Regarding the fly-tipping, you're joking aren't you?

People here don't do it out of any respect. It's because they don't want to pay the fine. Period.

Countries that border Switzerland have a huge problem with Swiss people dumping their rubbish across the Swiss border so they don't need to pay to have their rubbish taken away.

Translated:

From here

People are the same everywhere. There are no halos here.

How are you going to pay a fine if you don't get caught randomly dumping your rubbish somewhere? There is nothing open or legitimate about fly-tipping, it's an illegal disposing of waste and the kind of thing that causes people to dump trucks of rubbish in the middle of English country roads when no-one is looking.

As for the halo thing I never said Swiss people were angels, but clearly the enforcement works in this country. If someone wants to travel over the border and then tip their rubbish there then there's not much we can do about that, is there?

You mentioned the word "respect". I don't see keeping your own country pristine by pissing in your neighbouring countries as particularly respectful.

Tom, you are misinterpreting a word in rather surprisingly anal detail (even by your standards) for your own ends there. It is contextually obvious what I meant when I said "people are expected to respect". Obviously there are exceptions, that is self-explanatory.

The whole point is that yes, I broke the law, but I didn't disturb the peace. I can still think it's a bit bonkers even if I agree to pay the fine

The point is though regardless of whether you "disturbed" anyone or not you broke the law therefore you pay the penalty and that's all there is to it.

And it appears the harsh penalties work as Switzerland is quiet and it's pristine.

(And neighbouring countries are dirtier because the penalties are not so steep and a few Swiss dump their rubbish there instead).

So perhaps the answer to to those who complain about the fly-tipping etc in the U.K, for example is simply for the U.K. to raise the fines. There's no need to worry about the knock on effect of U.K. citizens dumping their rubbish abroad as most people don't own boats.

I'm going to stop now, as it's resolved, but of course, that's not all there is to it. I can have an opinion about whether I think the law is appropriate or just or reasonable. And I can have an opinion about whether I think the punishment is appropriate or just or reasonable. And I can have opinions about what it says about what the Swiss valuable and find it interesting and infuriating at times. I don't expect anyone to agree with me.

I would do some more rounds of discussion as the horse is not dead enough.

Out of interest -

• What would you feel would be a reasonable amount to pay as a fine?
  
• What would be the minimum you would pay so you would never do it again?

1. <40 chf (imo, not as serious as basic parking fine)
2. 10 chf

Plus 210 CHF admin fee.

What was the rule you actually broke if I may ask?

As for the fine, I agree it's rather much. That said there may be some tendency of over-fine'ing WRT waste "disposal" in the broader sense. Lausanne for instance fines littering (can be as little as a chewing gum wrap) by 150, spitting in public costs 110.

So the diplomats can break the laws and get off free. Nice!

Umm, no. That would be driving without having your license with you.

Driving without a license is far more expensive, and may include jail time.

Tom

If you are prone to flouting rules and are sensitive to outlandish fines, don't ever set foot in Singapore.

SGD 1000 for dropping chewing gum (which is banned anyway) and SGD 300 for dropping a wrapper on the ground.

You can also get a fine for forgetting to flush the toilet.

https://www.goabroad.com/articles/st...-before-you-go

I was unclear, but you knew what I meant.

I guess around 50 for both.

I went to the recycling centre on a Sunday. That is illegal in our area.I put some paper in the paper in.

This is insane, 250fr! I agree that it is too much.