Current Events > Switzerland Kinda sucks for tourism

(+) Yeah! (+)

Lots of 1 way roads, $40 toll sticker ($200 if you dont research beforehand), construction will close off main exits one way out of towns, Lauterbrunnen because it has waterfalls is like a tourist trap haven thats overhyped thanks to social media influencers, tourists everywhere that have no awareness, aggressive drivers who drive as if they were Americans with more road rules, and everything is priced 5x higher than anywhere else. I came from vacationing in Germany and besides the beauty of Switzerland being top tier, I really dont like this place lol.

--Zero- posted...

Lots of 1 way roads

why does that suck for tourism

Choco posted...

why does that suck for tourism

Hard to navigate when you are unfamiliar with the area.

How are the women?

Big_Nabendu posted...

How are the women?

Mid tier. Too many people from all over Europe. Germany was top tier though.

Alteres posted...

Hard to navigate when you are unfamiliar with the area.

Im pretty comfortable driving here, but when youve got so many people blocking the roads in the towns youre driving through it becomes a nightmare real fast.

As an American I really miss Germany. The only bad things I could say about Germany is some of the older people in the country side are racist as fuck. The train and highways are superior in every way and most people seem to know how to drive.

Theres supposed to be these stations for filling up your water jug and I kept seeing people using them like water fountains with their lips near the spout and people using the basin to wash their hands and face.

Better food imo. Best chocolate for sure.

I admittedly have a bag of Swiss chocolate at my room I have yet to try. Ive been hiking most of this trip. The tourists have been the worst though. They ruin it by blocking a lot of shit when theyre walking trying to take a photo of every little thing or refusing to not move to the side to let others pass like theyre magnetically attached to walking side by side in groups of 4. Blocking the road you drive on is probably my biggest peeve. Theres a lot of country side towns to enjoy that people dont know about thankfully. Theres so many tourist traps here lol.

Probably the most overrated country in Western Europe

The only tourism Switzerland cares about is foreign money launderers.

Justin2Krelian posted...

Probably the most overrated country in Western Europe

Honestly once youve hiked one mountain you have hiked them all. Theres only two types of mountains for tourists here. Ones with resorts in the middle after a cable car ride and ones with snow up top. The chocolate can be replicated and is better in other US states. The beer isnt any good and theyre not known much for their wine. The cheese is alright. The food overall has been meh to good compared to America in the parts Ive been in Europe. This is strictly just where Ive been though cause I keep telling myself the food in Europe has got to be amazing somewhere.

Im staying in a nice small country town right now and its packed with people from all over and theres helicopter rides. I would be so annoyed if I lived here hearing helicopters every day and knowing you cant go anywhere because theres some many tourists coming for their photos. I saw a guy over on Mount Titlis yesterday with a bag full of different outfits he was trying on for his girl to take photos of him posing lol.

In 2 weeks Ive been to parts of Ireland, Scotland, Germany, and now Switzerland and the only place Ive had a love hate relationship with has been Switzerland. I love that its the most beautiful country Ive ever seen, but I absolutely hate that so many people want to come here and muck it up.

--Zero- posted...

The train [...] are superior in every way

Bruh moment

Swiss trains blow German trains out of the water

I would love to see Innsbruck

teep_ posted...

Bruh moment

Swiss trains blow German trains out of the water

It might be different in other parts of Germany then. I can only speak for Munich since I really thought it was really well done for getting around. Switzerlands roads are so accessible I didnt see the point in taking the train anywhere. Ill take the L on that one though. Ive just had a really bad taste in my mouth since coming to Switzerland when it comes to anything not involving hiking lol.

SiO4 posted...

I would love to see Innsbruck

That's about 5 hours from where Im at over in Austria. Lots of tolls and shut down tolls roads when I was driving through the country. That town does look neat though.

--Zero- posted...

That's about 5 hours from where Im at over in Austria. Lots of tolls and shut down tolls roads when I was driving through the country. That town does look neat though.

I only really know it from Sim Flight 2020.
But that region is amazing.

And yes the wine is fantastic.

Zurich is my favorite city that Ive visited

EndOfDiscOne posted...

Zurich is my favorite city that Ive visited

Ill be stopping by there in the evening time after visiting Europa Park tomorrow. Anything youd recommend?

--Zero- posted...

It might be different in other parts of Germany then. I can only speak for Munich since I really thought it was really well done for getting around. Switzerlands roads are so accessible I didnt see the point in taking the train anywhere. Ill take the L on that one though. Ive just had a really bad taste in my mouth since coming to Switzerland when it comes to anything not involving hiking lol.

