•Written by Edward Girardet• ••Sunday•, 09 •March• 2008 18:40•
How blatant is the problem of racism and xenophobia? While many of us, including Swiss and French from abroad, have encountered few if any deliberate affronts because of our nationality, colour, culture, or language, it appears to be happening more and more (Read below and send us your experiences). While some prefer to let it pass in order not to rock the boat, the authorities on both sides of the border recommend that one press charges as verbal abuse is against the law.
In one recent incident, a Swiss lawyer of ‘bonne famille’ living in Versoix severely damaged a passing car with French plates by opening his door without looking. The car, driven by an American woman working for the United Nations, had its entire right side wrecked. The lawyer, who was illegally parked, immediately got out and spent the next 20 minutes on his mobile phone with friends and family to complain how, once again, these damn “frontier” foreigners were causing problems. He now had to deal with his damaged car (an Audi), he was heard saying, and would be late for dinner in Crans.
Not once did the man bother to come over and check with the woman to see if she was all right or what damage had been done to the other car. All he complained about was the damage to his own vehicle and the need for foreigners to go back from where they came.
Astonished by the man’s arrogance, the husband (a Swiss national) called the police. It was only then that man got off the phone. He immediately insisted that he move his car in order not to be fined for being parked illegally. The couple, who had been quite prepared to be nice about the incident, but were shocked by his behaviour, refused. While the husband went over the damage with the police, the lawyer continued to lambaste the woman with abuse claiming that she was a conne and arguing that his car was far more important than their “wreck of a
At the advice of the police, who had clearly established that the man was at fault, the couple filed charges for racist and xenophobic abuse. The case is now pending. The couple are also sending copies of charge to the Ordre des Avocats as such behaviour should not be condoned, particularly by a professional representing the face of Genevan society. The lawyer now risks a heavy fine.
How often does one hear comments such as “you are in
Who decides what being Swiss or French is all about? Both countries have changed radically over the past decades as part of the new
Switzerland is certainly no longer that closed-off little country of cuckoo clocks, constipated arrogance and self-congratulation, but an increasingly self-critical democratic society that has become far more multi-cultural, open and, above all, interesting.
Nearly 50 percent of
For many of us with multi-national backgrounds, these are all welcome changes.
Nevertheless, xenophobia and racism remain. Foreigners often complain that – if there is a problem, such as a rent dispute or a traffic accident - Swiss will automatically favour their fellow countryfolk. In
Clearly, this has raised costs significantly on the French side making it extremely difficult for lower-income French, particularly teachers and other civil servants not compensated for living and working in one of the fastest-growing regions in
So what to do? Obviously, being a good citizen keen on contributing to the well-being of Swiss or French society is the best approach. But this includes standing up to unacceptable abuse – by taking the sort of action that will let people know they cannot get away with it.
If you have had similar experiences, or have suggestions of how to encourage more tolerant approaches on all sides, let us know.
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written by Anonymous American, December 15, 2009
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