Well I am saying it as well !!

It's just a dead city. Everything is always closed. No proper social night life, hangout places... People keep trying to convince me there are plenty of things to do...sorry but I still doubt it.

I am taking a break these days in a city of life and happiness. ;-)

Geneva is boring for those who don't go up to the mountains and have fun skiing, snowboarding, sailing, rock climbing, hiking, parapente and more. If you want the superficial alcohol fueled social scene then this is not the country for you. 

I wish Geneva wasn't a ghost town at night and on weekends but then again that's the point of glocals, to help find people to do more interesting things with. 

I just like to hope there is (was) something in between Parapente, Rock Climbing and so on and Alcohol Fueled life which is not my cup of tea.

What I meant is exactly what you said : at night and weekends Geneva becomes a ghost town. What I like in a city is to wander around, see things, meet different people naturally. There's no hustle and bustle here. It seems nothing is happening and I am sorry to say so but I find it very hard for and as a newcomer to start a life here. Therefore I will think Geneva is boring until I am, hopefully, proved wrong.

The mistake that all the moaners make is to compare Geneva to London or Paris or NYC. It's a small city which actually compares very well with provincial cities in say the UK. In any case I don't have much sympathy for people who have moved here for a mix of financial and 'lifestyle' reasons and don't like it. Every place has its pro's and con's and Geneva is a great city in the summer months. Learning French is a good place to start, but in my experience a certain percentage of anglo expats can't be bothered to do so.

The best aspect of Geneva life is the mountains. if you're not happy with the social life you have frequent trains to Paris, Bruxelles and Milan every day of the week. You have easyjet and flybaboo for a variety of other destinations. 

Geneva is not designed to have a young vibrant life. It is a calvinist city where attempts are made to keep the population low. Every day the motorways are blocked and the trains are well used. There is life outside of Geneva, in Nyon with the markets, and other cities. Lausanne costs only 12 CHF one way with the demi tariff. 

You have to adapt to this city, and take advantage of the strengths of this location. I had to adapt to London life when I lived there, I had to adapt to the South West of England when I lived there. It's the same in Geneva. 

If you're a broke student with little money then you have something to complain about. If you're making several thousand francs a month then Geneva has a lot to offer. Just don't sit in an empty bar waiting for a crowd. It won't come. 

If the moaners will move out, there will be more appartments and work opportunities left for the non-moaners.

This topic has been discussed so much on this forum that I wonder if it isn't the reason why Geneva is supposed to be boring - why don't you get out there and explore instead of sitting in front of your computer moaning about the town being boring? :-)

I agree with the post above - Geneva city has just under 200'000 inhabitants, and even with all the international organizations and banks this doesn't make it a big city. But for its size it's actually not bad, it's just that people don't party in the streets here, they tend to go to one place and stay there.

Just a few examples of what is going on here:

- FIFDH: Internation Film Festival on Human Rights (going on right now). Debates where you can hear people like Pillay Navi, Stephane Hessel, Shirin Ebadi.... and it's not even expensive.

- Geneva International Jewish Film Festival (end of March)

- Cave 12: Association which programs one of the liveliest experimental music venues inviting lots of known people in the experimental music scene

- AMR: has almost daily Jazz concerts, many of them free, many of them very good

- Festival Voix de Fête (going on right now): good quality live music in several places in Geneva at good prices.

- Festival Bars en Fête: the "off" part of Voix de Fête, this year French music, all for free in bars all over the city.

- Today, there are at least 7 plays or other performances going on in Geneva's small theatres (Carouge, Pitoeff, Parfumerie, Comédie, Théatre de l'Usine, Forum Meyrin...)

- Back in February there was Festival Antigel: Totally exceptional ideas, like performances in a tram depot and other stuff...

So - GET OUTSIDE!!! :-) Moaning doesn't get you anywhere.

Btw: Here it's difficult to make friends (I mean, real ones) in bars. Join an association, a club, volunteer... whatever. That's what many people do here. What was the saying? Do as the locals do....

"It is backward in as much as the shops closing so early, and not open at all on a Sunday???"

Workers' rights are very strong in Switzerland. Maybe you know already a few months ago there was a voting about longer shop opening hours - it was refused, the main reason being the working conditions of the supermarket employees.

This is not backward - it's forward. And I'm proud of that.

Hear, hear !

I can think of better things to do on a lazy Sunday morning than shopping (Ok Im a guy)...

But anyway, once you clamber out of bed, shake off the Sat night hangover, have some coffee in the sunshine... then its all there for you...

Some shops in France are open on Sundays, and Divonne has a superb (if not somewhat expensive) market...great for a glass of wine and some fresh seafood between browsing vegetable and olive stalls...

The lake side is a perfect way to stroll away the excesses of the Fri/Sat nights...

Taking a drive down the Route Suisse direction Lausanne, stopping for coffee by the lake...

Go for a bike ride...

In the summer months BBQ by the lake, swim and be merry with friends or new aquaintances... chill out with some frisbee or volley ball... swim and go home happy...

Fly a kite on the windy days.....

Go to the cinema/theatre on rainy ones...

get on a train and explore Luzern, or the Bernese alps...

Learn to ski/board/sledge in the winter (trust me the social scene (apres ski) is as good as anywhere) 

Jeepers people... there are probably only a couple of months a year where its hard to think of something to do (Oct/Nov)..... and even then...

Boredom is as boredom does....

You cant compare Geneva to any other city in the world... try going skiing within an hour of central London...you'll be lucky if you make it beyond your local borough (commune) in that time...NY ditto... Paris great for cafes and museums...but other than that?

If Geneva is all about shopping and bars...then yes it fails, but life here has a diversity that few other places in the world offer.

Ive lived in 20 countries over my life...and yes, its easy to get bored with going to the beach every weekend... or museum, or blah dee blah...every city requires you to use your brain to think of something to do beyond the obvious... C'est la vie...

Enjoy...and now that spring and summer is close...life just gets better....

Oh come on, you know what I'm talking about. You're not a single mother working at the checkout at Migros and struggling to make ends meet, right?

Nobody refuses you the RIGHT to shop on Sundays, there are plenty of options (see Charlies post). You can also shop on Thursday evenings if you want, or use leshop.ch.

Why do people always expect every place on earth to be exactly like what they're used to?

CAT FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!

(Quick.....someone throw baby oil at them!!!)

...couldn't have said it any better Charlie..well done!

my 2 cents worth.. I love that most things close on Sundays here in Geneva. It makes me focus on my family and friends, getting outside to somewhere other than a bar.

I agree that there are many, many advantages to Geneva that people overlook!  Many of you expats don't know what you are missing!  And once you finally learn some elementary french, you can read about these exciting opportunities... I am listing few examples --ripped from recent and not so recent news stories.

