I am Filipino. I was walking behind a group of Chinese tourists in Zürich when a woman approached them, growled "slant eyes" in German. She then spat at me. She can't even racist the right way tsk tsk.
Ha that happened to my Okinawan friend, even from Latinos who thought he was joking when he said "I'm Japanese" apparently having round double eyelid eyes = can't possibly be Asian lol
I hate that so much. I myself am swiss and hearing and seeing others be so racist and think its normal really urks my mind. Just last week i wanted to throw a PET bottle at one of my coworkers for saying something about "slant eyes". Even worse is that some of my coworkers, who are foreigners themselves, talk ill about other foreigners.
Why can't we just tolerate each other? Why is this so difficult to accept eachother?
Never been to Switzerland and I never will. Swiss tourists that come to my third world country can’t go two minutes alone without making the most heinous racist and classist comments. Criticizing the country and comparing it to their perfect country.
I’d kinda get it if they did it to migrants that go there. But why come all the way here just to try to get everyone to conform to your weird superiority complex?
No, not really. We are not very welcoming or friendly in general. And unfortunately the right wing gains Power. There are a lot of great people, but you need to find them and yes prejudgment is quite high here.
What bothers me most about people from countries that aren’t terribly welcoming to outsiders: they’ll visit Latin America, the Philippines, etc. and gladly receive the hospitality and generosity and take note of it, but it rarely occurs to them to reciprocate it for foreigners/newcomers when they’re back home.
I agree with you. They expect it from others bit wouldnt do it at home. It's the same at home. They expect devote respect from everyone around them but cant barely say thank you or please in a good manner.
Latin American here, not only do they expect it and enjoy it. They do while also being racist to us and complaining about the things that are not up to their standards.
We receive a fair amount of Swiss tourists. Sometimes I think they just come so they can confirm that we suck and that reinforces their weird superiority complex.
I'd say it wouldn't be to different from anyone else. We aren't really known for being very open so that can rub people the wrong way especially if you're used to southeast asian hospitality.
I'm Filipino, I know how brown skinned peoples are treated in foreign lands.
Lol. That's pretty rich, considering Filipinos perpetuate pervasive and vicious racial hatred against their own darker-skinned indigenous groups, such as the Aeta and Ati.
tbf tho, Filipinos aren't just racist to their indigenous groups, it's everyone. Hell, you live in Metro Manila but live in a different city? Some people will treat you a low class citizen
It really is. I used to work with a Filipino woman. She was nice to me (I'm white), but her worldview was mildly terrifying. She hated blacks, Koreans, Chinese, Japanese, Indians, blacks, and Jews. But most of all she hated people from other parts of the Philippines, and especially poor people from the Philippines, whose children she called gremlins and crotch goblins. At the same time she was baffled and dismayed that racists from other countries didn't seem to 'get' that she and her Israeli Arab husband were just like white Europeans. They were both darker skinned than most Jews, but she was adamant that while Arab Muslims were basically the same culture as Europe (...), Jews were decidedly not.
She's the only Filipino person I've really gotten to know. I imagine most of them don't rate (non-African) Muslims as highly as she does.
Reminds me of high school rivalries. There were three high schools in my area and we all hated each other - for the very meaningful reason of being "not my high school." Pure tribalism.
I had a Swiss roommate who was one of the “good ones.” The moment there was minor conflict with me, a POC, guess who immediately resorted to threatening lawsuits or calling the police? It was such a breakneck heel turn that I was genuinely shocked lol
No. If a child brings a friend over to hangout when it’s dinner time they’ll have the guest wait in the kid’s bedroom while the family eats without them.
They’re garbage people.
Of course it is a generalisation, but Swiss people are another level rude, especially the French-Swiss. And that's coming from a German, we really aren't the most friendly im general either. Some of them are basically Mountain-Parisians, in the worst way.
(To balance: Shout out to the very nice Swiss couple in our last AirBnB that made us breakfast for free and gave us lunch packs because groceries are so expensive there. Thank god good people are found everywhere)
I am Swiss and the amount of shit I have to read in the r/askswitzerland subreddit is insane especially from Germans saying we are generally rude. We aren't rude, we just have little patience for what we consider the stereotypical German coming here, being loud, being inconsiderate and saying shit like ours is not a real language and just making fun of the way people speak here. Germans generally also don't pick up on the small things that are just considered polite here.
