Why don't the Swiss ever smile and always look so depressed? You would think that if they were rated the 5th happiest country in the world, they would appear more happy and smile more. In Zurich, people appear to be the most depressed, everyone is always in a rush and it seems most of them are only concerned about working and money. The swiss even voted against an extra week holiday at one stage! Can you believe that?
"Here, have another week holiday"
"No thanks, we'd rather work"
This is a huge contrast to Australia where the majority of people appear to be smiling. If they had a vote in Australia for an extra week holiday, you can be sure they would take it! There just seems to be a better work/life balance in Australia, perhaps this is why they are happier than the swiss?
One day I was walking down the street and a swiss man actually smiled at me and greeted me with "Gruezi". This actually made my day, because normally everyone I see looks like they are about to die. I often try and smile at people here, but they never seem to smile back.
You live in Zurich. What do you expect?
Broaden your horizons a bit and you'll meet plenty of smiling and friendly Swiss people.
Yeah the people are a lot friendlier in the smaller towns, but in general they still don't smile all that much. As a country in general, the swiss do appear to be quite depressed.
I can see why this often makes a lot of expats feel down themselves, especially when they make an effort to smile and be friendly to people, only to have coldness back.
Plenty of smiley, friendly people around here. The only time I've encountered a rude and unsmiling person in a shop was actually in Zurich.
You're clearly in the wrong bit of Switzerland.
There are plenty of things not to like in Switzerland ( the same as any other country really) but in my experience lack of smiles isn't one of them.
People. Can we please stop feeding the troll? It's already agreed to crawl back under its bridge; please stop giving it reason to stay here.
- " Mummy, mummy ........ do I really have to go back to Australia ?"
- " Shut up, and keep digging ."
Troll or not, AussieSuisse has a point. There is no doubt that people smile much less in CH than in the other parts of Europe I frequent.
To me it's the most difficult issue to come to terms with, living in Switzerland.
What's the point of money, fresh air, security when everybody you interact with during a day (busdriver, Migros lady, old lady on the bus, neighbour in the garage...) looks miserable. Day in and day out and with a bit of Hochnebel on that and I am ready to get on the first flight out.
So far I have gathered from you that the swiss dont dress well or smile!!!??
People walking around on their own dont tend to smile (Might make them look a little weird)
BUT
When I see groups they usually look happy.
I dont know about ZHR but I love BSL. Theres always a group of teenagers some where laughing their heads off about feck all . . . . some wearing dark clothes... some wearing feck all clothes
In the words of that great 20th Century philosopher, Paul Simon, "A man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest".
... whereas you, on the other hand, live in Zug .
Now let's stop for a moment and think what Zug and Zurich might have in common with each other, as opposed to, say, Glarus, Jura or the Graubünden (outside the ski resorts)...
I agree, this is also something I've found difficult with coming from Australia where everyone seems to be smiling and having a friendly chat - even with a complete stranger. For example... a cashier in a supermarket will often ask you how you are, what your plans are for the weekend etc. In Switzerland they look like they want to die and just greet you with a forced "gruezi". I once met a Swiss tourist in Australia who said "I went on a bus today and the bus driver was so friendly and even had a conversation with me!" she couldn't believe it and was in shock. She said she even went into shops without buying anything, just to experience the friendly customer service lol.
Perhaps its the lack of sunshine and vitamin D that makes people so miserable here? Just a thought.
Don't take this in the wrong way, as it's a genuine question, but when are you actually leaving Switzerland?
The work life balance in Switzerland is fine. It is even in the "big city" Zurich much better than any other financial center, no matter if you turn to London, NY, HK or Singapore. Exception might be Luxembourg which is equally sleepy.
The difference is that the Swiss unlike most other countries are used to direct democracy. Even the dumber part of society understand that you cannot have unlimited paid vacation - any extra days have to be financed somehow - which would typically mean less income. Which Aussie would really want more free time with less beer money?
So people move to CH in search of a better life/job/whatever. They benefit from one of the most stable economies/governments in europe, with unrivalled natural beauty and low crime rates, but yet, something is missing.
Ah, the people who work towards making it like that (okay - they got lucky with the mountains) should just be a bit 'happier'.
We really do want our cherry on top of the cake don't we.
But look, it's complaints corner, I guess we really shouldn't be taking these things too seriously (and feeding the troll), it's just blowing off a bit of steam (repeatedly, and annoyingly) but this is what the Forum is for. Personally I think you are talking out of your nether regions but I come from London, where personal contact of any sort with strangers is deemed a bit 'continental'.
You are Swiss and should know. Why do you ask the question?
September, why does it matter and what does it have to do with this topic?
I may be "swiss" legally, but not culturally. I didn't grow up here.
But they do smile. I've seen them do it, I probably see it every day. I'm also sure it's not only because I am around.