One in Two Swiss are Afraid of Foreigners

One in two Swiss don't like foreigners. Well. Tell me something I didn't know. But that was the front page story in "20 Minuten" yesterday morning, like it was the biggest news on earth.

At Ieast now I can confirm that I wasn't merely imagining certain people giving me looks of contempt whenever I open my mouth. That thought is somewhat comforting. In an uncomforting kind of way.

When we first arrived in Switzerland, I always spoke to my American husband in a whisper, afraid that if I spoke English loudly I would give myself away as a hated one. I can't even imagine what others go through who don't at least look somewhat European.

I soon learned that two years of high German classes did me no better, as even when speaking German I am branded a foreigner.

Nope. As a foreigner in Switzerland it seems you just can't win no matter how much effort you make to try to fit in.

In case you're wondering any other flattering Swiss statistics, the article also reported the following:

30% of Swiss fear Islam
20% admit Antisemitism
40% are sexist