I don't know, driving in different places, be it countries or cities or country roads, always has the same effect on me, I adapt to the driving style of others on the road. I just pick up what they do and do the same which is of course sometimes a bit silly and dangerous too.
Zurich is just Zurich and the way they drive there belongs to them. You go to Geneva and they drive the way they drive in Geneva and so what.
That must be a Zurich thing. Here around the Fribourg area, the swiss people can't drive at all. I am probably acting exactly as the Zurich drivers, but the swiss do act mildly retarded in the traffic around here, as one keen observer aready said
When it's raining cats and dogs, it's a total standstill for 3 hours.
A few Malaysians I've met here say their Swiss driving instructor was often surprised that they didn't 'trust' other drivers' signalling etc. We say it's an old Malaysian driving habit 'coz in KL when another driver is signalling to turn into your road, you need to wait to make sure he really does. And when he's not signalling, he's liable to make an unexpected turn somewhere. As for changing lanes, the KL drivers don't believe signalling is all that necessary.
It might be more revealing to try to categorise the bizzare Swiss driving styles, therefore providing information and forewarning to newcomers to Swiss roads:
1. We've already mentioned the international reputation Swiss drivers have for tailgating. One very good reason to sit nursing a drink on the terrace in a restaurant in Rapperswil is the great view one has of idiotic rear-enders on the bridge over the lake.
2. The stop on a roundabout to let you on. An act of kindness usually performed by a smiley, middle-aged Swiss women. Truly insane, especially when she gets a surprise shunt from the Swiss bloke driving too close behind her.
3. The "I find corners frightening." driver. Speeds up madly on the straights, jams on like a frightened deer when approaching any sort of curve in the road. Stay well back from this one, and play some soothing music to stop yourself chewing through the steering wheel.
The last (and only ) time I actually drove in CH was 24 years ago, and I don't remember thinking Swiss drivers or traffic were any different than their counterparts here in Texas. In fairness, that driving experience lasted all of two days, and I'm sure things have changed since then.
Every other time I've traveled in CH, whether by train, tram , bus, or car (with somebody else driving), I was enjoying myself too much to take note of anyone's driving manners.
A big NUMBER 4 - PARKING. I hold my hands up and say I have problems parking my car but round by us where blue zone parking is at a premium there are some examples of sh*t parking which would give you an ulcer. I have been tempted on many occasions to leave a post-it note on some offenders' windscreens saying.... uuuhhggghhh I don't know what but crikey it makes me mad.
Leaving a three-quarters car length between them and the one in front is the main problem but if you drive a Smart, you'd be in parking paradise...