Is Switzerland a good country for tourists and are they welcome?
By pvoegtli
@pvoegtli (55)
Switzerland
April 8, 2007 3:45am CST
I am Swiss. But I am running around in the world since 40 years. I can compare. When I think of Croatia, Macedonia, Monte Negro, Sudan and many other countries and see how one is welcomed there, how one is treated, I feel sometimes ashamed about my own country. Is it normal to charge 5 dollars to a customer in a café for extra ice cubes for his coke? This is just one example. And how often one is treated in a rude manner. Again in restaurants. The Swiss Tourism Office can make all the beautiful advertising it wants. But sometimes it does not match. What are your experiences? Good ones, bad ones?
4 responses
@chavezrmc (6095)
• Philippines
11 Apr 07
i am from the philippines. Our country is known for its people being hospitable, friendly and warm But this doesn't mean that there are no people who have no ill manners here. In every rule there is an exemption. There are those who are bad also but then we should not feel bad and we should not judge one country because of them. I understand you well why you are feeling that way, i guess all concerned individual should feel like that. But i believe that if people are intelligent enough then they are not going to generalize the judgement... don't feel bad my dear, i believe that if you are feeling like that then there are still lots who are like you. wish i can have the chance to visit your country too and the others i believe in the goodness of mankind. We can always charge to experience good or bad, and this will be a new addition to our learning. good day and regards.
@liming (114)
• China
17 Apr 07
Once I had a chance to visit Switzerland. That's a beautiful country though the price of food is too high compared with other countries. I only dared to eat chicken there. But I bought many chocolates in Geneva. I never forgot the lake of Geneva. When I lived in a small hotel in Alps, I found a big shortcoming. The toilet there is signed only by German and no a portrait there. So if someone didn't know of German, he would not know which toilet is for gentlemen and which is for ladies.
@liming (114)
• China
17 Apr 07
Once I had a chance to visit Switzerland. That's a beautiful country though the price of food is too high compared with other countries. I only dared to eat chicken there. But I bought many chocolates in Geneva. I never forgot the lake of Geneva. When I lived in a small hotel in Alps, I found a big shortcoming. The toilet there is signed only by German and no a portrait there. So if someone didn't know of German, he would not know which toilet is for gentlemen and which is for ladies.
@krayzee (1160)
• Romania
8 Apr 07
I've never been to Switzerland even though it's on my list of countries I'd like to visit. However I don't think you should be ashamed of anything there. Because I bet every country has its rude mannered people (not to mention I bet all countries charge tourists more, LOL, only this is more visible in countries with a good economy).
Come to think about it I've also encountered more polite and hospitable people than not in my travels (though I didn't travel as much as you have). However if I'll ever get to visit Switzerland I'll tell you my opinion of it because I'm sure your country has its share of nice people that would make you feel proud instead of ashamed :P (I'm sure you won't tell me now that each and every person you meet there is rude :) there probably are only a handful of them)
