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LIVING IN SWITZERLAND

Five things about living in Switzerland that will surprise you

Some aspects of Swiss life, rules, and practices may be surprising — or even shocking — to new arrivals from more conservative or less regimented countries.

Five things about living in Switzerland that will surprise you
Unless you live alone on top of a mountain, you shouldn't flush your toilet at night. Photo by AFP

Taxpayer-funded prostitution

The ’world’s oldest profession’ is not only perfectly legal and considered as a ‘regular’ service industry, but public funds are sometimes used to pay for sex workers’ comfort and safety.

For instance, in a 2012 referendum, 52 percent of Zurich voters approved the municipal plan to, um, erect 25 ‘sex boxes’ — basically, garage-like structures — where the city’s prostitutes could ply their trade in private, away from downtown’s gritty areas.

The boxes are under 24-hour surveillance, have a social worker on site, and include a laundry, shower and café.

The sex boxes are financed by taxpayers’ money. Photo by AFP

Total cost of the project was CHF 2 million to build the structure, and another CHF 800,000 was earmarked for annual operation costs — expenses that voters apparently thought made a lot of street sense.

Nudity

Walking (or perhaps riding a bicycle or e-scooter) in the buff is also legal in Switzerland, as it is considered  an important element of ‘personal freedom’.

While Swiss penal code does not expressly say public nudity should be practiced, it does not prohibit it either. It only bans ‘public indecency’.

After some people in the canton Appenzell complained that a hiker with no clothes on walked past a family with small children and a Christian rehabilitation centre, a court ruled that cantons can ban public nudity, but few did.

The dignity of plants

Before you pick a flower on an Alpine meadow, think twice.

There’s actually a regulation called “The dignity of living things with regard to plants”. 

Although the law is written in a ‘legalese’, difficult to understand language, one of its articles clearly states that “decapitation of wild flowers at the roadside without rational reason” is strictly forbidden.

This applies to all humans passing by the flower, whether naked or clothed.

If you pick this flower for no valid reason, you are breaking the law. Photo by AFP

READ MORE: Five Swiss laws that foreign residents are bound to break 

You must have buddy for your pet

The Swiss Animal Protection Act says that small domestic animals like rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs tend to get lonely without a companion, so they must be kept in pairs.

This law is included in Switzerland’s Constitution, so it is not a joke.

In fact, the Swiss are so serious about animal welfare (along with plant welfare) that the canton of Basel may actually launch a referendum granting “fundamental rights to life for non-human primates”. (No word about rights for human primates). 

For animal lovers, this vote is no monkey business.

Quiet in the bathroom!

This is not a law but rather a more or less common practice among tenants in Swiss apartments.

To be a good and considerate neighbour in Switzerland means not flushing your toilet after 10 pm. This may relate to all kinds of noises being forbidden after 10 pm.

Of course, much depends on how thin your walls are, how often you use the loo at night, and how finicky your neighbours are. 

Member comments

  1. You wrote ” ‘pubic’ funds are sometimes used to pay for sex workers’ comfort and safety.” Don’t correct it… It’s such a great Freudian slip! 52 years ago when I worked in Germany in the international Department of a bank someone made the same mistake in a letter that was forwarded to all departments, via these old-fashioned pneumatic tubes…a riot… In the funny sense. Switzerland has a special place in my heart it is the only place where I would consider having a citizenship besides my own (which is not exactly doing well right now unfortunately) stay safe and healthy and hopefully sane as well!!

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WHAT'S ON IN SWITZERLAND

Six unmissable events in Switzerland in April 2024

From Zermatt's unplugged music festival to Swiss beer in Solothurn, there are plenty of events in Switzerland to keep you entertained this April.

Six unmissable events in Switzerland in April 2024

Tulip Festival 

Morges (Lake Geneva), March 29th-May 12th

OK so this festival does start in March but it runs through until May 12th – and April might be the best time to visit. 

The Fête de la Tulipe or Tulip Festival is an annual event held in the city of Morges every year featuring more than 140,000 flowers and around 350 varieties of tulips which you can admire while wandering around. 

This year’s theme is ‘Countries of the World’. The special programme features lots of events, including music and dance, a children’s theatre on Wednesday April 3rd plus guided tours. 

Zermatt Unplugged

Zermatt, Valais, April 9th-13th

This mountain resort may be known for winter sports, but it’s also worth visiting at other times of the year. 

And this music festival, featuring pared-back performances, is a great time to sample Zermatt’s vibrant scene in spring. 

Taking place from April 9th to 13th, you can watch artists, bands and DJs such as Ronny Scott’s All Stars and Jake the Rapper perform next to the unique mountain scenery – including the iconic Matterhorn. 

This year, the festival will showcase 120 concerts across 17 stages spread throughout the village and across the surrounding slopes.

READ ALSO: Eight music festivals in Switzerland you can’t miss this year

Sechseläuten

Zurich, starting April 12th

This four-day festival, which translates to the ‘the six o’clock ringing of the bells’, starts on Friday April 12th, leading up to the climax on Monday April 15th.

The highlight is the procession of the guilds to Sechseläutenplatz with the giant ‘Böögg’ (a snowman effigy that symbolises winter) burning at 6pm on Monday.

While not a public holiday, many businesses, offices, and banks close on Monday so that Zurich residents can celebrate this ancient spring festival.

READ ALSOHere’s why people in Zurich burn a huge snowman every April

International Exhibition of Inventions 

Geneva, April 17th-April 21st

If you’re looking to be inspired or you are in the world of innovative business, the International Exhibition of Inventions might just be the place for you. 

Featuring creations from 40 countries all over the world, this year there will be 1,000 new inventions and products by 800 exhibitors.

More than 30,000 visitors attend this event every year, including hundreds of journalists and entrepreneurs.

It’s taking place at the Grand Saconnex,Palexpo Halle 5 in Geneva and, at the same time, a Climate Fair will be held in the same venue. 

Solothurner Biertage

Solothurn, April 25th-27th

Neighbouring Germany is better known for beer, but that doesn’t mean that beer in Switzerland doesn’t taste great!

That’s right, beer fans should get down to Solothurn Beer Days festival to sample the good stuff. 

More than 50 Swiss breweries will come together for the event to present over 200 varieties of craft beer. 

Make sure you sample some of the great food on offer – including Swiss favourite raclette – to soak up the alcohol. 

A mug of beer on a beer garden table.

A mug of beer on a beer garden table. Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels

Food Truck Festival 

Locarno, Ticino, April 26th-28th

Thanks to its location in Europe and diverse population, Switzerland is a great spot for delicious food.

And now there’s a place to sample some of it – you’ll find authentic snacks and delicacies at this food fest in Locarno.

Featuring trucks, caravans and ape cars coming from the north of the Alps as well as Italy, local ingredients are used for a variety of mouthwatering dishes and drinks. 

Make sure you’re hungry when you head to this event, which is free to enter and takes place on the Piazza Grande. 

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