The state of the Swiss public loo

In 25 years living in Switzerland, I have NEVER paid for using the WC in a restaurant... I have on occasion had to collect a Jeton or key to use them but that is all.

phred,

I've used the McClean facilities in Swiss stations on many occasions, as those seem to be the only operator in many rail stations. I agree that the attendants do keep them clean. One thing that I discovered after just arriving on a train from France, is that McClean ONLY takes Swiss Francs. I did have Francs with me, but since I had just arrived, they were still in my pack. As I recall, I was mumbling some colourful language under my breath as I was digging the Swiss coins out of my pack.

Jim, perhaps you're right and I'm confusing my French loo experiences where the stalls all wanted money.

Unrelated topic, since you're in country --- can you explain why Switzerland is so damned expensive? I know the travel guides all try to prepare you but OMG

@phred - why Switzerland is so expensive.
It's because they have minimal inflation. It isn't that expensive if you are paid Swiss wages.
When I arrived here £1 = CHF 2.40, now it is nearer CHF 1.50. The prices haven't gone up, it just takes more £, €, $ or whatever per Frank.

Part of it is trade balance, part of it is foreign dealers buying Franks as a result of the slide in value of other currencies in the last few years, causing even more increase in the Frank's value. The Swiss central bank is desperately trying to keep the value of the Swiss Frank DOWN because it is harming exports (the exact opposite to what other central banks do). They have set a limit of €1 = CHF 1.20 (a few years ago €1 was CHF 1.50). Whenever the rate gets near CHF 1.20 = €1 the bank just 'prints' some more Franks and sells them on the currency markets to keep the Frank down. Result, foreign banks have even more Franks in their reserves, and the Swiss bank has even more of every other currency.

A big issue here is "Shopping tourism". France and Germany are cheaper, so a lot of people near the border travel to France or Germany for their weekly shopping. This is big business for shops just over the border. And, because Switzerland is not in the EU you can claim back any VAT you paid in Germany.

@Chris F,

With the situation you described, there are interesting similarities here between the value of the Canadian dollar. We always like to see the Cdn. $ at or near parity with the US $, but when it's lower (as it is now), the exporters are very happy as their products are more attractive and they sell more. Of course, the other side of that is that imported goods are more expensive for consumers.

The shopping situation that you described is also similar here. A huge number of people that live in the lower mainland (Vancouver and area, Langley, Abbotsford) routinely cross the border not only to buy petrol but also groceries and other consumer goods. Even with the disparity of the dollar, it's usually still a good value. The most popular destination is Bellingham, and the Bellis Fair Mall is usually packed with cars bearing Canadian license plates. Seattle and Portland are also relatively close, so very easy for a weekend jaunt, including some shopping. Weekends are especially busy, and the queues to get back across the border often involve 2- 3 hour waits, which I wouldn't put up with.

I'm sure the situation is the same across Canada in those communities that have easy access to the border. Unfortunately I can't take advantage of that as it's about a 3 - 5 hour drive each way from here to the border. The closest crossing for me is Osoyoos, but there's no way I'm spending that amount of time driving just to do my shopping!

Well I think Chris makes a very good point on the FX rates. When I moved here the rate was £1 => CHF2.65... I think the reality is that the others have gone down a lot against the Franc.

But having said that, wages are also very high here and that plus all the employee benefits does lead to a high cost base. For instance it normal to give 25 to 30 days paid leave, plus public holidays and paid sick leave for up to two years! And on top of this employers must account for social and pension contributions of say another 12% - 25% on top of the salary. And while we do work hard, we do not work overtime unless fully paid for it. All of this does push up the costs of manufacture.

I once asked a Swiss machine salesman how he manages to sell anything in Asia and his response was: Simple I bring their CEO to Switzerland and show him how everything here works so smoothly and on time. And I pose the question, how can you rely on machinery built by a nation who can't even get a bus to run on time???

Another aspect is that we are not a consumer society - stack 'em high and sell 'em cheap will not make you a profit here! So merchants need to make a bigger margin on every sale. By the same token bought gifts are frowned upon, so for birthday and holidays you are expected to give something hand made! For the last month and half at least most kids in Switzerland have been occupied making gifts for their parents, grandparents, godparents and so on.