Munich has pretty great public transport, but like much of Germany it's very prone to failure. When that happens, it causes all kinds of shit.

Switzerland has great roads, true, and also a great train system. I'd say second in the world after Japan. The trains are particularly important in the mountains, where you can't easily build straight roads.

Lol, fair. Switzerland is an acquired taste, but I personally really like it

--Zero- posted...

Ill be stopping by there in the evening time after visiting Europa Park tomorrow. Anything youd recommend?

Have fun in Europapark! Try to get there early and you can avoid the queues. At this time of year, it'll mostly be French schoolkids around, iirc.

--Zero- posted...

It might be different in other parts of Germany then. I can only speak for Munich since I really thought it was really well done for getting around.

you used trains to get around within munich?

--Zero- posted...

Ill be stopping by there in the evening time after visiting Europa Park tomorrow. Anything youd recommend?

Nothing in particular. My wife and I enjoyed just walking around downtown, getting a bottle of wine and chilling on a bridge at sunset. It was several years ago.

GiftedACIII posted...

Better food imo. Best chocolate for sure.

Nothing beats Guylian Belgian Seashell Chocolates.

teep_ posted...

Have fun in Europapark! Try to get there early and you can avoid the queues. At this time of year, it'll mostly be French schoolkids around, iirc.

Thanks! I plan to get there when it opens at 9am. Itll be a Monday so Im hoping it wont be too bad. Its my last big destination spot for this vacation.

Choco posted...

you used trains to get around within munich?

Yeah it was rough the first day trying to understand which train to get on. Google maps helped a ton with that and once I figured out how it works it was quite nice for the city.

I think most of my hate comes from Lauterbrunnen. This town really sucks and its not just the tourists but the people that work here too. For dinner service Ive been to 4 restaurants. 1 google said was open and it was not. Another was the most popular one in town but this old lady gave me a stern were full and when I tried to ask why we cant wait for a table to open she gives me another stern were full sorry. Okay fuck you too lady. Then a 3rd I walk up and the waiter pushes past me at the door and then tells me if I want outside Ill have to wait. So I say Ill take inside he acts annoyed and points me at a table in the corner near the front desk and gives me a menu thats lamented and held together by string. I bailed and went to this 4th restaurant where weve settled to stand around looking for someone to tell us if we sit anywhere or if we wait to be seated while staff keeps walking by me avoiding eye contact. Someone pointed us to an empty table outside making me feel pretty dumb and then my waiter seems annoyed in general. Waiting for my food to come now

The only reason Ive been to Switzerland was skiing (since I can remember anyway), I cant really imagine what else to do unless you just wanted to chill by a mountain lake for a week in a chalet. Not really touristy stuff.

Turns out the food was meh and the waiter continued to be annoyed when I tried to get his attention so I could get the check and leave. Dude pointed at the tip section and tried to pressure me into it. First place in Europe where a tip was offered as a selection on the screen. He got a no from me since he was such a jerk the two times I saw him. Getting a check in Europe is a whole other issue too not just here. My server will come fast to get my order and my food will even come fast. After the food is delivered I rarely ever seen my server and if I do I have to waive them down otherwise Ill be stuck for a hour waiting.

Alteres posted...

The only reason Ive been to Switzerland was skiing (since I can remember anyway), I cant really imagine what else to do unless you just wanted to chill by a mountain lake for a week in a chalet. Not really touristy stuff.

Ive been to Interlaken and the regions around it (Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wilderswil, Engelberg), Luzern, and Grimselstrasse. Every single thing was centered to attract tourists in those areas. A lot of fun tourist activities I can say like with the mountains. Its super expensive and Ive mostly had rude people Ive dealt with since coming here outside of my inn receptionist in Wilderswill. She was awesome. I wish there were more like her here.

I went to Switzerland last year and it was awesome. Sounds like your issue is trying to drive everywhere, even though Switzerland has great public transport.

Lobinde posted...

I went to Switzerland last year and it was awesome. Sounds like your issue is trying to drive everywhere, even though Switzerland has great public transport.

Im mostly having a terrible time in the town Im in here. Im nit picking about other stuff like the drivers, roads, everything being expensive ($30 burger everywhere), the tourists, the food being mediocre, and the touristy places. It all adds up. I cant speak on the public transport honestly. My only POV of that was in Interlaken seeing people run to their train.

Lobinde posted...

