Re: Inflation
Posted: March 24th, 2024, 10:12 am
Nimrod103 wrote:Arborbridge wrote:
I think the point being made was that one cannot compare the Swiss and UK economies because they are totally different in size, in demographics, in geography and in their historical relationship with other countries. The Swiss have a position which is unique in the world and not one we could ever emulate. I'm sure you would suggest differently: but in my view the two cannot be compared because the situations are so different.
Actually the main difference (I read recently) is that the Swiss have a much better work ethic. They would not, as a people, tolerate the level of idleness we accept as normal.
That may be a major factor, but the people I know don't seem particularly hard working. They do live in a wealthy society which is the envy of many, so it all seems to come easily to them. I doubt the Swiss complain much about potholes: they just fix them (note to self - I must ask the question next time I'm there!). It's a very "closed" society, which enables them to reap the benefits of visiting employees but not commit to the long term responsibilities we take on. As an example of being "closed", I have a nephew who was born in Geneva to Anglo-French-Hungarian parentage but isn't entitled to claim Swiss nationality. I believe he is technically "English" but has lived all his life in France. I get a bit lost with the details of my family and their multi national existence! (They even change languages in mid sentence, depending which is most convenient)
By the way, my French friends say they couldn't abide living in Switzerland because they get fed up with petty-fobbing rules and regulations. It wears you down eventually because it's all rather pretty seeming.
Arb.