But my best friend is German and recently moved here and they were very worried about people being rude but 4 months in and they are still blown away by how nice everyone is. Granted we live in the countryside now (I used to live in Zürich and grew up there though) and people are generally nicer outside the big cities but I assume that is true for any country.
I mean, my experience is still real and people completely refusing any kind of communication even if you booked and paid for accommodation only happned in Switzerland to me. That doesn't negate your experience of course, but next time you go to a campground after 6 hours of travel, polish up on your latest french to be nice and still get treated like shit on multiple occasions you may see that differently. Paris has never been that bad. And no, we don't vacation in high season, I am from rural Bavaria and would never make fun of any spoken language in Switzerland and I have generally 95% of the time very pleasant experiences on holiday.
That is my lense. Like I even added - of course there are nice people everywhere. And we Germans aren't considered particularly nice either, I even agree with that and don't like it. Your country is beautiful and I also had very pleasant conversations with people (mostly in cities lol)
Some places yes. A lot of places you'll be treated with suspicion. A few with outright hostility.
The best places to see in Switzerland are pretty safe though, because they're either so remote you probably won't see many other people, or you'll be so covered in winter gear that they can't see your face. In skiing we're all equal (except if you're a bad skier).
I’ve definitely noticed that about Swiss tourists in my country as well.
A couple of times I told a couple of very snobby ones that we really only think about Switzerland when we read the news about Nestle and what they do in Africa. One of them brought up how I am a third world person as some kinda gotcha.
That's not really the kind of people we like here either. If you have to flaunt your countries supposed status abroad, guess how much real value you deliver inland. Waste of space.
I've hear many people say that, but I've been to both and there are way more flags flown in the US than in Switzerland. The places where you'll see flags in Switzerland are generally official buildings or bridges. You won't often see one on someone's home unless it's the world cup at the moment
It is insane, especially during certain holidays like Republic Day. More flags than in the DC although I didn't visit during the 4th of July, etc. Took while to get used to it.
I know it's a movie quote and all, but that wasn't the swiss anyway as far as we can tell (very early origins of these things are a bit murky, but they are very much linked to the Black Forest region in Germany as far as their origin is concerned).
Because they stayed out of the war by remaining "neutral", while secretly hiding the stolen artefacts the nazis took from the people they slaughtered during the holocaust. They think that's a flex.
Yup people have turn neutrality into morality.
They're "neutral" on everything in the sense of I don't care who it affects. Whether it's working with Nazis or casually looking the other way at what nestle does across the world.
Its an interesting disconnect that the Swiss and Swedish share. Still to this day both insist they were neutral. Even though both spend WW2 doing Germanys bidding voluntarily.
Which is funny because my highly consistent (nothing's 100% but this one's a high rate) experience online and with Swiss people irl I meet is they're arrogant AF, very undeservedly.
Idgaf, i went for chocolate and the humans right thingy and wasn't dissapointed. I hate how SPAIN who brought the chocolate and created the sweet and hard chocolate got outchocolatiered by france, belgium and Switzerland
We're like a lot of northern Europe, as in we won't jump on you to greet you, and people in the service industry are not expected to treat you as a friend or a demi-god. But if you ask for help, people are willing to help you.
Honestly, the language the dude uses in the tweet is shocking to me as a Swiss as well. He's just a cunt
When I was there plenty of people were very kind like you're saying but plenty were not. You need help? Well f you stop being incapable and needing help. Your mom fell and hit her head? Why are you asking me if we have any ice no we do not now go away.
I was just there a month ago. A few people weren't super warm but if you actually talk to them everyone was super nice. One of my favorite places I ever visited. We went to Spain right after to visit some family that lives there and it was completely opposite. Practically everyone we met was a dickhead.
I traveled from southern to northern Switzerland last summer. I didn't really get an unwelcoming vibe from any specific region, but I'm also a tall, white, man who doesn't give off foreigner vibes.
I live here now. I love it. Takes some getting used to coming from the US, but if you genuinely love the culture, land, people, etc. it is quite easy to assimilate. If you are missing out on certain things where you are from in the world like community, big extended families, or areas of untouched nature you might find it here. Most of the country speaking English also really helps, but it is even more fulfilling to learn the local language as well.
From what I understand, it has the huge advantage of being very low cost compared to the US. It also has tons of natural tropical beauty especially beaches and jungles. And Filipino culture is pretty optimistic and cheery so it is pleasant to be around. Plus most people speak pretty good English which makes it easy for Americans.
