I agree with treating people with respect, no matter what age. I think that in the examples that have been given the "offender" was more interested in criticising the parent rather than showing genuine concern for the well being of the child. It's rather pathetic oneupmanship.
I've lived in three different places in Switzerland where the neighbors had young children. In all cases I found that the mothers I met were constantly apologizing that their kids maybe too noisy when playing, crying or teething.
I felt sorry for these mums who were stressed out and constantly worried that the neighbors above, below or on either side may report them to the landlord. As far as I'm concerned the sounds of children belong to the normal cacophony of life and I let them know that.
As to shopping, I always look the other way when a kid throws a tantrum and have been known to glare at the smug, tutting mothers who have their kids jammed into the kids seat of the trolley, complete with bribe of new toy and sweeties.
From my observations, Kids anywhere, tend to reflect the cultural and family way's that they are shown and taught.
Interfering bu**ers should be just told to bu**er off, whatever the spoken language, body language speaks louder than words.
I remember coming back to the appt in Geneva early one morning and this women holding a baby of 2-3 months stopped me and begged me to look after her baby for the day, as her child care had not arrived. I had never seen the women before although she lived in the same block. The main priority for her was to dump the baby and get to work asap. I could not believe that she could give the most precious thing in her life to a stranger.
With our impending arrival due to take place in the net couple of weeks I can safely say if this happens when I am there, then old sod will be sat on his arse wondering why there is claret gushing from his nose.
And why do they do that over here......walking along quite happily and......stop.....let's stop here have a conversation and block the path!!!!! FFS is it soooooo difficult to move to one side or the other
Nah, that's just a problem with Switzerland not locking up the looneys in the proper bin. I get stopped near Paradeplatz or on my way home by strangers all the time, some just lost tourists asking for directions, others a few eggs short of a dozen telling me their life stories.
I agree with you, however my many years in Switzerland have taught me that here normally the, for us, unnatural way actually is the way to go. The ruder you are, the nicer you're being treated. Of course, this is a gross generalization but it does have something to it. And what really does the trick is to prove that somebody is actually wrong in their statement or what they have done. Try it out and I bet you'll get quite a surprise! :-)
I feel quite sorry for Mrs Boris - I know exactly what she went through. The tip given to answer back "gaht Ihne nöt a" is really the way to go I believe if she feels comfortable with it and can keep her head cool enough to remember how to react (that is were I fail :-).
It really is something one has to learn to live with when bringing up children here in Switzerland. I haven't.
What were you thinking taking your baby out in the p*ss weak European winter sun without a hat!?
And how dare your child show childish fervor and frivolity on public transport, you should teach your child the proper culture where she respects silence and the joy of feeling like you are cattle on the way to slaughter whilst on public transport.
I can fully sympathise with those lovely older folk who were showing concern!
I saw exactly the same sort of thing happen. Three old women surrounded this poor mother and gave her such a telling off about her kid and how it wasn't dressed properly - sheesh