On May 22nd, The Local published an article titled “How dangerous is Switzerland for American tourists?
It was based on the US State Department's warning about certain risks its citizens are faced with in Switzerland.
For instance, “not all possibly hazardous situations will have clear warning signs. People are expected to use common sense and caution when enjoying the outdoors."
Another source, the US country report on Switzerland states: "Be alert to criminal schemes," the country report says, adding that "organised groups of pick-pockets operate at major tourist sites and when conferences, festivals, shows, or exhibitions occur. Thieves frequently work in pairs. For example, one member of the pair creates a disturbance while the other steals your belongings."
You can read the full article here:
READ ALSO: How dangerous is Switzerland for American tourists?
‘You could get hit by a cow’
Our readers — 316 in all — took to the social media to offer their own take on this question.
All have said that the US assessment is vastly exaggerated.
“If Switzerland is dangerous, you will have to travel to the moon,” one reader, Eva WA, commented on Facebook.
As for Martin Häne, in his opinion Switzerland is “very dangerous. You could get hit by a cow, or even worse: suffer from an overdose of delicious chocolate.”
Another tongue-in-cheek retort comes from Marlyse Gaberel Whitaker, who pointed out that “Americans [should] be very careful.”
That’s because “all Swiss men of military age own a gun…so if you don’t behave you could be gunned down at every street corner — just like in the US.”
To van M. Kosanović Switzerland is also “very dangerous. You should stay in USA.”
Visiting Switzerland is “no problem as long as you don’t wear a MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat or drive a Tesla…” said Urs Frey.
Stefan Rothenbühler, however, believes Switzerland is “very dangerous. You might find it so beautiful, you would never want to go back again. Plus, we have a working democracy.”
And there is more…
Switzerland, according to Nicolas Goupil, is “very dangerous — you might realise what a sane country looks like and not want to go back. Maybe it’s better if you don’t come at all.”
Tom Allemann agrees: “If you want to stay alive, avoid travelling to Switzerland!!!”
And Flora Berny brings in a bit of reality to the question of how dangerous the country is: Switzerland is “very dangerous for your wallet!”
You can see all the comments on this issue, and add your own, here.
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