...I have come to demand the regularity of Swiss society, like the schedule with exact departure times at every tram and bus stop in this city. During normal hours I can expect a tram every seven minutes. And I expect it to be exactly on time, as it almost always is. The problem with such precision is that any variation, any deviation and, like the locals, I get annoyed.
But it is the incongruities, the contradictions of this country that interest me most. Although there are all these rules that seem somewhat strict to a Canadian (and silly to a Canadian who's lived in Turkey), the Swiss are flexible in so many other ways.
For instance, you can walk around with a beer anytime you want here. And loads of people smoke – everywhere. And I don't mean just cigarettes...
