One sometimes makes the mistake of thinking that your way of doing things is the right, the best, or the only way. In a different environment, you realize various approaches to the same situation are possible and challenge you to broaden your perspective. Switzerland confronted me with this in several ways.

Compliance offers freedom

One of the first things I noticed in Switzerland was the high level of compliance. Citizens ensure an orderly coexistence by taking the responsibility of pointing out non-compliance. Zander and his friends have a term for it – the locals “swiss” you! At first, it caused stress, but I could see and understand the positive impact on order and safety and the resulting freedom.

On arrival, I noticed no prior train ticket check before embarking on public transport. Compliance is assumed. Officers in casual clothes sometimes check on surprise-basis passenger tickets on the local trains, and the fines are high if you violate the rules.

My young adult sons found it strange that people could use alcohol in public and on trains. I also noticed it when festive goers walked with a beer in hand during the Zurich Street Parade and did not misbehave.

In Switzerland, military service is compulsory for young Swiss men. I was surprised when I saw a young man dressed in his military uniform drinking a beer on the train. I grew up when military service was still compulsory in South Africa, and this picture was, in many ways, an exception to my frame of reference.

The naked truth

The Swiss, like other Europeans, are much more comfortable with nudity than me based on my upbringing. People will easily discreetly change clothes after a swim in the lake, and are comfortable getting dressed in front of other people and even walking around without clothes in public changing rooms.

Our sauna experiences

Spa and thermal baths are popular winter activities and one of our winter fun discoveries.

Charl and I tried our local pool’s beautifully and neatly furnished spa facilities. There was a suggested sequence for using the offerings, alternating sauna, and steam rooms with ice-cold baths for optimal health benefits.

The sauna was first on the list. Upon entering, I noticed that the people inside, all men, were not wearing any swimwear. I was uncomfortable but decided to sit quietly in my corner and keep my eyes on the door.
After a while, they both walked out. I sensed from their body language their conversation with a lady had something to do with us.

In Swiss style, she opened the door and firmly informed us that swimwear was not allowed in the sauna. I needed some processing time. We decided to follow the rules but went into the steam room where you could not see a thing. After a few minutes, my courage disappeared, and we went home. I still have some internal work to do on the topic of nudity.

The gynaecological visit

After more than two years in Switzerland, my conscience reminded me it was time for my annual gynaecological visit. As I walked into the consulting rooms, the doctor and I realized that her English and my German were equally limited. My eyes quickly went around the room to find the dressing cubicle with the pink patient gown. I realized with shock that Swiss doctors are advocates of effectiveness and with greater comfort with nudity changing rooms and patient gowns are unnecessary.

The situation confronted me with the naked truth. The doctor and I struggled through the examination in a mixture of English, German and gestures and were equally relieved when I walked out.

Money matters

Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world. The prices of everyday items were initially a big shock.

In South Africa, we are used to high inflation rates, accompanied by high-interest rates. At least there is an advantage to high-interest rates if you have some savings in the bank. In Switzerland, inflation and interest rates are low. However, the “negative” interest rate concept in Switzerland surprised us. If your bank balance reaches a certain threshold, you pay interest for keeping your money in a Swiss bank!

Taxes also work quite differently. There are three levels of taxation. Swiss federal tax law is uniform throughout Switzerland, but each of the 26 cantons has a separate cantonal tax law. Municipalities levy their taxes as a multiple of cantonal taxes. Laws and tax rates vary significantly between cantons and between local governments. The choice of place of residence plays a significant role in tax planning.

Married couples must file a joint Swiss tax return, and the authorities assess them jointly. We are used to employers deducting taxes from employees’ salaries monthly and remitting them to the tax collector. In Switzerland, this only applies to ex-pats.

Like a new pair of shoes

They say settling in a new country is like getting used to a new pair of shoes. At first, they pinch a little, but you like how they look, so you keep going. The longer you wear them, the more comfortable they become.

Kind regards

Emsia