What can you do when you have a nasty experience with a phone company and can’t get things fixed? If you are the world famous Geneva-based Brazilian author Paulo Coelho with over 26 million Facebook followers you can do quite a lot! Early this morning he took to Facebook to vent his frustration at the […]
An expat’s view: let it snow. In Happy Valley.
“C’est pire qu’au Canada, non? Faut trouver une meilleure fraise!” – I’d expect a Canadian to have better tools! So called out my neighbour the other day, as the snow continued to fall over the heights of Lake Léman, Switzerland. And so goes another day in a place that might be best, with its many […]
Swiss vote: tax break for kids – Yes or No?
It is Swiss referendum time again this coming Sunday 8 March 2015. Some think that child allowances paid by the state to those with children should not be taxed. Currently they are taxed in the same way as any other taxable income. This vote entitled “Help Families” was launched by the Democratic Christian Party (PDC/CVP). […]
Why it’s hard to be a working mum in Switzerland
It is never easy being a working mum. In some countries it is harder than in others. According to a recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report, Switzerland has room for improvement. Firstly, the OECD suggests increasing the availability of childcare and reducing its cost. Childcare costs in Switzerland are high, even relative […]
Swiss choose immigration quotas over EU bilaterals
Close to half of the Swiss polled in the recent Vimentis survey would chose to introduce immigration quotas even if it meant the cancelation of European Union (EU) bilateral treaties – 45% held this view. By contrast only 41% would put preservation of the EU bilateral treaties ahead of immigration quotas. 14% were undecided on […]
The real problem with whistleblowing
The recent chapter in the drama of the HSBC Geneva Swissleaks saga has brought whistle blowing back into the news. In this article Yasmine Motarjemi explains the real problem and what the world should focus on. The Council of Europe defines a “whistleblower” as anyone who reports or discloses information on a threat or harm […]
Are natural cosmetics really better for you?
Natural cosmetics sales are booming and organic skin care is more popular than ever. According to market researcher Kline, the global market for certified natural cosmetics was at over 13 billion dollars in 2014 with Europe accounting for more than 20 percent of the sales and Germany, France and Switzerland being the top three highest-selling […]
Chinese New Year 2015 – sheep, goat or ram?
Today is the first day of the 2015 Chinese New Year. This year the confusion of lunar and solar movements is combined with the ambiguities of the Chinese language and gives insight into the language and the challenges of international communication. The Chinese character yang refers to all animals in the Caprinae subfamily that includes […]
No one is stealing my bike
Could this be the solution to Switzerland’s bike theft problem? It would be a lot more effective than the Dutch track and trace deterrent. However it does look expensive. Post by Jrock Radio. For more stories like this on Switzerland follow us on Facebook
A Swiss solution to Greek problems
Greece is certainly in a pickle. It needs to borrow more money to keep its wheels turning, but has borrowed to the point where it needs a loan write-off. Try asking your bank manager for a loan write-off while asking for more money and see what she says. The Swiss on the other hand have […]