Chocs to clocks: 16 myths about the Swiss

Everyone knows about the snow-capped mountains and pen-knives with lots of attachments but do they represent the real Switzerland? Here, the author of The Xenophobe's Guide to the Swiss explodes — and confirms — a few myths.

Published: 10 April 2013 08:59 CEST

Chocs to clocks: 16 myths about the Swiss

Photos (left to right): Charlesjsharp, ND Strupler, liladobbs and Mirko Grifoni

Do you still think of Switzerland as a neutral country populated by a nation of skiing, pen-knife wielding, chocolate-loving, German-speaking people who wouldn’t dare to flush the toilet after 10pm? Then you’d better check out The Local’s gallery of the top 16 Swiss Myths.

While some of these popular stereotypes contain a grain – or snowflake – of truth in them, others are simply false.

We spoke to British expat Paul Bilton, author of Xenophobe's Guide to the Swiss, who has lived in Switzerland for over 20 years with his Swiss wife.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR GALLERY OF 16 OF THE COMMONEST MYTHS ABOUT THE SWISS.

Paul Bilton is the author of Xenophobe's Guide to the Swiss and Laughing Along With the Swiss.

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