This would now be a very rare sight in London. In part for fear that someone would steal the rucksack, and in part for fear that the building would be evacuated while the police investigated a suspect package.
A number of questions crossed my mind:
(a) are the Swiss genuinely more trustworthy than the British?
(b) is fear of crime exaggerated in the UK?
(c) are the Swiss immune from fear of terrorist attacks?
(d) is this just Bern, perhaps it is different in Zurich and Geneva?
(a) In Switzerland people are much more responsible for themselves.
(b) People will steal anything in the UK if it is not bolted down, part of the reason for that could be in answer(a).
(c) It is unlikely there will ever be terrorist attacks in Switzerland, maybe because Switzerland will never send its army to fight in foreign lands.
(d) There is no difference anywhere in Switzerland except in or near Geneva train station.
b) No if it's not nailed down someone will steal it, 5% chance of having the item returned, in CH more like 95%
c) Pretty much, now they've banned Minerets I guess all is okay. Plus the police are bored apart from ZH, GE so any suspects probably have their lives made very difficult.
d) More foreigners scratching a living in Geneva/Zurich, still I've left a couple of things in places and they've always been returned in Basel/Zurich. I think Bern you're 97% likely to have your stuff returned.
I've had my wallet stolen twice in Switzerland. Once was a fairly smooth move on the train that I don't hold myself to blame for, really, but the first time was that I left my book bag a Starbucks table while going up to the counter to ask a question of the barista. Came back and it was gone, despite being pretty much line of site the whole time - two guys sitting between me and it that left in the meanwhile probably got it.
So yeah, people feel safe and do things here that they don't in the UK. But it's not a perfect world, and stuff still happens.
Many people, other than crims, have the capacity to thieve - it's just a case of reward vs. risk.
But like many things in life, you only know you've made a judgement error, once it's happened and already too late.
I personally witnessed this (Mind you anybody within a mile of that one could say they witnessed it), had walked past the Sussex Arms just a minute before a bomb there was detonated, and was trapped on the Isle of Dogs while a truck bomb was being defused. It seemed as if every day there was explosion or a security alert.
To this day I'm still incredibly nervous of what I think is unattended luggage, bags, rucksacks, whatever, and will actively move as far away as possible - I'll leave a train carriage if I see an unattended bag.
To many of you it may seem stupid as even I know the chances of it being a bomb are virtually nothing, but that's what living in London at that time left me with.
The lady's Rucksack would likely have been rifled and anything of value taken within a few seconds in Zürich - and in sleepy Rapperswil as well.
The only times I have had something stolen were here in Switzerland. Once on the train, where I was pickpocketed by a team working together. A woman with a baby asked for help getting the buggy down the steps, her partner nabbed my bag as I was helping her. The second time was at the local Migros - I had put my wallet down while I opened a shopping bag, it was gone in two seconds.
Both incidents happened 14 or 15 years ago - and I (selber schuld ) think the reason was that I had let my guard down due to the false sense of security here. One hears this often from the local police - that this 'Swiss sense of security' is misplaced in today's world and actually adds to the crime stats. The Swiss, especially the older generation, are seen as easy prey due to their trusting attitude.
Yes, it would be wonderful to live in a world where one didn't need to look over one's shoulder. And I can understand the reluctance to develop the street smarts that one needs elsewhere, the clinging to the belief that Switzerland is immune from the ills of today's world. The days of unlocked doors, of trustworthy strangers, are (sadly) disappearing.
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I got a letter from the Schwyzer cantonal Polizei the other day. It was addressed to all dog owners in canton Schwyz, asking us to keep any eye out for suspicious activity.
Paraphrasing the letter: You are often with your dog out and about in the neighborhood. You and your loyal friend know who belongs in the neighborhood and who does not. While on your walks, the probability that you see suspicious people or vehicles is high. Please calls us immediately with any suspicions.
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But the times they are a-changin', even in Switzerland.
I grew up close to both Aldershot and Guildford, when both were bombed - even heard the Aldershot one go off, without knowing.
OK, Aldershot was an obvious target, but not Guildford, prior to the pub bombings.
Following these and others in London, there were always genuine and malicious hoaxes, almost on a daily basis - train stations, shops, schools - you name it, it was evacuated.
Although, I was seldom directly effected, it made me more alert and suspicious ...... and I genuinely believe that this has helped me not be a victim of crime, thus far.
Example: Swiss person could lose their job, not be able to get another apartment, credit history etc. They lose a lot, if caught. So unless there is some kind of mental issue, they are not going to steal random stuff, it's not worth the risk.
People with little to lose is a different story, but Swiss try to keep these people out.
The Horse & Groom pub in Guildford was at the time popular with soldiers who often socialised there, thus making it a obvious target.
There are many garrison towns (or were) throughout Britain, and many pubs frequented by service personnel, but I think none of them were seen as targets, before - only after.
b) no
c) i have heard of only one 'terrorist' type of incident here in this country. but then again, why would anyone want to blow up their piggy bank
d) i can vouch for Zurich, yes it is the same
Though unlikely in London, though possible at airport would leave suitcase to get a drink, but would speak loudly to another table to point out I was going to the counter, so as not to cause an Alert and know that others were also keeping a watch.
I did once in error leave one of those travel wallets with everything in, money, cards, passport at the Cashiers airside in Gatwick. I realised within 2 to 5 minutes and whilst walking back, my name was called over the tannoy.
Lesson learnt and now much more careful with valuables likes that.
In regards to terrorism, well Switzerland's stance on neutrality means its less likely to occur here, but doesn't guarantee that it wont be drawn into conflict one way or another, an unattended bag in a café is not likely to contain an explosive device, however a disenfranchised kid carrying a semiautomatic weapon for military service could flip out and kill a bunch of people, the risks just differ here.