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Thalwil
This quiet lakeside town is located five miles south of Zurich and easily reached by train, boat or car. Now a commuter suburb, it has preserved much of its charm as a former farming village and boasts a strong community culture as well as a wide range of shops and leisure activities.
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SafariThalwil includes the hamlet of Gattikon and borders on Rüschlikon, Langnau, Oberrieden, Horgen and (across the lake) Erlenbach.
Thalwil blog
Sunday, February 6 : 2:08 AM knowing the “grüezi zone” |
Swiss people rarely talk to strangers. In this famously discreet country, it it highly unusual and suspicious to be approached, let alone greeted by strangers.
Go for a walk in the woods, however, and you will quickly need to respond to a stream of “grüezi” or “guete Daag”. As you return to the built-up area, this greeting mysteriously ends. Maybe Swiss people feel a implicit solidarity with other members of the hiking community as they enter the countryside, or maybe the warm sun and fresh air lets them loosen up a little and lower their discreet guard.
Knowing where this “grüezi zone” starts - and ends - is an art in itself. We've often wondered how Swiss people know when to greet others. Maybe you have a view on this that you'd like to share with us?
P.S. Sorry for the long break. We're back now and hope to revive this blog a little - when we have time.
3 Comments:
When I took walks, I rarely ever did not say Gruezi when I was in a Swiss German area. In the area of Brunnen, where I walked, friends told me it was extremely rude not to greet people and were taken offence it that happened while we were walking. That changed quite a big once I returned to the French area. Most people here seem to keep to themselves. It could just be a matter of being Swiss or an expat.
By Expat Traveler, at 2:36 AM
I don't think there's such a thing as "gruezi zone" in CH. My personal opinion is, there are "gruezi people," those who greet strangers no matter where they may be.
thats the first thing i have to learn GRUEZI...then we went to ticino....i still said that till i realized duh they are italian speaking part.. bon giorno.
a displaced filipina like jayred.... but learning my swissness via greece.
