New Swiss laws...

[ToomuchStuff]

Thoughts?

Yes.


Responded in UA style.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I am not a cultural relativist. I happen to think that some cultures are better than others.

Switzerland's culture vs. Saudi Arabian culture?

The Swiss culture wins.

Any dissenters?

not really I mean I think Swiss culture versus American culture and think "oh yea the failed society that is the U.S. is judging ..." . I really do kind of.

But mostly I think when we have opinions on this we judge it through a very American filter and American culture is not a culture that does a lot of touching (nor are some Muslims with other sexes I guess!), now the Swiss aren't the first I'd think of for a culture that does, but by saying noone should be touched if they don't want to, I'm not sure would fly at all in many more touch oriented cultures (no I don't support child abuse and rape , I'm talking about social touch). It's like the U.S. is a very modest about the body culture, oh despite porn stars and Hollywood, it still is really, so we would have no trouble with someone covering up with a burkini (and really I don't, trust me if I saw it I would take no offense) for religious or modesty or any reason really, but the French otoh ...

[Miss Cellane]

I just read an interesting post on these issues, written by an US citizen living in Switzerland.

http://www.evilhrlady.org/2017/01/sw...oreigners.html

Briefly, their culture is *very* important to the Swiss. Handshaking at meeting and departure is part of that culture. Preserving their culture is an important guiding factor in making these kinds of decisions.

As for the girls and the swimming lessons, the girls were very young when the parents made the request. Had the girls been post-puberty, the request would have been granted on religious grounds, but because Islam does not demand the separation of the sexes in swimming lessons at younger ages, the request was denied.

I think the writer does a good job of explaining things from the Swiss perspective. Which is clearly not the US perspective.

[creaker]

I am not a cultural relativist. I happen to think that some cultures are better than others.

Switzerland's culture vs. Saudi Arabian culture?

The Swiss culture wins.

Any dissenters?

Do you think that you should be judged as the culture someone else decides you are? Or as an individual judged on your own actions?

[creaker]

I just read an interesting post on these issues, written by an US citizen living in Switzerland.

http://www.evilhrlady.org/2017/01/sw...oreigners.html

Briefly, their culture is *very* important to the Swiss. Handshaking at meeting and departure is part of that culture. Preserving their culture is an important guiding factor in making these kinds of decisions.

As for the girls and the swimming lessons, the girls were very young when the parents made the request. Had the girls been post-puberty, the request would have been granted on religious grounds, but because Islam does not demand the separation of the sexes in swimming lessons at younger ages, the request was denied.

I think the writer does a good job of explaining things from the Swiss perspective. Which is clearly not the US perspective.

Thanks for posting this article - it points out a number of things I didn't know.