Where else, but in Geneva can you do/find the following:

a)  Get 2.5 years in "jail" (more of a mental hospital) after shoot a prominent banker, leaving him in his full-body rubber suit in his apartment just above a police station;

b) Steal 16-17 kilos of gold from a Rolex factory and get 9 months in jail total -- counting your preventative detention -- in a cell that others in town probably pay the equivalent of 500 francs rent to regies (see today's Tribune de Genève);

c) Where fare-dodgers are forced to pay exhorbitant fines for riding the trams/busses by transport officials who are carrying false identification or who were never sworn in to  do their job.  And they let poor adolescents pay off these fines by working by cleaning the trams;

d) Where the lost and found office charges you 30 francs "fee" for return of prescription eyeglasses which cost 100 chf (personal experience, just last week);

e) Where the head of the Cantonal housing department allows employees and others to pay peanuts for renting villas and apartments;

f) Where Geneva is apparently the only canton in the country where the kitchen is counted as a "room" if you can fit a chair in it;

g) Where one of the only statues of a woman -- amongst the seemingly hundreds of busts and statues of men -- is the assassinated Empress Sisi near the Hotel de la Paix.

h) Where the local Geneva newspapers consistently write articles about "rich Arabs" who vacation annually here;

i) Where you have giant statue and a museum dedicated to Jean Calvin, a refugee and religious "reformer" who took part in advocating the burning at the stake in Champel of Michel Servet...

I could go on, but perhaps you get the point....

This place is just like any other... you have to learn how to negotiate and take advantage of it. 

*As for "moaning" about rent, join the association ASLOCA and learn how you might get a rent reduction and other benefits.

*Buy 50% off at Coop on late Saturday afternoons.

* Get a 35 franc daily train ticket that allows you to travel anywhere in Switzerland for 24 hours and get the hell out of town...

* Have a coffee/tea/drink at the cafes in the Bourg-de-Four

* Come to Carouge where things are more relaxed...

Now go do that voodoo that you do so well....

I agree with everybody.

(Shit, this fence is getting uncomfortable!)

Why seek what is outside to nurish what is inside?  Look at doing it the other way around and notions such as "boring" become imaterial.  You may also consider the following as a release mechanisms:    

A) don't compare and; 

B) if you have to, do it on a like for like basis;

C) keep an open mind as you do it;

D) once you've thought about it stand back and gain perspective;

E) if all else fails try doing "nothing" that's already alot and not easy.

F) don't be too hard on yourself or others and want for less.      

And thank you for allowing me to remind myself of what I should also be doing! 

Just minor correction - some or all of the 30 francs collected by the lost and found bureau is to give a reward to the person who took the trouble to habd the property in.   This was brought in as most people are not willing even to take the trouble of saying thank you to the finder 

stop dodging the baby oil....

(1) That's not a right, but a priviledge.

(2) Shop in advance of Sunday. Amazingly, it's possible.

(3) There is value in protecting retail workers' family/social life, too.

(4) It is also not too bad to have a quieter* day of the week. Emergency Sunday shopping can be done at the airport. If that's too far, you don't need to shop enough.

*I say this, living in Ferney, the silent of quiet places, but you get the idea.

"If you are bored, than you are in a bad company"

Learn french, then you can enjoy Geneva for 100 %. Staying in expats' "soup" is not very exciting thing for long time...

If what you want isn't here, and you really want it, start it.

This is what happens in the UK, most of the best weekday club nights aren't run by the club, but rather by music fans and entrepreneurs. It's a lot of hard work but can also be fun, just don't quit your day job. I ran clubs after I finished my day time work for 4 years, like I said lots of extra work but lots of fun.

As for shopping on Sundays and evenings the arguements go both ways... it can increase employment but at a cost.

But as _Marina_ says it then comes down to just the big chains that open because they are the only ones who can afford it, and what they often do is cut staff from other times and just stretch them across the week so they don't have to pay more.

Geneva is a diverse place and while it closes early so do many cities in the UK. Before I left the average Night Club (disco) closed at 1am, things have changed now, but I was never bored... As for all the other activites you have to find a way to get informed. 

As has been repeated here many times learn French, I am regaining my French now and regardless of whether I need it for work, I need it to have a decent life here. In Spain I heard the same comments always from people who wanted everything on a plate, I learnt Spanish and had a great Social life with both expats and local Spanish. Just be prepared that people will laugh at your accent. The best way is find a purely French speaking bar and try talking to people.

I used to also hear that nothing happened in my Spanish home town as well - we had at least 3 theatres, concerts by people like R.E.M, Shakira, etc. Beaches, Bars, Clubs and so much more including a HUGE list of events that the town hall used to host, and after all of this I still knew people who were bored!

If your bored ask yourself - is it the place thats boring or me thats boring? Read a book (they are the things printed on paper or now e-paper) Start something yourself (see above), take a course, paint a picture or if you are really bored spend sometime with your family... however the last one is a desparate measure .

If you can't do any of the above try and find out where Charlie is drinking and you may get to see some fine irish dancing...

As for me I am thinking of starting up a funk/jazz club night, anybody interested? It will probably be very sweaty... and loud.

im used to working hard and living for the weekend  the only thing is there is no weekend here  it is boring .sorry 

Hi Kerry...

Youre in Zurich... what do you mean "no weekend"???? Take the kids skiing, get a baby sitter and party at night... the mountains are great for that. Davos/Klosters/Flims Laax etc etc.. or go to Flumserberg for the skiing, drive back, drop the kids in a bath, get a baby sitter, go into town and dance at Kaufleuten or a plethora of other clubs in town, or stroll along the neiderdorf, eat well and have a late drink in a jazz bar...

In the summer drive down to Rapperswil, take the kids to the Circus zoo (full of retired circus animals) the get an ice cream by the lake and rent a small motor  boat for a afternoons cruise and swim... then back into town and another dance...

I dont even live over there and I can think of 100's of things to do...

The report does focus on London vs Geneva - it's not a fair comparision.

London is London - no other UK city is like London, you can't expect Geneva to be either.

lol wow that told me im new  here and my babies are 1 and 2  so bit hard to do most things here im from london and i guess im used to everything on my door step with i liked but know this is not for everyone but hey thanks for that ;0

ahhh prob too young for the skiing then ;-P (for a year or two)... kids Circus zoo might be fun for the 2 yr old... you can stroke a rhino there and ride elephants etc...

Gymboree exists there too... a good way to meet other mums, and certainly try and get a babysitter and get out into town at night... its really not so bad esp at the weekends in Zueri.

there are a number of "strandbad" s along the lake, esp the gold coast side... try those in the summer with the kids...very safe.

Swimming lessons ? at a pool?

Sightseeing.... kids love the ice cream bit of it.... Rhinefalls nr Basel, or the sherlock holmes falls nr luzern... or a cruise by Luzern... etc etc.. 

...but no..its not like London where its all on your doorstep, and effort is required, which with two young uns may be a bit complex, but...

anyway...didnt mean to bite your head off... everything here requires effort... but you'll find mostly its worth it in the end...

