Colors of Zermatt - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

The Swiss are very freedom-loving, patriotic, and punctual people. Many leading reviewers consider Zermatt the best Alpine ski resort. Despite the huge number of visitors here, the locals remain true to themselves and their habits. They don't learn anything from foreigners. Every citizen is proud of their small homeland and the country as a whole. Citizens are sure that Switzerland has the most reasonable laws, the best nature, and the most beautiful people. No one can convince them of this.

The contrast between the perception of one's own achievements and the country's achievements is particularly interesting. The Swiss don't like talking about themselves at all. For example, if you decide to communicate with a fellow passenger on a commuter train or bus, you will see only a lack of understanding on his face: "Why are you contacting me? We are strangers." Local residents are neutral and polite to visitors. However, if you want to make friends with someone, you will have to spend a lot of time and effort. A local resident can communicate with the person for years at work, for example, and never visit him or her.

If you manage to start a conversation with one of the townspeople, you will find that they tend to understate personal achievements. For example, if you ask a Swiss man if he can play a musical instrument, your interlocutor will answer "a little". In most countries, this answer will mean knowing the simplest guitar chords or compositions. A person who has studied at a music school for several years or even graduated from it with honors will give you this answer in Zermatt. It is so accepted here. This applies to all spheres of life - from knowledge of other languages to travel and personal qualities. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The attitude to visits is special here. First of all, the locals don't arrange spontaneous parties. Anyone who wants to invite friends to visit today or tomorrow, in the evening will find that everyone around him has a day scheduled for two or three weeks in advance. All the time is not occupied with work at all. There are no workaholics at all here. Establishments that are not designed for tourists close at 16:00. However, they are open from 07:00. This is a traditional Swiss schedule. They get up early, start work early, and finish it early. Citizens like to make plans for days and weeks and strictly adhere to them. So, spontaneous parties are intended for foreigners.

If a local resident invited you to visit, the main rule is to come on time. Punctuality is an important part of Swiss virtue. Perhaps this is because the Swiss value freedom very much. At the same time, local residents are sure that the implementation of agreements is an integral part of this freedom. This way they don't take up the other person's personal time and resources. You also should not wait for a noisy party after midnight outside the designated areas and establishments. Noise is unacceptable after ten in the evening here. Local residents observe this rule. They always warn their neighbors if they're going to have fun in the evening.

You won't see garbage on the streets here. Local residents will never throw out food, even if it has expired but still suitable for eating. Attitude to food is interesting here. If you want beets but you cannot find it in any store, the townspeople will not help you. It's not the season. There is the same approach to everything here, except... painted eggs. They are proudly called Easter before Easter. The same product is called "picnic eggs" at another time. You can find two identical bundles of parsley in the store. One of them will be sold at a discount. Why? There are a couple of yellowed leaves in it. If there is not enough ice cream for a beautiful curl, then you will be given another or given a discount. If there is only half a glass of beer that you choose, you can drink it for free. Paper mail is loved here. It is used for sending everything - from the usual personal emails to credit cards, pin codes from them, and schedules of classes in sections.

All important Christian holidays are widely celebrated here. Local residents also celebrate secular holidays, such as New Year, Labor Day or National Day. If you like modern music, then you should visit the Zermatt Unplugged Festival. It takes place in early April. Slalom and freestyle competitions are held on mountain slopes in winter.