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Given that my summer in Switzerland has come to a close, it’s time to share with you some randomobservations that – for me – makes Switzerland unique.

I may not have “conquered the country” and snapped pictures of the many postcarddestinations Switzerland has to offer, but by traveling without moving for much of the time, I’ve hada chance to observe some of the finer aspects of life in Switzerland (which for me is a hugeincentive for my full-time travel lifestyle). Here are my random observations of the Swiss life:

It’s Clean….Almost too Clean…

Okay, maybe it isn’t too clean, but Switzerland as a whole is impeccable, top to bottom. Even thetractors and farm equipment I’ve seen is polished to a gleam.

Two separate people who came to visit me this summer each remarked that they feel it’s almostuncomfortably clean….broaching on sterile. (I believe this is a backhanded compliment of sorts ontheir part).

The Sw iss Life: Random Observations

Yvan Da Silva September 3, 2012 at 6:47 pm

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No Really, it’s CLEAN!

I was first struck by the cleanliness of the water in Switzerland when I visited Lucerne and sawpeople swimming in the lake that Lucerne is built on. Even in Zurich, just steps from the central trainstation, people line the banks of the river that runs straight through downtown – sunning,picnicking, and swimming.

The river has a good current so people like to jump off bridges, drift along with the current, get out,and walk back up to the bridge for another round. Only suckers for punishment try to swim backupstream.

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It’s Dirty

If the Swiss are clean on the outside, I think they might make up for it by being dirty (in a goodway) on the inside. Sex shops and naughty bars are dotted everywhere (at least everywhere to myNorth American eyes) seemingly regardless of neighbourhood demographic; sometimes they’renext to toy stores, sometimes they’re set up as massive standalone warehouse-sized megastores.And browsing through the local classifieds reveals a fairly active culture with various types of clubscatering to the sexually liberated.

Smokers Abound

Despite Switzerland’s almost sterile cleanliness, a surprising number of people smoke. Even inZurich’s main train station (which is fully covered and more an inside environment than outside),people chain smoke at the “meeting point” in the main hall.

Smoking is banned in most indoor establishments, but there always seems to be good complimentof smokers on patios. (This is lovely in the summer, but I wonder how many people suffer theiraddictions to the same extent during the winter months, since outdoor heaters are banned for theirenvironmental unfriendliness).

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Water fountains are all over Switzerland. Zurich has over 1,200 fountains in the city centre alone.Not only are they beautiful, but they’re all pumping out perfectly drinkable water. I love being in aplace where bottled water is not necessary – or even popular.

Recycling is an Epic Task

As a very clean and environmentally friendly country, the Swiss take their recycling seriously.Unfortunately it’s a big chore; items are separated a million different ways (I counted 10 differentkinds of recyclables), from different colours of glass to different types of plastic, right down to waterfilters), and although some of it is collected, most of it needs to be dropped off at collection pointsoften located at grocery stores or train stations. Ironically, not every drop-off point allows you todeposit all kinds of recyclables, making the task of recycling even more onerous.

I suggested to a Swiss friend that such a labour-intensive convoluted system wouldn’t fly in manyother countries, and I commended the Swiss people’s commitment to recycling. What’s theincentive? Garbage bags are pre-paid (and expensive), so the Swiss are consequently morepredisposed (pun intended) to recycling so they can reduce garbage fees.

Garbage Gets Recycled into Power

Even garbage gets recycled, in a way. Switzerland uses an incredibly advanced form ofincineration; one that emits none of the toxic fumes we associate with burning garbage, andactually turns the heat generated from the incineration….into power. Wow! Why isn’t the rest ofthe world doing this? The facilities are incredibly expensive to build, but with the power generationand reduction of need for landfill space and resources, I’d suspect it could pay for itself veryquickly.

Let’s get on this, people.

An Honourable Honour System

You could probably get away with not using pre-paid garbage bags (although you’re subject to afine if you’re caught). Then again, you could get away with riding the local train most of the time,parking for free, and any number of other tasks that operate largely on the honour system, withonly periodic spot checks. The Swiss are not only clean and environmentally aware, but

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apparently well-behaved too.

It’s Rural

I think of Zurich as a fairly large city, but the house I’ve been caring for (which is a mere 15 minutesby train from the centre of Zurich) is certainly in a rural neighbourhood. The house looks out on cornfields, and the occasional smell of cow poop wafting through the yard confirms that I’m mostcertainly in a rural area. I wrote about this rural/urban combo last year when I passed throughduring the Ultimate Train Challenge.

It’s the best of both worlds, since five minutes by car takes you to a nearby town with absolutelyeverything you could want (including, of course, at least two mega-sex-shops. I’m just saying.)

It’s Efficient and On-Time

As a country/culture known for its fine attention to detail (hence their propensity towards bankingand making watches as examples), it stands to reason that everything is incredibly efficient. If thetrain is scheduled to arrive/depart at 10:42, it will be at 10:42 on the dot. It’s refreshingly reliable.

I learned that the train drivers get a hefty bonus for being on-time; it’s a great incentive to keepthe country running like (ahem) clockwork.