Let people spend money when they want to. Shops opening on Sundays would provide more work, 52 extra days where staff is needed. 

ooops.... My company wrote that...?!

lol its ok charlie i have an lrish hubby  who head strong  and us english love the lrish im the layed back one lol will look into wot u havesaid and yes im a bit lazy as with a 1 and 2 year old im shatterd sleepless nights and all that but am looking forward to a weekend out getting very drunk as us english like to when my family come to vist will defoe check out the clubs u said thanks ;0

Yes, that might be so...although this was not one of the several explanations provided.  The first explanation was that it cost money to run the office. Second was that my glasses were really expensive! The third was that those who turn in the items should receive some reward.  Fourth was that I was irresponsible for losing my glasses and shouldn't expect other taxpayers to bear the burden.  Most of the emphasis was on the second.

The supervisor kept telling me that my glasses were very expensive. When I insisted they cost but 100 francs he switched to a different explanation.  There was an information sheet posted stating the fee for glasses was from 5 - 50  francs.  Guess I should have taken a more expensive pair!

Yes, some people need thanks for turning  things in, others don't.  I found a wallet on the tpg this past Sunday and simply turned it in to the conductor.

Geneva has some very nice things about it, but many of the services here are substandard and unprofessional, particularly given the fees.

I  don't mind about the lack of shopping on Sundays. I think, however, this state of affairs is also due, in some measure, to the Calvinist influence that permeates much of life in Geneva.

Two of my Genevois friends have funny nicknames for this town: one calls it the hospital and the other calls it  the hotel...

No, the shopping would be spread onto Sunday, as well. People doesn't magically need more shopping, just because the store is open 7/7 instead of 6/7. I'd prefer longer opening hours on weekdays, maybe Monday and Thursday, and then closed Sunday for a different ambiance in the city. Regulation regarding opening hours is usually in place for a reason.. discussed already.

I've been in Geneva for 17 years and I have to admit, it's gone a bit less boring. It has more international people and more options for shopping and activities.

However, it is still a most boring city, and, with all the slow-paced construction all over town, it's become also annoying. Never mind that it's one of most expensive towns on earth. (I am paying Harvard fees for my 5 yr old's private school.)

I used to think I liked Geneva for the security (I grew up in a war zone). But even that's going downhill.

So why am I here? Beats me. Geneva got stuck on me and whenever I am away I just can't wait to come back. So f**k it. I am staying.

The Egyptians say that once you’ve drunk the waters of the Nile, you’ll surely return.  Could it be that Lac Léman has the same effect?

R.



I think it is telling that most people on this thread who are +ve are mid 30's plus (apologies in advance if you're not). My entire office moved here with several younger early 20's guys and it was boring for them. We are front office hedge fund portfolio managers and even we found the costs here eye watering. I think these were the kind of people mentioned in the article.

I agree that there are always things going on but not everyone wants to go to a human rights or Jewish film festival, these things, whilst culturally enriching, have a tiny target audience in any city.

The stock response of learn french is optimistic in the extreme. If you work a reasonable day the idea of then pitching up to a classroom for a few hours is a no go.

It is ironic that if you ask the locals if they think Geneva is boring 80% will say it is. However they rather like it that way. The swiss on this site are very much in the minority (not least just by being members on a site such as this...).

I'm moving back to the UK for a new job and I'll miss Hermance where I live as its unreplicatable in the UK, I'll miss my 25m commute on my scooter, I'll miss the work people who turn up on time and are extremely professional, I'll miss my 20% marginal tax rate (my co. organised a special deal) and I'll miss the weather; but I won't miss the night life, the overpriced tastless restaurants, the frankly average private education system, the ludicrous shopping hours/ prices (and very limited choice) and the general lack of buzz in the city.

Geneva is a dead city...

Without being to brutal about it not liking Geneva because it lacks a night life is the same as hating London because you can't ski, snowboard or walk normally. In London one of the things I missed most was the ability to walk for an hour and a half at full stride length.

The cultural aspects of life we miss from other places could be brought to Geneva through the network of people we meet and be-friend. There are pub crawls, darts, beer pong and other activities in Geneva. Knowing where to look is the challenge. 

To each our passions. 

Do send us a progress report in 12 months' time.

Meanwhile, all the best in the big smoke.

R.

Seriously?!?!

I did 14 evening courses over a period of 4 years while working full time in a busy design office, each course was 2-3 hours long once a week and was stuff like programming, Autocad, Desktop publishing etc... and I still had a social life, went clubbing every weekend. No excuse even if you have kids my partner does a 45+ hour working week, we have 5 kids and we still both make it to an evening class in French once a week.

But you don't have to go to a class. Your classroom is Geneva, just follow these steps and you will learn the local language almost anywhere that booze is sold in little time.

1 - Get hold of a good language course on CD - The Mitchel Thomas courses work best for me.
2 - DO THE COURSE - Mitchel Thomas is an 8 Hour course - you should be able to do it in under a month.
3 - Buy a GOOD dictionary (French/English) something you can carry.
4 - Find a bar/café where they don't speak English
5 - Make an idiot of yourself murdering the language

The locals will be so upset at how badly you speak that they  will try to improve your French to stop you doing bad things to their language. This is the way I learnt Spanish and I was at a conversational level in 3 months. I am now fairly fluent (not perfect but fluent) and can even read and write Spanish ok. I have never taken a Spanish lesson.

Before doing the above I knew the following Spanish:

"Hola", "Adios", "Manaña", "Hasta la Vista (Baby)", and of course "Gracias".

The advantage was I was accepted, I was no longer one of those bloody English idiots any longer. I was treated a lot better and knew about all the good fiestas. In short I definately was no longer bored.  

I also did this while partying til 6 in the morning, and running 2 business which meant I had a 60 - 80 hour week, and I still found time to get to the beach, and have a multi cultral social life which would make the average English man collapse. 

As an added bonus my Spanish friends let me know where the best and cheapest meat could be bought and so my barbeques were excellent. 

Learning the language isn't difficult and won't hurt you, it really comes down to whether you are determind enough?

Ok, perhaps I was being obtuse. By reasonable, I meant a hard days work. I work 11-12 hours a day.

I'm impressed at your diligence, but please do not assume that everyone else has the same level of desire to take these kinds of courses.

I try and be reasonable in my assumptions. Most people are not as outgoing as someone like Carlie or as keen as self improvement as yourself.

Suggesting that most people should be more like you is a smidge arrogant.

I happen to speak fluent french as I went to Grenoble University for a year so thankfully after my day I go home to tuck my kids in and have a whiskey soda.

Okay now theres way too many posts for me to read. But having skimmed, I can say I agree with the shopping closing times. Its highly insufficient. Especially for me since I like to come to work a bit later and finish later, since I can. And since I live in St Julien I dont really wanna travel to Geneva on my Saturdays as well for shopping. But its hard to do a clothes shopping in Geneva anyway, the mens fashion is highly insuficient.