I went to Switzerland last year and it was awesome. Sounds like your issue is trying to drive everywhere, even though Switzerland has great public transport.

I recently learned there are Americans who have to practice walking before traveling

--Zero- posted...

I cant speak on the public transport honestly.

you said the german trains were superior in every way...

Yeah I thought the worst part of Switzerland, Munich, and Austria was trying to get my check to pay. It took me way too long to realize that you have to wave them down.

Choco posted...

you said the german trains were superior in every way...

I was wrong and comparing them to Munich. I took the L on that one.

EndOfDiscOne posted...

Yeah I thought the worst part of Switzerland, Munich, and Austria was trying to get my check to pay. It took me way too long to realize that you have to wave them down.

Right? Why is this a thing? Dont you want to give me the food and get me out ASAP so you can move onto the next waiting customer? Seems logical to me, but its been rough trying to get good service on this trip. Some places youre not sure if youre supposed to seat yourself or wait to be seated, you dont always get greeted, you may be waiting a while to get your menu, food always comes fast, no one asks if you want another drink or refills your water, youre charged for water, and getting your check takes so long. How are these concepts lost on these places?

--Zero- posted...

I was wrong and comparing them to Munich. I took the L on that one.

yes but the munich->germany generalization is not the problem here >_>

--Zero- posted...

I was wrong and comparing them to Munich. I took the L on that one.

Right? Why is this a thing? Dont you want to give me the food and get me out ASAP so you can move onto the next waiting customer? Seems logical to me, but its been rough trying to get good service on this trip. Some places youre not sure if youre supposed to seat yourself or wait to be seated, you dont always get greeted, you may be waiting a while to get your menu, food always comes fast, no one asks if you want another drink or refills your water, youre charged for water, and getting your check takes so long. How are these concepts lost on these places?

JFC. You're supposed to exchange pleasantries as a way to let them know you want to eat there.

A "Guten tag" will do wonders.

And you won't be bothered until you want to be bothered, so you have to get the waiter's attention. That's just good service.

Interrupting your meal every 5 minutes is just rude.

Choco posted...

yes but the munich->germany generalization is not the problem here >_>

I admitted I was wrong. Not sure what youre wanting here.

Tom_Joad posted...

JFC. You're supposed to exchange pleasantries as a way to let them know you want to eat there.

A "Guten tag" will do wonders.

And you won't be bothered until you want to be bothered, so you have to get the waiter's attention. That's just good service.

Interrupting your meal every 5 minutes is just rude.

Idk man they all speak English and get American customers on the daily. They respond to hallo pretty frequently. Checking up on your guests every 10 mins at least or if you look over and see their plate is clear or theyre not eating it should be a clear sign they are ready for desert or the check lol. It sounds like bad habits to me.

American restaurant service sounds horrifying. Someone up your ass at all times and they practically try to push you out the door as soon as possible.

American concept of service is very different from European. As are dining habits

European servers will leave you alone to enjoy your meal. This is because diners tend to use the meal as a social occasion and are happy to sit around talking long after their plates are empty. It's a much more relaxed, leisurely experience. A family lunch can take most of the afternoon.

The idea of being checked every 10 minutes would annoy most Europeans. They'd be very pissed if they even suspected the staff were trying to get them out the door. The ideal staff are discreet and fade into the background. When you want their attention, you catch their eye (which, admittedly, is a skill you have to learn).

--Zero- posted...

Checking up on your guests every 10 mins at least or if you look over and see their plate is clear or theyre not eating it should be a clear sign they are ready for desert or the check lol. It sounds like bad habits to me.

When in Rome, etc

Choco posted...

yes but the munich->germany generalization is not the problem here >_>

I think there is a misunderstanding going on for some time

Pretty sure the train comparision was originally about US vs. Germany, not Switzerland vs. Germany.

--Zero- posted...

Ill be stopping by there in the evening time after visiting Europa Park tomorrow. Anything youd recommend?

Have fun in Europa Park.

There is a reason why they won "Best amusement park in the world" for the golden ticket awards many times in a row.

Karovorak posted...

I think there is a misunderstanding going on for some time

Pretty sure the train comparision was originally about US vs. Germany, not Switzerland vs. Germany.

oh
>_>

Karovorak posted...

Have fun in Europa Park.

There is a reason why they won "Best amusement park in the world" for the golden ticket awards many times in a row.

no FUCK europa park
stupid piece of shit "hurr durr you must be this tall" piece of shit asshole place

A land full of switzers?