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Living here for 3 years now

Posted in Switzerland forum

And I can truly say that

1) Swiss insurance companies are worse than the mafia
2) Swiss telecom (any of them) are worse than the mafia
3) TCS is a terrible on the admin side and worse than the mafia
4) Amid the stress of work life and the boredom of everyday living, you have to remember renewal dates (ie tcs, insurances, etc). They will not bother you to remind you of renewal dates (in case you want to anul a service). Thus, automatically once that date has gone by, you are enrolled for another year. You cannot desist. That is worse than organized crime! At least with organized crime, there is room for negociations!!! In CAnada or USA, you can desist, pro-rated that is.
5) Prices are always higher than in France even when the exchange rates would make you believe that the swiss corporations would be fair on this issue. They are not. Buy your food in France when you can. Even if you make 200,000+chf/year, it is good to know a) you have a wider selection in FR and b) you get to save serious money on beef cuts, eggs, pasta, etc.
6) Emil Frey, Coop and Migros control the country : Cartel Power (price and product control)
7) Service in most industries is an absolute 'ZERO'. I prefer going to France where at least I know what to expect!!
8) Everything costs... I mean everything! being the proud owner of a dog, you will be taxed (yearly) and for what??? Just because they issue dung baggies at garbage bins???!!! The problem is that people make decent money in the Suisse Romande region. Because of that, corporations and social services figure that they can legally permit themselves to overcharge you. Problem is that Swiss people love to complain - in a social environment (God they LOVE to complain) - but will never raise their voice or their fists. Things don't move here because the swiss is afraid of change and afraid to move out of the 'comfort zone'.
9) Businesses shut down during lunch hours and close at 18h30... so forget acquiring your goods during the week (if you work for a company). You would imagine that a 'capitalist' (pun intended) corporation would undestand that they would make a shitload more cash if they stayed open till 9pm and allow people to be able to shop after work. Perhaps there is a civil/legal issue in this matter but the corporations could change this... they have enough power to do so! I guess the owners are too rich to care. This country is stuck between old and new values. That is not unlike many other countries or regions (ie Andalucia) but at least in Spain you can shop until 9 or 10pm!
10) At my age, clubs are a no-no but in general going out is simply and utterly boring. Obviously one has to make his or her own fun but the ambiance is important. Here, most are working zombies. If you decide to go out a club or simply have a 15 yo whiskey in a bar, expect to pay between 17 to 25 francs for it. That is abnormal even if you make decent revenues. Bar, club and restaurant owners have higher wages to pay-out but it does not mean they have to rob you ... with a smile. If they focused more on good marketing for their businesses, they could lower the prices of their products due to a higher volume of patrons. I dont know but something is wrong here and I am no marketing wizard to the hospitality industry. BTW, advertising companies in Switzerland have a long way to go!!!
11) Expect accidents on the A1 every morning. Take the train!!! It is healthier, better for the environment and 'zero' danger. Swiss and French - on the road - are always in a rush for no reason! If they can be in front of you that's what matters... even if it means taking useless driving risks! Expect accidents everyday on the A1. A lot of idiots on this road.

On the positive side, Swiss are nice people after you get to know them (which will take 12 to 18 months) but dont expect to get invited to their residence. Nice views of the mountains. A few other things belong in the positives and they make it worth while to live here.

No country is perfect, no region is perfect. What makes the difference is what you do and how you handle issues. Switzerland can be a lot of fun... once you forget about all the hypocrisy that rules this land! Ok I am exagerrating a little!

  • Go to The Tomatoes's profile

    posted by  in Switzerland forum 

    ...to live in Switzerland. What a surprise ! And if at your age you're not responsible enough to handle bills and not getting slightly scammed (insurances scam ppl in any country, also in France), maybe it's time to grow up.