It’s Expensive

Although I was forewarned by many people that Switzerland is very expensive, I wasn’t terriblyshocked by the prices here…except for the trains. Every time I get on the local train it costs over 8Swiss Francs, which cuts deep into any traveler’s budget.

I guess you’ve got to pay for all that cleanliness and efficiency somehow.

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Organic Isn’t Expensive

I was delighted to discover a huge amount of organic produce (labelled as “bio”) at grocerystores, and even more delighted to discover that it’s only slightly more expensive than the non-organic alternatives. In some cases it’s the same price, and sometimes it’s actually cheaper.

Bread, Glorious Bread

Although this is not necessarily limited to Switzerland, their love of (and variety of) bread isnoteworthy. Even local gas stations bake fresh bread – and at least five different kinds no less.

Cheese, Glorious Cheese

Need I say more?

Four National Languages

Although the common conception is that Switzerland has three national languages (German,French, and Italian), there are actually four – including Rumantsch (a Romanic language whichonly 1% actually speaks). German is by far the most commonly used (74%), with French and Italianspoken more in the South.

Each language has its own “Swiss” dialect which differs from standard German, French, andItalian, just to confuse things further.

Given all these different languages and dialects, it’s not terribly difficult to get around speakingonly English, which seems to be a common denominator of sorts. Having said that, in the “rural”

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area where I’ve been staying, English is less common (especially among older folks). Asking forheadache tablets at the pharmacy was a fun exercise in charades, replete with me hitting myhead on multiple surfaces. (Hey. Go big or go home. I do have a flair for the dramatic.)

It’s Beautifully Mountainous

A huge portion of Switzerland is incredibly mountainous, and even if you aren’t in the mountains,you can probably see them in the distance. This beautifully clean alpine environment with rollinggreen hills and cows grazing (bells and all) really brings to life so many of the stereotypical imagesyou might have of Switzerland. Check out this video to see (and hear) it for yourself.

Or have a peek at my latest Swiss Montage video, which includes the sights and sounds of bothcity and country life:

It’s Full of Pride and Culture

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You don’t have to go far to see a Swiss flag; they’re everywhere. Heck, if I lived here, I’d be proudtoo.

And Swiss National Day in the mountains was full of national costumes and old traditions that Iwould have thought were long forgotten, but remain alive and well. This is a beautiful tribute toSwitzerland as a country and culture.

Wilkommen to Switzerland

The warm welcome I’ve had from everybody in Switzerland has been almost overwhelming. I’verekindled old friendships with Swiss people I met abroad, and formed new friendships with so manypeople – some as random as the person sitting next to me at a pub or on a train. The sheer numberof strangers who welcomed me to Switzerland with kisses and hugs on Swiss National Day is atestament to the warm atmosphere that has made my summer in Switzerland a beautifulexperience, and which has solidified my commitment to return…..someday soon.

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Tagged as: Swiss culture, Switzerland

Glad that you liked Switzerland and made such a great post about your travel.

I just commented to add that there is daily or weekly cards that will lower the costs fortrains and buses available. If any traveler has the chance to come to Switzerland make sure tofind a Swiss friend that will purchase one for you

Bis bald, À bientôt, Ciao per ora,

Yvan.

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theprofessionalhobo September 4, 2012 at 7:06 am

@Yvan – Thanks for the suggestion! I used a ride card that gave me six rides for the priceof five (I think). From what I could tell the daily and weekly cards are good value, but you have tobe prepared to take at least 3 trains/buses each day to “break even”. Then again, if you’revisiting a new place, that might not be a stretch! (I generally prefer to walk if I can).

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Nomadic Translator @latinAbroad September 6, 2012 at 5:37 pm

My thoughts exactly! Loved Switz. when I visited back in 2005. Great list Nora

- Maria Alexandra

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theprofessionalhobo September 9, 2012 at 12:18 pm

@Maria – Thanks! How long were you in Switzerland? Any highlights or observations onyour part?

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Michele September 11, 2012 at 4:47 am

Just moved to Switzerland (Zurich)! It’s my second week. Although I grew up here, Ispent 20 years of my life abroad. So I’m experiencing it like you described it. And after 8 years inItaly, this country feels like I’ve found paradise. Very happy!

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thepinaysolobackpacker September 11, 2012 at 5:06 am

thanks for sharing your insights abou the Swiss life. Haven’t been to Switzerland yet but Ialso heard its a clean and beautiful country from my relatives there. Love that photo with theSwiss flag and the one where you’re standing in a mountain.

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theprofessionalhobo September 11, 2012 at 6:57 am

@Michele – That’s fabulous! And I’m glad my random observations rang true for you aswell. What is the biggest difference between life in Italy vs Switzerland for you?

@pinaysolo – Thanks! Switzerland was very kind to my camera; it’s hard not to point it just aboutanywhere and come out with something akin to a postcard!

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Tiny Girl with Big Bag October 8, 2012 at 8:15 pm

Haha, it was so funny to read all this.. and I must agree with the majority of the pointsbased on what I have heard about it

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theprofessionalhobo October 9, 2012 at 10:03 am@Tiny Girl – Have you been to Switzerland yet? It’s such a lovely place.

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