Fully in agreement DD, Jay, Canadian Girl

• The point is that swathes of people are frustrated living in Switzerland, wherever from originally. We come here, wanting it to work, wanting to be part of the turning wheel, wanting to have fun and enjoy a new culture in a beautiful country. We bring positivity, education, skills and difference. We help to improve the economic status, and the world's view of the country. The land offers lots of promise, scenery, peace, nature. Jobs seemingly offer stability financially. But, despite the positives you bring, you just never feel good or 'right' being here.
  
  Foreigners cannot fit in. Ever. It is just never going to happen. The system, the socialisation, the people will never let it happen. Not in our generation, at least. Switzerland has only just emerged from the medieval dark ages, helped by WW2. Look at more developed integrated democratic countries where immigration flow has occurred over hundreds of years (USA, UK, NED, GER, etc). Yes racism exists, yet these societies accept and embrace differences (even not speaking the language is acceptable to a point) and legally cannot vilify or treat you differently (though, of course, there are always exceptions). But this occurred over centuries.
  
  Until the Swiss are comfortable with who they are and feel safe that their land/jobs/money will not be taken from them, despite the foreign flow, they will continue to be isolationist, protectionist, bigoted and less than human to each other and any foreigner. I repeat: it will not happen in the next twenty years, so if you do live here, or plan to, acceptance of the order, a thick skin, connection to your home town - and lots of foreign friends - will remain the survival kit.

  Wendy 06 Mar 2009, 05:53 - Report

Switzerland sucks