The Raclette Rant
by Chantal Panozzo
Cheese. Chocolate. Cute Chalets. Living in Switzerland should be easy. ...
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The Smiling Swiss
The Swiss generally aren't outwardly friendly. If you saw them on the street, you'd think no one was nice. But first impressions aren't a true measure of Swiss friendliness. When you get to know people, they are some of the most loyal and pleasant people you'll meet. But still. Even though I tried to train myself not to look at people or smile when I pass them, it's hopeless. I'm a smiler and there's nothing I can do about it. But I am a bit tired of smiling at people and having them give nothing in return.
However, after living here for three years, I've come to think the Swiss street-friendliness is related more to the weather than anything else.
If I'm on a hike and it's sunny out, people say hello to me. If I'm on a hike and the weather is cold and rainy, people don't say hello to me.
Maybe it's just all in my head.
But today was a sunny, warm day and everyone I passed on my hike said "hello" and some people actually smiled. Imagine my excitement. Because on Monday, I had done the exact hike in rainy, cold weather and no one I passed even acknowledged me.
A blogger on swissinfo.ch once said the reason the Swiss aren’t outwardly friendly is because they are “preoccupied” with their own matters. Maybe this is true. But I tend to think we should blame it on the weather. After all, even I get depressed after days of non-stop fog in the winters. But smiling and getting nothing in return only makes the winters even worse. Maybe I should keep up my straight-faced training. But first, I'll enjoy the summer.
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