  • Kaloyan Nikolov

    posted by  in Switzerland forum 

    In that case I think it wont be so hard to change my opinion for you, Mr. Edgar Alain S. :-) ... although I must admit all these pics confused me quite enough. However it's not my job - after all everyone is free to do whatever he wants, go wherever and whenever wants to ... and then take the responsibility for such action of course. Actually all I know for you is from your profile and posts so far. And I am not such person at all, so now when I read my first comment I wonder to myself but ... most probably something affected me in that moment, anyway ...
    Well, I wish you all the best and hope we could meet each other some day, who knows! :-)

    Best regards,
    KNikolov

  • Edgar Alain S.

    posted by  in Switzerland forum 

    I am really sorry that I misspelled your name. I am also sorry that you do not seem to like me much. I feel sad about it because normally I had no problems with people in Eastern Europe Contries. But what can I do? Either you like somebody or you do not. But it makes me sad that you compare me with criminals and gangsters. How can you do that without knowing me? Nevertheless I wish you all the best, dear Mr. Nikolov, I think if we could meet personally, you would change your mind. With my deepest respect: Edgar Allan S.

  • Kaloyan Nikolov

    posted by  in Switzerland forum 

    Hi, me again.
    I must admit just became impressed by this conversation when I started to feel myself strange somehow … My apologies in advance to V. V. Enriques but you both sounds like oldsters.
    Of course I agree that everyone seek for a perfect place to live his life in peace and comfort and good harmony with everyone everything and nature, to have family and friends, and rise some children, however we all know (and as you both already said) it is kind of impossible and rather a dream than reality. That is why I think people have to keep trying, every single day, to reach the highest life standard but not just to let the river to flow away you know … Once again with all my respect as I judge of Ms. Enriques’ experience by her posts here only, I can not agree with everything said above. At least it is annoying when you here someone speaks like this for you country, without any kind of evidence and in the same time pretending to something better for his own country as there are so much people in this forum (even Swiss and not only in this forum) stating something else. I just don’t like the way they always complain … and blame the others for the problems they may have … and seek the guilt with someone else but never mind …
    I don’t understand for what kind of respect Mr. Edgar Alain S. is talking about when although I am not a native speaker I still can feel the irony and duplicity that spurt between the lines, alas. And for the calm and full with respect person like him I find it totally unacceptable and completely intolerable to write down the name of your opponent incorrectly, even it was a typo but never mind again …
    And last but not least I am glad I am not among the friends of yours - please take my advice free of charge because with such friends in some States you would be considered potential criminal, level 2 felony, Mister Ex II Company Manager.
    And finally till now I had some chances to go out and live/work somewhere else however I made my choice. It’s true I am RD Spec in Irish Company and my wife is Belgian Company COO but after all we choose to live and work here, in our Home Country! Because everyone knows …There’s no place like Home!

    Regards, and
    Look to hear from you soon!
    Mr. Nikolov

  • Go to V. V. Enriques's profile

    posted by  in Switzerland forum 

    Point taken and my apologies but my message referred to your message about respect, ie 'When you find a "better" country you can move your enterprise, we are living in a global world, d'ont we? I wish you a little more patience and calmness, composure and respect. With these you will live well here....and anywhere else. '

    I am not looking for a better place. Anyhow, I understand and appreciate what you are saying. Cheers and good night!

    Hasta luego!!
    V

  • Edgar Alain S.

    posted by  in Switzerland forum 

    Hi, my opinion of 22.11. was not adressed to you, but to Mr. Niklolov. Thanks and best wishes, you will see: With the time going on you will get used to all those things which do not please you. Paradise is nowhere, nobody is perfect, no country is perfect. Do not ask here for more than you would ask in your lovely country. E.

