirs don`t stink."

[LiquidPaper]

Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and the complaints corner serves its function: venting. However, if this leads to hurt feelings on the part of valuable, longstanding Swiss members (like Bertrand, for example, or Kittster, who I don't think was kidding), it's counterproductive. Sure, you can say, don't read it if it will anger you, but that's not really feasible.

I closed the thread last night - it's not my forum and I didn't want a weird legalistic thread to continue unmoderated through the night. As far as it's the daytime now, I'll say this: I assume full, personal responsibility for any posts made. On approach from the proper authorities I will roll over with my real name and details. I will stomach that, no problem. But I will not stomach hypocrisy and anyone who tries to be fancy shouldn't expect to retain any personal assets at the end of my countersuit.

Religious / Ethnic violence in Nigeria

And Kittster, your derailment of a thread where an elderly, disabled Muslim couple asked for travel advice to express your regret at taking that course in Arabic because an Arab once hit your arms left my tongue swimming in bile. Most of the posts have been deleted now but I too have records of that and much more.
Muslim couple visiting Switzerland seeking info on accomodation etc.

Unfortunately for Kittster and Chexo, their reactions are most definitely culturally Swiss which does nothing for their general stance. Remember: if someone flushes their toilet, mows their lawn on a Sunday, or insults you in any way, go straight to the police. Thank goodness many Swiss aren't like that or nothing would ever get done.

[MathNut]

	Quote:	economisto
	Remember: if someone flushes their toilet, mows their lawn on a Sunday, or insults you in any way, go straight to the police. Thank goodness many Swiss aren't like that or nothing would ever get done.

Actually, it would - and does - in places where that is the accepted practice. You know your neighbor won't hesitate to call the cops on you and he knows you'll do the same - so you either both abide by all the rules scrupulously, or you keep tabs on each other's minor misbehavior but don't call the cops after all because you are afraid of what he has on you. A spirit of neighborly detente ensues, and life goes on as normal.

It's like the beyond-white-glove apartment handover routine. Works perfectly with few or no hard feelings, but only if all parties know what to expect. I think that's at the root of a lot of expat-native tension (not just in Switzerland.)

I have a simple question for those who would report the English Forum to 'the authorities':

What do you want, exactly?

[cmirsky]

	Quote:	MathNut
	Actually, it would - and does - in places where that is the accepted practice. You know your neighbor won't hesitate to call the cops on you and he knows you'll do the same - so you either both abide by all the rules scrupulously, or you keep tabs on each other's minor misbehavior but don't call the cops after all because you are afraid of what he has on you. A spirit of neighborly detente ensues, and life goes on as normal. It's like the beyond-white-glove apartment handover routine. Works perfectly with few or no hard feelings, but only if all parties know what to expect. I think that's at the root of a lot of expat-native tension (not just in Switzerland.)

When we first moved in here, we got "lectured" in some etiquite... door closing for instance... (too loud ?), not properly cleaning out the communal dryer (who knew that lint was contagious )...

Anyway, after being mad for a bit I settled down, and was always pleseant to them... even gave them Christmas Cards etc... haven`t had a problem since... and they have been very friendly...

I have never complained at their indiscretions... What would be the point ?

We all have to live together...

	Quote:	MathNut
	Actually, it would - and does - in places where that is the accepted practice. You know your neighbor won't hesitate to call the cops on you and he knows you'll do the same - so you either both abide by all the rules scrupulously, or you keep tabs on each other's minor misbehavior but don't call the cops after all because you are afraid of what he has on you. A spirit of neighborly detente ensues, and life goes on as normal. It's like the beyond-white-glove apartment handover routine. Works perfectly with few or no hard feelings, but only if all parties know what to expect. I think that's at the root of a lot of expat-native tension (not just in Switzerland.)

The question upon which the whole future peace and policy of the world depends is this: Is the present war a struggle for a just and secure peace, or only for a new balance of power? If it be only a struggle for a new balance of power, who will guarantee, who can guarantee, the stable equilibrium of the new arrangement? Only a tranquil Europe can be a stable Europe. There must be, not a balance of power, but a community of power; not organized rivalries, but an organized common peace. - W. Wilson

	Quote:
	I have a simple question for those who would report the English Forum to 'the authorities': What do you want, exactly?

"be my friend or I'll punch you in the face until you are"

[MathNut]

	Quote:	cmirsky
	I have never complained at their indiscretions... What would be the point ? We all have to live together...

Why, how very un-Swiss of you cmirsky - you may as well kiss that red passport goodbye now!

My Swiss neighbors downstairs have a cuckoo clock. Serious. I can hear it every hour. And it's about 40 seconds fast (measured against the church bells, natürlich.)

Should I report them to the Polizei or to the Gemeinde?

I've opened a new thread for my question, because I'm genuinely interested in reading their responses, and I'm concerned it might get lost in this thread.

I hope that's ok with you chaps...

[cmirsky]

	Quote:	MathNut
	Why, how very un-Swiss of you cmirsky - you may as well kiss that red passport goodbye now! My Swiss neighbors downstairs have a cuckoo clock. Serious. I can hear it every hour. And it's about 40 seconds fast (measured against the church bells, natürlich.) Should I report them to the Polizei or to the Gemeinde?

Forgive me... I`m a draftee...