Also, I am used to living in a place where its normal to go out clubbing during week days. Geneva is hence boring in this sense.

But its a small place and I guess its all about knowing people and having fun with them and its a great place to venture to other nice locations from.

And glocals is good for finding some new friends.

Everyone is talking about clubbing and drinking and that Geneva is boring in that perspective. Tell me what's the point moving to another city if all you want is drinking? Stay where you are and enjoy, it would be a reasonable choice. It starts to be monotonous all the moaning when you are supposed to be moving because you like the place not the money it offers!

And I appreciate a social system that allows an average Joe enjoying his private life rather than working during the weekend.

I appreciate a system where people who want to work on weekends can, and the rest of us have services running 24/7. I appreciate a social system that doesnt dictate a schedule on me: you have to shop in those hours and those days and you have to wake up by that hour on weekend to be able to buy food.

http://genevalunch.com/blog/2010/06/18/geneva-to-get-longer-shopping-days-but-referendum-likely/

Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch.com) – The Grand Conseil, or cantonal council of Geneva voted Thursday evening 17 June to extend shopping hours in the city to 20:00 weekdays and 19:00 Saturdays, with a review of the new hours at the end of three years.

The project now becomes law, but Socialists and members of the MCG (Mouvement Citoyens genevois) say they will force a popular referendum on the issue, the first to protect workers, notably women who work in shops, and the second to protect family life from a growing consumerism that is replacing family time with buying, the group argues.

I don't advise my children to be like me. I had to do those courses to be good at my job, I was a university drop out (and I really regret that now) I got myself into an R&D department by being in the right place at the right time. My point was despite a busy life you can do these things - it's a choice.

You learnt French in a year - I now am struggling to get my French back, this is not about self improvement but rather about just being able to survive in a country that the local language isn't English.

Learning Spanish was a choice but I just considered it good manners, after all what do we say about those who come to the UK but can't be bothered to learn the language? Seriously with the expat life in Spain you can go days (or months) without speaking to anyone Spanish as we had huge areas that are almost 90% English speaking. I moved into a Spanish area especially to help me learn.

The vast majority of British expats in Spain don't ever intend to speak English but the ones who stay long term often do, and they reap the benifits. 

Funny thing is with how many Spanish expats that are here I end up speaking more Spanish than I do French or English, in fact almost more than I did in Spain - go figure...

So once again it wasn't too say "You Should Be Like Me..." more to say if you want to learn French you will. I like you after my long day at work wanted a Whiskey (hold the soda) and just did it in the bar talking bad Spanish.

This is a funny thread, I am amused...

It's a dead city from my perspective.....but wherever you are....it's what you make of it....I firmly believe you can create what you want here....maybe I'm just optimistic...  There are deader places, though I've never lived in any of them.

I'm from San Francisco and in my opinion Geneva isn't in the same league.... but I'm committed to giving it a chance and creating what I want here.....

Been to a couple Glocals events and I'm grateful for Glocals.

Cheers

I also think its not ok for a government to dictate when its ok for shops to be opened. This is a private choice of the merchant and the choice of the people who accepted the job.

Yeah without glocals it would be pretty tough here. Not enough social activities and chances to meet new people outside of glocals, especially if u dont speak French...

Come on, there are at least two shops open in front of my building during the weekend, if you are a private merchant, it's up to you to decide.

Who said French are the worst moaners?!! Getting enough of this, the ones who search they will find. Good luck!

Well if its up to the merchant then what is the government voting about? It is true there are some shops opened 24/7 like some small food stores in the centre and stuff. Then I am not sure what the government has control over and what not.

But Id like to see a normal big supermarket opened till say at least about 22 on most days, like I am used to. It rarely happens that by the time I get home the supermarket is still open.

While its practical, for you, it's generally not for the staff. Also, they don't get to dictate their working hours. It's all or nothing, when you need a job and so not much the choice, you claim it is.

Learn to plan your shopping better - or your work/whatever you do - or go live in the US, which sports very liberal opening hours, suitable for your lifestyle? ;)

Your first statement is incorrect.  Just because you see two shops open in front of your building does not mean that all shops have that specific authorization.  You incorrectly assume that it is up to the merchant to decide.  That is not always the case. 

Well well well...away for 24 hours and when I come back here I can see it's a pretty passionate debate. 

We all argue here because there might be a part of truth in this thead's subject ! We would not be discussing how other cosmopolitan cities are boring. Anyway, I just hope I ll be as happy as some of you here living in Geneva...

The shop question is a problem. The train station CFF migros is full on Sundays because people don't want to go to a petrol station to do their shopping. 

Shops open after the business day has opened and close before the end of many shifts. Unless you're doing a night shift shops will not be open at the appropriate time and this is also true of fitness centres. 

Too many times there is a beautiful saturday Sun out and people are forced to go to do their weekly shopping. In theory it's great. It means that during the week shops could close since everyone goes on Saturday. 

The issue is whether you want to be with every other office worker shopping at the same time as them. Personally that's not for me. I'd rather go up to the mountains and enjoy one of the glocals sport activities. Excentric I know. 

You remember the poster for the 24hr shopping question? Make love, don't shop. 

If you want to have a good laugh then just three km away from you there's shopping in France all weekend and the Euro is low. We are used to our freedoms. If someone takes them away then we might as well order the products online when we have a free minute and no longer go through the inconvenience of shopping. 

We live in an on-demand culture. We work when there's a demand for specific types of work, and we play when we play. If shops are unable to adapt to this modern culture then they are going to lose out. If the trade unions want to prevent people from working then so be it. Let them prevent certain types of work. 

The airport is at it's busiest during the weekend, the cinemas are at the busiest too. There are a lot of dedicated weekend jobs. Sports are a weekend thing for the most part. I'm speaking of biathlon, bobsledding finals and more. 

Today is my weekend this week so of course I can easily go shopping. Imagine if your only day off is a Sunday? How are you going to shop?

Should we throw in the decreasing role of religion in our lives as a reason why the shops can stay open or is that one step too far? 

My understanding (and I'm not a specialist) of the rules for shopping hours is as follows:

1 There are federal laws and then local cantonal ones, which mean that there are regional varations in opening hours (for example, in Valais shopping is possible on a few Sundays before Christmas)

2 A shop staffed by family members can open when it likes, which is why corner shops have different hours

3 There's a general exception for places of travel, hence shops are open in motorway services, train stations, airports. For example you can shop at Migros in the airport on Sunday.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Well, I think this should explain my statement. If you are living in Geneva itself, there are certainly some of those family enterprises, kiosks around. Not so incorrect, right? It's very practical for those who love working 24/24, but limited to 6/7.

http://www.ge.ch/legislation/rsg/f/rsg_i1_05.html

Section 2(7) Exceptions à l’assujettissement, dérogations et autorisations spéciales

Art. 4 Exceptions générales
Ne sont pas assujettis :

h) les magasins et les étalages de marchés considérés comme entreprises familiales au sens de l’article 4 de la loi fédérale sur le travail dans l’industrie, l’artisanat et le commerce, du 13 mars 1964, à condition qu’ils n’occupent pas de personnel les dimanches et jours fériés légaux, ainsi qu’au-delà des heures de fermeture normales des magasins, et qu’ils observent au moins un jour de fermeture hebdomadaire.(10)

Come on, have you met any swiss people? They're great hikers, skiers and more. They love their apéro just as much as the English love their pints. 