  • Go to V. V. Enriques's profile

    posted by  in Switzerland forum 

    I have the utmost respect for everyone. Coming from a humatirian background, working with underprivilidged children from the streets, trying to do the best for children and adults in rehab (non drug related) working with gang members, rapists,etc. So please do not talk to me about respect. Respect to me is the most important term after caring. I think you might have misjudged and stigmatised my message without really reading it. It does not disrespect anynone... unless you are in the insurance, telecom industries (where I am just saying that their policies are worse than the mafia... I think that is what got to you as you are in that field of work!! :-) and lastly if you happen to be one of the morning idiots driving at 160km/h to get to the office... often creating accidents. If you read my message, there is no lack of respect towards Swiss people. No need to be defensive here!! If you are not driving at 160km/h to get to the office, then this message does not concern you.

    I Love your country... Switzerland offers the best comforts... just like I love many places where I have lived. I can even criticize Montreal & Toronto hugely

    We are entitled to criticize but it does not mean we want to move away from it. To go on vacation is different from living as a citizen in a host country. All I did was put on paper what I have witnessed here.

    Ciao tutti
    V

  • Edgar Alain S.

    posted by  in Switzerland forum 

    ...this is allright with me. I respect anyone who does not like our country or it's citizens. Also to you I recommend that you go (or stay) in the country which you like most. As to Russia I travelled there and I liked it, especially the "ordinary people", I mean the people you meet on the street, who are tolerant, guest-friendly and generous. But I also talked to these people and they tell me, that it's not easy if you need something from a statal authority. Maybe they lie? As to Romania, I also travelled there and met extremely nice and tolerant people. But when I needed help from a policeman he shouted me off and chased me away. As it is in every country in the world: There are nice and polite people, and there are others.... Thank you for your kind and polite way of discussing a subject. It is obvious: Yu need no patiencee, no calmness and no lessons in respect.

  • Kaloyan Nikolov

    posted by  in Switzerland forum 

    "With these you will live well here....and anywhere else." That's the point mister anywhere else but not in Switzerland. By the way have you ever been in Russia, Bulgaria or Romania so you can speak these "essential" facts upon your experience or just watching your evening news ...
    The spaniard got straight to the point: "simply and utterly boring", "Everything costs ... higher prices", "God they LOVE to complain", "car accidents every morning", etc. ... this is all you can offer! Man you need to change, or at least to try ... like all the people in the world these days! You got to LIVE your life.
    And don't you even speak to me about your mountain resorts - here we have better. And not only - a generous fields, lovely sea resorts and wonderful people! Yes, and not only wonderful but intelligent enough - check your job offers ...
    I even don't want to mention about Russia and Romania ... with their Nature and natural resources ... wow. All you have is banks, watches, CHF ... that's all. And beside the higher salaries all you have is same double even treble higher hypocrisy ... and Zero tolerance! If it wasn't Germans a couple of months ago most probably you would follow Greece in the same scenario ... thank goodnes you wont! ... I bet you are one of those tricky fellows who made the weird measurements in CERN lask week, dont you :-) ...
    Nevermind ...
    Howevere you are truly right: "Wish you a little more patience and calmness, composure and respect."
    Dare for it!

  • Edgar Alain S.

    posted by  in Switzerland forum 

    ...qu'il y a des choses qui ne fonctionnent pas satisfaisante ici. Mais en comparaison par example avec les pays de l'amerique du sud, ou les pays d'Europe sud, ou les pays de l'Europe de l'est (Russe, Bulgarie, Romanie) vous avez ici une certaine certitude de droit. Il ne faut pas "de l'argent spéciale" si vous voulez chercher votre permis de conduire, il ne faut pas payer du pot de vin pour obetenir des documents. Si vous roulez trop vite il y a une amende, mais pas une chantage de la part de la police etc.etc. I am not a special "fan" of my country but I have problems with people who literally "seek" problems and disadvantages. If I were so unsatisfied as you are, I would not stay here, even as an owner of a company. When you find a "better" country you can move your enterprise, we are living in a global world, d'ont we? I wish you a little more patience and calmness, composure and respect. With these you will live well here....and anywhere else.

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