Boring isn't the worst of it

I've lived here since I was quite young, and in my opinion, the problem with the swiss is not that they're boring (although maybe that's just because I never had to "crack the shell", or maybe I'm just boring myself). I think that the typical complaints that the Swiss are boring and cold overshadow the more serious issues.

Among these are racism, sexism, conservatism, the "everything by the book" mentality that someone mentioned (this might just seem quaint when you're disconnected from Swiss society, but really, it makes for a very oppressive and frustrating experience), the ultra-conformism, the love of control, of ratting out one's neighbor, etc, etc.

Really, Switzerland is a country of mountain-folk that just happens to be in the center of Europe. And rich. This already makes for a very peculiar society, but it is made even more peculiar by the huge gap that exists between this reality and the self-perception of many of them. The Swiss think that with the exception of those aspects in which they imagine to be better (hard-working, punctual...), they are just a modern western European country like any other. Take sexism for example: while some Swiss will admit that gender equality is not fully achieved, they think that nonetheless, the situation in Switzerland is as good as it gets anywhere.

By the way, this illustrates one of the three ways they refuse to consider criticism or acknowledge problems: They say, go elsewhere, it's just as bad. The second is the platitude "you can't generalize". The third way is to accuse the critic of having personal issues, such as being "frustrated", as seen in this forum. This last tactic is also a powerful deterrent to potential Swiss critics, who from youth are given no option but to psychologize their "frustrations" and deal with their "issues" internally instead of developing an attitude that could one day usher social change. But anyway, this kind of thinking helps them in never taking a critical look at their culture and society specifically.

What is funny about the notion that things are the same or worse elsewhere, is that despite traveling a lot, the Swiss are surprisingly ignorant about how things are elsewhere. And yet they love to justify their frequent condemnation of anything by saying that such and such is not normal ... "c'est pas normal!" (at least in the French part). This is taken to be utterly clear and convincing. As if these tiny-village-in-an-isolated-valley-dwellers really had any idea of what is and isn't normal for most people.

Oh, someone mentioned customer service, and I agree completely. Not only are people often extremely rude, they are also inept. This has much to do with not knowing what standards most people would expect, and not caring. There is also no mobility, people apprentice for a job in their teens and that's pretty much what they'll do all their life. This system is out of phase with the world that the Swiss are living in. While it might turn out highly skilled watchmakers, most people end up more stunted as a result. Honestly, is it really necessary to go through a whole apprenticeship, complete with exams and internship, to work in a stationary store?

Enough for now, I have to get back to my boring day.

sahar 15 Sep 2008, 01:30 - Report