What makes a Swiss, Swiss? It can get pretty blurry if you’ve never been here. The non-knowing usually end up with the wrong perception. Typically it is a picture of someone wearing leather shorts, a green hat and drinking beer. Ouch. Wrong country.
Still, it doesn’t have to be completely incorrect. Part of Switzerland is Germanic and shares many traditions with the Germans and Austrians but there are differences. And there are some things that are just SO Swiss. In not any particular order, this is my personal, general, non-infinite list of what makes Swiss, Swiss.
Globi
Who or what is Globi? Globi is the most successful, still active Swiss children’s book figure. It’s a blue parrot who wears a black beret and red and black checkered pants. He was created in 1932 for the 25th anniversary of the department store called Globus.
The first Globi-book came out in 1935. Globi went on a world trip in that story. He gained so much popularity that he even got his own company, founded in 1944. Globi was always a figure of the time he lived in. He went trough many phases and developments, like we all do.
His books have sold over 13,5 million copies and you can even buy them in English. Not quite successful as Mickey Mouse, but Switzerland is not quite as large as the States.
You can keep up with Globi on his website. https://www.globi.ch/
Rivella
Rivella is mainly known in Switzerland, but it can also be found in Liechtenstein, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. It is THE national beverage since its beginnings in 1952 and it seems like everyone drinks it. That is, everyone except me. Rivella comes in 7 or more different flavors. They come and go. The newest flavors at the moment are Rhubarb and Refresh. The most popular are the ‘colors’ red, blue or green. Luckily that’s only the color of the label. As far as I can tell, all of the drinks have the same yellowish, golden color. If you’ve never tried one and are adventurous, give it a go. Just go into any restaurant and ask for a ‘Rivella Red’ or whatever color you fancy.
I wrote what I think about Rivella in another post. https://cowbellsandchocolate.com/drinks-house/
Orange M
Migros. It’s Switzerland’s largest supermarket chain, largest employer and one of the top forty retailers in the world. It’s big. It’s so big that they don’t even have to write out their whole name. All they need is a giant ‘M’. The larger the store, the more ‘M’s it has. Their slogan today is ‘One M better’. You get the idea; big.
Gotlieb Duttweiler was the founder in 1925. He named it Migros because he wanted something between wholesale [German: ‘Grosshandel’] and retail business . He wanted a middle ‘Grosshandel’ and by melting the two words together he came up with mi-gros. He started small with 6 trucks that were mobile grocery stores and then expanded with gusto. Within 10 years he founded a travel agency and then added a weekly magazine. Soon came gas stations, restaurants, language schools and even an insurance company and bank. Although Mr. Duttweiler died in 1962 his Migros still continues to grow, buy other companies and find new niches.
Chances are excellent, if you live in Switzerland, you have a Migros store probably within walking distance. If you don’t have a Migros, then you more than likely have a Migros partner company near you. Migros is omnipresent.
Since 2018 Migros has a publicity campaign that says ‘Migros belongs to the people’. Orange is their color. So if you have an orange coat be prepared to be mistaken for a Migros employee when shopping there. I know. I have an orange wind jacket. At different times I have personally been able to help at least 4 customers who thought I worked there. I just smile and tell them where to find what they are looking for. I guess that’s what happens when a store belongs to you.
Circus Knie
The Circus Knie is the largest Swiss travelling circus and the Swiss National-Circus. It was founded in 1803 and is still operated by the family Knie. To keep the show new and fresh, every year they have a special act that headlines the program. And they also have a children’s zoo that doesn’t travel but is located in Rapperswil.
I am not fascinated by tightrope acts and trained animals, so I have never seen a Circus Knie show. There must be a reason why they have been around so long. I assume it’s because they are good. So I guess it shows you don’t have to be a big fan of circus’ to have heard or been in the Knie circus tents.
Curry
When I hear curry, I don’t necessarily think of Switzerland. My first reaction is India. The longer I’ve been in Switzerland, however, the more I’ve come to realize that the Swiss love their curry. There are many Swiss companies that make curry sauces or dips. Then there is the ever popular ‘Casimir rice’ made with curry sauce. In the stores you can buy curry mustard, curry mayonnaise and even curry ketchup. I learned to make curry sauce early on after I moved to Switzerland and can whip it up when needed. It compliments chicken and fruit alike.
When I was talking to a friend last week she asked me if I had tried the new curry nuts (can be bought at Migros). Why, no, I hadn’t. I went out and bought some. Not bad. My guess is that curry stands third to cheese and chocolate in Switzerland. I’m really not sure why. Possibly because it is exotic?
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