I think that I know the OPs identity: http://youtu.be/zGNVU5ZjlgA
At the bottom of the lift in the train station is probably not the best place to appeal to a stranger for help, given that thieves and pickpockets tend to do much of their "work" at train stations (one can find many threads describing theft at stations/on trains).
The rude woman was probably suspicious of your intent when you spoke to her.
Yes, that's what I think as well.
Of course they are. You experienced the behaviour of that lady in Lausanne yourself. Do you really need any more proof?!? Duh...
I live in lucerne and with all the beggars around the main station I started to ignore "excuse me" questions - there are people who act like they are not from here only to get money for "train tickets". I hope one day the city council will realize that this is hurting the real tourists
this would have been the proper first response to the OP rather than the 2 pages of piss-taking, so thanks for your post.
Look at the thread title, though. Anyone who seeks an affirmation that an entire nation is "rude and discriminating" based on the fleeting experience of ONE person in ONE town deserves to take a bit of stick.
Even if one of my friends said the same thing to me, I'd take the piss (all in good-nature, obviously).
True, although generally you can quickly identify the beggars.
I guess that this lady just didn't want to bother...
I don't know. Some of them look normal, even well-dressed.
After a while you remember their faces but I still encounter somebody new from time to time.
I know several Swiss locals who base their entire opinion on the US on one bad experience at a border crossing, or with a homeless person in Manhattan, etc. it's human nature, and in this case the OP simply asked a question (even if phrased less than ideally).
Maybe she misheard and thought you said something like 'coucher moi'
I'm new and have found everyone lovely so far - you must have had a bit of bad luck, don't worry!
The OP phrased it more as an accusation based a single experience with a single person, they got the sort of reply they went looking for by the forum. Its not as though they asked a load of people in Lausanne and got the same response from each which if they had asked more I am sure the next couple would have been happy to help
Had a idea write a book on the people you meet on your travels it might end up a top seller
I like to stand by Basel SBB and smack tourists around the head with a Swiss flag.
I'm hoping the Swiss tourist authority will pay me off.
any tourist who would go to Basel deserves to get smacked around.
"Are Swiss people always rude and discriminating to tourists?"
If those words could easily stir up emotions from you guys so as to create such piss-taking. Then you know how powerful words could be. And you could also realize how 'just words' could still hurt people deeply.
Then you should fully understand how people like me felt when going through such experience.
I came to Switzerland for the first time. I didn't read things about the country on websites because I wanted to learn what it was like through living there actually rather than hearing from others. I have learnt and I have moved on. You guys should do the same.
I think you might have just run into a psycho...
My experience of the Swiss in Lausanne, or any other part of Switzerland, is the exact opposite of the OP's. I have always found them to be very helpful. Just bad luck to pick someone who was having a bad day I guess.
Don't judge everyone on one experience.
Holding anything on a large stick (flag, umbrella, pompom) means that you are a tour guide. The tourists will flock to you awaiting your take on the historical significance of the Basel SBB.