Why Do Swiss People Stare And Openly Gossip?

Question

Please answer this question only if you are Swiss or if you know the Swiss culture very well.

In most cultures it is highly unacceptable to stare at others and openly discuss others. In Switzerland it is standard behavior. In many restaurants and cafes you will see people staring at others and discussing them. Don't Swiss children get taught by theire mothers that this is impolite to stare? What is Swiss perception of politeness? Is discretion not an important value?

Answer 1

i don't think it's done more in Switzerland than in other european countries, but i share your meaning that this is a bad behaviour. maybe breeding of children earlier was better than nowadays.

and believe me, discretion is a very important value in Switzerland.

Answer 2

I guess you don't travel a lot around the world.

You do not even know what people are talking about.

Staring???? Not in the French part nor the Italian part of Switzerland.

Never saw what you are seeing, unless you are wearing funny clothes and like everywhere else........you know what I mean.

Answer 3

strange, I am not swiss but my boyfriend is swiss and I know his friends, family.

Swiss people is very polite, educated, quite, have family values, very discreet.

you can NOT say is a "standar behavior", If you saw that, if that is true, I just can think that people is not swiss.

Answer 4

-i have been living in CH  ( i am a swiss) for 10 years now, and man oh man you are so correct in your observation.......

-it bothers the h**l out of me..................

-i have come to the conclusion, that when one laughs here in CH, people want to know why because they think you are laughing at them.....if you cry or show even the slightest emotional sign , they say that its your own fault.......

-what a f..king joke..........

-one day they will learn, when CH might became an islamic Country

- i am catholic by the way

Answer 5

I'm Swiss but live in Thailand where people really STARE and not only because wie are farangs(foreingners) no, also at their own kind and GOSSIP is their favourite subject! I also travelled/lived around the world but really think that swiss are quite descret. That's a big reason why many famous people decide to live there eg Tina Turner nearby Zürich and she can openly go shopping,dining in Restaurants without being bothered! Michael Schuhmacher,Boris Becker etc. all say the same...