Why it matters: The book covers topics like how government works, history, food, and other aspects of the country giving a lot of depth to my understanding of the place I’m living in. And it helps that it’s written with a big dose of humor. Each country should have this type of well-written, accessible “handbook” to itself.
#Things to consider
- If it takes less than three hours, involves negligible height differences (under 400 metres), doesn’t include at least one mountain view and has any part that is asphalted, then sorry but it’s just a walk, even if you are a panting wreck by the end of it. In Switzerland, boots are made for hiking.
- Abraham Lincoln once said: ‘Government of the people, by the people, for the people.’ He must have had Switzerland in mind.
- Trust and privacy are paramount in all things Swiss, particularly when it comes to banking.
- To the Swiss mind, it’s illogical to pay on credit when you can pay now in cash and keep control of your finances. And if you can’t pay now, then don’t buy it.
- Swiss notes are rarely tatty or crumpled. They are seldom stuffed into pockets but are treated with care, folded neatly into four or tucked carefully into a wallet. Their bright colours – yellow, red, green, blue, brown and purple – never seem to fade or get dirty; it’s almost as if someone somewhere is washing the money.