Switzerland is a beautiful country and it's thanks in part to the attitude of the people who live here. 

Onto another topic. Geneva is about 35 percent foreign right? That means we're the boring people. ;-)

"The population of the Canton, as of December 2009, contains 161,539 people originally from Geneva (35.3%), 116,504 Swiss from other cantons (25.5%) and 179,385 foreigners (39.20%), from 192 different countries. Among them about 73% come from Europe, 9% from Africa, 9% from the Americas and 8% from Asia[23] Including people holding multiple citizenship, 54.4% of people living in Geneva hold a foreign passport.[24]"

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva

On the point of voting do we have information about what percentage cared enough to vote against the opening hours? I'm too lazy to look up that information. 

I think it all depends on your personal preferences, I arrived here and personally found it to be quite sleepy compared to Brussels or Budapest or Berlin!  (I lived in these cities before) BUT IT'S YOU THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO GO OUT LOOKING FOR THE FUN... DON'T EXPECT FUN TO COME KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR TO TAKE YOU OUT!!!

I must admit it didn't take me long to start meeting people who had the same affinities I had.... I love cooking, friends and going out (not into drinking partying til 6am though), so once I met a good number of them, I started meeting their Swiss friends and the friends of the Swiss friends and so on.... and eventually I now have quite a lot of friends so I must say I am enjoying the city a lot more!

In fact I really like it now!

2010

Population of the State of Geneva = 460 841

Of which ;

Suisse = 279 310 (61%)

Etrangers = 181 531 (39%)

(should be noted that many  (54%) of "Suisse" in Geneva also hold a second passport , i.e. they're naturalized citizens, or have a foreign Mother or Father).

I'm not sure there is a more "International" city any where else in the world....

Same for me. But ok: spent my prime party time in Berlin.

Now I have less urban style but better weather than in Germany, a lake two mins from my apartment, the best mountains for skiing and running and a nice international crowd of people around. Instead of "haste mal n Euro" (do you have a Euro.... for a tram ticket?)

What a stupid comment..... talk about generalizations!!! 

I can easily make a Generalization about your home country since I lived there for a year (Milano specifically) but that would be very stupid as I am sure not everyone is the same over there... huh?

if people dislike Geneva then GO HOME!!! 

it's YOUR responsibility to have your own fun, and create your own fun filled calendar!!! Take geneva for what it is and make the best of it.... and if it's not for you, then go somewhere else... it's simple!!!

Another thing that I find so bizarre and pathetic is people complaining about Stores not being open so it's not so fun because there is nothing to do!!!

(I am sorry but if one's idea of fun depends on having a damn store open.... then one must be a rather boring individual!!)

I can think of a million thngs to do that are much more fun and productive than going to a freaking store!)...... running, having a BBQ on top of saleve mountain, sex, go swimming in the lake, go for a walk, sex, watch a movie and eat popcorn with some friends, go out to a bar and have a drink, talk on skype or the phone, internet browsing, sex once again, learning how to bake, cook, learning german spanish french english mandarin, yoga, pilates, sex, tv, music, getting drunk, driving to some cute little village, snowboarding, sex etc. etc. etc.

spring feelings?

(I would not dare call it a typical male comment)

I agree with you

it's in Geneva where I have been able to meet some of the most interesting, stimulating, intellectual, refined people ever!!! perhaps because it's the headquarters of so many organizations that bring so many international people here and the city being small and all it's easier to meet nice folks.... but here I've met people from countries I knew nothing about and I have learned so much about the different cultures of the world after being here... this is the place I've enjoyed the most so far (and I lived in NYC, los angeles, south america, italy, belgium, germany, japan and now switzerland) because of job and study reasons!

at first I thought it was a boring place, but after I started meeting so many interesting people (interesting in an intellectual way, not in a let's go party wohooo way!!), I have started to really enjoy the city!!!

I've also met some swiss that now I consider my friends, and they are not boring at all.... in fact I have yet to meet an actual swiss who has been negative towards me or who has been boring!

lol.... it could be...

the spring is here and I am very excited about it!

they have 24 hour stores where you can buy a lot of basic stuff like milk, tomatoes and things like that... and ultimately France is quite close and carefour and other stores over there are open quite late.... til 9 am on some weekdays I believe.

I go to France too, I believe some stores like leclerq and carrefour are open until 09:30pm on certain weekdays.

Most supermarkets in France are in fact open till 12.30pm on Sundays.

Going to France is not that hard... they even buses and trams that go into France from Geneva, the closest Carrefour in France from house is only 5 kms away... and I live in Geneva city center!

if you go during the weekend, then that is up to your own discretion ma'am, have in mind the stores are open til 21:30 during the week and a tram ride to france takes maximum 15 minutes.

how are you gonna carry your things home..... I am afraid, with that... I can't help you with.

the thing is... (and it's not directed towards you but in general)... but if some people dislike it here, and they can't really fit because is not NYC or london or the moon or mars.... then go somewhere else.

this thread reminds me of a girl who used to live here and complained that she hated the swiss and geneva for being so boring because she couldn't find a date to save her life or friends..... (and how is that geneva or swiss people's fault????) 

now she's back in her native london and after a year there she still can't find a date or real friends.......

"(and how is that geneva or swiss people's fault????)"

It's actually our fault Andy. We're justa a bunch of whining spoiled people who have nothing else but complaining when we could be out there taking advantage of this wild and crazy city.

"then go somewhere else." I like simplicity. Good on you. Keep in mind that a million Swiss people have taken your advise and went to exciting locations all over the world.

I better stop here before Andy thinks my comment is stupid -:)

It takes a while for people to get to know the spots in the city and how to go from such and such place.... but it helps a lot meeting people.

Through Glocals I've met a lot of very nice people that always have some tips for you regarding restaurants, stores, chiropractors, laundrymats, places to go and so on.

Eventually the whole city will become very familiar....

In a way people have become too comfortable in the modern world, if it doesn't happen right now, and how they want it, then it's chaos and moaning and whinning about how terrible things are and how unhappy they are.

Some people specially on wealthy western societies have become totally out of touch with reality and the world, as a result they end up living in a bubble, lonely, depressed, bored and moaning about insignificant things like store hours or dates or how the iphone doesn't pick up good signal in their kitchen, when in reality there are a gazillion of real very serious issues out there that as humans we sould be focusing on solving.

and then sociologists wonder why depression and suicide is on the rise on wealthy societies!

