Along with Asian foods and ingredients that are on sale at Coop this week, recipes for using the ingredients, articles about Asian philosophy and culture, together with regular magazine features, there is an article that reports the results of five questions that were posed to ten Asians, aged 17-46, who currently reside in Switzerland. The countries represented include Japan, India, China, Thailand and Vietnam. Interestingly, none of those questioned lives in Geneva and only one lives in western Vaud. Geneva and western Vaud are two of the major international centers in the country. One would expect to find Asians well-represented among the international communities in those areas. So it is noteworthy and encouraging to see that they appear to be integrating well into Swiss culture throughout the country.
Two, both 17, are here as part of an American Field Service (AFS) student exchange and will most likely return to their homelands when the exchange period is completed. Others have been residents for years. All are attractive and, based on their responses to the questions, well-spoken and enthusiastic about their Swiss experience.
The questions themselves are typical. The first, "What do you most like about Switzerland?" solicited the following responses, many of which were repeated: mountain landscapes, tranquillity, efficient public transport, Switzerland's central location in the heart of Europe, the "AG" (l'abonnement général = the general subscription for half-price rail tickets), the quality of life, the climate, the security and the richness of the intercultural mixture here. The second question asked what they most missed from their home countries. Responses first mentioned their national cuisines and their families. Then responses varied somewhat from the infrequency with which they hear their native tongues spoken, the street ambiance of their home cultures, weekend and late evening store openings, to the warm welcomes they remember in their homelands.
The third question asked what they would take back to their homelands from Switzerland if they had to leave. The most obvious responses were cheese and chocolates. One was quite specific. He would take back a SBB-CFF (the Swiss railway) watch because it would be a good memento. Most others dealt with more intangible concepts: memories of their host families (the AFS students); memories of all their new experiences, natural beauty and their Swiss friends; creativity and the Swiss art culture; seeds of flowers and vegetables. Asked in the fourth question what part of Switzerland they liked best, they generally responded that they felt most comfortable and at ease in the regions where they were currently living. Cities like Geneva, Lucerne, Lausanne, Fribourg, Berne and Montreux were also mentioned as places that they had particularly enjoyed.
The last question -- keep in mind that this is a magazine that aspires to market foodstuffs -- was "What Swiss culinary specialties do you like best?" Chocolate, fondue, raclette, rösti, merveilles de carnaval and Birchermüesli topped the choices.
British author Rudyard Kipling, who lived much of his life in Asia and received much of his literary inspiration from his experiences there, wrote a poem which is primarily remembered for its often quoted first two lines.
OH, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,
Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God’s great Judgment Seat; [...]
Many seem to believe that is the end of the quotation and stop there because the concept as stated fits into their own preconceived notions of separateness. However, that is not the end at all.
Other articles in this particular issue describe how Asians have successfully transplanted themselves and adapted to Switzerland and its culture. In return, they have also brought rich cultural offerings and traditions from their homelands, some of which have become incorporated into daily routine so as now to form an essential part of Switzerland's rich and growing international culture. Thus, one should keep in mind that Kipling's poem is essentially a ballad about brotherhood and kinship that transcends differences in cultures.
[...] But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,
When two strong men stand face to face, tho’ they come from the ends of the earth!
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