Comment Re:For context (Score 1) 170
First, Switzerland has no German, French and Italian parts, it has parts that speak those languages. Well, I sincerely consider Swiss-German a different language from German, easier for German speaking Dutch people to understand than Germans who speak no Dutch, IMHO. Romans don't consider themselves Swiss and not French at all, likewise the Ticinesi consider themselves Swiss instead of Italian.
Second, despite all differences, they still stick together.
Third, the margins here are too slim to write up the definition of Swissness, but as someone who's lived in Switzerland for over 25 years, I assure you that it exists. Punctuality, dependability, humility, honesty, respectfulness, appreciation of quality and the realisation that quality costs, a certain risk aversion