I totally agree with you.... Because of my work I have been exposed to people in certain countries whose main complain of the day is "I HAVE NOTHING TO FEED MY CHILDREN TODAY AND THEY ARE HUNGRY!!" now THAT'S a problem that breaks my heart, makes me cry and that I will go out of my way to solve!!

But I have no compassion for spoiled yuppies in western societies bitching about being bored because people around them suck, and the city they're in suck and they can't find a date and so! for them hey don't like it then go home where you'll be happy!!!

like some Americans would say....  TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK!!!

Your statement was still incorrect because you said it was up to private merchants.  All private merchants are not considered family enterprises.  In addition, those "convenience" stores charge sometimes double or triple the price of the Migros, Coop, Denner and so on.  People sometimes wrongly assume that those working long hours are adequately compensated and can afford to shop at "convenience" stores.

Stores can seek special authorization for opening and closing later. This, according to merchants I've spoken to, requires a lot of paperwork and bureaucratic hassle. One example is Urban bio which is open every day, including Sundays. 

People might not know that Geneva has consistently had the highest rate of unemployment in Switzerland.  Allowing greater flexibility in working hours -- with protections for workers' rights -- could increase employment, especially for university students and people who could work part-time to supplement their family income.

And by the way, Genevois also complain about the lack of nightlife and entertainment in the city.  There have been many recent articles in the press asking why Geneva cannot have as vibrant a nightlife as  Lausanne.

In fact, several local city clubs that cater to less-affluent young people were shut down, causing various forms of protest throughout the canton.

True, and some  of them are evfen going hungry in Geneva. 

the only way to leave and understand a Country it's to speak to local language, I know it's difficult to learn a new language, but it's the only way..

I am bored here and so have find time to read a bit of this thread but not bored enough to read it all

I found it difficult to adjust after I came here from Moscow but that difficulty lasted about a month.

I do feel Geneva is more suited to older people but mabe that is because I am one.  I still miss the vibrant atmosphere of the city of london but I accept that Geneva is smaller an different.

One poster mentioned that you can get out into the mountains which I do but Geneva has a lot more to offer than mountains.  

I think it was summed up best by the poster whio stated that somebody could not find a partner becasue Geneva was so boring and so moved to less boring London and still cannot find a partner. 

Boring people get bored and bored people are boring and they will not change wherever they are.

So enjoy life or don't.  It has nothing to do with Geneva.   

For the one that works on Weekend. I can tell you it is not a choice but an obligation. Company style for managers!! Being the best, Everything around work... Nothing funny!!! And for the poor seller, ?!?  And if I could work from Monday to Friday life will be a paradise for me!!! I don't want Switzerland to come like others countries where shops are open on Sunday and where life are only turned around work, work, work and work.... Shit hopefully some people are trying to save their quality of life by not working on weekend or Sunday !!! My personal opinion :)

It's not a nanny state. It's just regulation. If you like a place with very little regulation, try the US.

yes but remember.

In a company, you have 1 employee on 15 employee that is a workalcoolic. The boss are expecting the 14 employees to be a workalcoolic as well. Then the personal choice of 1 person become an obligation for 14 others employees...Exactly what i am living...

So we should considerate this aspect of the society. I would love that everything will be personal choice for everybody but it will be unrealistic...

Are you paid by the US government to promote it here? You also told me to try the US...

Besides, I am not sure its true that it is a place with very little regulation, it is in fact known for very strick laws on some stuff. One of the reasons I've been avoiding it so far...

Not at all.. what I meant what just: "Do as the locals do".. Geneva has voted it should be this way in Geneva, because the population likes it that way. Having everything on-demand has it's price, too.

Re. US: I like to visit, but as for living there, I'd want a nice raise before committing. The climate seems more and more antifreedom/surveillance-oriented for each passing year.. as in the EU.  

..but now I'll go outside in the fresh air and do stuff.

.."its", not "it's". Damn missing edit-button/proofreader.

Bravo ! – but if you’re going to start editing posts on this site, you’re in for a long haul so hope your food cupboard’s well stocked.

Far be it from me to discourage you though.

I understand canned food has a long shelf life. Not that I have any, of course.

Andy, I think you're mixing things up here.

If we were in a poor country we'd be saying 'poor us we have nothing to feed our children.' If we were in a war-torn country we'd be saying 'shit, watch out for those land mines.'

But we're in Boring Geneva, so we're saying 'this place is oozing with boredom.'

And we're saying this in a discussion thread entitled 'Geneva is boring.'

So stop your patronizing and let the people speak their minds.

Better yet, start a new thread called 'Geneva Rocks.'

Cheers man

B

Precision: Geneva is a dead city but it is a lovely one for a lot of others things.

Of course I would love to eat at 3 o'clock if I'm hungry, or staying in a club till 11AM if I feel it, or going to shopping at 10PM or seeing people living outside on a sunday, having a studpid christmas market in december around the lake.

But it's not going like that here so ...

People who doesn't like can maybe think they are not in the good place to live... For my humble part the balance of lake, mountains and other is heavy enough to let me forgot the boring part... ;-)

nice evening folks...

Dia's good for canned food! - one in Ferney and one in Gex! 

For all posters who don't realise this is sarcasm... oh dear it's never fun when you have to explain your jokes...

:-) ahaha...

Some ready-mades in the freezer perhaps ?  More expensive and shorter eat-by deadlines.

Enuff said.......

And if we wouldn't have glocals (born genevaonline) it would be even more boring. Thanks Nir and Oded for this great baby!

(off for planing my boring ski week end)

(... and Charlie irish dancing)

no doubt in it, geneva is a boring place. atleast for me it is

****************************************This thread is closed due to boring street dancing activities***************************************

Sorry, clicked the wrong button !

Hmm just lost a very long message, probably just as well!

Just to say, I am from UK, but lived in Sydney, Singapore, London and in comparison it is here dull going out/atmosphere wise and it does not have the buzz!

But ...have had a few good nights out with friends and I think meeting a good crowd is key.

Still getting used to slower pace, shop opening times, expense, not so interesting food etc !

But hey think of the positives, I have two young kids who are/will grow up surrounded by so many nationallites, in a clean, polite, safe place..not many of them left.

It's also a hub for international affairs/human rights.. there are so many wonderful towns very close by, the travel opps..and I am determined that is the kind of place that if you try to integrate you will find great places to go whether its for s fab night out, a picnic or an exhibition.

Its hard when you have travelled/moved not to compare but.. we have to stop as a lady told me when I was whining about missing the UK in sydney.. stop comparing!

Also as someone said above how bloody lucky are we all so try to enjoy it!!

Oh and the weather is better than the UK!

Oh and if that doesn't work you can always go to London or where u long for if it is close by once a month and party to keep you going!

We are all in this world together it does no good to sit on the sidelines and watch.

Thanks Layla, yes! When I stopped comparing but focussed on the good things I started enjoying Geneva. Now I miss the lake and the light when I travel to others cities.

