There is a word that is widely used in Switzerland, particularly in relation
to residential property. You see it in almost every advert for accommodation
to rent and for housing for sale. It is so prominent that it is almost impossible
to ignore. Indeed it is a Swiss obsession. The word is ruhig and can be translated
to quiet, peaceful or restful. 
This
is such an obsession that the Swiss will go to great lengths to achieve it.
For example the Swiss railway service, the SBB, have been pursuing a year
long project to make a local bridge quieter. This has involved extensive works,
at considerable expense, which at time have directly interfered with the timetable
and which will continue for a few months yet. Or a second example, the next
community to ours has a motorway running through it. In order to contain and
baffle the noise from the traffic each side of the road had 10m. high sound
proofing walls along it however this was not enough for the local burghers
and so, now, they are undertaking a project to build a tunnel over the motorway.
Once this is completed the roof will be grassed and converted to playing fields.
All this is very well and good, but the unwary expat can fall foul of worse. There are laws in this country that prohibit noise in blocks of flats. After 10pm. residents must not take a bath as filling it will make too much noise. You must not flush the toilet at night for fear of disturbing others in the building and men going to the toilet in the middle of the night must not stand to relieve themselves of water in case they disturb the neighbours. It's at a point like this that the word Draconian floats gently into my mind.
It should be stated that I have never experienced a problem with this law and as my neighbours don't seem to bother with compliance it probably isn't a major issue. However there is always someone in the expat community with a tale of the police being called by a Swiss person to complain about a baby crying or some similar problem. In Switzerland if a law exists someone will want to use it. So be warned.