The disadvantages are that it's uncomfortably hot for most Americans, infrastructure is underdeveloped compared to the US, there is visible extreme poverty, and ultimately it's a foreign country so it can be difficult to navigate the legal and business environment and personal safety awareness.
But given the opportunity to retire comfortably five or ten years earlier than you could at home, it can be pretty darn appealing, as long as you don't have deep social and family ties keeping you home.
I went to the Philippines this summer and saw advertisements inviting foreigners to move there for their retirement, enticing them with the setting and so on. So, I think the authorities are well aware of the phenomenon and are encouraging it.
If you put local delicacy in a translator it says: "I bet I can get this tourist to eat this gross thing."
Oddly enough it's universal. Here in Philly we convince the tourists that you have to eat a sandwich smothered in Cheez Whiz while pretending to be offended if they don't order by saying something like "Whiz Wit".
(I've literally never met a local who actually recommends Cheez Whiz on a cheese steak. I'm fully convinced it was invented by pat & geno to prank tourists)
Nah Balut is actually something super commonly eaten here. Guys ride up and down the street selling it. Honestly once you get passed the texture it is pretty damn good, imagine the flavor of poached egg with fried chicken skin. Goes great with beer.
In some of the Swiss subs this has ended up in the general consensous is that this guy is a Wichslappe (wankrag), a Hueresohn (son of a bitch), a Schofsäckl (sheep's testicles) many other beautiful words.
Also, stop throwing everybody in the same bucket.
There's cunts and Lölis (idiots) everywhere.
Edit: When I swear, I will atleast spell it correctly.
Ever met Russians, Chinese or Israelis abroad? They will treat people like absolute shit as if the entire country should be thankful they are visiting. However Americans are easily the loudest self absorbed people, maybe because we don't even see or notice where Russians or Chinese make dumb comments =P Most Americans I've encountered abroad have been super kind and polite though, the asshats in social media though...
I would never defend America but this conversation has NOTHING to do with it. Pretty hypocritocal to rag on America unprompted and in the same breath claim Americans are the ones doing it
When I was on my gap year, I would consistently run into just the worst Swiss people. Rude, snobby, and demanding across the board. I hope that the nice ones are just staying home, but the ones out in the wider world aren't giving me much reason to want to visit and find out.
I moved to Thailand some years back and a bunch of my coworkers and the like made a bunch of sex jokes at me. We moved because it was the best fit, at the time, for me and my family. Since then, we’ve toured and seen a ton of SE Asia and China, Mexico, parts of Central America, and Mediterranean Europe. We travel with our 3-10 year old child to expose her to the world and cultures. My wife and I have never gone into this life or our travels expecting to be catered to or shown anything. We explore the local places and markets, laugh at ourselves when we make mistakes, and do our best to see and take in what the country or area has to offer.
Ppl who think that they are owed something in traveling are missing the entire point. Go to eat, drink, see, explore, and enjoy with an open heart and mind, not because you expect to be given anything.
Filipino here. It's not really offensive. Maybe badly phrased but honestly it's fine. People online are really out for blood even for the smallest of things, aren't you? And to be fair, we are in fact guilty of marketing our hospitality so why would we get mad if that's a reason tourists come here. Everyone needs to chill. LOL.
Am I missing something? Is the Swiss guy some ultra bad guy? I get how “show me why I should have visited sooner” could rub someone the wrong way because your country doesn’t have to prove itself to the white man, but like this comes off as really rude.
That response seems very Filipino to me. I’m in the Philippines now and I didn’t think the hospitality was anything that great(not bad either, just normal). Everyone here looks a little dejected actually.
Their whole culture is based on the richer you are the more respect you are treated with.
So if a comparatively rich guy thinks about visiting a perceived poor country, he has certain expectations.
Or maybe he is an innocent geek who heard the stories about Filipino people inviting total strangers into their homes to share dinner and was hoping to have such an enriching experience because he genuinely hopes that such good still exists in the world.
As a white guy I'm never short of embarrasement on how my demographic is represented. This is such an entittled view. "hey developing nation, why are you good enough for me to spend my valuable white guy time and money in your country?"
It's me who gets the value of life experiance, learning and cultural growth out of seeing the world, not the world that benefits from my attendance.
I half hang my head in shame whenever I'm in Asia based on the behaviour and intention of the white dudes around me.
The funny thing is we recognize this guy's question/request is super douchey so we say "That guy's a douche." I'd bet if he were American, though, the argument would instead be "Americans are douches."
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u/ouijanonn 1d ago
Can a Filipino expect a warm welcome in Switzerland?