And yes, the weather is good here!

Spring is back. It's 15°C out there, live bands are playing in the old town, segway tours are going on and you're still complaining about it being boring? 

"Boring people usually get bored no matter how and where"...nothing more to say!:)

............ hmmm, this conversation is getting boring

Bored people are borig.  R.

yes it starts to be boring ! I agree!

Don't expect Geneva to be like Sydney, London or New York. It is a city of less than 200'000 people, not a city of million of people.

And let's say that wherever you live in this planet it is a matter of finding the people with the same spirit than you! Geneva might be the right place or not. We are all unique and we can't fit all over the places! Just go where you are happy and be positive in life 

This thread proves my point exactly that Geneva is Boring. Look how fast people got bored just chatting online, only after 126 posts. Imagine living in this city for 17 years...lol

Not only di you guys get bored but some got nasty and impatient (reminds me of the Migros cashiers).

Have a very exciting weekend (outside Geneva I imagine).

Thank God I am in boring Geneva.... and not in Tokio, San Francisco....

"Geneva City" rap

If I read your profile correctly, you are against a number of things.  Well, I’m against your associating the ancient hamlet of Dull in the beautiful Scottish county of Perth and Kinross with the subject of this thread.

Ritchie

I agree that Geneva is not the most exciting place ever even though we must acknowledge that for its size and population it has a lot to offer. 

However I do not like this approach of 'making the best out of it' as I have a natural preference for places that display their best without me having to make the effort to like it.. After a hard way of work it's difficult to find the motivation to be motivated, going out and maybe be lucky to discover an hidden place. It's much easier in places like London where despite being tired the city is offering so much that you do find the adrenaline to go out.. 

Gabriella

www.strangerinastrangelandt2011.blogspot.com

London is a megalopolis with over 12 million inhabitants in its entire urban region....

Geneva is a small town with 200,000 people!!!

I don't why throwing london so much into the topic..... I don't find london to be all that, especially if you compare it with places (its size not geneva) like Berlin, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos aires, bangkok, Tokyo you'll see that london has a horribly boring nightlife!

to me the BEST european city is by far Berlin... good culture, young, trendy, friendly, laid back, good party atmosphere that has something for everyone (try that in london!!).... 

you're telling me I am patronizing people and forcing them to like Geneva... but then you're doing the opposite...

I just don't understand, if you dislike Geneva so much.... what are you doing here? there are over 100,000 cities worlwide to choose from!

As so graphically expressed, a long, long time ago, by Bruce Bairnsfather:

“Well, if You Knows of a better ‘Ole, Go to it !”

Hope it’ll keep fine for you, R.

I never said I disliked Geneva. I like boring (I milked the excitement out of many places before I settled in Geneva.) And what's with you repeating 'go somewhere else?' You sound like a UDC fascist.

I make over 100K here, I pay tons of taxes and I have every right to complain.

Lucky you.  Why not do some voluntary work to help those who are less fortunate ?

I agree with you.... in that aspect Geneva is like a much smaller version of london..... both places have plenty of things to do but if you lack the money for it then most likely you'll be bored to death.... I have friends who are struggling artists in london and they can't even afford to get on the tube.

Geneva is not the most exciting place on the planet that;s obvious.... but everyone has the possibility at least go out and have fun in one of the events glocals have.... that is how I met all my friends and now I barely have time to sit at home because I am always invited to something or preparing something for them to come over.

If bored to death people can't even shake the boredom off by going to a glocals event where they can connect with dozens of people looking for friends and looking to have fun... then I am afraid Geneva is not the one that's boring!!!

so basically you're the typical moaner that dislikes the place but loves the salary

(sorry can't have everything in life at the same time I guess)

for now I have to go.... my boring self is out to harvest some vegetables with some boring expats who I met using boring glocals in boring Geneva.

Hmm to each their own .....and I have only been to Bangkok of the cities you mentioned... but ...

Not quite sure where you were going out in London but clearly they were the wrong places¨!!

I find London to be the most exciting, vibrant, cosmopolitan, funky,eccentric and stylish city in the world with a fab fashion, music and arts scene..

But hey as I said to each their own!

But we are all getting carried away with this topic non?!!

Mayne we should all be given the task of finding/going to one interesting place this weekend and report back!!

Enjoy whatever you all do!

I forgot to mention my wife also makes 100K+. Isn't that a good reason to stay in this boring city?

As for voluntary work, I've done my share with the ICRC, Red Crescent, Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, etc. Now why don't you tell us your story. Perhaps you can start a new thread about voluntary work nd I'll join yu with pleasure.

I was not suggesting that you had never done any voluntary work, only that you might consider helping local nitty-gritty  causes to fill the time you have to spare because Geneva fails to provide the kind of entertainment you appear to consider your due because you pay ‘loads of taxes’.

However, an alternative might be for you to set up a venture, in collaboration with a Swiss associate, that would really set Geneva a-swinging.  Just think, you could succeed where Voltaire failed and go down in history.

As to my own story and/or a new thread about voluntary work, this is neither the time nor place, save to say that my track record began in my mid-teens and continues to this day.  Details if really required by email.

R.

And I left Berlin for Geneva:

No honestly

Because of the weather (6 months winter in Berlin, sometimes -25 degrees, you don't want to leave the house...).

The taxes (almost half of your salary is gone in Germany).

The language (speaking English or let alone French is rare. Turkish more common)

Berlin is poor but sexy, yes.... Easyjet goes directly from here

Why do I feel so misunderstood by you Richie? And why the hostile undertone?

I do not aspire to compete with Voltaire nor to get Geneva swinging. I repeat, I am here BECAUSE Geneva is boring, because of the safety and the comfort. I've had my share of the wild and crazy nightlife, the drug scene, etc. My idea of a good time is a camping trip in the Drome with my 5 year old son.

Now let's move on to more interesting topics, shall we ?

On my part, hostility was neither felt nor intended.

But if you feel that quoting the very tidy sum you are fortunate enough to take home from the fruit of your doubtless hard-earned labour gives you a ‘right to complain’ about Geneva, then you do lay yourself open to ironic response.

All the best nevertheless.  R.

Geneva is a cool city.  Join some glocal groups, get out more, make your life more interesting.  Make a change and enjoy the experience...

Fun in Geneva is like the aurora borealis, everyone knows it exists but you may just be unlucky ;-)

I just returned from Luxembourg where people told me, Luxembourg (city) is boring because many people after work return to France or Germany.

Could it be that Geneva appears boring to some people because the 'frontaliers' leave in the evening and those who could not find a place to live in GE after work go back to Nyon, Morges, Lausanne....?

Yep, Geneva is the CBD. The outlying villages are the playground. :-D. 

Only the broke and rich remain in the city. Either you party with the altermondialistes, or the super-rich ;-)

It is indeed. boring!

Interesting to read your comment. I'm a Swiss woman and I lived abroad many years. I have some questions. 

