Is Switzerland okay to move to as a 'BME' person?

[Jamapelle]

Just as the thread title- I've heard they're behind equal opportunity legislation there in comparison to the UK and rest of Europe and that they were discriminatory to 'foreigners' including British people as recent as the 90's! Is anyone living out there who could give me an idea how diverse the country is in terms of race and ethnicity? I'm classed as 'BME' and soon relocating to CH for work. Am I going to be stared at? Mocked? Treated as a lesser person? Any insight appreciated before I get my official offer through.

Probably depends where you are likely to live. Expats are not readily accepted by local Swiss without a lot of effort to integrate on your part. Generally equal opps are less forward in many ways in terms of gender, race etc while accepting of LGBT for example. There is also an assumption that Expats are very well paid and have a lifestyle accordingly, which is not always the case. If you live and work among an International community it would be likely to be less of an issue than being in a more mixed or remote location.

Thanks @LIZS. That's really helpful. We might pay Geneva a visit in the coming weeks to see what feel we get for the place. I've got a little one and would hate for him to feel 'different' at school.

I met someone who moved from Switzerland to Germany because of the abuse thrown at his bme girlfriend

Sorry can't comment on the schools in Geneva, but sadly there is a lot of racism within the international organisations. I don't know if you would be working for one of them. Blatant racism, people saying things that you would simply not say in a professional setting in London, for example, without facing consequences (IME). Ironic of course, given that they emphasize 'respect for diversity' . Out of all the things that I did or didn't expect, this shocked me the most.

Thanks for the responses. Sadly, my husband and I (British born and raised) have faced racism in all its forms- subtle and not so subtle (from people we know and strangers) but have developed thick skin and feel very comfortable either challenging it or ignoring it, as necessary. I feel we'd be able to take whatever cane our way and deal with it appropriately but I'd hate my lo to be subjected to or hear his parents being abused in the streets- is that likely? Eg. A person waking past and calling out names? We love England and consider it home but have got to go where our jobs take us. We'd most likely be living with other ex-pats but hope on doing as much travelling as we can once out there.

@GummySmile - can you give me an example please? Racism in that people assume/stereotype based on the colour of one's skin or racism as in not allowed to progress in their field/open hostility towards someone because of the colour of their skin?

So, I've just come across this:

www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiuxfT7pvjgAhWpzYUKHdBPDSQQzPwBCAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thelocal.ch%2F20180123%2Fracism-in-switzerland-people-of-colour-are-automatically-perceived-as-foreigners&psig=AOvVaw3FThjknYe8PU1iNEXq3poK&ust=1552332401121962

:'(

Both - people making deeply inappropriate comments about minorities (stereotypes) that I had never heard in 'professional' surroundings before. I have experienced and witnessed prejudice and racism and had high expectations from such a multicultural environment. Then of course recruitment processes in the organisations sadly favour the archetype of the majority (white, male, UK/US etc).
I hope someone who knows about the schools in Geneva will come along and comment. There are lots of expats in the area so I would like to think that your son is unlikely to experience any prejudice from other kids but I don't know. Good idea to go and visit, although not sure if you will get a realistic view on it whilst visiting.
In any case, one of the best things about Switzerland is its location, traveling to other countries is very easy, short flights etc!

As an expat you will likely live in the 'expat bubble' anyway, separate from the locals...

I can't tell you how it is for bame but we have both French and German friends who were working in Switzerland and moved to the U.K. when the opportunity arose partly because of the anti foreigner sentiment and they also mentioned what a sexist society it still is. Now like most things, it's down to location, organisation etc but I was a big shocked (they are both white btw and speak both French and German fluently)

Hi OP.

Of course I cannot comment on how you will find it there.

Just to say, I have been with my son who is half-African. (Snow boarding, family holidays, etc).

Never had a racist comment.

Switzerland has some fab mulitcultural places. From what I've experienced, not half as bad as Brexit-style as is happening now in UK.

Having lived in Geneva I was quite shocked about casual racism in professional settings. Discrimination at interview level, and overtly racist comments that I couldn't believe I had heard to be honest. However for kids I would be less concerned, friends with kids have a mix of people from many countries in their classes although mostly just from around Europe and the states. I didn't hear any comments of people shouting on the streets etc when out with BME friends, although I can't say it didn't happen.

I’ve lived in CH for the past 11 years.

Definitely behind the times in some respects but there are diverse international communities (via expats and immigration) in the big cities (Geneva, Lausanne, ZH) so if going to any of those places you would have less issues than rural Switzerland. I too have dc and my dd is at school and has friends from various backgrounds; no issues at all.

I can say that in my experience it’s a great country to live in with very good conditions, we have an excellent quality of life. I am honestly very happy to be here and not in England.

Feel free to pm me for further info.

Geneva is very multi cultural and you will probably move in expat circles only, so you’ll be fine.
The Swiss are very backward, casually racist and sexist, though.
One of our Swiss neighbours unforgettably commented that “there is a black child in my son’s class, but I don’t mind”.
Lovely country, but very 1950s.

We lived 6 years in Switzerland in the Ticino region and racism was very intense.
It is constant in everyday conversations and work settings. It is absolutely normal for them and can't understand why someone would be shocked or offended.
Grison and Ticino are the worse, Geneva is more open and nicer. You will also have more diversity in Geneva.

Where in Switzerland will you be based?

I live in Geneva and I would say that it is pretty multicultural - probably the best option in Switzerland. I have expat BME friends. I haven't asked them but I haven't heard any horror stories. I think "on the ground" you will be absolutely fine. The political system however is very backward and has some extreme right-wing influence so politicians for example are banned from wearing any religious symbols in parliament eg headscarves, which is both racist and sexist. I don't know about the workplace but I suspect in some sectors it is a bit like the U.K. in 1985. Heavily male dominated and probably undercurrents of racism, although I am not working and I am not BME so I can't be sure. Basically I think you should go for it if Geneva is your destination.

Ps sorry I did not mean to sound flippant about the possibility of you experiencing any discrimination - only that I think it's all for the better of people can brave the possibility as it means the community continues to become more diverse. Of course, that's easy for me to say.

I've got a friend who lives there and she says it's the most racist place she's ever been.

Off the subject but I'm sure that in the 1980s one of the Cantons didn't allow women to vote. Am I dreaming that?

My brother sent his children to GES (geneva English school) when they lived there. V international, although I can't comment on theethnicity mix. V friendly

A lot of people live on the French side and work in Switzerland. My BIL does. French system is very good and cheaper. Lots of jibes between the French and Swiss.

A fairly recent election poster... anything you can read into this will give you an insight ...

For goodness sake Forgiveness that is a far right political poster, of course it’s going to have racist over tones. You’ll find similar imagery in BNP posters.

You can’t judge an entire country on its political fringe.

OP, you’ll be fine there, and if I were you I would follow my career to such a beautiful country.

Switzerland is also very child centric and I really doubt your kids would suffer there, quite the opposite.

Good luck!

My brother is Swiss. He is a petty racist and prejudiced. Ie. Wouldn’t be violent but does make Snide comments about women of colour and sex; thinks all women are less intelligent than men. Thinks brexit is fantastic.

And that’s what his friends are like too. My black friend dated one of them for a bit but couldn’t cope with the social stigma when she visited Switzerland and broke up with his. They were fine as a mixed face couple in the uk.

It is a beautiful country though and the living standards are very high. Skiing is great too!