If Geneva and it's people are so boring, why do you stay ?

And what do you do to make Geneva more lively ?

Have a nice and happy day.

money.

people that comes for money are normally very boring people. Maybe it is not Geneva that is boring !!!

I agree...

Geneva seems boring because although there are several things to do, they are a kind of "hidden" and difficoult to find.

Even places for children are hidden. For example there are many lovely paddling pools , but they are always in secluded areas,  well hidden behind bushes... and unless you know exaclty where to turn in the park... you'll miss it.  I have the impression that the same "logic" applies for everything... including going out at night in pubs and bars... You MUST know where to go and what to do in advance.

I wasn't boring until after I arrived.  =)

1-TRUE LOT OF COME FOR MONEY and RESUME AND NOT ENJOY BEAUTY OF SWITZERLAND.

2- LOT OF COME BECAUSE THEY DONT HAVE CHOICE OTHERWISE LOST JOB ABROAD

3- FORBIDDEN CITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE : DISCRIMINATION TO FIND A JOB AND TOO EXPENSIVE

If you dig deep down, you'll find that underneath the boring layer of Geneva there lies several layers of very evil stuff which if known should amaze and awe most of us bored 'aliens.'

Believe it or not, Geneva has an extremely high crime rate that varies from instances of murder, rape, breaking and entering, corruption and what have you.

Prostitution, slavery and sleaziness may surpass that of Amsterdam's. Not to mention international espionage, money laundering and illegal weapon trade.

This stuff remains unpublished because city authorities fear for the city's image as a stable banking haven.

I know a number of native Geneva people who are afraid to venture out after sunset.

If you're lucky, however, you won't run into any bad stuff. I haven't since my arrival in 1993. But the bad stuff is out there, which makes Geneva less boring than most people realise !!!

B

Worst moaners? I thought the Germans are

I find your answer interesting, however you dont do anything to change the situation. To moan or not, this is not a question of nationality, it's a question of who you are and it says a lot about you character.

As a Swiss citizen I thing you should do something for Geneva because Geneva give you a job, monney and the opportunity to learn something from another country...am I wrong ?

Anyway I stop writing on that forum and for those how belive Geneva is boring or  too much this, not enough that, I feel sorry  if you dont appreciat the city where you live and it's people.

Not most Carrefour & the supermarkets that are open until 12-12:30 are a zoo on Sunday mornings.

I have friends who have dealt with more pickpockets & break-ins after moving here from Africa. No, not boring.

@B2008 

Come on !! Go lives in South America and than you will understand what does really mean corruption, weapons, prostitution, kiddnapping, highjacking, being afraid of going out at night, not feeling safe...

Then you will see Geneva like a paradise : ) Please choose one big city in Brazil, Columbia or Venezuela, and then we talk again about the violence in Geneva !!!

@Xutka b

"Yet back in America most cities are very suburban and with a "mental hospital" feel to them...."the only cultural activity in most American cities is to go to the shopping mall..."

"Most cities?" "The only cultural activity?"

 I am wondering here what cities you are referring to and how wide your "American experience" was because those sweeping generalizations you made about US cities don't bear much resemblance to the reality of what's on offer in most major -- and even some smaller -- US cities.  

I suppose one's view of a country also is affected by one's employment situation (or lack thereof) as well as personal life. There is a lot of driving, it's true, but it's a much larger nation. It's nice that one doesn't have to drive here as much; it would be even nicer if many drivers didn't tailgate, either.

But let's take a city the size of Geneva, Baton Rouge, Louisiansa.  That small city is bursting with cultural and sporting events, not  the least of which is the annual Mardi Gras festivals.  Fabulous restaurants, fantastic music and so on.. and Baton Rouge is 85th largest city in the US!

I do enjoy Geneva in general and Carouge in particular.  I lived here before Glocals existed and this site has definitely expanded the quality, quantity and diversity of activities for expats (and Swiss I hope, as well)...

For world cities, the one I've loved the most was Vancouver, BC! For me, that city has it all --  beautiful setting; wonderful cultural institutions and events; great restaurants; cool, laid-back people and so on...

I guess I don't feel the need to tear down other countries and cities.  Each place has its advantages and disadvantages.  

"Do something for Geneva because Geneva give you a job, money....am I wrong?"

Yes, I think you may well be wrong depending upon the kind of job... If it's in an international organization, then chances are (especially if you come from a major western developed nation) that your fellow citizens' tax revenues paid for that job, not Geneva or even Switzerland.

Furthermore, we "thank" Geneva by paying exhorbitant rents for living space and higher than most of the rest of Europe prices for food, telecommunications  and other necessities.

Its nice here and some of us have made it our home, but let's not exaggerate about what thanks we owe Geneva or the Swiss, for that matter.

Well if you've lived in northern England thats a sh!thole so anything would be better

You should be grateful for moaners as its the only way mankind has progressed - being content = mental death

can we snip quotes?

"Switzerland is a beautiful country and it's thanks in part to the attitude of the people who live here."

Only on a minor level - apart from keeping things generally cleaner and tidier than England, you cannot credit the Swiss for creating the mountains and lakes - take away those and you probably have the dreariest country on the planet

London is the greatest city in the world - if you argue against that you are going to look very stupid. there's nothing in Leeds - you made the correct choice to move away

"Shopping for most women is an alternative way of spending time when you do not have anything else to do."

Nothing else to do? LOL - shouldn't women be at home cleaning, making dinners and looking aftre the kids

I strongly suspect that at the border of Leeds  all those things are magically erased - i have heard that even angels feel impure there...all of those traits could be applied to Switzerland very easily...pollution would probably be the hardest one to nail I admit

geneva and all switzerland is the most boring place on the planet...

Someone , other than me, made a good post that summed it up great...life is safe clean and relaxed here and that can either be paradise for you or completely boring

I will offer 2 proofs that Geneva is in fact boring

1/ this site - the very existence is proof that stuff really isnt here at very least any decent stuff is not advertised

2/ nearly everyone says its great because you can travel to France etc etc...if it were good would you really want to travel to France

Geneva  is just a town BUT if it wants to pretend to be a city then it should have a lot more going for it

LOL do I have to guess what the asterisks mean?

I think you may like this link

I guess you have not visited Belgium - can someone carpet bomb the place and actually put some decent architecture in the country

I am grateful for all the help I received from the Swiss while I have been here...each day I put the appropiate amount of time to thank every person or organisation that helped me financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually...sometimes I just wonder how I could fit all that time in if I just allow 1 minute per person...I finish a long time before I can even boil an egg

Are you sure you are enjoying Geneva?  I sense a deep frustration caused by something, probably personal, but it is not the fault of Geneva or all the other cities, countries and people you hate. 

But then I spent four years in Leeds and loved every minute - so having looked at some of the posts about Leeds, it could be that my brain is dead.

I think the important word there was "lent" - did she wait for you to give the money back?

I thought the toilets were free there